Runestone Museum, Alexandria
206 Broadway Street, Alexandria, MN 56308
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Runestone Museum
747.1 mi206 Broadway Street, Alexandria, MN 56308
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About Runestone Museum
How did a stone artifact covered in words from the Runic alphabet and dating back to 1362 show up on a Minnesota farm in 1898? That's the mystery the Runestone Museum is determined to solve. The center in Alexandria welcomes visitors to explore the findings of expert geologists and linguists as they peruse the storied space.
- Size: Located directly across from a 28-foot tall viking statue, the sprawling museum grounds include the main building plus a one-room schoolhouse, a stagecoach stop, and a blacksmith shop
- Eye catcher: The Kensington Runestone, discovered in an aspen tree by farmer Olof Öhman and now preserved inside the museum that bears its name
- Permanent Exhibits: The Native American exhibit brimming with Ojibwe and Dakota artifacts such as beadwork and ceremonial pipes; the wildlife diorama showcasing native Minnesotan animals in the form of elks and gray wolves; the Viking Age Home, which displays a typical home setting during the Viking era
- Don't Miss: The viking trading ship, a 40-foot long replica of a Danish archeological discovery
Customer Reviews
4.6
based on Groupon 8 reviews
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Linda
Top reviewer
16 ratings|13 reviews
I have visited the Kennsington Runestone Museum in Alexandria, MN three times and I learn something more every time. The Runestone itself is historically significant. The addition of other old Norse connections and artifacts bring more knowledge. The Native American area is full of beautifully decorated beaded clothing and moccasins. The immigrant pioneer section is very interesting. I love the outdoor area pioneer village and especially the large warehouse that has a Viking ship replica indoors, large, wooden and awesome. Say hello to the statue of Big Ole right across the street!
Linda
Top reviewer
16 ratings|13 reviews
The Runestone Museum in Alexandria is a treasure in this small city. My friends and I (six of us) used Groupon to purchase tickets for a visit. Some of my friends expected a room or two of "old stuff". What we found was a beautifully remodeled building with professional exhibits, a nice gift shop, an outside area with pioneer buildings including log home, township hall, church and a huge building with a Viking style merchant ship. The highlight of the trip for Norwegian Americans like me has to be the Kensington Rune Stone. I've heard Scott Wolter speak. He is a geologist who tried initially to prove that the rune stone was a hoax then after hundreds of tests, research, travel and learning old then very old runic letters became absolutely convinced that the Kensington Rune Stone is the real thing - a carved stone marking exploration by Scandinavians near Kensington, Minnesota in 1362. I've since read his books and followed his television series on the History Channel. To be able to actually view the Kennsington Rune Stone, read its history and the area history was well worth the price of admission to this wonderful museum!
I highly recommend a visit to the Runestone Museum in Alexandria whenever you're in Minnesota.
Laura
4 ratings|3 reviews
We loved the museum! Having Swedish ancestry, I was fascinated by the story of the runestone, as well as the other exhibits. There was plenty for my children to do and explore as well.
amie
Top reviewer
5 ratings|5 reviews
We brought our 7 yr old daughter, and it was quite an educational, and yet fun experience for her. We particularly liked the exhibits outdoors.