I love history and I love exploring history while traveling! And these 3 historical stops in New Ulm, Minnesota, have been some of my favorite. Exploring the history of an area is a great way to find out about an area! New Ulm is full of lots of history and fun community to explore! Here are my three favorite historical stops in New Ulm.
The Harkin Store
It’s a short trip out to the first historical stop in New Ulm. The Harkin Store is about a 9 minute drive from New Ulm, but it’s totally worth the adventure! Back in the late 1800’s, it was normal for towns to pop up on the banks of rivers and West Newton, MN, was no different. Alexander & Janet Harkin opened the Harkin Store in the heart of West Newton as a place for people to purchase groceries, barter, and as a place to socialize. Several years later the railroad came through the area and New Ulm was established. What followed was only hardships for not only the town of West Newton and the Harkin Store. In 1901 the store was closed. However, in 1938, the store opened as a museum with a large majority of the original stock still on the shelves! Learn much more about the Harkin store, it’s trials, the family, and it’s destiny by visiting!
The Harkin Store is open sometime in May each year until later October! Check the Nicollet County Historical Society for a firm schedule each year! Find it at 66250 County Road 21.
Hermann Monument
Next on the list of historical stops in New Ulm is a visit to Hermann. Hermann is a German soldier who led several tribes to freedom from Roman rules. As New Ulm has such deep German roots, it only seemed appropriate to honor Hermann in their town! The monument and it’s surrounding park was completed in 1897 and then later given to the city of New Ulm. In 1973 it was named as a Registered National Historical Place.
Hermann is so much more than just a large statue! It also provides amazing 365 degree views of New Ulm. For $3 per person, you will get stunning views and a unique experience climbing the numerous steps to the top! Also take note of all the facilities the Hermann Heights Park has to offer, including playground equipment and picnic facilities!
The Hermann Monument is open Saturday and Sunday in May & September; daily from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day; and Friday, Saturday, & Sunday during Oktoberfest. Find it at 10 Monument Street (top of the Center Street hill).
Brown County Historical Society Museum
Located just a block off historic downtown New Ulm you’ll find the third historical stop in New Ulm. The first thing that struck me about the Brown County Historical Society Museum is the beauty of it’s building! Originally built as the New Ulm Post Office in 1910, this structure reaches deep to it’s German heritage with his German Renaissance architecture. It is even on the National Register of Historical Places.
However, today it plays host to a great deal of history of not only New Ulm, but all of Brown County. From the heavy New Ulm representative in the first world war to commerce in the area, this is this history nerds playground. Feel free to explore all three floors at your leisure for a nominal fee! And when it’s fairly warm, make sure to snag a bag of popcorn from the historic Popcorn Wagon!
The museum is open Tuesday – Saturday each week. Find it at 2 North Broadway (corner of Broadway & Center Street).
Conclusion
There are so many amazing things to do in New Ulm, Minnesota! History is just one portion of their thriving community! Make sure to stop by Hermann Monument, Harkin Store, & Brown County Historical Society Museum if you find yourself in the area! These historic stops in New Ulm will round out your trip!
Check out this other post about New Ulm!
5 Things to Do in New Ulm, Minnesota
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I haven’t visited New Ulm before. Posts like yours remind me how little I know about my home state.
It’s such a fantastic little community that I think you guys would really like exploring!