Washington County Historical Society

About Us

WCHS owns and operates three different historical sites:

Heritage Center
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Open Tuesday-Saturday
10am-4pm
Year-round

The Washington County Heritage Center (established in 2021) is the newest museum and central home to the rich and dynamic history of the entire St. Croix Valley through compelling and interactive exhibits for all ages. Explore rugged lumberjack life complete with a recreation bunkhouse, hoop skirts to miniskirts in the 1860s-1960s fashion exhibit, feel like you can walk into floor-to-ceiling vintage photographs, spark nostalgic memories with the grocery store exhibit, and much more! The WCHS Store at the Heritage Center has a wide variety of books, games and home goods. The Education Center is available for rental and hosts events year-round.


Warden's House Museum
602 Main Street North
Stillwater, MN 55082
Open May through October
Thursday-Sunday, tours at 1pm, 2pm, 3pm, and 4pm

The Warden’s House Museum was built in 1853 as the residence of the Minnesota Territorial Prison warden. Over the next six decades, there were thirteen wardens that lived in the house until 1914 when the prison moved to its present site in Bayport. The museum consists of 14 rooms decorated in the late 19th and early 20th century style. Many rooms are reminiscent of upper middle class Victorian household while other rooms house exhibits showcasing Washington County history. WCHS has operated the Warden's House since 1941. The Warden's House is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Hay Lake School
14020 195th St N
Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
Open May through October
Friday through Sunday, 12pm-4pm

Hay Lake School was constructed in 1896 and served as a regular classroom until its final class of students in 1963. In 1974, WCHS acquired the school and opened it to the public. On the same property is Erickson Log Home, which was built in 1868 by a family of Swedish immigrants who lived there until 1904.