Minnesota History Center

05/27/2026

Dee Langley and the Masked Accordions are coming to the History Center tomorrow night - Thursday, May 28, from 6:30–7:30 PM!

This 15-member accordion ensemble brings an uplifting mix of music from around the world — from Bernstein to the Beatles, Balkan dance tunes to German polkas, French musette, folk, pop, and more. Don’t miss this crowd-pleasing concert of original ensemble arrangements!

Free Minnesota History Center admission and parking is available every Thursday from 4 pm-8 pm.

Image courtesy Dee Langley and the Masked Accordions

05/15/2026

Plan ahead if you are headed to downtown St. Paul this weekend! Construction will impact travel around the Minnesota History Center, the Minnesota State Capitol and the James J. Hill House. Please prepare for delays if you are visiting these sites.

05/12/2026

On Saturday May 16 at 10 AM, in conjunction with the History Theatre's production of "Courting Harry," four former law clerks to Supreme Court Justice Harry Blackmun reflect on their time working with the Justice at the Minnesota History Center.

It's a unique opportunity to hear from distinguished scholars and advocates as they reflect on the US Supreme Court, then and now.

This event is free and open to the public. Learn more here: https://mnhs.info/4u2kdXP

04/17/2026

Each hand-carved horse at Cafesjian's Carousel at Como Park has its own personality—and a story to tell. Do you have a favorite horse or a special carousel memory? 🎠

Join Tracy Tolzmann this Saturday, April 18 at 2 pm for North Star Voices: History in Motion and go behind the scenes of this beloved treasure—from its beautifully restored horses to the mechanics that keep it spinning, all set to the iconic sounds of the Wurlitzer 153 Band Organ! 🎶

Take a spin through history—you won’t want to miss it!

Link to event: https://mnhs.info/4tfiwWp

IMAGE: Photo of the restored lead horse ( #1 of 68). Photo courtesy of Our Fair Carousel.

03/27/2026

Plan ahead if you are headed to downtown St. Paul this weekend! Saturday is expected to be busy, so please prepare for delays if you are visiting the Minnesota History Center.

03/15/2026

The Minnesota History Center will be closed tomorrow, March 15.

02/27/2026

Celebrate Women’s History Month one day early with the Mill City String Quartet! The free performance will feature music from trailblazing female composers including Florence Price, Salina Fisher, Missy Mazzoli, Caroline Shaw, and Franghiz Ali-Zadeh. The performance starts at 2:00 pm in the 3M Auditorium. Registration is recommended, but not required.
Link to event: https://mnhs.info/4aNCEak

02/11/2026

In the early 1980s, restaurateur Ken Davis asked Taylor to formulate a recipe for his grandmother’s barbecue sauce. Barbara Jo recalls that after rounds of test batches, “He had a hard decision to make because I had the secret recipe. He could either kill me or marry me.” The couple married, and Barbara Jo Davis became president of Ken Davis Products, Inc.

Join us on Saturday, February 14 at 11 am for a free program featuring Barbara Jo Davis in conversation with JoJo Bell. A reception with Betty Crocker recipe cornbread baked by Wendy's House of Soul to follow. Registration is recommended, but not required.

Link to event: https://mnhs.info/4kx8Lj0

IMAGE: Barbara Jo Davis with her bouquet of 40 roses given by husband Ken on her 40th birthday (1982). MNHS Ken and Barbara Jo Davis photo collection.

02/05/2026

Holy Shiitake! A Wok Star is Born opens at the Minnesota History Center on Thursday, February 5 and runs through Saturday, February 7. The one woman show chronicles the life of celebrity chef Katie Chin and her relationship with her mother - famed twin Cities restaurateur Leann Chin. Katie recently appeared on Twin Cities Live to talk about the show, Chinese New year, and her recent Ted Talk! Follow the link to view the conversation - https://mnhs.info/45QaZnr

Join us at the History Center Museum for Holy Shiitake! A Wok Star is Born. A reception with appetizers from Leann Chon will follow each performance. Get a 20% discount on tickets using the code LEEANN20.

Link to event: https://mnhs.info/4tzEAfl

The one woman show, Holy Shiitake! A Wok Star is Born, chronicles the life of celebrity chef Katie Chin. She stops by to fill us in on the show.