GIBBS MUSEUM
of Pioneer and Dakotah Life

Free admission to the
Gibbs museum

Gibbs Links
Hours, fees, directions
Gibbs Events & News
Calendar of Events
 All Hallows Eve & Pioneer Christmas
Gibbs Day Camps
Dakotah Life
Pioneer Life
Education
Job Posting
Volunteer
Site Rental

Receive free admission to the Gibbs Museum and discounts on camps and ticked events by becoming an RCHS member. Don’t forget that an RCHS membership is a gift that reminds your loved ones of your generosity all year long.
Call 651-222-0701 or email Maureen@rchs.com to join or give a gift membership.

 

Gibbs Museum Story

The story of the Gibbs Museum begins in 1833 near Batavia, New York.  Jane DeBow was taken by a missionary family traveling west to work among the Dakotah around Fort Snelling.  Jane grew up in Minnesota and became familiar with the Dakotah culture. 

 Later, in Illinois, Jane met and married Heman Gibbs.  In 1849, the year Minnesota became a territory, the newlyweds came up the Mississippi River and bought 160 acres, the land on which the Gibbs farm house still stands.  At first, Jane and Heman lived in a  dugout sod house.  The remains of this “soddy” have been excavated.  Visitors  can see this excavation site and a replica sod house.

In 1854, Jane and Heman built a larger cabin.  With a growing family, additions to the farm house were made in 1867 and 1873. 

A trail leading from the Lake Calhoun area to the northern rice lakes crossed the Gibbs farm.  Jane renewed her friendship with the local Dakotah who would stop to visit her on their way to gather wild race.

 Today visitors can tour the Gibbs family farm house.  The Dakotah style tipi and replica bark lodge allow visitors to explore the traditional lifeways of the Dakotah.  Visitors can observe a native prairie, a Dakotah medicine garden, and traditional Dakotah and pioneer crop gardens.

Visitors also will find the original white barn built by the Gibbs family in 1910 and the red barn, designed by prominent architect Edwin Lundie.  The Stoen School, built in the 1880s, was moved from Chippewa County, Minnesota in 1966.  The schoolhouse is furnished with wooden school desks, slate boards, McGuffey’s Readers, a pump organ, and a working school bell.

A Gibbs' Pioneer Christmas
December 4, 5, 6 2009
10 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Timed house tours begin every 20
minutes starting at at 10 a.m.

Step back in time and glimpse holiday life in the early decades of Minnesota’s history. Enjoy Christmas carols and stories; crafts and activities; hot chocolate and Christmas treats at the Gibbs Museum's Pioneer Christmas!

Learn More about Pioneer Christmas

Slide show  

Share your photos with us on  Flickr  Flickr is a social photo sharing website.  It offers RCHS a way to share photos of history events with you and gives you the opportunity to comment on the photos. You can also share your photos of your RCHS experiences with us by posting them to our Flickr groups.
See the RCHS Flickr page

Stay connected to the Ramsey County Historical Society and Gibbs Museum through your favorite websites.
Keep up with the latest RCHS news and interact with other RCHS members and visitors!
    

"The Ramsey County Historical Society inspires current and future generations to learn from
and value their history by engaging in a diverse program of presenting, publishing and preserving." 

The place for St. Paul & Ramsey County, Minnesota history.
RCHS programs include a history research library, St Paul & Ramsey County MN history magazine, 
historical exhibits, historic site attraction the Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life.

323 Landmark Center, 75 West Fifth Street, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55102     Phone: (651) 222-0701, Fax: (651) 223-8539
info@rchs.com
Copyright 2009