Wander Minnesota: MNSH's History Hound Program
Schools are starting to let out for the summer break. If you're the parent of an elementary-aged child and you're looking for some fun, inventive ways to keep them and their brains running, look no further than the Minnesota Historical Society's History Hound program.
Take your under-14 offspring to six of the 20 participating MNHS sites between June 1 and Aug. 31 and get their passport stamped. Once they've filled their passport, they will receive their own History Hound plush toy. Passports are available at the participating sites.
What better way to gently insert a little history into your child's summer?
These are all family-friendly sites, with all different aspects and eras of history included. A particular favorite for kids is the Harkin Store just outside New Ulm, which showcases an 1870s general store. Or learn something about Minnesota's Ojibwe history at the Mille Lacs Indian Museum. You can even combine history and spelunking with a visit to Historic Forestville. A pioneer town that dates back to the 1850s, Historic Forestville is located within Forestville Mystery Cave State Park, which is also home to Mystery Cave. Tours are available in the summer.
The Historical Society always has a robust events calendar, so preplan when possible and find special events and activities, especially on weekends. Some particularly fun family events include:
- Farm Animal Weekend at the Oliver Kelley Farm
- Time Capsule for Families: Moving to Minnesota in 1849 at the Alexander Ramsey House
- Be a Lumberjack Day at the Forest History Center
- Make an Arrowhead Day at the Jeffers Petroglyphs
- Riverfront Quest Family Tour near the Mill City Museum
- World War I Day at Historic Fort Snelling
What else is happening in our state? Be sure to check out the 10 p.m. Tuesday night WCCO newscasts, where you can learn more in the weekly segment, Finding Minnesota.
