Big Ole/Runestone Museum

The Runestone Museum has been inspiring curiosity about local history and heritage for more than 50 years. KENSINGTON RUNESTONE It’s a controversy more than 100 years in the making: Did an immigrant Swedish farmer find a buried rock in RUNESTONEmuseum

The world famous and controversial 1898 that contained an ancient runic Kensington Rune Stone was the Ru- message carved by Viking explorers nestone Museum’s only artifact when 100 years before Columbus landed in it opened its doors in 1958. Since then, America? Or is the whole thing a hoax, the museum has expanded to include perpetrated by the farmer or some exhibits celebrating native Minne- other prankster? sotans, emigrants and immigrants, A large replica of the Kensington Minnesota wildlife and events that Runestone is located at a small, shaped the area. wayside rest. Visitors can read the

Fort Alexandria, commissioned in inscription and take a photo by the 1862, has been recreated with rescued replica. The replica is located in a small historical structures, such as a nearly park at the east end of Sixth Avenue in exact replica of the stockade built in Alexandria. 1862, an 1889 church, a log cabin built Explore the controversy for yourself in the late 1860s and an 1885 school- at the Runestone Museum, located at house. The fort is located in the outdoor 206 Broadway in Alexandria. portion of the campus that is open Winter hours are Monday-Saturday, April-October. Housing rare and exciting 10 a.m.-4 p.m. November 1-March 31. artifacts like a Middle Ages Nordic The museum is closed on Sunday. RUNESTONE MUSEUM fire steel and a 1920s jingle dress, the Admission to the museum, located After you take your picture with Big Ole, cross the street for Runestone Museum is sure to impress at 206 Broadway, is $8 for adults, $7 for a visit to the Runestone Museum. There you will learn about whether you’re interested in history, seniors ages 65 and older and $5 for Big Ole, Vikings and Nordic explorers, and test your skill at heritage or the natural sciences. students (youth and college). A family matching animal prints in the wildlife exhibit.

For more information call (320) 763- admission is $20. 3160, or visit the museum’s website at Along with the Runestone, the museum holds exhibits on www.runestonemuseum.org. Check out Native Americans, early immigrant history, the history of Alexthe museum’s Facebook page at Rune- andria, a memorial/gun exhibit, a Minnesota wildlife exhibit, stone Museum Foundation. and a hands-on children’s area. BIGole

Perhaps one of the most eye-catching “land- Big Ole was created by fiberglass sculptor Gordon marks” in Alexandria is Big Ole – a 28-foot tall Schumaker of Minneapolis in April of 1965 and was Viking statue that stands at the north end of transported to New York just in time for the World’s Broadway. Fair. When the fair ended, Big Ole was moved to

Born in 1965, the Viking has become a much-be- Alexandria, where he stands today. loved resident in the lakes area. Originally placed at the north end of Broadway

The idea for the statue began in January of 1964 Street in front of the Runestone Museum, Big Ole was when North Star World’s Fair Corporation in Osseo moved from the intersection of 3rd and Broadway to began working on an addition to the Minnesota a new location one-half block north in 1980 to make display for the New York World’s Fair. The display way for a new stoplight. He was moved once more in was to feature the historical Kensington Runestone 2002 to his current location at the head of the Cenin an animated scene titled “Minnesota, Birthplace of tral Lakes Trail on the south shore of Lake Agnes. America.” The new item to coincide with this display Throughout the years, Big Ole’s had several was the 28-foot, four-ton Viking statue. repairs made and new coats of paint applied. His beard has changed from gray to yellow to brown.