The Minnesota Historical Society's museum on Kellogg Boulevard in St. Paul, with quiet rooms for breaks, a Social Narrative made with the Autism Society of Minnesota, staff trained on autism, and a sensory guide that names the dark, flashing and loud exhibits.
Sensory supports. Quiet rooms, an AuSM Social Narrative, a sensory guide.
Hours
Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday 10 am to 4 pm; Thursday 10 am to 8 pm; closed Monday and Tuesday. On Thursday nights from 4 to 8 pm, admission and parking are free. Holiday hours differ (for example, closed Thanksgiving and Christmas, Christmas Eve 10 am to 2 pm and New Year's Eve 10 am to 4 pm, so no Free Thursday Night those two Thursdays, and open Monday and Tuesday, December 28 and 29); see the museum's Hours and Admission page for the holiday schedule.
“Second Floor: Quiet space with soft seating. Third Floor: Parent’s room with soft seating as well as children’s books and toys. Both rooms are available for all guests that need a quiet space but we ask that caregivers with young children be given priority access to the parent’s room.”
“To help individuals and families with diverse sensory needs prepare for a visit, we've partnered with the Autism Society of Minnesota (AuSM) to create a Minnesota History Center Social Narrative.”
“Our staff has received training on Autism Spectrum Disorders to better understand and assist with the challenges and opportunities that may arise during a visit.”
A private room near the restrooms on the exhibit floor is also offered to nursing parents and families who need a quiet room. Museum staff can help you find the room that works for your kid.
Special exhibits change. To learn about the sensory features of the current one, ask the front desk or call (651) 259-3000.
Museum staff wear name tags, and kids can ask them for help if they have a question or get lost.
For a full-size copy your child can use, open this page at squaredsteps.com, tap Make it yours, then print.
More about Minnesota History Center
Louder, in the museum's words
Then Now Wow: the iron mine (low lighting, flashing lights, loud explosion sounds)not stated
Then Now Wow: the box car (loud music)not stated
Weather Permitting: the Tornado Basement (low lighting, flashing lights, loud storm sounds; you can leave at any time)not stated
Minnesota's Greatest Generation: the C-47 airplane (low lighting, flashing lights, loud sounds of warfare)not stated
Minnesota's Greatest Generation: the movie theater (low lighting, loud music)not stated
Rotunda and hallway outside the MacMillan Education Center, 2nd floor (can be particularly noisy when groups are gathering)not stated
Quieter, in the museum's words
Quiet Room, 2nd floor by the Libraryquiet zone
Parent's Room, 3rd floorquiet zone
Our Home: Native Minnesotaquiet zone
Admission: adults $15; seniors 65+, veterans, active military and college students $12; children 5 to 17 $8; children 4 and under free; MNHS members free. Museums for All offers free admission, and Museums on Us gives one free admission to Bank of America and Merrill Lynch card holders the first full weekend of every month (bring your card and picture ID). Buy tickets online before you arrive or at the ticketing desk on the first floor.
Parking: the lot off Kellogg Boulevard is $6 a day, $4 for members who show their card, and event rates may apply for special programs or when events occur downtown. Limited accessible parking is free with a permit at the meters on the History Center entrance drive. From the lot to the information desk is 483 feet (about 1.5 city blocks), with benches along the path.
Transit: Metro Transit bus routes 16, 21 and 94 stop nearby, and the Capitol/Rice Street light rail station is about a 10-minute walk.
All-gender family restrooms are on every public floor, and all public restrooms have diaper-changing stations. An adjustable height changing table is in the middle all-gender family restroom on the third floor, inside Minnesota's Greatest Generation.
Wheelchairs are free, first come, first served, from the ticketing desk on the first floor, and an electric scooter is available with valid ID. Strollers are temporarily unavailable to borrow, so bring your own if you need one.
The coat room on the first floor is free and unsecured; lockers cost 25 cents. Cafe Minnesota is open Wednesday to Sunday, 10 am to 3 pm.
Lost and found is at the ticketing desk on the first floor, 651-259-3001. Other questions: 651-259-3000 or infodesk@mnhs.org.
Call
651-259-3000Minnesota History Center, accessibility and other questions651-259-3001Visitor services, lost items
