Runestone Museum

  In 1898 Olof Öhman found a mysterious stone on his farm, buried in the roots of an aspen tree. Thus began the quest to translate the inscriptions on the stone and verify that the syntax and runes used are correct for a Viking artifact from the 1300s. This is still being debated today and the museum does a great job of providing evidence of the authenticity. Some facts may have been skipped over but there is a real possibility that the Vikings traveled west from their settlements in eastern North American.

  The museum has a small exhibit about the rune stone, a collection of Native American artifacts, and many items donated by Scandinavian settlers. In addition there are nine relocated buildings representing Fort Alexandria which was built in 1862 during the Dakota War. A large building houses a replica of a Viking ship and  donated agricultural items.

  The museum is accessible. A paved path goes to all of the other  buildings. Some of the fort buildings have high thresholds. The ship replica building has a long ramp.

   RVs can parked in the lot or on the street.  Museum  45.88996, -95.37783