7.b) History, Museums and Trails Flyer (for July 23 farmers market)SCANDIA HISTORY AND MUSEUMS
Nestled among rolling hills and many beautiful lakes, the City of Scandia is the site of the first Swedish
settlement in Minnesota. In October of 1850, the first log cabin was built on the shores of Hay Lake.
Residents of Scandia have done little to alter the character of the community, and visitors will find
reminders of mid- nineteenth century pioneer days and the rural town atmosphere.
Swedish Settler's Monument:
Scandia is the site of the first Swedish settlement in Minnesota. In 1850, the first log
cabin was built on the shores of Hay Lake. A monument now stands near the site of
this first log house, inscribed with the names of the first Swedish settlers.
Gammelgården Museum:
"Gammelgården" means Old Farm in Swedish. Here visitors can
step back in history and experience the lives of early Swedish
immigrants in the only open air museum devoted to Swedish
immigration in the United States.
Today, in buildings that have been carefully preserved and
restored, visitors can get a glimpse of the daily lives of these
immigrants and participate in events and classes to learn more
about the culture and times of the immigrants.
Visit the many buildings on Gammelgården Museum's 11 acres
site. Your tour guide will give lots of information about the
Välkommen Hus, Ladugård, GammelKyrkan (1856), Immigrant
Hus (1855), Prast Hus (1868), barn (1879), stuga (1930), and
WorkShed Gifts.
The museum is open seasonally, May through October with reg-
ular weekend hours. Tour groups are welcome and meals are
available with advance reservations. For more information, call
651-433-5053, or visit the Gammelgården Museum website.
Hay Lake School Museum:
Hay Lake School Museum is located just two miles South of Scandia on County Road 3.
Besides the Hay Lake School, there is a two-story log house with furnishings from this
era.
The Hay Lake School was constructed in 1896. Hay Lake School was used by Washing-
ton County Rural School system until 1963. The building then sat empty and boarded up
until 1970 when a group of citizens, many of who graduated from the Hay Lake School,
decided to clean the school and start giving tours of the building.
The school was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on July 1, 1970. In
1974 the Washington County Historical Society took over the schoolhouse and in 1978
the Society purchased the school from the Forest Lake School District.
Erickson Log House:
The log house was constructed in 1868 by Johannes Erickson and his thirteen year old
son Alfred. In 1904, Alfred constructed a nicer home and the old log home became at
various time a granary, garage and playhouse. In 1974, the Washington County Histor-
ical Society purchased the old log house and moved it one and a half miles to its pre-
sent site. The Erickson Log House was placed on the National Register of Historic
Places on June 17, 1976.
Taco Daze—First Saturday after Labor Day
Farmer’s Market & Vendor Booth
Car, Truck & Tractor Show
Taco Daze Parade
Scandia Farmers Market—Wednesdays, June through September
Gammelgarden Museum
4 to 7 p.m.
Vinterfest—First Saturday in February
Snow Sculpture Contest, Sledding,
Scanley Cup Hockey Tournament,
LilleTour and Quiz Promenade and More!