Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children

Come and Visit the Museum and Grounds!

We invite you to Come to Owatonna and Visit the Minnesota State Public School Orphanage Museum and the former grounds of the State School.

Why Visit?
    You can...
    • Enter the Main Building, listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
    • See the “State School Kids” memorial in front of the Main Building.
    • Learn about the history of the school from the only known Orphanage Museum in the nation.
    • Watch the 1930s video of the children.
    • Visit the four outdoor Audio Tour Stations. (Souvenir walking tour brochure available for 50¢.)
    • Take a self-guided walking tour (50¢).
    • Visit the Children’s Cemetery.
    • Walk the Cemetery Memorial Boardwalk.
    • Stroll through the grounds and see the historic buildings.
    • Stop at the root cellar to learn how food and vegetables were stored.
    • Venture through the former children’s dining room (now the Owatonna Arts Center).
    • Enjoy the beautiful landscaping and fragrant flowers (seasonal).
    • Sign the guest book and tell us your story.

Individual Tours
Museum hours:
8 a.m. – 5 p.m., Monday through Friday
(Access through the Main Building front doors.)

1 p.m. – 5 p.m., Weekends
(Access through the Owatonna Arts Center entrance, located at the rear of the Main Building.)

The Museum is closed on major holidays.

Group Tours

Group tours include a presentation by Harvey Ronglien (ward of the state from 1932 - 1943), a Museum visit, and viewing of the 1930s video. Tours may be booked through the Owatonna Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism at 1-800-423-6466 or 507-451-7970, fax: 1-507-451-7972, e-mail: oacct@owatonna.org.

State School Cemetery Boardwalk Boards are available for purchase @$35.00 each. Click on Buy Now button below to purchase your Board.



Memorials and donations are always accepted and appreciated.

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