June 1: Free Admission To Historical Sites and State Parks

The Minnesota Historical Society is holding a state-wide open house at all of their parks and historic sites on Sunday June 1.

There are eight sites in the Twin Cities Metro Area;

• The Mill City Museum
• The Minnesota State Capitol
• Historic Fort Snelling
• Sibley House Historic Site
• Minnehaha Depot
• Alexander Ramsey House
• Minnesota History Center
• James J. Hill House

The Minnesota History Center is particularly interesting, with lots of different displays and special exhibits to celebrate the state of Minnesota's 150th birthday. The three houses are all worth visiting to get to know the Twin Cities' famous historical residents.

Fort Snelling is very atmospheric and if it doesn't give you the sense of 1800s colonial Minnesota, I don't know what will. The Mill City Museum is much, much more enjoyable than a flour museum has any right to be.

What's left over? The Minnesota State Capitol, and the Minnehaha Depot, a treat for anyone interested in historic transportation. Both are actually free to visit anyway. So take advantage of the open house to visit one of the other sites, but do see the Capitol, and the Depot another day.

_{The Minnesota State Capitol. Photo © Minnesota Historical Society}