Minnesota State Capitol

Minnesota State Capitol Discover the incredible history, art, and architecture of the Minnesota State Capitol building!
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The Minnesota Historical Society is entrusted with sharing the stories of the Capitol. Designed by Cass Gilbert, who was known for his classical style and pioneering skyscrapers, the Capitol features the second-largest self-supporting marble dome in the world, works by important 19th- and 20th-century artists, and battle flags from the Civil and Spanish-American Wars. Home to Minnesota’s Governor,

Supreme Court, Senate and House of Representatives, the Capitol building is an active place of business as well as a state historic site. Please note: Messages posted here will not reach lawmakers or state officials. Please direct comments related to legislation or governance to your representatives. Find your representatives here: https://www.sos.state.mn.us/elections-voting/get-involved/contact-your-elected-representatives/

Weekend Walk: Judicial PlazaAs we continue our virtual “walk” through the monuments and memorials, we will make a loop c...
06/20/2026

Weekend Walk: Judicial Plaza

As we continue our virtual “walk” through the monuments and memorials, we will make a loop clockwise around the upper and lower capitol malls, focusing on sites that have not been featured in past postings.

Across Cedar Street from the capitol is the Minnesota Judicial Center. Originally built in 1915 to house the Minnesota Historical Society, the building was renovated and expanded in 1988 when MNHS moved out and the Courts moved in. Part of that project was the creation of the Plaza as a way to create cohesive space between the Judicial Center and the State Capitol. It was designed by Richard Fleischner, funded by the Minnesota Percent for the Arts in Public Places program and was installed in 1990. It combines green space with stones and geometric shapes representing Greek ruins and includes an amphitheater.
It is a beautiful spot for building visitors and staff to sit and have lunch!

The Minnesota State Capitol is CLOSED today in observance of Juneteenth. Photo: Roy Wilkins Memorial on the capitol's lo...
06/19/2026

The Minnesota State Capitol is CLOSED today in observance of Juneteenth.

Photo: Roy Wilkins Memorial on the capitol's lower mall.

Picture of the PastJune is National Dairy Month! In 1937 there was a surplus of milk produced and demand needed to be in...
06/18/2026

Picture of the Past
June is National Dairy Month! In 1937 there was a surplus of milk produced and demand needed to be increased. That first year it was called National Milk Month, but by 1939 it had grown to include all dairy products.

On June 19, 1940, on the west side of the Minnesota State Capitol, there was a milking contest held to assist in this annual campaign to increase dairy consumption. Mayors from almost a dozen communities around the Twin Cities took part, though some could not be there in person and had representatives. Ten leading cow breeds were present and the winner of the contest was H.R. Foster who represented Minneapolis Mayor George Leach (St. Paul Pioneer Press).

Image:
Minneapolis Star-Journal. Milking contest, west of State Capitol at University and Park. June 19, 1940. Minnesota Historical Society.

Today is Flag Day!In 1905 Flag Day in St. Paul saw a special procession of Minnesota veterans carrying battle flags whic...
06/14/2026

Today is Flag Day!
In 1905 Flag Day in St. Paul saw a special procession of Minnesota veterans carrying battle flags which they had served under during the Civil War and the Spanish American War. They were transferring them from our second state capitol building to their new home in our third, and current, capitol.

This picture was taken in 1937 before the second capitol building was demolished and shows the flag case in the main rotunda where the flags were housed from 1883-1905. The tradition of keeping Minnesota’s battle flags on public display endured when they were relocated into four specially designed flag cases in the current capitol. Today we rotate just four flags into the cases annually to help with their preservation and so that space can be provided for informational displays on each flag.

If you are interested in Minnesota’s battle flags you can pick up a catalog with more information about them at our Information Desk!

Image:
1. Raymond, A. F. Flag case on the first floor of the old capitol. 1937. Minnesota Historical Society.
2. Removal of flags from the old Capitol to the new Capitol. June 14, 1905. Minnesota Historical Society.

Weekend WalkIt's time for the second stop on our virtual “walk” through the monuments and memorials on the state capitol...
06/13/2026

Weekend Walk
It's time for the second stop on our virtual “walk” through the monuments and memorials on the state capitol’s upper and lower mall.

Standing resolutely to the east of Governor John Johnson is a statue of another Minnesota Governor, Knute Nelson. Though he served as Minnesota’s governor before Johnson, his memorial did not come until 1928, five years after his own death.
Knute Nelson was born in Evanger, Voss, Norway in 1843. His story as a Norwegian American began when he emigrated in 1849, settling in the Midwest, serving during the Civil War, working as an attorney, and following an upward political career first in Wisconsin and then Minnesota. He became Minnesota’s first foreign born governor in 1892 and the first native Norwegian to serve in the US House of Representatives and US Senate. He served as a U.S. Senator for Minnesota for 28 years until his death in 1923, becoming the longest serving Senator from the state.

The memorial commission responsible for creating his tribute emphasized and celebrated his Norwegian roots alongside his service as an American. The statue was unveiled on December 18, 1928. In addition to his likeness it featured figures at its base. On one side are a woman and small boy representing himself and his mother when they emigrated, and on the other is a military figure representing his time as a soldier.
This focus on his immigrant story does not mention some of the more controversial actions he took while in office such as the Nelson Act of 1889 and his support of allotment policies which displaced Ojibwe people. It highlights Knute Nelson’s path from impoverished immigrant, to soldier, to politician calling him “A brave son of Norway, a true patriot devoted in his allegiance to America”.

Images from the Minnesota Historical Society:
1. Minnesota State Capitol Historic Site, Knute Nelson statue 2026, MNHS.
2. Collins, H.L. (photographer) Knute Nelson- Republican Candidate for Governor 1894.
3. Raymond, A.E. (photographer) Knute Nelson Statue by John K. Daniels. 1936.

It’s Member Double Discount Days! If you are a Minnesota Historical Society member you will receive 20% off on your reta...
06/11/2026

It’s Member Double Discount Days!

If you are a Minnesota Historical Society member you will receive 20% off on your retail purchases at historic sites today through Sunday, June 11-14!
Stop by the capitol gift shop to pick up a souvenir of your visit!
(Note: the capitol is closed on Sunday, June 14)

Summer is around the corner! If you need some shade you can sit for a while under the big elm out front.Have fun with th...
06/10/2026

Summer is around the corner! If you need some shade you can sit for a while under the big elm out front.
Have fun with this week’s puzzle! https://mnhs.info/4e9naPo

Light bounces off of the rotunda floor and casts sunspots into the alcoves tucked above.
06/08/2026

Light bounces off of the rotunda floor and casts sunspots into the alcoves tucked above.

This summer we will “walk” you through some of the statues and monuments on the capitol’s upper and lower malls here on ...
06/08/2026

This summer we will “walk” you through some of the statues and monuments on the capitol’s upper and lower malls here on social media on Saturdays. These tributes acknowledge and memorialize individuals, groups, movements, and major events in Minnesota’s history.

The very first statue dedicated on the capitol grounds was a tribute to a fallen governor. Governor John A. Johnson was the first governor born in the state of Minnesota and was well liked and respected by its people. He served two and a half terms beginning in 1905, the same week that our current state capitol building opened to the public. Sadly, he was also the first Minnesota governor to die in office, passing away on September 21, 1909 from complications following stomach surgery. Shortly after, a memorial commission was formed and three years later, on October 19, 1912, a memorial statue of Johnson was unveiled in front of the capitol.

Andrew O’Connor, the sculptor, was given many photographs of Governor Johnson and spoke to many people who knew him. His finished piece was praised highly for its accurate likeness and how it captured the presence and power of its subject. The bronze statue stands on a pedestal of St. Cloud/Rockville granite. At its base are grouped four figures representing the top industries of the state at the time: a miner, a timber cruiser, a farmer and a smithy.

This impressive memorial cost approximately $25,000 and was funded by a statewide campaign, drawing nearly 100,000 public donations. Contributions were limited to a maximum of $1.00 each, though many people wanted to give more.

The statue of Governor John Johnson still stands on its pedestal on the steps as you approach the capitol building.

Historical Images both from the Minnesota Historical Society:
1. State Capitol with portrait insert of John A. Johnson. Approximately 1909.
2. Unveiling and dedication of the John A. Johnson statue. October 19, 1912.

MN Civil War flags line the rotunda, paintings of soldiers in battle decorate the Governor’s Reception room, and larger-...
06/05/2026

MN Civil War flags line the rotunda, paintings of soldiers in battle decorate the Governor’s Reception room, and larger-than-life statues of military officers look out over the second floor. Why are all of these Civil War memorials featured so prominently in our State Capitol and what are their stories?
Learn why and hear about how Minnesotans contributed to the Union cause during the American Civil War as you take this 90 minute special tour of the capitol!

This program is being offered on Saturday, June 13 at 11am and 1pm. Tickets can be purchased online at https://mnhs.info/43Ug5xr or by calling 651-259-3015.
Join us to learn about this important history!

Address

75 Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
Saint Paul, MO
55155

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 4:30pm
Tuesday 8am - 4:30pm
Wednesday 8am - 4:30pm
Thursday 8am - 4:30pm
Friday 8am - 4:30pm
Saturday 10am - 3pm

Telephone

+16512962881

Website

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