Visit the Museum
Rooms of exhibits in the former St. Mary’s convent, built in 1953 and fully accessible.
Hours & what you’ll seeHours
Wednesdays 9–4
About April 15 – Sept 30, or by appointment
Melrose, Minnesota · Est. 1987
Where the story of our community is kept.
Step inside the old Melrose convent and walk through 150 years of life in central Stearns County — pioneers, pilots, hat-makers and hometown heroes.
Plan your visitExplore the collectionAdmission
Adults $2 · Family $5
Ages 9–15 $1 · Under 9 free
Find us
518 2nd St SE
Melrose, MN 56352 · near St. Mary’s & the Lake Wobegon Trail
Call
320-256-3933
to book a tour or ask a question
About the Society
Collecting and preserving the heritage of the Melrose area.
Formed in 1987, the Society operates a museum and research center so that the artifacts and stories of our neighbors — maybe even your grandparents — are there for everyone to enjoy.
As you visit, investigate the past through the exhibits in each room. See the displays that depict the life and times of our pioneers and citizens, and learn of the settlement of these communities through each era. The collection now numbers more than 2,000 indexed items.
MelroseFreeportSt. RosaNew MunichSpring HillGreenwaldMeire Grove
Come see, come dig in
Browse the exhibits on a tour — or roll up your sleeves in the research center.
Research Center
Family histories, oral-history tapes, photographs, obituaries and Melrose Beacon issues from 1908–2008.
Start researching
Museum Store
Local-history books and woven History Afghans — a gift with a story behind it.
See what’s in stockStories from the collection
A few of the people and places you’ll meet in the exhibits.
Melrose through the years
A few milestones from 160+ years of local history — and the story of the museum itself.
1859
The Lindberghs homestead
August and Louisa Lindbergh settle on 40 acres of woodland east of the future city of Melrose.
1987
The Society is formed
The first museum opens in the basement of the old Lippsmeyer house.
2001
The collection comes home
Exhibits move into the renovated, accessible building, with room for a full research center.
Keep the stories going. Become a member.
Members receive the Society newsletter, free admission, unlimited use of the research center, an invitation to the annual meeting, and a vote.
Membership details$10Individual / year
$15Family / year
$35Business / year
$1,000Lifetime