Wabasha County Historical Society Museum

Wabasha County Historical Society Museum Housed in the oldest surviving brick schoolhouse in Minnesota, the Wabasha County Historical Society Museum in Reads Landing is loaded with history.

Wabasha County is located in Southeastern Minnesota on the Mississippi River. It is considered to be both a part of the Mississippi River Valley, and Mississippi River Bluffs Area. The rich history of this area is evident throughout the county. Prior to 1826, the area of Wabasha was inhabited by the Sioux, led by chief Wa-pa-shaw, who would later give the county and city their names. The city of W

abasha is the county seat and also Minnesota's first and longest continuously inhabited River town. Wabasha was first settled in 1826, becoming an officially recognized city in 1830 with the Prairie du Chien Treaty. This makes Wabasha the oldest city in Minnesota.

05/29/2026

📚✨ A meaningful and thought-provoking exhibit is coming to our community.

Stop by the Wabasha Public Library during the first two weeks of June to experience an interactive traveling exhibit exploring American Indian sovereignty as an ongoing continental reality.

Learn from the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations and discover new and innovative ways communities are creating connection, building sustainable systems, and relating to one another. This exhibit offers an opportunity to learn, reflect, and deepen our understanding of Indigenous perspectives, history, and the strength of sovereign Nations today.

🌿 All are welcome to visit and view the display.

We love seeing opportunities like this that invite our community to learn, grow, and connect through shared experiences. See you there!

Visitor highlight from this weekend!Dan stopped by the museum to see his Grandpa and Grandma Howatt’s Ford along with se...
05/25/2026

Visitor highlight from this weekend!

Dan stopped by the museum to see his Grandpa and Grandma Howatt’s Ford along with several other items they donated to the collection over the years. During his visit, he also donated a lap blanket that his grandparents used while riding in the Ford, adding another special piece of family history to the museum.

Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing these memories with us, Dan. You are welcome back anytime!

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave everything for our country. Their sacrifice...
05/25/2026

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember and honor the men and women who gave everything for our country. Their sacrifice helped safeguard the freedoms we enjoy today.

As we reflect on our history, let us take time to remember the individuals from our own communities whose courage and service shaped the story of Wabasha County and our country.

From all of us at the Wabasha County Historical Society, we wish you a beautiful Memorial Day.

05/24/2026

Keeping the Upper Mississippi open for navigation connects the past to the present! We are enjoying our view of the most recent dredging efforts here in Reads Landing.

05/23/2026

⭐🔥 Local Giving Highlight! 🔥⭐
⭐ Reads Landing Schoolhouse Museum ⭐

“Embracing the Past for the Future!” That is our motto at the Reads Landing Schoolhouse Museum. This Local History Museum is where children learn that the early classroom I-Pad was an 8 x12 inch slate board and a piece of chalk.

In our fast-changing virtual world, seeing with your own eyes and touching with your own hands has never been so crucial to understanding our history. This year has been especially challenging for Minnesota’s oldest remaining brick schoolhouse. Our geothermal HVAC system needed extensive and costly updating, while cleaning and operating expenses keep growing.

Our volunteers have spent over 1500 hours this year, working as docents at the Museum, processing emails, doing research, assisting with genealogy, providing educational programs, giving tours, answering phone calls 7days/week, and partaking in outreach events.

We are deeply grateful for your Wabasha Kellogg Area Community Foundation’s Local Giving contributions. Donations and memberships sustain our mission to preserve our local community history and keep the doors of the Museum open!

Please be generous when you receive your Local Giving form.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Opening Weekend at the museum, especially those who attended our local author ev...
05/19/2026

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Opening Weekend at the museum, especially those who attended our local author event with Goran Pesic. We certainly learned a lot about the mysteries and legends of the Lake Pepin area!

A special shoutout to all of our amazing volunteers who helped make the weekend such a success. We appreciate all of the hard work and support that keeps the museum going strong!

05/17/2026

We are officially open for the 2026 Season!

Stop by today or tomorrow, 12-4 pm, to see us. Free admission all weekend!

When your board meeting falls on Valentine’s Day, you bring treats to share! ❤️We got a lot of planning done for the upc...
02/14/2026

When your board meeting falls on Valentine’s Day, you bring treats to share! ❤️

We got a lot of planning done for the upcoming season and have some exciting things in the works. Stay tuned!

Address

70537 206th Avenue
Reads Landing, MN
55968

Opening Hours

Saturday 12pm - 4pm
Sunday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+16519279002

Website

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