Visit Lakeville - History & Museums

Italian Renaissance Church styled after St. Peter’s in Rome. Construction began in 1907 on the highest point in Saint Paul. In 1974, the Cathedral was placed on the National Register of Historical Buildings.

Dakota City Heritage Village offers visitors the chance to experience rural life in 1900-era Dakota County. A recreated historic village and museum, includes 22 buildings that help to tell the story of life in a 1900 rural town.

Historic Fort Snelling is a reconstructed United States Army military post of the 1820’s. Costumed guides portray the soldiers, families, and Native Americans who lived in the area. Museum shopt features unique gifts and books.

Rugged stone, massive scale, fine detail, and ingenious mechanical systems recall the powerful presence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway. Guides lead tours that help you imagine family and servant life in the 1891 Gilded Age mansion.

Located in the Lakeville Heritage Center, the Lakeville Area Historical Society features two large exhibits staffed by a dedicated volunteer group of local history buffs.

Play and explore in 11 hands-on exhibits including a four-story climber and giant spiral slide, pretend town, maker space, laser maze, wacky car wash, toddler play space, outdoor galleries and more. This is play like it’s meant to be: Natural. Joyous. Genuine. Children explore, experiment, try new things, test their limits, adapt and grow.

An interactive museum with permanent and changing exhibits, the Minnesota History Center hosts concerts, lectures, family days, and other special events throughout the year. The building is also home to the Minnesota Historical Society library and archives, a research destination for schoolchildren, family historians, and academics.

The Minnesota State Capitol celebrated its centennial in 2005. The Capitol has been listed on the National Register of Historic Places since 1972. Cass Gilbert was the architect of the Minnesota state capitol. He also designed the U.S. Supreme Court building (Washington, D.C.), Woolworth building (New York City), U.S. Customs House (New York City), West Virginia & Arkansas state capitols.

Paisley Park is Prince’s private estate and production complex. Fans have the opportunity to first hand experience what it was like for Prince to create, produce and perform inside this sanctuary and remarkable production complex. Throughout the tour, visitors will view artifacts including oconic concert wardrobe, mustical instruments, awards, motorcycles, artwork and rare music recordings.

Experiment. Discover. Investigate. The Science Museum of Minnesota aims to show policy makers, educators and individuals how science affects all aspects of life through interactive exhibits, Omnitheater films and a priceless collection of nearly two million artifacts from around the globe. A must-see museum for all ages, come explore more about the Mississippi River, Egyptian mummies, dinosaur fossils and more.

As one of the state’s oldest settlements, this site hosts four simple limestone buildings from the era when the American Fur Company operated a regional trade with the Dakota, between 1825 and 1853. The home of Henry Hastings Sibley, the company’s young regional manager, was begun in 1838. Sibley’s office as first state governor is located in one ell of the home.

Experience life in Minnesota from the 1840s through 1890 with a visit to The Landing, a recreated living history museum nestled along the beautiful Minnesota River Valley. Costumed interpreters and authentic buildings show how 19th-century Minnesotans established their lives on the frontier, farmstead and in villages.