Runestone Museum

Runestone Museum

Building in 2022
Established	1958 (1958)
Location	206 Broadway Street, Alexandria, Minnesota, United States
Coordinates	45°53′25″N95°22′41″W / 45.89028°N 95.37806°W / 45.89028; -95.37806
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

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

Main article: Kensington Runestone

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

• 
  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

1. "Leadership change at Runestone Museum". Alexandria Echo Press. 2017-08-04. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
2. "About". Runestone Museum. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
3. Postcards | Runestone Museum, Volstead House, Jay & Cindy McDougall | Season 13 | Episode 6 . Retrieved 2024-04-06– via www.pbs.org.
4. "Runestone Museum". Explore Minnesota. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
5. "MPR: The Kensington Runestone". news.minnesota.publicradio.org. Retrieved 2024-04-06.
6. 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.
7. "About". Runestone Museum. 2017-09-22. Retrieved 2024-04-06.