Historic Fort Snelling reopens, focus on pride and pain of site

For the first time since the pandemic, Historic Fort Snelling was fully open to the public.

It was also the first opportunity for people to check out the work done to revitalize the state’s first national historic landmark.

With a mix of state and private funding – $34.5 million in all ($19.5 million in state funding and $15 million in private financing) – the Minnesota Historical Society was able to revamp existing areas and create new spaces for people to learn and better understand state history.

The brand new Plank Museum & Visitor Center is inside the rehabilitated 1904 cavalry barracks – there is also new signage that’s rich with information and symbolism to ensure all aspects and people of Minnesota are represented.

“We [have] Native people [who] think about this place both as a place of origin for their people, a place where they consider it the center of who they are, as well as a place of incredible pain because this is related so closely to the US Dakota War of 1862,” Kevin Maijala, Senior Director & Josephine (Nicky) Benz Carpenter Chair for Education with the Minnesota Historical Society, said.

There are also bigger focuses on Japanese Americans and the impact slavery had on the fort.

“[Historic Fort Snelling is] also a place where you can come and reflect, and think about your connection to the past,” Maijala said. “You’ve got beautiful views [and] you’ve got a wonderful landscape with new prairies coming in,” he added about what the site offers.

The fort has all-terrain power wheelchairs to ensure everyone can enjoy the new amenities.

Through the summer, Historic Fort Snelling will be open Wednesday – Sunday, from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. More information on hours and its location can be found here.