Pembina State Museum - Pembina, North Dakota

Pembina State Museum - Pembina, North Dakota

To find the Pembina State Museum, you take exit 215 off Interstate 29 to 805 Highway 59. This is in Pembina, North Dakota, which is in the northeastern corner of the state. The town has a rich history, and was the home for various Native American tribes such as the Ojibwe, Dacotah, and Cree. Pembina was also a trade route for furs and other items between Canada and the United States. The town of Pembina is the result of various colonies and fur trading posts established in the area of the nearby river.

The Pembina State Museum has two different exhibit galleries. One of these is a permanent gallery that features the history of the region. This gallery dates back to the pre-dawn of history, from some of the oldest fossils to items related to the fur trade, Native American history and artifacts and the current economics of Pembina which include agriculture and transportation. The gallery offers visitors a chance to learn more about the many different people that called this area of North Dakota home.

The second gallery at the Pembina State Museum is a temporary gallery that features ever-changing exhibits about specific events in area history. Current exhibits include a collection that details Pembina’s 150 year battle with flooding from the nearby Red River. Another exhibit is about the history of beer brewing from the mid 1800s to the present, with information on both private and commercial brewing practices. The exhibits in the temporary gallery are subject to change and visitors should call ahead to check on the current exhibits

The Observation Tower offers visitors the chance to see a 360 degree view of the Red River Valley from seven stories up. On days with clear weather, visitors can see up to ten miles away. The Red River Valley offers an interesting panorama of geography, farmland, and transportation. Visitors can pay a small admission fee to ride the elevator to the observation platform above.

The Pembina State Museum also has a museum store that offers books, gifts and other items for sale that reflect the themes of the exhibits, as well as hand-crafted items by the diverse people of North Dakota. The museum store closes thirty minutes prior to the closing of the museum.

From May 16 to September 15, the Pembina State Museum is open on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. From September 16 through May 15, the museum is open on Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday from 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission to the museum and exhibits is free, but there is an admission fee to gain access to the Observation Tower. Group or school visits must be scheduled at least two weeks in advance by calling the museum. To get more information about the Pembina State Museum, call (701) 825-6840.