Timeline of Important Events

History of the State School (1885–1974)

1885: Legislature establishes the Minnesota State Public School.
1886: School opens in Owatonna in December.
1930s-1940s: Campus population reaches its peak, housing up to
500 children.
1945: Orphanage era ends.
1945-1970: Campus becomes the Owatonna State School.
1974: City of Owatonna purchases the campus.

The museum continues to collect and display artifacts, restore the Children's Cemetery, collect oral histories, and share the stories of the 10,635 children who lived here.

Preserving the Children's Stories (1992–Present)

1992: Restoration begins with the State School Kids sculpture.
1993: Museum is created and Children's Cemetery restoration begins.
2000: Museum becomes a nonprofit.
2002: The Children Remember documentary released.
2005: Cottage 11 transferred for restoration.
2006: Museum Receives Preservation Alliance Award. The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota named it "One of the 25 Best Preserved Historic Sites in Minnesota" during the past 25 years.
2009: Cottage 11 opens to the public.
2010: Campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
2021: Museum joins the Steele County Historical Society.
2026: Second major Children's Cemetery renovation is completed.

In 2026, all the stone markers that needed to be straightened were taken care of. The markers were all carefully cleaned in 2024 and 2025. Our cemetery historian, Tim Shea, spearheaded the efforts.

National Register of Historic Places

The Administration Building of the Minnesota State Public School was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1975. The campus of Minnesota's only state-run orphanage, now known as West Hills, was added to the list in 2010.