Family Archives

The Grand Portage National Monument

July 1, 2024September 22, 2020 by Tom Bartel

minnesota grand portage national monument wild rice

The Grand Portage National Monument is an entertaining and informative journey back into the history of the earliest trading economy of Minnesota. Costume clad docents will lead your through the reconstructed trading outpost and enlighten you on the earliest encounters between the Ojibwe, the French Canadian Voyageurs, and the English North West Trading Company.

Itasca State Park, Headwaters of the Mississippi River

August 20, 2024September 15, 2020 by Tom Bartel

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The oldest – and most iconic – Minnesota State Park is Itasca State Park, the headwaters of the Mississippi River. You can’t say you’ve been there if you haven’t walked across the river.

The Oliver Kelley Historic Farm, Elk River

September 14, 2020August 23, 2020 by Tom Bartel

The Oliver Kelley historical farm makes a great half day outing, especially for small children. You can also take optional hikes along the Mississippi River and into the adjacent prairie.