History & Heritage

Rice County Historical Museum

ALEXANDER FARIBAULT

Alexander Faribault, an early furtrader, entrepreneur and territorial legislator, founded the town site in 1852 to take advantage of its scenic qualities, abundant resources, and strategic location. In the 1860’s, Faribault gained national recognition as an educational and religious center due in large measure to the efforts of Bishop Henry Whipple in developing a system of interrelated churches and schools. This, along with the establishment of the highly acclaimed State Academies for the Blind and Deaf, led Faribault to be known as “Athens of the West.” Faribault’s home, the first woodframe structure to be built in Rice County, sits on First Avenue NW. It is owned and operated as a museum by the Rice County Historical Society.

RICE COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Museum

1814 NW Second Ave. 507-332-2121 rchistory.org

The Rice County Historical Society was founded in 1926 with the mission of “discovery, preservation and dissemination of the knowledge of the history of Rice County and the state of Minnesota.”

The Historical Society offers a History Camp, one-room school and log cabin experiences for youth, school tours, public programs and workshops, among other activities.

In addition to outreach and public programs, the Rice County Museum of History houses historical displays, a genealogical research center, and an exhibit area. The Museum exhibits include Bishop Henry Whipple, artist Grace McKinstry, Sellner Manufacturing, Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith and Native Americans.

The museum also displays Main Street U.S.A., which is a timeline of businesses found in many small towns of southern Minnesota.

The Historical Society operates the Heritage and Harvest halls that contain displays of farm and industrial items. In addition there are three historic pioneer buildings, which were moved to the museum

site from around the county. The buildings are an 1850s log cabin, the Pleasant Valley School organized in 1857, and The Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, built in 1869.

HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION

The seven-member commission advises the City Council and staff on issues related to the preservation of the community’s cultural, historical and architectural heritage, and is actively involved in a variety of educational efforts that highlight Faribault’s past.

Faribault contains more than 40 properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, including the city’s downtown commercial district.

For more information, visit faribaulthpc.org. Find meeting information and agendas, visit ci.faribault.mn.us/304/HeritagePreservation-Commission.

SISTER CITIES

Wuerzburg, Germany

Dorothy Beebe was the motivating force behind relief action for the city of Wuerzburg, Germany following World War II. She called upon her hometown of Faribault, Minnesota, and the town responded. Faribault adopted the city of Wurzburg as its sister city in 1949.

The 50th anniversary of that adoption was celebrated in Wuerzburg on April 28, 1999. The 19 Faribaultians who attended the celebration returned with deep admiration of Wuerzburg, its residents, and the renewed friendship between the two cities. The Faribault delegation also found a new source of pride in their hometown. The most recent visit between the cities’ residents was in 2015.

Podensac, France

In 1918, a Faribault regiment (136th U.S. Infantry Regiment) came to the southwestern French village and helped its residents at the end of World War I. At the time, a reception was organized for the soldiers, and since then, a street was named after the regiment. In 2018, the French city’s mayor reached out to Faribault Mayor Kevin Voracek about rekindling the relationship. Podensac was subsequently adopted as a sister city and a delegation of Faribaultians visited the town later that year.

BankLocal!

LOCALLOANDECISIONS LOCALOWNERSHIP LOCALINVOLVEMENT

SBF Withover100yearsofCommunityBanking,wearethebankyouarelookingfor tohelp youwithyourbusinessandyourpersonalfinancing.

STATEBANK ofFARIBAULT

MemberFDIC NMLS#638054

Faribault&PriorLake (507)332-7401

MemberFDIC NMLS638054 www.tsbf.com