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HISTORICAL SITES & MUSEUMS

Visit our variety of museums, libraries and unique historical locations throughout Roseau County. There are an abundance of historical collections housed inside the museums of Roseau County. Expand your history adventure by taking an extra day or two to roam the county to explore our heritage! You will see our history portrayed by cars, railroads, churches, Native Americans, pioneers and hockey.

DAY TRIP

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As David McCullough said: “History is who we are and why we are the way we are”.

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    ONE OF A KIND HISTORY

    Begin your day deep in the wilderness of Beltrami Island Forrest at the Historic Penturen Church, also known as the “Cathedral in the Pines”. After a picnic lunch and listing to the melancholy tunes of the wind chimes hanging in the steeple you'll make your way to Roseau Pioneer Farm & Village where a summer guide will walk you through the history of pioneers.

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    NEWLEY REMODELED HISTORICAL MUSEUM

    A Roseau history experience would not be complete without a visit to the museum where guests will see hockey history, learn about Roseau County’s rich history and the people that settled here, along with viewing some unique pieces from the past.

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    EXPLORE ROSEAU'S DEEP POLARIS HISTORY

    Take a self-guided wander through 5,600 sq. ft Polaris Experience Center and step back in time to see the second snowmobile ever made in 1956, to later innovations such as ATV’s, Side by Side vehicles and motorcycles, & more. Don't forget to make a reservation before arriving to Roseau for a tour of the Polaris Plant.

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    VISIT THE NEIGHBORS

    The town of Warroad (only 20 miles away) has several interesting places to discover. Be sure to make visits to the Warroad Historical Museum, and Canadian National Depot and the Marvin Visitor’s Center to learn about the many years of Warroad’s history. Also make time to visit The Shed, a fabulous collection of cars. If the traffic light outside of The Shed is green, it is open and ready for visitors!

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    OLD TIME FARMING

    If you visit us in the early fall, plan on attending an old fashioned threshing bee in Strathcona or maybe you want to wander through the Country Corn Maze near Warroad? Maybe you want to take an afternoon drive to watch the farmer’s harvesting their crops?

View more information below on historical locations & museums to visit throughout our County.

LEARN OUR

History

  • COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM

    The County Historical Museum provides many excellent exhibits to interpret the cultural and natural history of Roseau County and Northwest Minnesota. As an area resource center, the museum seeks to produce educational exhibits, present informative public programs, and provide classroom supplemental experiences to area schools. The museum also provides extensive genealogy resources and knowledge for family research. The Roseau County Museum hosts various traveling Smithsonian and other regional exhibits. The Roseau County Museum is located at 121 Center Street E, Suite 101 in the Roseau City Center.

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  • ROSEAU PUBLIC LIBRARY

    The Roseau Public Library provides a wide variety of reading and resource material for the community. Some of the items available at the local library include adult and children’s books, periodicals, newspapers, books on tape/cd, and movies. The Roseau Public Library is a branch of the NW Library System and can usually supply almost any book through the aid of inter-library loan. The spacious and comfortable library provides computers with internet access, wireless internet access, private study rooms, comfortable furniture and an ample reading area. The library also features extensive displays of visual arts from local and regional artists. The Roseau Public Library is located at 121 Center Street East; Suite 100 in the Roseau City Center.

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  • PIONEER FARM AND VILLAGE

    History buffs will enjoy the Roseau Pioneer Farm and Village that showcases various buildings that have been moved in from across the area and restored. Visit an actual one room school house, a print shop, mercantile, and church among other buildings. Each fall a Pioneer Farm festival is held showing many old time demonstrations along with music and other activities for the whole family.

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  • PENTUREN CHURCH

    Historic Site Penturen Church was started in 1926 and has since been restored. It now stands alone deep in the wilderness of the Beltrami Island Forest. It is also known as the “Cathedral in the Pines”. Please feel free to step inside and enter the past. A guest book is available for you to sign, along with some history about the church. If a gentle breeze is blowing, you will be able to hear the melancholy tune of the windchimes hanging in the steeple.

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  • ST. NICHOLAS UKRAINIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH

    Historic Site, Caribou, MN St. Nicholas Ukrainian Orthodox Church The church was built in 1905 just one mile below the Canadian border in this tiny village. Most of the parishioners lived in Manitoba on the Canadian side of the border. After boundary laws were enforced in 1930 anyone crossing had to go through customs, causing the church to decline. Restored in 1974, the church is on the National Register of Historic Places. It is now used for special services and funerals. The church is sometimes known as St. Michael’s. Click the icon to read a great article by Ghosts of Minnesota.

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