Spring into Action: Celebrate the History of the Season

ST. PAUL, Minn (Month Day, 2024) – Visitors are invited to join the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) in welcoming spring with engaging events and activities at its network of sites across the state. New activities are being added all the time! Keep checking the MNHS events calendar throughout the year. 

Horse-Drawn Spring Phenology Tour, April 6, 12 pm–1:30 pm, Forest History Center
Join local ecologist Courtney Kerns on a 90-minute guided tour of the Forest History Center aboard a horse-drawn trolley. The tour will traverse old growth forest, wetlands and along the banks of the Mississippi River, offering plenty of opportunities for up-close viewing of signs of spring. Cost: $25, MNHS members save 20%

Eclipse Viewing at Jeffers Petroglyphs, April 8, 11 am–4 pm, Jeffers Petroglyphs 
Jeffers Petroglyphs is hosting a free eclipse viewing event! Minnesota will experience about 75% coverage with peak coverage at 2 pm. Enjoy viewing the eclipse with new smart solar filters for telescopes and complimentary solar eclipse glasses (while supplies last). Cost: Free

Indigenous Astronomy, April 12, 5 pm–10 pm, Jeffers Petroglyphs
Experience an engaging event exploring Indigenous astronomy at Jeffers Petroglyphs. From 5–7 pm, the Bell Museum will host astronomy-based activities and Jeffers Petroglyphs will offer guided tours of Native American rock carvings. At 7 pm, Culture Bearer Steve Tamayo will present on Native American Star Knowledge. The event will conclude with a telescope viewing of the moon, weather permitting. Cost: Free

Photography & Art Featuring Doug Cottrell, April 13 & 27, 10 am–4 pm, Split Rock Lighthouse
Don’t miss the latest exhibit at the Split Rock Lighthouse Visitor Center! Featuring local artist and wildlife photographer Doug Cottrell from Hudson, WI, this showcase captures the beauty of the Midwest. Cost: Included with site admission

Monarch Butterflies: Author Talk, April 14, 1:30 pm–2:30 pm, James J. Hill House
Join St. Paul author Ann Hobbie for a reading of her new book, Monarch Butterflies. Listen to an excerpt, a presentation on their migration journey and participate in a Q&A session. Books will be available for purchase. This event also features a brand-new visitor option: a self-guided butterfly scavenger hunt around the mansion. Explore the grounds and look for butterflies before or after the author talk! Cost: Included with site admission

Minnesota Jazz Legends, April 14, 2 pm–4 pm, Minnesota History Center
Celebrate Minnesota’s Jazz heritage with live music honoring local legends. Hosted by Jazz88’s Patty Peterson, this event features performances and interviews with this year’s honorees Brian Grivna, Mikkel Romstad, Dr. Henry Blackburn, and Roberta Davis. Cost: $20, $16 for MNHS members, $10 for kids

NAAIR In the Gallery: “Gifts of the Nettle” with Fern Renville, April 14, 21, & 28, 10 am–4 pm, Minnesota History Center
Don’t miss the “Artists In The Gallery'' series at the Minnesota History Center! Join us for a nettle plant fiber weaving demonstration with Fern Renville, 2023 Native American Artist-in-Residence. Fern, a member of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, will share stories and knowledge from her Dakota homelands. Cost: Free

Author Event: It Took Courage with Christopher P. Lehman, April 18, 7 pm–8:30 pm, Mill City Museum 
Celebrate the premiere of Christopher P. Lehman’s new book, It Took Courage: Eliza Winston’s Quest for Freedom at Mill City Museum. Join us as Lehman unveils the remarkable story of Eliza Winston’s 42-year struggle for freedom. From being enslaved by President Andrew Jackson’s family to her relentless pursuit of justice, Winston’s journey sheds light on the resilience and determination of those fighting against slavery. Cost: Free

History Forum: Making America's Public Land, April 20, 10 am or 2 pm, Minnesota History Center
Don’t miss the Minnesota Historical Society’s History Forum 2024, featuring six engaging lectures by top scholars in American history. Join environmental historian Adam Sowards as he traces the long history of public lands in the United States from the beginning of the republic to current events. Cost: $16 in-person, $12 virtual

Springtime Farm, April 20th, 12 pm–3 pm, Mill City Museum
Experience the hustle and bustle of a working farm during springtime with the Maplewood Historical Society and Mill City Museum at Bruentrup Heritage Farm! Learn the science of butter-making, discover how to craft a fake apple pie, take home a seed for planting and test your knowledge with the farm artifact challenge. Cost: Included with site admission

Springtime on the Farm, May 11, 10 am–3 pm, Oliver Kelley Farm
Celebrate Mother’s Day weekend this May at the Farm! Explore the budding gardens, meet new barnyard animals and craft your own May basket to take home. Plus, mothers get free admission when accompanied by a child of any age. Cost: Included with site admission (Moms get in free!)

Minnesota State Band Spring Concert, May 11,  1 pm–2:30 pm, Minnesota History Center
Celebrate Minnesota Statehood Day with the Minnesota State Band at their spring concert, “History, Pageantry, Variety.” Enjoy a diverse program featuring historic marches, celebratory fanfares, folk songs and more, including the premiere of the Band’s composition contest winner. Cost: Free

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.