Explore Lawshe
**MASK POLICY UPDATE: Due to the rising COVID cases in Dakota County, masks are required by all visitors while indoors at DCHS sites, regardless of vaccination status. This policy is implemented following guidelines in place by the various partners we work with to operate our historic sites and DCHS policies.**
THE MUSEUM PORTION OF THE BUILDING IS CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE WHILE STAFF PREPARES FOR THE UPCOMING UPGRADES TO THE BUILDING.
THE RESEARCH LIBRARY IS OPEN WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY AND FRIDAY FROM 9 - 5 AND SATURDAY 10 - 3.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR PATIENCE AS WE ENTER THIS EXCITING NEW PHASE OF OUR HISTORY!
THE ARTIFACTS IN OLD TOWN ARE BEING RE-CATALOGED THANKS TO A LEGACY AMENDMENT GRANT.
RESEARCH LIBRARY:
We have extensive resources to help you with your genealogy, local city and township histories, and land research. Our collection includes:
- Books, magazines, and documents on Minnesota, Dakota County, and local history.
- Microfilm of newspapers dating back to the 1850s
- Federal and State census data from 1849 to 1940
- Cemetery and obituary records
- Naturalization records for County citizens
- Catholic church records
- Paper files on city and township history
- Plat maps showing ownership from 1879 to the present
- Information regarding sites on the National Register of Historic Places
- Over 300 oral history tapes
- Over 10,000 historical photographs
- Telephone books and city directories
- Records from Grand Army of the Republic Posts 47 and 48
- Henry Sibley's papers and a portion of Ignatius Donnelly's papers
- 1918 alien registration forms
Our research staff and volunteers are available to assist you! Research assistance is FREE to our members. A donation of at least $15 per half hour is suggested for non-members.
