St. Louis County Historical Society

St. Louis County Historical Society Since 1922, we have been dedicated to preserving and sharing the rich history of St. Louis County, Minnesota. https://linktr.ee/slchs

Our mission is to collect, preserve, and interpret the stories, artifacts, and documents that define our unique heritage. The Society introduces visitors to the St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center, better known as the Depot, our home since 1976, to the region's roots by presenting the stories of exploration, immigration, and development, in our exhibits. Just a portion of the Society's efforts

are represented by these exhibits. We hold in public trust thousands of museum objects and tens of thousands of archival records, which can be accessed at the Northeast Minnesota Historical Center, at the University of Minnesota Duluth.

Calling all educators 🍎 (including parents and grandparents): The SLCHS website offers downloadable pdf learning guides ...
09/02/2026

Calling all educators 🍎 (including parents and grandparents): The SLCHS website offers downloadable pdf learning guides on Ojibwe culture and history, the mining and timber industries, and more. Find them at thehistorypeople.org/educational-resources (link in the comments). Topics include:
• Ojibwe Crafting Guide
• Homestead Program
• WWII and the Homefront Program
• Iron Mining and WWII

Our curator, Terry Johnson, has been hard at work with the dedicated staff of Denfeld High School and its unofficial his...
08/28/2026

Our curator, Terry Johnson, has been hard at work with the dedicated staff of Denfeld High School and its unofficial historian, Joe Vukelich, to create a history presentation and event celebrating the centennial of the academic English Gothic style school building and school traditions. Check out the Fox 21 News story at the link in the comments. 👇Who remembers the massive 50th anniversary celebration? It added a big kick to Duluth's bicentennial boom. Also check out Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76".😁

Who's going to the Minnesota State Fair?🥔🥬🧅 St. Louis County showed up in the early days. According to A.B. Hostetter, d...
08/27/2026

Who's going to the Minnesota State Fair?🥔🥬🧅 St. Louis County showed up in the early days. According to A.B. Hostetter, district supervisor of agriculture "the exhibits of the northern counties are superior to those from other sections"💪 (DNT September 8, 1916). An interior view of the St. Louis county building exhibiting area produce and large jars of canned vegetables at the Minnesota State Fair, c. 1915. UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library

By August 1976, the Bicentennial boom was chugging ahead. Find out where the momentum came from next week at Charting a ...
08/27/2026

By August 1976, the Bicentennial boom was chugging ahead. Find out where the momentum came from next week at Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76", Thursday the 3rd at 6 pm at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

50 years ago this month, Phillip Larson organized a Friendship Train to travel with 19 cars hitched behind four engines and the "Spirit of '76." It journied from Duluth to the International Bridge in Fort Francis, Ontario, Canada. Funds raised supported the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

Our speaker for Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76" on September 3rd at 6 pm at the Lake Sup...
08/24/2026

Our speaker for Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76" on September 3rd at 6 pm at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum is an expert on the 1970s, co-authoring Minnesota in the '70s, and appearing in a totally 70s TPT - Twin Cities PBS documentary, America Was Obsessed with Turning 200. Check out the video in the link in the comments then join us on September 3rd to share your Bicentennial experience!🤩

What kind of mug do you like to drink your coffee from? With Dad-humor? Vintage? Local landmarks or businesses? Come to ...
08/23/2026

What kind of mug do you like to drink your coffee from? With Dad-humor? Vintage? Local landmarks or businesses? Come to the Bienvenue Coffee Festival at the St. Louis County Depot and sample the wares and flavors. Saturday, September 26, 9 am to 3 pm.

Did you know the Chisholm Iron Man has star spangled roots🎉? Join us on Sept. 3 at 6 pm at the Lake Superior Railroad Mu...
08/21/2026

Did you know the Chisholm Iron Man has star spangled roots🎉? Join us on Sept. 3 at 6 pm at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum to hear about that and how Duluth broke from the Bicentennial pack in Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76".

As Chisholm pumped up its Bicentennial cred, a memorial to iron workers rose up as a potential project. The community held a groundbreaking dedication ceremony for the memorial at the Museum of Mining grounds on July 3, 1976. But Chisholm planned so much more for the 200th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence: A Bicentennial Diamond Jubilee Parade, the Slovenian National Home and Auxiliary's Salute to the Bicentennial, dedication of the Bridge of Peace at the entrance of Chishom, and distribution of bumper stickers: Follow Me to Chisolm, Minn.🚗

Who had more 1776 Spirit, Bicentennial Duluthians or the Semiquincentennial Duluthians? Find out by joining historians o...
08/17/2026

Who had more 1776 Spirit, Bicentennial Duluthians or the Semiquincentennial Duluthians? Find out by joining historians on September 3rd at 6 pm for Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76" at the Lake Superior Railroad Museum.

From the Wednesday, April 14, 1976 Duluth Herald, Virginia Hyvarinen was children's librarian who started a Bicentennial Heritage series for Duluth Public Library. Thank you librarians!

Join us for our rescheduled History-in-a-Pint, Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76" on Septem...
08/17/2026

Join us for our rescheduled History-in-a-Pint, Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed "The Spirit of '76" on September 3 at 6 p.m. Professor Emeritus Thomas Saylor of Concordia University, a historian of the 1970s, will explore how Duluth’s Bicentennial generation turned the national celebration into a boom in local events—and helped set the stage for the tourism city Duluth is today.

Address

506 W Michigan Street
Duluth, MN
55802

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12187337580

Website

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