About the Museum

Hours: The Rice County Museum of History is open M-F 9:00-4:00
Location: 1814 NW 2nd Ave., Faribault, MN.  Click here for directions,
Admission: Seniors $2 Adults $3 Children 12 and under $1
RCHS members receive free admission.

The Rice County Museum of History contains a collection of objects, images and artifacts ranging from prehistory to the present day. Our exhibits are variable, as we try to rotate the collection through our display space. Visitors are encouraged to take 12 minutes to view the slide show "History of Rice County" which provides background information on the region.

To view our online exhibits, click here.

Current Exhibits at the Rice County Museum of History

 Schimmel Piano Company

The two pump organs, one black walnut and the other oak, were made in the 1880's. The two pianos were made in Faribault by the Schimmel Piano Co.

Grace McKinstry

Most of the paintings in the entryway and gift shop area were painted by Grace McKinstry, a Faribault artist during the late 1800's and early 1900's.  Grace was well known in Minnesota, across the country and internationally.  She was described in 1907 as, "an artists who's growing fame is placing her in the front ranks of American painters."  Her works can be seen at the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota State Capital, and the Smithsonian among others.  Of all the holding institutions, the Rice County Historical Society has the largest collection of her works.

Rice County's Natural History

The large topographic map of Rice County shows the geographic layout of the county which illuminates the numerous lakes in the western half of the county, the source of the Cannon River at General Shields Lake, the confluence of the Straight River into the Cannon River at the site of Faribault, the diagonal course of the Cannon northeasterly through Dundas and Northfield on its flow to the Mississippi at Red Wing.

Bruce Smith

Bruce Smith was the winner of the Heismann trophy in 1941. Currently he is the only Minnesotan to win this, the highest award for college football. Born and raised in Faribault, Bruce graduated from Faribault High School in 1938. He was playing for the University of Minnesota when he won his Heismann in 1941. The Heisman trophy on exhibition is a replica of the trophy awarded to Bruce. 


 

 Bishop Whipple

The center exhibit is dedicated to Episcopal Bishop Henry Whipple. Whipple was encouraged to come to Faribault by Alexander Faribault and liked it so much, that he made it his home. He built the first Episcopal Cathedral in Minnesota as well as several other Episcopal churches around the state; including the Holy Innocents Church which is now located in the museum's Village. Whipple also founded several schools in Faribault: Shattuck, St. Mary's, St. James, and Seabury Divinity. Whipple was also a friend to the Dakota and Ojibwe people. They called him "Straight Tongue" because of his honest dealings with them. Many of the items on display are part of the collection that can be found at St. Mary's School, the Sibley House Historic Site, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Science Museum of Minnesota. Whipple lived from 1822 to 1901 and is buried in the Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior in Faribault.
 

Military History in Rice County

The items in this case date back to the Civil War and Spanish American War. Minnesota was the first state to volunteer troops to fight in the Civil War. Men from Rice County fought in many of Minnesota's Regiments. Look through the list of names to find soldiers from Rice County.

Across from this case are artifacts from WWI and WWII soldiers.

The Sellner Company

Herbert  Sellner founded Sellner Manufacturing Company in Faribault in 1914. The Company's first products were furniture, kitchen sets, and lamps. Herbert Sellner, an inventor at heart, created a water toboggan slide that he thought would be popular in Minnesota's 10,00 lakes. He was right. It soon became the firm's main product and forever changed the company's focus to entertainment products. In 1926, Herbert Sellner produced his most famous amusement ride of all, the Tilt-A-Whirl. The tilt-a whirl quickly became popular and over the past 75+ years more than 850 rides have been made and sold worldwide.

Main Street

The RCHS Main Street Exhibit, comprises one wall of the museum and is a timeline of businesses found in many small towns of Southern Minnesota. It begins with an 1880s train station and concludes with a 1920s home. While this is not intended to represent any specific town, all of the objects are from Rice County.


 

Fleck's Brewery

The Fleckenstein family, which had been in the brewery business in Bavaria since 1577, came to America in 1850. Upon arrival in Minnesota they began to build the family business here. Faribault was an ideal location because of its artesian water, ample grains, and the Straight River Bluffs, which offered a good location to make cool lagering rooms for the beer. The Fleckenstein Brewery began operation in Faribault in 1856, and would produce assorted beverages for the next 108 years. The exhibit features a wide range of photos and objects from the Upper and Lower Breweries.