Friends of the Sibley Historic Site

Friends of the Sibley Historic Site Visit the Sibley Historic Site, home to the oldest structures still standing in Minnesota. Special events happen monthly so check back often.

Friends of the Sibley Historic Site provide support for the interpretation, development, and preservation of the site and its artifacts, and to foster awareness and appreciation of the site as a seminal cultural place in Minnesota history. From the center of the fur trade to the center of government, this site witnessed some of the key people and events at play in the tumultuous history of the ear

ly days of Minnesota statehood. The Sibley Historic Site will be open May 27 - September 4, 2023, on Saturdays and Sundays from 10am - 4pm for tours. Managed by the Dakota County Historical Society. Free admission for MNHS and DCHS members.

Get your game on this weekend! Join us on Sunday, June 7 at 1:30 PM at the Site. We’ll practice our favorite old-fashion...
06/04/2026

Get your game on this weekend! Join us on Sunday, June 7 at 1:30 PM at the Site. We’ll practice our favorite old-fashioned games and choose some to exhibit next month at Mendota Days. Drinks and refreshments will be provided.

Don't forget that you get a free site tour with your Friends membership. There’s one at 11:30 am and another at 4 pm.

Our latest newsletter just dropped. The Site's own Jean-Baptiste Faribault has an entire chapter dedicated to him in a n...
04/28/2026

Our latest newsletter just dropped. The Site's own Jean-Baptiste Faribault has an entire chapter dedicated to him in a new book, and we honor former board member Richard Sandeen. There's so much more - check it out!

The Faribault name is woven through Minnesota history—attached to a house, a city, and a county. Jean-Baptiste Faribault himself was many things: fur trader, store owner, translator, and farmer. According to some, he—not Pierre “Pig’s Eye” Parrant—was actually the first resident of St. P...

Our March newsletter is now live. It features the Mendota Jail, and plans for a greater presence at Mendota Days this ye...
03/27/2026

Our March newsletter is now live. It features the Mendota Jail, and plans for a greater presence at Mendota Days this year on July 11, 2026. Take a look!

Built in 1915, the Mendota Jail has a colorful history. Now the city is seeking funding to restore the jail as a city landmark and build a park around it.

Our February e-newsletter just went out, including a fond farewell to Jim Lee, our Site caretaker for the past 36 years.
02/11/2026

Our February e-newsletter just went out, including a fond farewell to Jim Lee, our Site caretaker for the past 36 years.

After 36 years of dedicated service as the caretaker at the Sibley Historic Site, Jim Lee’s position has been eliminated. We had the opportunity to sit down with Jim and reflect on his time living and working at the Site.

Are you cold? Warm up with a cozy read in our January e-newsletter!
01/20/2026

Are you cold? Warm up with a cozy read in our January e-newsletter!

Matt Carter is the Executive Director of the Dakota County Historical Society. This month marks his 10th anniversary with the DCHS, so we asked him to help the Friends get to know him a bit better.

12/31/2025

All your Friends at the Sibley Historic Site wish you a joyous and healthy year in 2026. Happy New Year!

Have you read our latest newsletter? All six children born in the Sibley house were listed as being born in different ge...
12/22/2025

Have you read our latest newsletter? All six children born in the Sibley house were listed as being born in different geographic regions of the US. Read the full newsletter for details, and happy holidays!

Gangster moll Mickey Comforti spills the tea on gangsters, mobsters, and a host of other secrets about Chicago’s love connections with the not-so-saintly city of St. Paul during the 1930’s. Join us as we delve into stories of St. Paul’s ties to infamous figures like Al Capone and Bugs Moran, a...

It's time to renew your annual membership for next year. Also, Give to the Max is this Thursday and we're encouraging me...
11/17/2025

It's time to renew your annual membership for next year. Also, Give to the Max is this Thursday and we're encouraging members to start a new tradition. Find out how by clicking the link below!

During this season of Thanksgiving, we are grateful to all who have become members of The Friends of the Sibley Historic Site, or donated to our cause. We are asking you to renew your membership for 2026.

Address

1357 Sibley Memorial Highway
Mendota, MN
55150

Opening Hours

Saturday 10am - 4pm
Sunday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

+16514521596

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