harkin store historic site

Jwbarton

This place was a little hard to find from the maps. Google led us to a dead end. Follow the signs on the road. Workers at the museum are very knowledgeable about the history and period. The stuff they carried was very interesting. I wold recommend this attraction. Also visit New Ulm.

Frozeninmn79

A very interesting old general store. On the Minnesota river, and a very scenic, winding, river road.

gypsymamma

The Harkin Store is a unique place, a general store and post office with much of its' original stock still intact. It's hard to imagine the little town that once was, but the costumed guides will gladly give the history and explain all of the things in the store. My children enjoyed a game of checkers on a 114-year old checkerboard! Attached, in the old storage room, is a little gift shop with "penny" candy and all sorts of handmade items for sale.The admission cost is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, college students and children ages 6-17, and free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. THEY DO NOT TAKE CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS so bring cash or be prepared to write a check. They are open Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, but are closed on Mondays. They often have events there, in the past we enjoyed a bluegrass musician, but this time it was just us and the guides (which was nice too!).It's a quick stop, but enjoyable!

AnnI899

I love to visit the Harkin Store while riding the scenic "bottom road" in summer. My family used to shop there back in the late 1800's so it's part of my family history. The music and other activities add to the fun.

Happycow1

Small museum that has lots of special events on many weekends during the summer. Niot open in the off season

emiLyQuick

A beautiful drive a few miles outside of New Ulm along the river begins the trip back in time. This store is filled with authentic and much ORIGINAL goods from the late 1800s. The store clerk was extremely friendly and chatted with both my children about life in the time period. She was happy to show us glasses, sewing supplies, and all sorts of goodies from the shelves. An amazing time capsule of pioneer life, I highly recommend this stop if you are in the area for Laura Ingalls Wilder exploration.

jrudnits

Enjoyed the friendly staff who explained the history of the Harkin Store. Great little gift shop. Portapotties if you must (and we did). A brief but enjoyable stop. Minnesota Historical Societ members get in free.

328BillR328

It's original, all right. Many itmes in this store are from the original store back in the late 1800s. We had an elderly man who was the tour guide and he explained many things to us and answered all our questions, too. Very much worth the trip there.

JeanandDan

This is a cool little place. There is much history packed into one little shop. Depending on the weekend you go, you will find ice cream, or whittlers, or story telling, quilting. Place literally looks like someone just walked out of the door one day 100 years ago and now they opened it back up. Beautiful drive to the site.

3wolfgang3

It was interesting, but not as great as we had hoped. Story telling was good. Not much to see. Not young child friendly.

2Finediners

Don't miss this site. It is very well maintained. The docent was very knowledgeable. The attached store has lovely hand-made items for sale.

LizO968

I loved how much stuff was packed into this place! And it's not just general stuff, you can see hand written notices from names of real people who are still well known! I just wish the woman giving the tour was a bit more friendly to us..

hutchathleticdad

You have to stop in if you're in the area. This place is not to be missed. It's as if time stopped since the late 1800's. The personnel were very knowledgeable of the history.

RoadsTakenWillmar_MN

having driven past this store for years, I decided to stop. A costumed guide was there to tell all about the store, its history, and the many original items still found there. Kids have opportunities to experience a bit of life 100 or so years ago. There is a small gift shop to buy stuff for real.

Morgman

Not much to see or do here, but the drive here in nice along the Minnesota River bottom. It's kind of cool stepping back in time, and it smalls great in there. Not worth going our of your way to see, but if you want a scenic drive and it's on your way to somewhere else swing in.