Runestone Museum
 | |
 Building in 2022 | |
| Established | 1958 |
|---|---|
| Location | 206 Broadway Street, Alexandria, Minnesota, United States |
| Type | Local History |
| Executive director | Amanda Seim[1] |
| Website | runestonemuseum.org |
The Runestone Museum is a historical museum located in Alexandria, Minnesota, United States. Established in 1958, the museum is renowned for housing the Kensington Runestone, a controversial artifact considered by some to be evidence of pre-Columbian Viking exploration of North America.
Focus and Exhibits[edit]
While the Kensington Runestone is the museum's centerpiece, the Runestone Museum offers a broader perspective on regional history. Visitors can explore exhibits on the following:[2]
- Norse history and culture: Learn about the Vikings, their exploration patterns, and their impact on the region.
- Native American history: Discover the rich heritage of the First Minnesotans, the indigenous population of the area.
- Early European settlers: Explore the lives of the first European settlers in the area and the challenges they faced.
- Minnesota's homesteading era: Gain insight into the experiences of homesteaders who shaped the state's development.
- Minnesota wildlife: Encounter a variety of exhibits showcasing the diverse wildlife of Minnesota.[3]
Other highlights include:[4]
- The museum features a Children's Discovery Room with interactive exhibits.
- Fort Alexandria: A replica fort showcasing authentic log buildings from the 1860s-1910s.
- Snorri: A 40-foot Viking ship replica, offering a photo opportunity and a glimpse into Viking seafaring.
Kensington Runestone[edit]
The Kensington Runestone remains a subject of debate. While some believe it is a genuine Viking artifact, others view it with skepticism.[5] There has been a drawn-out debate regarding the stone's authenticity, but since the first scientific examination in 1910, the scholarly consensus has classified it as a 19th-century hoax.[6] Regardless, the Runestone Museum plays a role in preserving regional history and sparking conversations about exploration, cultural exchange, and the interpretation of the past.[7]
Gallery[edit]
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Kensington Runestone -
Museum exhibit -
Museum exhibit -
Museum exhibit -
Wildlife diorama -
Stage Stop-front, Fort Alexandria -
General Store and Post Office-Fort Alexandria. -
Immanuel Lutheran Church, Fort Alexandria
References[edit]
- ^ "Leadership change at Runestone Museum". Alexandria Echo Press. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "About". Runestone Museum. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ Postcards | Runestone Museum, Volstead House, Jay & Cindy McDougall | Season 13 | Episode 6 | PBS. Retrieved 2024-04-06 – via www.pbs.org.
- ^ "Runestone Museum". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ "MPR: The Kensington Runestone". news.minnesota.publicradio.org. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
- ^ Gustavson, Helmer. "The non-enigmatic runes of the Kensington stone". Viking Heritage Magazine. 2004 (3). Gotland University.
[...] every Scandinavian runologist and expert in Scandinavian historical linguistics has declared the Kensington stone a hoax [...]
- Wallace, B (1971). "Some points of controversy". In Ashe G; et al. (eds.). The Quest for America. New York: Praeger. pp. 154–174. ISBN 0-269-02787-4.
- Wahlgren, Erik (1986). The Vikings and America (Ancient Peoples and Places). Thames & Hudson. ISBN 0-500-02109-0.
- Michlovic, MG (1990). "Folk Archaeology in Anthropological Perspective". Current Anthropology. 31 (11): 103–107. doi:10.1086/203813. S2CID 144500409.
- Hughey M, Michlovic MG (1989). "Making history: The Vikings in the American heartland". Politics, Culture and Society. 2 (3): 338–360. doi:10.1007/BF01384829. S2CID 145559328. - ^ "About". Runestone Museum. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
