Commemorating Controversy: The Dakota-U.S. War of 1862
Commemorating Controversy: the Dakota-U.S. War of 1862
In the late summer of 1862, a war raged across southern Minnesota between Dakota akicitas (warriors) and the U.S. military and immigrant settlers. In the end, hundreds were dead, and thousands more would lose their homes forever. On December 26, 1862, 38 Dakota men were hanged in Mankato, Minnesota, by order…
Fort Ridgely
Fort Ridgely
Although only open for fourteen years, Fort Ridgely drastically impacted the State of Minnesota and the American frontier. Through its short tenure as a military post, Fort Ridgely’s soldiers, their wives, and the accompanying civilians contributed to the transformation of this region. Built on land that was once the traditional…
Sketches of Frank Blackwell Mayer
Sketches of Frank Blackwell Mayer
In 1851, 23-year-old Baltimore native Frank Blackwell Mayer embarked on a 5,903-mile journey to document the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, recording the lives of Indigenous Minnesotans through detailed sketches. Despite not securing a government role in the treaty negotiations, Mayer’s commitment to capturing these historical moments left a lasting…
Nicollet County Township Room
Nicollet County Room
Explore the Nicollet County Room, featuring displays and history from each of the 13 townships.
1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux
The Treaty Site History Center’s permanent exhibit interprets the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux as a watershed moment in Minnesota history. The consequences for both Dakota people and Euro-Americans are explored through large graphic panels, hands-on activities, artifacts, and a portion of Twin City Public Television’s Dakota Conflict.