Uncover the layered story of Goodhue County — from Dakota Sioux settlements and pioneer homesteaders to Red Wing's industrial golden age — in a rich regional museum that punches well above its size with world-class artifact collections.
What to expect
The museum's permanent galleries span 10,000 years of human history along this stretch of the Mississippi, from pre-contact Indigenous villages to the Norwegian and Swedish immigrants who turned the prairie into farmland. The Dakota material culture collection is particularly significant, with original beadwork, tools, and treaty documents rarely seen outside academic institutions. A costumed docent brings the settlement era to vivid life, and the research library is a trove for anyone with Minnesota ancestry.
Good to know
Located a short walk from downtown Red Wing. Call ahead to arrange a private or small-group docent session. Closed Mondays. Combine with the nearby Pottery Museum for a full cultural half-day in the heart of town.
Sail there
Luxury cruises that call at Red Wing — book through us, the fare is identical and your concierge stays on your side.