Although our name sounds exclusive, we are not. In fact, many members of the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians (MNSAH) are simply people who love architecture and are eager to experience the fascinating built environment of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest with their fellow enthusiasts. We sponsor in-depth tours of unique and important buildings-most rarely open to the public. Members get first priority and discounted admission.
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Coming Soon!
MNSAH Fall Tour
University of Minnesota – St. Paul Campus
Saturday, October 3, 2026, 10:00 a.m.
The largest by far of the Twin Cities campuses of the University of Minnesota, the St. Paul Campus contains an interesting mix of historic and contemporary buildings by noted Twin Cities architects, all set in a lovely landscape on varied terrain.
Like a typical campus, it includes housing for students, administrative offices, and department buildings with space for their classrooms, labs, and faculty and staff. Unlike a “normal” campus, this one also includes fields, greenhouses, barns, and silos, with their living populations of animals and plants.
After the passage of the Morrill Act in 1862, many colleges and universities across the country began to access federal support for agriculture and mechanic arts programs meant to support the growth of the United States. Minnesota started its A & M programs on the emerging Minneapolis campus, but in the 1880s, many of those programs were moved to what became the St. Paul Campus.
Buildings and landscapes by a wide range of local architects populated the campus, with Leroy Buffington and Warren Dunnell designing some of the earliest buildings. St. Paul campus professor Charles Aldrich designed many late-19th century campus facilities across the university system, including Jones Hall and the Armory on the Minneapolis campus. Once Clarence Johnston became State Architect, he designed many of the existing campus buildings.
The St. Paul Campus tour will be led by MNSAH past-president Kristin Anderson. Kristin retired from the Augsburg Art & Design department two years ago. Among other activities, she presents monthly lectures, as well as summer walking tours, focused on the history and architecture of St. Paul’s St. Anthony Park neighborhood and surrounding areas, including the fairgrounds, the University Grove, and the St. Paul Campus. You can see her upcoming presentations at KristinAnderson.org/events.
The Details
Date and Place
Saturday, October 3, 2026
10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Meet at the intersection of Buford and Cleveland Avenues, St. Paul. Early arrivers will find a coffee shop at the corner.
Cost
Free for MNSAH members. Not a member? Join now at www.mnsah.org/join and we’ll extend your membership through 2027.
Registration
Deadline: Wednesday, September 30, 2026
While the event is free for members, registration is required! Please RSVP by sending an email to info@mnsah.org with the names and contact information for those attending
Parking
Free parking is available on one side of nearby residential streets, including Buford, Raymond, Hythe, and Hendon. Choose the side of the street posted with parking signs allowing 1-hour parking on M-F, 8-5. It's free and open on the weekends.
All photos below by Kristin Anderson
