Timeline of Important Events
History of the State School (1885–1974)
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1885: Legislature establishes the Minnesota State Public School.
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1886: School opens in Owatonna in December.
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1930s-1940s: Campus population reaches its peak, housing up to 500 children.
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1945: Orphanage era ends.
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1945-1970: Campus becomes the Owatonna State School.
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1974: City of Owatonna purchases the campus.
Preserving the Children's Stories (1992–Present)
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1992: Restoration begins with the State School Kids sculpture.
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1993: Museum is created and Children's Cemetery restoration begins.
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2000: Museum becomes a nonprofit.
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2002: The Children Remember documentary released.
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2005: Cottage 11 transferred for restoration.
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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.
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2009: Cottage 11 opens to the public.
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2010: Campus listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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2021: Museum joins the Steele County Historical Society.
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2026: Second major Children's Cemetery renovation is completed.
The museum continues to preserve the buildings, restore the Children's Cemetery, collect oral histories, and share the stories of the 10,635 children who lived here.
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.