Experience our Museum Without Walls — where history comes alive at the very place it happened
Minnesota Then is reimagining how we experience local history by bringing the museum to you — right where history happened.
Our exhibits exist at the exact locations where history happened, not in a building.
Your smartphone becomes your personal guide to Minnesota's rich history.
Visit any time, day or night, all year round — history is always available.
Important: Access our GIS web app on any internet-connected mobile device. When you visit a site, use your smartphone or tablet to unlock its stories.
See history where it actually happened with our innovative GIS-powered platform.
Start by opening our web app on your smartphone to see all available historic sites on the interactive map.
Travel to any of our marked historic sites across Minnesota. Your GPS location is key to unlocking the content.
Immerse yourself in rich multimedia content including historic photos, audio narration, and interactive elements.
The Minnesota Then web app on a mobile device
Discover some of our most popular location-based exhibits across Minnesota
Discover how local history transforms everyday places
History isn't just something read about in books—it's all around us, in the places we visit every day. Like the coffee shop where activists once gathered, the lakeside path where Indigenous families fished for generations, or the quiet street corner where kids played ball each summer. Each place rich with tales, steeped in memories. Every moment holds meaning; every step tells a story.
Beyond our Museum Without Walls, we offer multiple ways to engage with Minnesota's rich past
Dive into Minnesota's rich history with our curated collection of in-depth articles exploring the people, places, and events that shaped our state.
Challenge yourself with engaging quizzes covering landmarks, famous Minnesotans, gangsters, and sports stars from our state's colorful history.
Minnesota Then is more than just a digital museum — we're a community of history enthusiasts dedicated to preserving and sharing our state's rich heritage.
Contribute your family's history or memories of historic events to our growing archive.
Join us for guided tours, lectures, and community gatherings focused on local history.
Help us expand our digital museum through donations or by becoming a Patreon supporter.
Minnesota Then
