Virginia Area Historical Society
  • Home
  • Museum Buildings
    • Park Superintendent's Home
    • Log House
    • Tourist Cabin
  • About VAHS
    • Membership
    • Support VAHS
    • Events
  • Research & Collections
    • Donating to our collections
    • Other Resources
    • Digitized Yearbooks
  • Virginia Area History
    • Businesses
    • Churches
    • Lost Virginia
    • Mountain Iron
    • Schools
    • Significant People
  • Museum director position

Virginia Area Historical Society

COVID-19 Updates

Starting in July, the museum will be open on Fridays from 11 to 4 and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays by appointment (except July 4). Call 218-741-1136 if you are interested in a tour. We have a few special prizes for the first visitors!

We will ask that visitors wear masks, and the total building occupancy will be eight, which is based on restrictions announced by Gov. Walz and our normal building occupancy. Hand sanitizer by 11 Wells Spirits of St. Paul will be available. Flow through the museum will be one way, and visitors will not be allowed to touch the exhibit items that are normally interactive. Restroom use is discouraged but not prohibited. 

Heritage Museum

​Located in beautiful Olcott Park, the museum complex consists of the former park superintendent's residence, a Finnish-style log house, and a 1930s tourist cabin. Permanent exhibits depict logging and lumbering industries, Virginia's fires of 1893 and 1900, and Olcott Park's Master Gardener Gunnar Peterson.
800 9th Ave. N., Virginia, MN 55792

Museum hours (before COVID-19)

Wednesday–Saturday 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. year-round

Museum contact information

218-741-1136
virginiamnhistory@gmail.com
VAHS Membership
Donating to our collections
​Admission to the museum is by donation (suggested donation is $2 for non-members). Tours are available, and the facility is handicapped accessible. ​Special arrangements may be made for groups tours.
Some of our members have worked with Friends of B'nai Abraham to offer tours and programming at the B'Nai Abraham Museum and Cultural Center, a former Jewish synagogue. We are currently working with Northern Lights Music Festival, B'nai Abraham's new owners, to make arrangements for tours, exhibits, and programs. Please contact us to learn more.

If you would like to support VAHS with a financial contribution, click on the pig!

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Temporary Exhibits

Railroads of Northern Minnesota

ALL ABOOOOARD! Visitors can see a variety of railroad artifacts in our newest exhibit, which highlights the important role railroads played in the development of our region. On display are artifacts from the Duluth and Iron Range; Duluth, Missabe, and Northern; Great Northern; Canadian Northern; Duluth, Winnipeg, and Pacific; Virginia and Rainy Lake; Soo Line; and Erie Mining Company railroads.

Olcott Park Fountain

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A new display features the history of Olcott Park' beloved fountain, which was recently restored! Read about the fountain's origins and see pieces of colored plastic once used in nighttime light shows. A short walk in the park will take you to the newly-restored fountain that is once again delighting people of all ages with its many sprays, lights, and music. A new addition to the fountain area is a handicap accessible ramp allowing everyone to have a close up view of the fountain.
© Virginia Area Historical Society 2020
All images belong to the Virginia Area Historical Society unless otherwise noted. 
​Please do not reproduce, print, or use any photos in any context without written permission.
  • Home
  • Museum Buildings
    • Park Superintendent's Home
    • Log House
    • Tourist Cabin
  • About VAHS
    • Membership
    • Support VAHS
    • Events
  • Research & Collections
    • Donating to our collections
    • Other Resources
    • Digitized Yearbooks
  • Virginia Area History
    • Businesses
    • Churches
    • Lost Virginia
    • Mountain Iron
    • Schools
    • Significant People
  • Museum director position