There are several museums located in the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area that interpret natural history, natural environments, culture, industry, historical development, technology and the arts. Many document and interpret the various facets of history of the region since its settlement began in the early 19^th Century.
The Minneapolis Institute of Arts preserves, houses and displays collections of the visual arts assembled from all over the world representing a diversity of cultures. It is Minnesota’s largest art educator.
The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board owns and operates a living “museum” of an internationally recognized “chain of lakes” parks and its “grand rounds” parkway system. The Board’s historic parks not only provide recreational green space, but also, together with its archives, protect and interpret the history of these areas since pre-European settlement.
Minnesota History Center is the jewel of the Minnesota Historical Society that houses, exhibits and interprets vast collections of artifacts and documents that provide a record of the history of the State of Minnesota since pre-settlement times.

The Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) mission is to enrich the community by collecting, preserving, and making accessible outstanding works of art from the world’s diverse cultures. The MIA is Minnesota's largest art educator. More than a half-million people visit the museum each year. Its vision: Inspiring wonder through the power of art.

The Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts was founded in 1883 by 25 citizens, today known as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA).  The original neo-classical building opened in 1915, designed by McKim, Meade and White architects. Additions were made in 1974 (architect Kenzo Tange), and 2006 (architect Michael Graves).

The MIA's permanent collection has grown from eight hundred works of art to around eighty thousand objects. The collection includes world-famous works that span 5,000 years and representing the world's diverse cultures across all continents. Its curatorial areas: Arts of Africa & the Americas; Contemporary Art; Decorative Arts, Textiles & Sculpture; Asian Art; Paintings; Photography and New Media; Prints and Drawings; and Textiles.

Web: Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Mission: The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB) shall permanently preserve, protect, maintain, improve, and enhance its natural resources, parkland, and recreational opportunities for current and future generations.

In 1883 a group of influential citizens decided the city needed parks. Bypassing a resistant city council, they got the state legislature to create an independent Board of Park Commissioners for Minneapolis, which the voters approved in April of 1883. Its park system is a national and international model.

The MPRB is an elected, semi-autonomous body responsible for governing, maintaining and developing the Minneapolis park system. Today, MPRB maintains a 6,400-acre (2,590 hec) system that includes local and regional parks. Its Chain of Lakes and 55-mi. (89 km) Parkway System are internationally recognized.

Web: Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board

The Minnesota Historical Society is chief caretaker of Minnesota's story. The History Center is home to its vast collections. The artifacts in its archives range from Civil War-era flags to Prince's suit from Purple Rain. It holds collections of photos, letters, maps and genealogical information accessible to the public.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849 (before Minnesota became a state). The Minnesota History Center opened in October 2006 and has been called the finest building constructed in Minnesota since the State Capitol was completed in 1905.

The Center is the Historical Society’s principal facility for illuminating the past as a way to shed light on the future. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing.

Web: Minnesota History Center Library and Museum