Ethnology museums in Minnesota

The Minneapolis Institute of Art, established in 1883, is a significant art museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. It is one of the largest museums in the country, boasting a collection of over 100,000 objects that cover a historical period of 5,000 years. This vast collection offers visitors a chance to explore art from different eras and cultures, making it a fascinating destination for art enthusiasts.

The American Swedish Institute (ASI) is a museum and cultural center located in the Phillips West neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The institute is dedicated to preserving and studying the historic role that Sweden and Swedish Americans have played in US culture and history. It serves as a gathering place for people to share experiences around themes of culture, migration, the environment, and the arts, all informed by enduring links to Sweden.

Today, the Lower Sioux Agency is a historic site managed by the Lower Sioux Community in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society. In February 2021, ownership of half of the site was transferred from the historical society to the Lower Sioux Community. This partnership and ownership transfer demonstrate the ongoing commitment to preserving and sharing the history of the Lower Sioux Indian Reservation.

The Somali Museum of Minnesota boasts a collection of over 1000 traditional nomadic artifacts from Somalia. These artifacts provide a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Somali people. In addition to the artifact collection, the museum also offers educational programming about Somali culture, arts events, and cross-cultural activities. These programs aim to promote understanding and appreciation of Somali culture among visitors.

The American Museum of Asmat Art, located at the University of St. Thomas in St. Paul, Minnesota, is a gallery dedicated to showcasing the art and culture of the Asmat people of southwestern Papua, Indonesia. This museum provides a unique opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of the Asmat people, right in the heart of the United States.

The Kashubian Cultural Institute & Polish Museum, located in Winona, Minnesota, is a cultural and historical museum. It was established in 1979 with the aim of preserving the Polish and Kashubian heritage of the region. The museum is a testament to the rich cultural history of the area and offers a unique insight into the lives and traditions of the Polish and Kashubian communities.

The Minnesota History Center, located near downtown Saint Paul, serves as the headquarters of the Minnesota Historical Society. This museum and library is recognized as one of Minnesota's finest public buildings, offering a rich insight into the state's history and culture.

Pipestone National Monument is situated in the southwestern region of Minnesota. It is conveniently accessible via several highways, including U.S. Route 75, Minnesota State Highway 23, and Minnesota State Highway 30. This makes it an easy destination to reach for those traveling by road.

The Gibbs Farm, located in Falcon Heights, Minnesota, is a museum that was originally the farmstead of Heman Gibbs and Jane DeBow. The farm was first established in 1854 and has since been transformed into a museum that provides a glimpse into the lives of the pioneers who lived there.

The Jeffers Petroglyphs site, located in southwestern Minnesota, is a significant historical site featuring pre-contact Native American petroglyphs. These petroglyphs are pecked into the rock of the Red Rock Ridge, a Sioux quartzite outcrop that extends for 23 miles. The site is surrounded by virgin prairie and is a testament to the rich cultural history of the region.

The Grand Portage National Monument is a significant historical site located in a boreal forest on the north shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. The monument was established with the aim of preserving a vital center of the fur trade, which played a crucial role in the region's history. Additionally, the monument also serves as a testament to the rich heritage of the local Ojibwe culture, offering visitors a glimpse into the past.

The Finn Creek Open Air Museum is a Finnish-American open-air museum situated about six miles southeast of New York Mills, Minnesota. This museum is a testament to the early Finnish immigrants' lifestyles and experiences in the New York Mills area, providing a unique insight into their history and culture.

Today, the former Redwood County Poor Farm building is home to the Redwood County Museum. Operated by the Redwood County Historical Society, the museum features 30 rooms filled with local history and cultural exhibits. Visitors can explore period rooms such as a living room, dining room, kitchen, general store, military room, and doctor's office, each offering a unique glimpse into the past.