Ramsey County Historical Society MN's photostream

The Ramsey County Historical Society is the officially-recognized historical agency of Ramsey County.

The RCHS's has three primary programs:

Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life
The Society began in 1949 when a group of citizens moved to acquire and preserve the Heman and Jane Gibbs farm in suburban Falcon Heights. The Gibbs Farm Museum opened in 1954. The Gibbs house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974. Today the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakotah Life presents a dual Dakota Indian/pioneer interpretation.

Ramsey County History Quarterly Magazine
In 1964, Ramsey County History began a distinguished tradition of assembling original, important information on engaging stories that might otherwise be lost to time. Ramsey County History has enjoyed uninterrupted publication and has twice received awards from the American Association for State and Local History. The magazine offers readable, non-academic local history focusing as much on the ordinary person as on the extraordinary. The Society also publishes books, several of which have won awards.

Research Center
The RCHS Research Center contains non-circulating collections documenting the history of Ramsey County and St. Paul. The collection contains books, periodicals, city directories, maps, photographs, personal papers, business and organization records, architectural information and materials on clubs, schools, and churches. The RCHS Research Center and Archive is located in downtown St. Paul’s Landmark Center, a restored Federal Courts building on the National Register of Historic Places.
A new RCHS Research Center is in process. We have identified space within Landmark Center for our archival collections – especially the St. Paul Building Permits (1883 – 1970) - as well as for a user friendly Research Center. Our new space will contain storage for our two-dimensional collections (such as photographs and building permits), and will serve as a comfortable setting in which the public can use these collections. We plan to start renovation of the space in early 2010, and to open our new, inviting Research Center to the public in May 2010.

In addition to these primary programs, the Society offers lectures, exhibits and programs at Landmark Center and thought the county that are open to the public at no charge.

The Society began in 1949 when a group of citizens moved to acquire and preserve the Heman and Jane Gibbs farm in suburban Falcon Heights. Following five years of restoration work, the Gibbs Museum opened its gates in 1954. In 1974, the farm was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Society is a not-for-profit 501(c) 3 membership driven, donor supported organization that depends on gifts from individuals, foundations and corporations for its annual support.

Visit www.RCHS.com to learn more.