Hennepin History Museum

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THE GEORGE CHRISTIAN MANSION

The George Christian House, built in 1919 by the firm of Hewitt and Brown, has been the home of the Hennepin County Historical Society since 1957.

George H. Christian arrived in Minneapolis in 1866 and as manager for the Washburn-Crosby Company coordinated the perfection of a "New Process" of milling spring wheat. This new technology revolutionized the industry and made Minneapolis the flour milling capital of the world from 1880 to 1930. Christian made so much money from the "New Process" that he retired in 1875 to pursue his interest in art, music, philosophy, and philanthropy. The Christian name continued to be associated with flour milling through his two brothers and son, George Chase, who remained active in the business.                                                       

Mr. Christian began work on this house in 1917. He selected the architectural firm of Hewitt and Brown, each partner of which had married a niece of Christian. Edwin Hewitt's design is a mix of the Renaissance and late English Gothic. Its brick facade is broken by a two-story window bay with carvings and a balustrade that encircles the roof. The interior features African-cypress floors, carved fireplaces, and ironwork by well-known artist Samuel Yellin of Philadephia.

Before the project was finished Christian, his wife, and his son died, leaving Carolyn (also spelled Caroline) McKnight Christian, the younger Christian's widow, seven servants,and four foster children as the only occupants for the next forty years. Among Mrs. Christian's many charitable acts were the endowment of a professorship in cancer research at the University of Minnesota in her husband's name, and the donation of her house and art objects to the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts in 1957. The Hennepin County Historical Society purchased the house in 1957.
 
The Washburn-Fair Oaks "Mansion" District is located in Minneapolis just south of downtown. Fair Oaks became a fashionable neighborhood for several generations of Minneapolitans because it was convenient to downtown yet separated by elevation from the working sections of the city. The neighborhood's grandest mansions were built by the first generation Minneapolis business leaders from the 1850s to the 1880s. Today the district consists of early 20th century homes of the second generation elite clustered around the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, Fair Oaks Park and the First Christian Church which were built on the sites of the earlier mansions. Most of the houses are now used for commercial and institutional purposes. A wide range of period revival styles were popular during this period, and most of them are represented in the district. The park is named for Senator William D. Washburn who built an impressive home (at the cost of over half a million dollars) on this 10 acre site, which he named for the oak grove on the land. He died in 1911 and the home was demolished in 1924 to make room for the park.

                                      

Guided Tours
The museum offers docent-led gallery tours that highlight the theme of continuity and change in Hennepin County. Exhibits change periodically. Tour theme and scheduling can be customized fit the particular needs and interests of your group.

Call to inquire about tour prices.

Special Delivery Program - Bringing History and Artifacts to You
If you can't come to us, we'll come to you! A museum guide will come to your school, bringing artifacts that students can view. You may choose from the following topics or we can customize our presentation to meet your curriculum needs.

Suggested contribution: $2.00 per person. Two weeks advance registration requested.

Museum Tour and Special Delivery Topics Include:

HISTORY 101: The growth and development of Minneapolis, a city on the river. Students explore the development of Minneapolis and Hennepin County, prompting them to identify forces which created and continue to define the city. Objects and/or slides presented.

WOODLANDS AND PRAIRIES: Objects & photos from the Dakota and Ojibwa people. Students examine the forces of cultural tradition and change in Minnesota's Dakota and Ojibwa communities as revealed in the materials, design, and purpose of crafted objects. Artifacts and/or slides presented

GROWlNG UP IN HENNEPlN COUNTY: The life of city children in the early 1900s. Students study the books, toys, games, and clothing of past generations of children and consider their own lives in the context of this historical continuum.

MYSTERY OBJECTS: A museum guide presents one object at a time to initiate audience imagination and discussion. The focus is on design, function, intended purpose, and how it relates to similar objects we use today.

REMEMBER WHEN?: A museum guide presents objects from the childhood of participants, sparking remembrances and stories.

FUN & FASHIONS OF THE ZANY 20s: A presentation of clothing and photographs; discussion of trends and lifestyles of the 1920s.

RECREATION IN HENNEPIN COUNTY: The fun and entertainment of residents around the turn of the twentieth century. A discussion on the importance of the parks, the emergence of organized sports and the beginnings of social clubs and organizations. Also includes amusement parks, circuses, fairs, and summer resorts of Lake Minnetonka.
                     Membership
JOIN TODAY and DISCOVER HENNEPIN COUNTY'S HISTORY for yourself.
By joining today you gain access to one of the Twin Cities' most unique social history museums.Benefits include free admission to the galleries and library, advanced invitations to all openings and special events, 10% discount on all merchandise, and a one year's subscription to the "Hennepin History Magazine"*. So come, be a part of history and join today!


MEMBERSHIP LEVELS: 

Individual = $35
Household = $50
Contributor = $100
Archivist Circle = $250
Curator Circle = $500
Museum Club = $1,000
Student / Senior = $20 (no magazine*)

*Hennepin History magazine subscriptions are provided to $35+ membership levels and above.

For more information about additional benefits specific to levels please contact us at (612) 870-1329, or see our Memberships Page.
 
Please see our memberships page to join or renew!
 
As a result of a organizational strategic plan the summer of 2011, HHM has updated its mission.

                  Our Mission

The mission of the Hennepin History Museum is to collect and preserve the history of Hennepin County while serving as a center of knowledge and public education in the community.