Mill City Museum

Planning a Visit Around the Riverfront

The Mill City Museum sits inside the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, once among the largest flour mills in the world. The building was badly damaged by fire in 1991, and the museum was later built within the surviving stone walls, so the structure itself is part of the story. Operated by the Minnesota Historical Society, it explains how St. Anthony Falls, the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River, powered the mills that made Minneapolis a national centre of flour production in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries.

Inside, exhibits cover the work of millers, the grain trade and the brands that grew out of the riverfront. Many visitors look for the Flour Tower, an elevator-based show that moves through the floors of the old mill. Another favourite is the observation deck, which looks out over the river, the Stone Arch Bridge and the falls. Hours, admission and special programmes can change, so check the Minnesota Historical Society's official listings before you go.

Making the most of the area

• Walk the Stone Arch Bridge. The former railway bridge is now a pedestrian and cycle path. It links the museum side of the river with St. Anthony Main and gives good views of the falls and the lock and dam.
• Explore Mill Ruins Park. Just next to the museum, the excavated canal walls and mill foundations show more of the district's industrial layout.
• Plan transport ahead. The riverfront is busy on event days and summer weekends. Light rail stations downtown are within walking distance, and street parking can fill quickly.
• Leave time. A museum visit plus a riverfront walk can easily fill a half day.

For supporters, the area is a good reminder of how work, water and community shaped the city, and those themes come up often in conversations about jobs and infrastructure. If you are combining a visit with a campaign gathering, check the events page for current details. You can also read about the ideas behind the campaign on the platform page.