All About History in the Twin Cities this Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn (June 26, 2025) – Summer vacation just got more historic with new experiences from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS)! Visitors can explore fresh events, exciting tours, and hidden gems across Minnesota. New events are being added all the time, so please check the MNHS events calendar throughout the summer.

MNHS Summer Free Admission Day, June 28, All Across Minnesota
The opportunity of the summer! MNHS is providing free admission to select sites and museums that normally require paid entry. Free admission days occur four times per year to provide greater access to history. And don’t forget, the Minnesota History Center offers free admission and parking from 4 pm–8 pm each week for Free Thursday Nights! 

West End Food & History Tour, Throughout Summer, Minnesota History Center
Discover the rich culinary history of St. Paul’s West End, one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods. From historic roots to today’s vibrant West 7th Street, taste diverse flavors and hear stories that bring the neighborhood’s food traditions to life.

Historic Riverfront Walking Tour, Throughout Summer, Mill City Museum
Explore the storied past and vibrant future of the St. Anthony Falls Historic District. Discover how this former global milling hub has transformed into a lively cultural and residential neighborhood. Enjoy stunning views of the Mississippi’s only waterfall and hear the stories of the people who shaped the area.

Millers' Tour, Throughout Summer, Mill City Museum
Go beyond the exhibits on this 60-minute guided tour through the hidden corners of the historic Washburn A Mill complex. Uncover the stories of Minneapolis’s flour milling heyday inside this National Historic Landmark.

History on Two Wheels: Inside Historic Fort Snelling and to the Upper Post, Throughout Summer, Historic Fort Snelling
Bring your bike and join a 90-minute, 3-mile guided tour through the scenic land between the Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers. Explore the historic fort, visit key stops along the route, and get a unique look at the newly restored Upper Post, revealing Minnesota’s role in global conflicts.

Summit Avenue Walking Tour, Throughout Summer, James J. Hill House
Explore the longest stretch of Victorian mansions in the US on this 90-minute walking tour led by knowledgeable guides. Learn about the area's stunning architecture, rich social history, and ongoing preservation efforts as you walk 1.5 miles through one of St. Paul’s most iconic neighborhoods.

Nooks and Crannies Tour, Throughout Summer, James J. Hill House
Go beyond the standard tour with access to hidden areas of the Hill House, including the attic theater, gate house, and private storage spaces usually closed to the public. This 90-minute guided experience highlights personal stories of the Hill family and domestic workers, paired with close-up views of original artifacts and fixtures.

Irvine Park Walking Tour, Throughout Summer, Alexander Ramsey House
Join our expert guides for a walking tour of one of St. Paul’s earliest residential neighborhoods. Explore the district’s rich architectural heritage, hear stories of past residents, and learn about the preservation efforts that keep this historic gem thriving today.

Ramsey House Summer Tour, Throughout Summer, Alexander Ramsey House
Explore three generations of the Ramsey family and the domestic workers who brought this 11,000-square-foot mansion to life. Filled with over 14,000 original objects, your guided tour reveals intimate stories, both political and personal, that connect the family’s legacy to today.

Capitol Builders Tour, June 28, Minnesota State Capitol
Explore key spots that reveal the work, methods, and people behind the Capitol’s creation. Learn about architect Cass Gilbert’s vision and the dedicated team, from commissioners to construction workers, who brought this masterpiece to life between groundbreaking and its 1905 opening.

The St. Joseph's School of Music-St. Paul Conservatory Faculty Concert Series, July 3, Minnesota History Center
Enjoy live performances by faculty from St. Joseph’s School of Music–Saint Paul Conservatory of Music. The concert includes a special appearance by the award-winning Jasper String Quartet.

Farmers' Fourth of July, July 4, Oliver Kelley Farm
Pack a picnic and enjoy 19th-century games, patriotic speeches, and a taste of historic ice cream! Don’t miss the 1 pm performance by Century Brass and a lively game of historic town ball. Step back in time and celebrate Independence Day the old-fashioned way!

Capitol Civil War Tour, July 12, Minnesota State Capitol
Dive into Minnesota’s Civil War story: see rare battle flags, powerful artwork, and hear inspiring stories of the soldiers and leaders who shaped history. 

Minnesota Salsa Fiesta!, July 12, Mill City Museum
Celebrate the annual Minnesota Salsa Fiesta at Mill City Museum! Enjoy live salsa music and dance outdoors in the Ruin Courtyard, featuring Cuban percussion star Yolanda ‘Yuya’ Rodriguez. Take a free salsa lesson, then head indoors to sample Latino food, drinks, and artisan vendors amid vibrant art inspired by salsa culture. 

The Health of a Garrison, July 12, Historic Fort Snelling
Learn about medical treatments and theories that shaped history at Historic Fort Snelling, from the care of veterans at the post to the importance of plants to Native American health and medicine.

The Nation Makes the Man: Norman Rockwell and WWII Masculinity, July 18, Sibley Historic Site
Explore the evolving ideals of American masculinity from the late 19th century through World War II. Discover how wartime patriotism shaped the aggressive military man image.

Bands on the Bluff: Brooklyn Big Band, July 18, Historic Fort Snelling
Grab a spot on the stone seating at Historic Fort Snelling’s Klas Overlook amphitheater for a free outdoor performance by the 18-piece Brooklyn Big Band! Enjoy great music and snacks from the Big Red Wagon food truck on site.

Historic Main Street Walking Tour, July 19, August 9 & 30, Mill City Museum
Embark on a 90-minute walking tour along St. Anthony’s historic Main Street on the east bank of the Mississippi River. Learn about the vibrant communities that once lived here while strolling.

North Star Voices: Pushing the River, July 19, Minnesota History Center
Join award-winning writer Frank Bures for a captivating journey through tales of ambition, adventure, rivalry, friendship, and love on the Mississippi River and beyond. Enjoy rare photos and videos of the legendary Paul Bunyan Canoe Derby, plus gripping true stories of river life.

My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan Exhibit Opening Night Celebration, July 19, Mill City Museum
Join Green Card Voices and the Minnesota Historical Society for the opening of My City Was a Sparkling Jewel: Voices of Newcomer Youth from Afghanistan, an exhibit sharing the powerful, first-person stories of 30 Afghan youth from diverse ethnic backgrounds. Enjoy a halal dinner, and listen, learn, and exchange stories with Afghan neighbors who now call Minnesota home.

Puppet Performance: The Adventures of Juan Bobo, July 24, Minnesota History Center
Open Eye Theater presents The Adventures of Juan Bobo/Las Adventuras de Juan Bobo, a puppet show for all ages on the front lawn of the Minnesota History Center.

Muskets and Cannons, July 26 & August 9, Historic Fort Snelling
Join us for an exciting look at 19th-century weapons technology. Watch live artillery demonstrations, learn about loading and firing procedures, and explore the types of ammunition used in early 1800s warfare. The day also includes a military music performance, all presented in historical dress.

Minneapolis Aquatennial Fireworks, July 26, Mill City Museum
Get an unmatched view of the 2025 Aquatennial Fireworks from the museum’s Koch Observation Deck. 

North Star Voices: Chasing Wildflowers, August 2, Minnesota History Center
Through stunning photographs and vivid storytelling, Phyllis Root and Kelly Povo recount their experiences wading rivers, climbing rocky outcrops, and navigating unexpected challenges. 

Minnesota Trivia Night, August 7, Minnesota History Center
Test your Minnesota knowledge with Trivia Mafia’s Minnesota-themed trivia night.

Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra Performance, August 14, Minnesota History Center
Join the Minnesota Mandolin Orchestra for an evening of popular tunes, traditional mandolin music, and new pieces by local and national composers.

Art & Artists of the State Capitol, August 16, Minnesota State Capitol
Tour the Minnesota State Capitol and explore its grand murals, paintings, sculptures, and historic spaces. Learn about the muralist movement in the US, hear stories behind the artwork, and discover recent conservation efforts that restored these masterpieces to their original glory.

Fading Ads of the Twin Cities at Sibley, August 22nd, Sibley Historic Site
Join photographer and historian Jay Grammond for a virtual tour of the Twin Cities’ Fading Ads – old painted signs on brick buildings that tell the stories of Minneapolis and St. Paul’s past. 

Funding for free admission is provided by the State of Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, and our generous donors and members.

About the Minnesota Historical Society
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.

# # #