Runestone Museum - Alexandria, Minnesota

Runestone Museum - Alexandria, Minnesota

Planning a vacation to Minnesota? Why not schedule a stop at the Runestone Museum, located in the beautiful historic town of Alexandria? The museum’s main attraction centers around the legendary Kensington Runestone which was first discovered in 1898.

The famous Runestone was found on the property of a local farming family. Area resident, Olaf Ohman, noticed the Runestone under a tree at his farm in Kensington. Since then there has been a great deal of controversy surrounding the Runestone’s origin. Some area residents, scholars, and historians believe the Runestone was created by Vikings who came to the area during the 14th century. Others believe Mr. Ohman, an immigrant from Sweden, carved the runes in the stone himself as a prank.

In 1958, the Runestone Museum was built to house and display this historical artifact. In addition to the Kensington Runestone, guests at the museum can have their photo taken with “Big Ole” a monstrous Viking that stands twenty-eight feet tall. Big Ole and other nearby Viking statues symbolize both Alexandria’s and the state of Minnesota’s pride in their Nordic heritage. Today the original site of the Ohman farm is now Kensington Runestone Park, a 193 acre recreation area popular among those who enjoy winter outdoor activities.

Over the years, the Runestone Museum has acquired a number of other interesting exhibits to see. Most of the exhibits and artifacts are related to the history and culture of the Alexandria region. One display entitled “A Walk down Mainstreet” is a collection of historic photos taken by photographer Newton Trenham. The photos depict life in Alexandria during the years 1860 to 1900. Born in New York in 1840, Mr. Trenham moved to the Alexandria area and operated a photography studio.

There is also a wildlife exhibit and children’s area at the museum, which provide interesting entertainment for younger family members. The wildlife display contains numerous mammals and birds that can be seen in the state of Minnesota. At the children’s room, kids will be delighted with the museums hands-on approach. There is even an area where youngsters can dress up as adults in vintage style clothing.

For those interested in Native American life in Minnesota, the museum has a wonderful collection of Native American artifact pieces. The entire collection was given to the museum and is on display year round. Clifford Oliver, the former owner of the artifacts, was a prominent physician who had a great interest in the history of the area, especially Native American history.

The Runestone Museum is open year round and has a number of special events throughout the year. The current hours of operation are:

Museum Hours

• Monday thru Friday- 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• Saturday- 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Sunday- 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

The following list includes daily admission rates for guests:

Admission Costs

• Children (5 to 17 years old) - $3.00
• Adults- $6.00
• Senior Citizens- $5.00
• Family package- $15.00

Children under five are admitted free with parent or guardian. For local area residents, a yearly membership is available which entitles guests to a number of discounts.

For more information about the museum or to obtain directions, contact the Runestone Museum at:

206 Broadway
Alexandria, Minnesota
Phone: (320) 763-3160
Email: bigole@rea-alp.com
Fax: (320) 763-9705