Field Trips: Mill City Museum 

The milling industry made Minneapolis famous. At Mill City Museum, located in the ruins of what was once the world’s largest flour mill, students learn about the history of industry, the Mississippi River, and the growth of the city.

Core Experience 

Designed for grades 2–6, but adaptable to students of all ages.

Visits include a self-guided scavenger hunt in the exhibits, hands-on micro lessons in the Baking Lab and Water Lab, the multimedia Flour Tower show, the film “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat,” and the 9th floor Koch Rooftop Observation Deck.

Baking Lab

Food is essential to all of us. In the Baking Lab, learn how food production changed during the rise of the flour milling industry in Minneapolis and how those changes affect how we eat today. Students will sample a food that helps tell these stories.

Water Lab

Water is essential to the story of Minneapolis. The Mississippi River and Owamniyomni (St. Anthony Falls) have many stories to tell about why people chose to move here, how people changed the river and the effects those changes had on people and the landscape. Students will explore hands-on water tables that help tell these stories.

The Flour Tower

Students will take an eight-story elevator ride through a recreated historic mill to hear the stories of employees who worked there. The ride uses historic film, photographs, and the dramatic use of lighting, sound and special effects to tell the story of the mill when it was working. The ride provides your students with a memorable trip back in time - and allows them to experience the powerful, noisy process of transforming grain into flour. (30 students per show. Arrive a few minutes prior to showtime. Due to capacity some adults may not be able to participate in this experience.)

“Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat” movie

The film,“Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat”, is a lighthearted take on the city’s history by local humorist, playwright and radio personality Kevin Kling. Through photos, film and television footage, his own stories and memories, and animation, students will be taken on a whirlwind tour of the history of our fair city, Minneapolis.

Koch Rooftop Observation Deck

Enjoy rooftop views of the Mississippi River, St. Anthony Falls, the Stone Arch Bridge, and the historic mill district. The observation deck includes indoor and outdoor viewing areas.

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Scholarships

The McKnight Foundation Scholarship offers financial assistance to offset transportation costs and provides free admission to Mill City Museum for metro-area public schools.

See if you’re eligible for scholarships or discounts, and apply on our Scholarships and Subsidies Page.