The Gibbs Museum, St. Paul, Minnesota

	GIBBS MUSEUM of Pioneer and Dakotah Life	Free admission to the Gibbs museum
Gibbs Links Calendar of Events Day Camps Dakota Life Field Trips Hours, fees, directions Gibbs Heritage Home School Program Pioneer Life Site Rental Volunteer Work at Gibbs Museum Join Ramsey County Historical Society Receive free admission to the Gibbs Museum and discounts on camps and ticked events by becoming a Ramsey County Historical Society member. Call 651-222-0701 or email Membership@rchs.com to join or	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 Dakota around Fort Snelling. Jane grew up in Minnesota and became familiar with the Dakota 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 Dakota who would stop to visit her on their way to gather wild race. Today visitors can tour the Gibbs family farm house. The Dakota style tipi and replica bark lodge allow visitors to explore the traditional life-ways of the Dakota. Visitors can observe a native prairie, a Dakota medicine garden, and traditional Dakota 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.
		Ramsey County Historical Society Special Thanks to: Walton's Hollow for providing baby animals for visitors to enjoy during Gibbs Museum Season. We Bring the Farm to You - Click on the farmyard above to visit us!
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GIBBS MUSEUM of Pioneer and Dakotah Life 2097 West Larpenteur Avenue, Saint Paul, Minnesota 55113 651-646~8629 Gibbs@rchs.com Our Mission "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. Ramsey County Historical Society 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 2012 Home / About RCHS / Gibbs Museum / Events & Exhibits / Library & Archives / Magazine & Publications / Membership