Hennepin History Museum

THE MUSEUM IS TEMPORARILY CLOSED DUE TO EXHIBIT INSTALLATION.

Opening in February………..

Now more than ever, our community is grateful for the sacrifices that healthcare professionals make every day.

Local Heroes, our newest exhibit, traces the long tradition of people willing to devote themselves to caring for others even in the face of adversity. Local Heroes pays tribute to these healers and caretakers by exploring stories of medical innovation, trailblazing, and exceptional dedication to the field of healthcare throughout early Hennepin County history.

Hennepin History Museum brings the diverse history of people in Hennepin County to life. We help people understand their world through an exploration of local history with exhibits, public programs, a magazine, and a public research library.

Upcoming Events

A ‘Behind the Scenes’ Look at Local Heroes

February 6 @ 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Introduction to Crop Art

February 12 @ 5:00 pm - 7:00 pm

A Public History of 35W: Opposing Expansion

February 25 @ 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Hennepin History Museum is dedicated to

Our Mission

Founded in 1938 as the Hennepin County Historical Society, Hennepin History Museum is dedicated to bringing the diverse history of Hennepin County and its residents to life through exhibitions, library, collections, and educational programs. Our mission is to collect and preserve the history and stories of Hennepin County.

Our Vision

We are the primary resource for all audiences who want to better understand the stories of Hennepin County’s past.

The values that drive our vision:

Innovative in our approaches to connecting people to their past
Inclusive in serving visitors and audiences from all racial, cultural, and economic backgrounds
Relevant in helping to understand the events of today through the lens of the past
Responsible for stewarding of all that is entrusted to us

Our Roots

Hennepin History Museum was officially founded as the Hennepin County Historical Society in 1938, although it has roots extending back to the 1858 founding of the Territorial Pioneers Association.

The museum’s first home was located in St. Louis Park’s City Hall; in the 1940s, the expanding organization moved to a location on Harmon Place in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis.

In 1958, the Hennepin County Historical Society purchased the George Christian Mansion to house its growing collections. The space in the sprawling 44-room mansion gave the museum room to expand its education and exhibition programs, and to continue to add to its historical collections. In the 1980s, the organization’s name was officially changed to Hennepin History Museum.

We remain in the historic Christian Mansion, where we continue to offer the public a wide range of exhibitions, educational programming, and access to our extensive collections.