National Register of Historic Places

New Ulm Post Office

New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota
Listed
April 27, 1970
Type
Building
Period
Industrial
Ref No.
70000287

About this property

The Brown County Museum has been located in the former New Ulm Post Office building since 1985. The historic building in New Ulm, Minnesota, United States was built in 1909 and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) on April 28, 1970. The building is significant as it reflects local German culture of the founders of New Ulm in1854 and population at the time it was built. The building of German Renaissance design is considered excellently preserved. The museum features three floors of exhibits that explore the history of Brown County and its people. The first floor features a permanent exhibit titled "Becoming Brown County: The Land and its People". This exhibit highlights the history of the Dakota people who lived in the area for centuries before European settlers arrived, as well as the German immigrants who founded New Ulm in 1857. The second floor features rotating exhibits on a variety of topics related to Brown County history. There's also a new child-friendly Explorer's Corner with hands-on activities to keep young visitors engaged. The third floor is home to the long-term exhibit "Never Shall I Forget", which tells the story of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. The conflict was a major turning point in Minnesota history, and the exhibit tells the stories of the people who were caught up in the violence. The establishment of the Brown County Historical Society dates back to May 29, 1930. The society's founding members initiated the collection of artifacts to furnish a dedicated museum building. In 1935, New Ulm began the construction of a new library building, with the library occupying the first floor and a history museum located in the basement. The museum operated in that space from 1937 to 1984, the museum moved across the street to its present-day location. Funding for the construction of the New Ulm Post Office was approved by Congress in 1906, with the site being purchased that same year. Initially allocated $39,000, there was significant pushback in New Ulm upon receiving the preliminary plans, as they were deemed to lack architectural beauty. Following a subsequent omnibus bill that added $20,000, totaling $50,000, new plans were developed. Overseen by supervising architect James Knox Taylor of Washington and constructed by contractors Stewart and Hager of Janesville, Wisconsin, the building was designed with the German heritage of New Ulm in mind and was eventually completed and opened in 1910. The building served as the Post Office from 1910 until 1976. Subsequently, it was acquired by Brown County, and with collaborative efforts from the county and the City of New Ulm, the structure was renovated to become a museum for the Brown County Historical Society. The historical society officially relocated to the building in 1984.

Location

New Ulm, Brown County, Minnesota
44.31298, -94.46024

Categories

EUROPEANARCHITECTURE
National Register nomination ›
Sources

Property data from the National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service (public domain).

Description adapted from Wikipedia under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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Overview
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The Land
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Conflict & War
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Native Heritage
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Settlement
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The Community
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Rivers & Rail
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Finds & Access
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Nearby Historic Sites

Boesch, Hummel, and Maltzahn Block
Industrial
0.1 mi
Lind, Gov. John, House
Industrial
0.1 mi
New Ulm Commercial Historic District
Listed
0.1 mi
Grand Hotel
Industrial
0.1 mi
Melges Bakery
Industrial
0.1 mi

Nearby Battles

Battle of New Ulm (First)
1862Indian Wars
0.1 mi
First Battle of New Ulm
1862Civil War
0.1 mi
New Ulm Second Attack — Dakota War (August 23, 1862)
1862Indian Wars
0.3 mi
New Ulm Second Attack
1862Indian Wars
0.3 mi
New Ulm First Attack — Dakota War (August 19, 1862)
1862Indian Wars
0.3 mi

Questions about this property

When was New Ulm Post Office listed on the National Register?

New Ulm Post Office was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on April 27, 1970.

What type of historic resource is New Ulm Post Office?

New Ulm Post Office is classified as a building in the National Register of Historic Places.

What is the period of significance for New Ulm Post Office?

The period of significance for New Ulm Post Office is recorded as the industrial era.

Can I research the history near New Ulm Post Office?

Yes. Aubrey Research reports search National Register listings, battlefield records, land patents, and other primary historical sources within any radius of a US address. A report for an address near New Ulm Post Office will include this listing and all other historical records in the area.

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