Chippewa County Historical Society, Inc.

The Chippewa County Historical Society main office is located in Montevideo, Minnesota. This is the site of Historic Chippewa City, with 24 buildings which have been either moved to the site and preserved, or built on site. Each building is furnished with artifacts so that our guests feel like they are truly stepping back in time. Over the past several years we have shingled almost every structure, as well as repaired and painted them. But this is a never ending process. Just when we finish, we start all over again! 

We also are proud to own and display the 3rd and 4th oldest water craft in the state of Minnesota - 2 dugout canoes which have both been radio-carbon dated to the pre-contact era.

We also own and take care of the Swensson Farm Museum with it's large house and fully restored 1901 barn. The interior of the house will be addressed next and of course that will take money. 

The Lac qui Parle Mission, founded in 1835, is managed by CCHS for the Minnesota Historical Society. This site was home to many Minnesota firsts - the first church bell rung in the state, the first woven cloth produced and the first written Dakota language dictionary and Bible. The Lac qui Parle hymn was also composed here.

Any donations you give will go to help us preserve the history of Chippewa County and the environs and to help us share that history with future generations.

We look forward to having you visit any of our 3 sites and seeing what you are helping to preserve.

Thank you for your support and for helping us to keep history alive!