Stearns History Museum

10/21/2026

Don’t miss the last Cemetery Tour of the year at Big Grove Cemetery Tour, in Brooten/Belgrade Saturday October 24th at 5pm.

The tour is intended to highlight the broader history of the town and surrounding community, including the important role of the church and its members in shaping local life over the years.
Along with this community and church history, the tour will include biographical sketches of selected individuals buried in the cemetery.

You’ll learn about people like Kittel Halvorson, a Norwegian immigrant, teenage Civil War soldier, farmer, church founder, library supporter, and outspoken advocate for Minnesota’s farmers. Discover how this local leader rose to serve in Congress and hear about his dramatic conflict with a pastor.

https://stearnshistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-6775556

$10/person, members FREE

Hot cocoa and treats will be available!

10/20/2026

Don’t let winter catch your home (or your budget) off guard. Join the Stearns History Museum for an exclusive, hands-on workshop designed for homeowners, property owners, and anyone caring for an older home or historic structure.

Learn practical, proven ways to seal out the cold: repair cracks and drafts, troubleshoot problem doors and windows, and master the winterization techniques that help older buildings stay warm, comfortable, and energy efficient. You’ll also explore energy audits, tuckpointing, and how a well-maintained older home can perform just as snugly as newer construction.

The workshop takes place in a truly special setting: the beautiful Queen Anne-style yellow brick home built in 1886 by the founder of Fandel’s Department Stores. It’s the perfect backdrop for discovering how historic character and modern comfort can go hand in hand.

A complimentary boxed lunch will be provided courtesy of the site host, Peter Fandel. General admission is $30. Admission for museum members is $25.

Saturday November 7th, 9am-12pm.

Space is limited so reserve your spot today!

This project is in part funded by the Historic Preservation Education Foundation.

10/16/2026

For those attending our cemetery tour at St. Benedict's Monastic Cemetery on Saturday, please use this map to find parking and how to get to the cemetery.

The cemetery is not accessible by road, so you will need to park your vehicle at a nearby lot and walk to the cemetery's entrance. Please be certain not to leave your vehicle in a no-parking zone.

We'll see you there!

St. Benedict Monastic Cemetery Tour 10/17

10/14/2026

Donuts are ready and coffee is on! Come join us for Breakfast Club at 9! Lacey Fontaine will talk about her first year as the director of the Benton County Historical Society and all the cool things they have coming up.

Free for SHM members/$7 for non-members

10/14/2026

It’s a beautiful week in Heritage Park. Come for a walk, enjoy the colors, and swing in to visit the museum exhibits! Stearns History Museum is free for Stearns County residents. Stop by and find yourself in history.

10/06/2026

Help United Way of Central Minnesota keep our community warm this winter by donating new socks and underwear to their Socktober collection drive! You can swing them by the museum (or other community partners) anytime and put them in the collection bucket by the front desk.

10/05/2026

Investing In the Future to Preserve the Past: Stearns History Museum Collections Facility Campaign

Did you know that the Stearns History Museum has a collections facility in Heritage Park? This non-descript 18,000 square foot space allows us to store and preserve more than 5,000 three- dimensional artifacts (particularly oversized items like fire trucks, tractors, carriages, furniture, agricultural equipment, granite equipment, trunks, spinning wheels, baby carriages, jail cells!) as well as nearly 3 million archival artifacts (photos, blueprints, books).

It's an exciting day today because we've begun the process of updating our HVAC system in this space to provide better climate and humidity control for the long-term preservation of these collections! We're happy to have this system in place before winter and are so appreciative of our donors who have helped make it possible.

You can learn more about the complete project on our website: https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/collectionsfacilitycampaign/

Now here's where you come in. We have reached $140,000 of our $300,000 goal to get this building in tip top shape- new HVAC, new roof membrane, new security, and updated lighting. Can you help us get to that goal? You can donate now at
https://stearnshistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/Collections-Facility-Campaign

Contributions can also be made by check, donation of appreciated stocks or by a qualified charitable deduction (QCD) from your retirement account to Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St. Cloud, MN 56301, EIN: 41-1415033, Tax ID: 4876423

Help us to keep our shared history safe and preserved for the next generation. Reach out to our Executive Director, Amy Degerstrom, with any questions or for a more in-depth conversation at [email protected] or 320-253-8424.

Please share to spread the word and thanks for your continued support. History is alive and thriving in Stearns County and this is the first step of a long term campaign to help us keep it that way!