Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia

ABOUT GAMMELGARDEN MUSEUM 

Gammelgården Museum aims to create a welcoming, inviting space for all visitors to learn more about art, culture, history, the environment, and immigration (historical and contemporary). The museum offers programs for youth and adults including: Educational field trips and tours; major community events; classes and workshops; displays of historical artifacts; and art exhibits.

With only eight open-air museums in Minnesota, Gammelgården Museum is the only one of this type in Washington County. Focusing on history, art, culture, and agriculture, Gammelgården is the singular open-air museum devoted to preserving, presenting, and promoting Swedish immigrant heritage in the United States.

The museum’s historic buildings have been carefully preserved and restored so visitors can get a glimpse of the daily lives of early settlers and artifacts from the 1850s-1880s. The majority of visitors – especially children – often have no concept of the purpose of some of the artifacts. So, within just 140-175 years, the knowledge about these items has – for the most part - disappeared. Without continuing to tell the story of the lives of immigrants and early settlers, and the items they used in their daily lives, the story essentially ends.

Gammelgården fills that gap with educational programs and hands-on activities, especially at two major cultural events (Midsommardagen and Spelmansstämman) to bring these artifacts and everyday happenings to life so history remains integrated into contemporary daily life. These events are free to the public to ensure accessibility and remove financial barriers to participation.

Gammelgården’s walk-in tours are held eight times per weekend (Fridays through Sundays) from May 1 through mid-October. In addition, pre-booked or group tours are held at other times during the week, and field trips with tours are held in May-June and September-October. 

Most of Gammelgården’s classes, workshops, and major events focus on the visual and performing arts. Although Gammelgården’s major art and cultural events are inspired by Sweden and Swedish culture, the classes and workshops focus more broadly on handicrafts, art, and creative expression from the mid- to late-19th century. This focus gives youth and adults with contemporary art opportunities that honor historical perspectives, introducing them to skills and creative expression that were representative of the mid- to late-1800s.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization, Gammelgården depends greatly on gifts from individuals and organizations to achieve its mission.

DONATE IN 2026

Gammelgården Museum's artifacts in the Pastor's House were removed in 2025 because they were in a compromised situation. We are raising funds to have the historical clothing and textiles professionally cleaned to remove mold, mildew, and dirt that are destroying these precious artifacts. 

In addition to their deterioration, these items cannot be brought into a safer environment in their current state until they are professionally cleaned and repaired.

We need to raise $30,000 to work on these textiles in the museum's collection. Your generous donation will help Gammelgården:

• Prevent further damage to the historical clothing and other textiles in the collection.
• Ensure that the artifacts are properly cleaned, and then stored using archival-quality tissues, boxes, and mannequins. 
• Share the restored textiles with the public in an exhibit during the 2028 season.

Your support, no matter how big or small, will make a significant difference for Gammelgården and its artifacts. We invite you to be a part of this exciting project, and see how the proper care, storage, and exhibition of historical artifacts can prolong their life for future generations to see and enjoy. 

Your generosity of a donation through GiveMN.org qualifies Gammelgården Museum for additional prize grants, thanks to the generosity of the Bush Foundation. Through the 2026 campaign, GiveMN will award:

• $500 Early Giving Golden Tickets daily on November 1-18.
• $500 Golden Ticket prizes every 15 minutes on November 19.
• $1,000 Hourly Golden Ticket prizes hourly on November 19.
• $6,000 Power Hours, shared among the top three organizations based on the amount raised between 10:00–10:59 a.m. and 10:00–10:59 p.m. on November 19.
• The grand prize of Give to the Max Day, a $10,000 Super-Sized Golden Ticket, will be drawn from all of the gifts made from November 1-19.

Thank you for your support of Gammelgården Museum, and for restoring the clothing and textile collection in the Pastor's House.