Cox House Self-guided Tours
2024-06-08 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-06-22 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-07-20 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-03 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-17 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-08-31 13:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Cox House, 500 N. Washington Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Step back in time and experience the Victorian era with a visit to the Cox House.
This unique historic home offers self-guided tours every other Saturday from June 8 to August 31, allowing you to explore at your own pace. No reservations are required.
Upon arrival, you will receive an introduction and written guide to help you navigate the Cox House. Once inside, you can immerse yourself in the Victorian age and feel as though the family has merely stepped away, allowing you to see how they lived and what their homes looked like.
This summer, the Cox House also presents the captivating exhibition “Marian Anderson: A Brush with Nature.” Immerse yourself in the beauty of the natural world through Anderson’s vibrant landscapes, charming wildlife paintings, and even delightful food art, all displayed within the historic setting.
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.

NCHS at the Fair!
2024-08-08 12:00 - 20:00, 2024-08-09 12:00 - 20:00, 2024-08-10 10:00 - 20:00, 2024-08-11 11:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Fairgrounds, 400 W. Union Street, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Join NCHS at the Nicollet County Fair! We’re in a new location in the Thompson Exhibit Hall next to the Grandstand. Stop by to see what’s on display and chat with friendly staff and volunteers.

Community Affairs on KNUJ Radio
2024-08-27 09:15 - 21:35, 2024-09-24 09:15 - 21:35, 2024-10-22 09:15 - 21:35, 2024-11-26 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-01-28 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-02-25 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-03-25 09:15 - 21:35 | KNUJ Radio
Make sure to mark your calendar to listen to KNUJ Radio on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except December) at 9:15 am for Community Affairs. During this segment, NCHS staff will provide insights into the latest happenings within the Society.
<<CLICK TO LISTEN>>

Film Series | The War on Disco
2024-09-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The War on Disco explores the culture war that erupted over the spectacular rise of disco music. Originating in underground Black and gay clubs, disco had unseated rock as America’s most popular music by the late 1970s. But many diehard rock fans viewed disco, with its repetitive beat and culture that emphasized pleasure, as shallow and superficial. A story that’s about much more than music, The War on Disco explores how the powerful anti-disco backlash revealed a cultural divide that to some seemed to be driven by racism and homophobia. The hostility came to a head on July 12, 1979, when a riot broke out at “Disco Demolition Night” during a baseball game in Chicago.
The film’s runtime is 60 min.
Trailer: https://www.pbs.org/…/americ…/features/war-disco-teaser/
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our fall lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Treaty Site History Center.

Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux
2024-10-04 18:00 - 20:00, 2024-10-05 18:00 - 20:00 | Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Step back in time with Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux, an immersive outdoor lantern-lit tour that brings the history of Minnesota Territory to life.
Traverse des Sioux has a rich and complex history. It once served as a crucial gathering spot along the Minnesota River. Following the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, the area became a bustling town. However, its prosperity was short-lived, and today, little remains of the once-thriving community.
On this unique walking tour, you’ll encounter the spirits of those who lived during this pivotal era. Hear their stories of courage, resilience, conflict, and cooperation, and gain a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s heritage.
Tickets:

Adults: $10
Children (ages 8 and up): $5
Families: $20
Nicollet County and Minnesota Historical Society members: 20% discount

Embark on this unforgettable journey through Minnesota’s past. Get your tickets now.

Additional Information:

Check-in Details: Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time to check-in.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, water and snacks, a flashlight (optional), camera (optional).
Disclaimers: The event will take place outdoors, rain or shine. If inclement weather is anticipated, the tour may be moved indoors. Ticket holders will be notified of any changes. Please note that the weather in Minnesota can vary greatly in early October. Dress appropriately for the expected conditions. While we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur during the tour.

Cancellation:

Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours’ notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Trick-or-Treat at the Cox House
2024-10-31 17:00 - 19:00 | Cox House, 500 N. Washington Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Families are invited to come to trick-or-treat at the Cox House.

Film Series | A Squirrel's Guide to Success
2024-11-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The squirrel family, from tiny chipmunks to big prairie dogs, is one of the most widespread on Earth, so what is the secret to their success? There are almost 300 species of squirrels that can glide through the air, outwit rattlesnakes, and survive the coldest temperatures of any mammal. Uncover the extraordinary abilities of these cheeky nut lovers as a filmmaker puts their problem-solving to the test on a specially designed obstacle course. Join some of the world’s top squirrel scientists who are making groundbreaking discoveries – from the brainy fox squirrel who can remember the location of 9,000 nuts, to the acrobatic gray squirrel whose tree-top leaps are the basis of new designs in robotics. And see the world through the eyes of an orphan red squirrel called Billy, as he grows up and develops all the skills he will need to be released back to the wild.
Runtime is 60 minutes.

The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present a new season of documentary films! These documentaries inform, challenge ideas, and create conversation. Films are shown at the Nicollet County Historical Society and are free and open to the public.

Film Series | McCarthy
2024-11-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
McCarthy chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin Senator who would test the limits of American decency and democracy. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being Communists and enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship, and cruel victimization. Finally, after years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. He died a broken man, but his name lived on. For more than half a century, it has been linked to an all-too-familiar phenomenon, the modern-day witch hunt we call McCarthyism.
The film’s runtime is 120 minutes
Trailer: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/mccarthy/#part01
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our fall lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Treaty Site History Center.

CLOSED FOR FALL BREAK
2024-11-28 - 2024-11-30 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Plan your visit accordingly: our museums and offices will be closed for fall break from November 28-30. Regular hours resume on December 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Film Series | The First Silent Night
2024-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Join renowned actor Simon Callow as he uncovers the moving origins of Silent Night. Simon journeys to the Austrian village of Oberndorf as well as the city of Salzburg, where the story of the world’s favorite carol had its origins. The First Silent Night introduces us to two impoverished children – Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber – who grew up in Austria’s cobbled streets and wooded villages. The hard years that shaped them would also destine them to meet one day in a poor country church to unite Gruber’s music and Mohr’s text into this classic carol about the birth of a third poor boy on a quiet night in ancient Palestine.
The film’s runtime is 60 minutes.
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our latest lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Treaty Site History Center.

Our Landscape as a Time Machine: St. Peter's Geologic Past
2024-12-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Most of the time, we walk or drive along our landscape without much thinking about the details. The familiar trees, hills, and rivers look ordinary to us. Perhaps we forget, or have never considered, that this landscape has a story to tell. This very place on Earth (and every other place) has experienced 4.6 billion years of time! To a geologist, the landscape and the material beneath it tell us about the ancient processes that formed it.
Eight thousand years ago, St. Peter was the site of a raging river, draining a giant lake near present-day Moorhead. Fifteen thousand years ago, our town was covered by a mile-thick ice sheet. One hundred million years ago, dinosaurs wandered through unfamiliar forests. And five hundred million years ago, St. Peter was a tropical paradise covered by a warm, clear ocean. How do we know? Each of these time intervals left behind geologic evidence – rocks that formed in the geologic past and that reflect the conditions of the time.
This presentation will introduce participants to St. Peter’s geologic history through the lens of geologic maps. You’ll learn how maps help us reconstruct the past and how they help us locate natural resources. Finally, you’ll learn about some places nearby that reveal the evidence of our geologic past.
About the presenter: Dr. Julie Bartley is a Professor and Co-chair in Environmental Geography and Earth sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College. She teaches Geology, Environmental Studies, and Geography. She holds an A.B. in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology from UCLA.

CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK
2024-12-22 - 2025-01-06 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Our museums and offices are closed for winter break from December 22, 2024 – January 6, 2025. As a result, there will be a delay in responding to emails and phone calls. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Film Series | The Typist
2025-02-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The Typist follows the life and work of Larry Tillemans, believed to be the last living (at the time of filming) clerk-typist from the Nuremberg Trials. As a sergeant in the U.S. 3rd Army, it was Larry’s duty to document the testimonies of victims and perpetrators of the Holocaust– information that deeply affected the young Minnesotan. After years of carrying this emotional burden, Larry decided to share his experiences with as many people as possible, a tireless effort that brought his voice to a world that often struggles to remember the lessons of the past.
Film runtime is 57 minutes.
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our spring lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Nicollet County Historical Society.

Film Series | On Eagle's Wings: Minnesota's Sacred Music
2025-03-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
This one-hour documentary explores the dramatic shift in sacred music, beginning in the 1960s, when major Christian religions attempted to engage the congregation. Minnesota is home to a significant number of highly accomplished songwriters and musicians who have helped bring new music to many faiths. The film features Father Michael Joncas, composer of “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Runtime approx. 57 minutes. Appropriate for all audiences.
