Nicollet County Historical Society

Cox House Self-guided Tours
2025-07-19 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-02 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-16 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-30 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Cox House, 500 N. Washington Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Cox House Self-Guided Tours Begin in June
Step inside the beautifully preserved 1871 E. St. Julien Cox House and explore at your own pace.

Tour Dates: June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, August 2, 16 & 30
Hours: 1–4 p.m.
Admission: Free. No reservations required. Free-will donations appreciated.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a short introduction and a printed guide to help you navigate the home. Wander from room to room and experience what life was like in Victorian-era St. Peter.
New this year: A temporary textile display features historic garments from the Nicollet County Historical Society collection, highlighting fashion, fabric, and finely stitched details from the past.
Admission: Free will donations are welcome to help us support this historic property
Location: In St. Peter, Minnesota, at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Skaro Street.
Accessibility: The Cox House is not fully accessible. There are steps and uneven grounds.

Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux
2025-10-03 18:00 - 20:00 | Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Lantern light, prairie air, and voices from the past. Experience Traverse des Sioux after dark on this immersive guided tour. At six stops along the trail, you’ll meet costumed interpreters portraying real people connected to this place. They’ll share their stories in first person, giving you a glimpse into the choices, challenges, and resilience that shaped Minnesota Territory.
As daylight fades, the atmosphere shifts. Early evening tours highlight the prairie landscape; twilight and nighttime tours surround you with rustling grass, night sounds, and the glow of lanterns on the rocky path. The setting creates an unforgettable focus on the storyteller before you.
Long before Minnesota was a state, Traverse des Sioux was a river crossing, a gathering place, and the site of the 1851 Treaty. Today, little remains of the town, but Shadows at the Crossing brings its layered history to life.
Tour details:
– Six stops led by a guide
– 60–65 minutes in length
– Daylight tours (6–6:30 pm) emphasize the site; twilight and evening tours (6:40 pm and later) heighten the atmosphere
Tickets:
– Adult: $12
– Senior (55+): $10
– Child (12–17): $5
MNHS & NCHS members: 20% discount
Recommended for ages 12+
Advance purchase encouraged

Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux
2025-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
During Shadows at the Crossing, step into the past on this immersive, lantern-lit outdoor tour that brings the history of Minnesota Territory to life. Along the way, you’ll encounter the spirits of those who lived at Traverse des Sioux during its most pivotal years. Their stories of courage, conflict, resilience, and cooperation offer a deeper understanding of our shared history.
Once a key gathering place along the Minnesota River, Traverse des Sioux experienced a surge in prosperity after the signing of the 1851 treaty, but its growth was short-lived. Today, little remains of the once-thriving town, making this event a rare opportunity to explore its layered legacy.
Tickets:
Adult: $12
Senior (65+): $10
Youth (ages 12–17): $5
MNHS & NCHS members receive a 20% discount
Recommended for ages 12 and up due to the interpretive nature of the program.
Advance purchase recommended. Walk-ups will be accommodated as space allows.
Tickets go on sale Friday, September 12.

Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux
2025-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Lantern light, prairie air, and voices from the past. Experience Traverse des Sioux after dark on this immersive guided tour. At six stops along the trail, you’ll meet costumed interpreters portraying real people connected to this place. They’ll share their stories in first person, giving you a glimpse into the choices, challenges, and resilience that shaped the Minnesota Territory.
As daylight fades, the atmosphere shifts. Early evening tours highlight the prairie landscape; twilight and nighttime tours envelop you in the rustling of grass, the sounds of night, and the glow of lanterns on the rocky path. The setting creates an unforgettable focus on the storyteller before you.
Long before Minnesota was a state, Traverse des Sioux was a river crossing, a gathering place, and the site of the 1851 Treaty. Today, little remains of the town, but Shadows at the Crossing brings its layered history to life.
Tour details:
– Six stops led by a guide
– 60–65 minutes in length
– Daylight tours (6–6:30 pm) emphasize the site; twilight and evening tours (6:40 pm and later) heighten the atmosphere
Tickets:
– Adult: $12
– Senior (55+): $10
– Child (12–17): $5
MNHS & NCHS members: 20% discount
Recommended for ages 12+
Advance purchase encouraged
