Chippewa County Historical Society

Located 6 miles east of Montevideo, MN on Highway 7 and 5 miles south on County Road 6, this turn-of-the-century 22 room brick farm home is situated on a 17 acre farmstead.  Also located on this farmstead are a large timber-framed barn built in the 1880's, grist mill remains and private family burial plot.  The unique barn features an elaborate system of wind-bracing and notching which attests to Swensson's skills as a designer and builder.  Your self-guided tour through the Swensson family home will be highlighted by the 38’ X 38’ chapel located on the second floor.  The loom, also located on the second floor was made by Mr. Swensson, as were the spinning wheels.  In 2023, a local woodworker was able to get the Giant Wheel Lathe in the basement, that had been used to create many of the pieces we see today on the property, working again for the first time in over 100 years.  

​Olof Swensson was one of Minnesota’s most innovative immigrants, and this family homestead epitomizes the immigrants dream.  Swensson was a farmer, self-taught scholar, man of letters, visionary prophet, statesman, carpenter, bricklayer and self professed lay-minister.  The farm site was bequeathed to the Chippewa County Historical Society in April, 1967 by the last surviving heir of the Swensson family, John Swensson.  Join us for a visit back into history!  

In 2003 a museum quality preservation of the Swensson Farm Barn was undertaken.  Grants and fundraising for this project began in 2000.  By 2003 the preservation was completed at a cost of over $300,000.00.  Since 2003, additional work has been completed on the Barn, including a new cedar roof, siding and batten strip preservation and replacement, window preservation and replacement, and in 2015, the Barn received a new coat of paint. To remove the old paint, we used corn cob blasting. Over this almost 15 year time frame, the Chippewa County Historical Society has invested almost $500,000.00 into the preservation of this majestic barn. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do!

The Swensson Farm Museum opens to the public on the Saturday of Memorial Day Weekend (Not open on Memorial Day Monday) and is open Saturdays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. through Labor Day Weekend (Not open on Labor Day Monday) .  Private tours are available by appointment only. 

The site, including the grounds, barn, and house, is available as a venue for weddings, family reunions, business meetings, etc.  Admission required, free parking.

Come see the site where the first church bell tolled in Minnesota and where the Bible was translated into the Dakota language at the Lac qui Parle Mission, located 6 miles north of Montevideo, MN on Highway 59 and 2.2 miles west on County Road 13 overlooking beautiful Lac qui Parle Lake.  Walking paths and interpretive signs will lead you through the area where a small group of Protestant missionary families lived.  Inside the reconstructed WPA building, exhibits describe the missionaries and their work, the Dakota people and Joseph Renville, the man who linked their worlds.  Come, ring the church bell and hear echoes of our past! 

The Lac qui Parle Mission opens the last Sunday in April and is open daily from 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. through Labor Day Weekend.  Private tours are available for the site. 

​This site is available for weddings.  No admission required, free parking.