The Land of 10,000 Lakes might as well be called the Land of 10,000 Museums. There probably aren't quite that many, but there are dozens - even hundreds - of large and small museums across the entire state. Whether you like fine art or local history, there's something of interest to just about everyone. In the small town of Scandia, Minnesota, an underappreciated museum celebrates Minnesota's Swedish heritage. Take a look:
Gammelgarden Museum is a little-known - but very interesting - spot in eastern Minnesota. Address: 20880 Olinda Trail North, Scandia, MN, 55073.
The museum preserves the history of Minnesota's Swedish heritage. Its grounds and buildings will bring a new appreciation for the immigrants who settled here centuries ago, as well as for new immigrants today.
The buildings stand as relics of the past. They give information about what life was like more than a century ago in the 1850s.
Inside, artifacts from more than a century ago offer details on how people lived way back then. Each room features cookware, clothes, and more.
Back outside, the grounds are incredibly beautiful. When you've had your fill of history, you can spend hours exploring the lush natural surroundings.
A small body of water runs through the museum grounds. On a summer day, it would be a wonderful place to have a picnic.
There's even a Swedish immigrants' cemetery that honors those immigrants who brought their culture and heritage to Minnesota.
Many annual events bring additional excuses to visit this fascinating museum. Next time you're in the area, make time to visit the only open-air Swedish heritage museum in the United States!
Have you ever heard of the Gammelgarden Museum? For more information about this underappreciated museum, check out their website. And if you're interested in visiting other underrated museums in Minnesota, check out our article about the unique museum in Minnesota that just might be haunted.
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