County museum and research library

Scott County Historical Society

About 15.0 miles straight-line from Gopher State Railway Museum

Add a free, accessible county museum with rotating 2026 exhibits, the adjacent historic Stans House, and a research library rich in railroad maps, newspapers, photographs, and genealogy sources.

The place

About Scott County Historical Society

Scott County Historical Society operates a handicapped-accessible museum a short walk from downtown Shakopee. The main building combines rotating exhibit galleries with a substantial research library documenting the county's communities, residents, transportation, maps, newspapers, churches, cemeteries, and family histories.

The current main-gallery exhibit, Ride On: 50 Years of Valleyfair, opened May 27, 2026 and is scheduled through fall 2026. The community gallery presents Scott County People & Places through photographs from across the county. Exhibits change, so the current page should control the visit rather than an older review or directory.

The research library includes county and plat maps, railroad maps, Sanborn maps, New Prague newspapers from 1890-2014, Shakopee newspapers from 1856-2014, church and cemetery records, subject files, census records, books, and family histories. Staff can help onsite; offsite research requests are quoted at $15 per hour plus optional copying and shipping.

The Maurice Stans House stands next to the museum and appears in the licensed gallery. Because the current visit page describes the museum building rather than promising house access on every open day, visitors should call if the historic house is a must-see.

What stands out

Use a dependable indoor museum

Regular Tuesday-Saturday hours and free admission make this the most reliable physical history stop in the package.

See a current 2026 exhibit

Ride On interprets fifty years of Valleyfair through fall 2026, while the community gallery broadens the visit to county people and places.

Research the railroad landscape

The library's railroad maps, plat maps, newspapers, and town files can extend a railfan visit into documented local research.

Ask before counting on the house

The Stans House is part of the campus story, but its interior should be treated as call-ahead rather than bundled with ordinary museum hours.

Pair it with the train

Why it belongs in a Gopher State Railway Museum trip

The museum is about 15.0 straight-line miles from GSRM and works best as the substantial indoor history stop before a late GSRM event or on a separate county-history day. Allow driving time and protect the museum's earlier closing hour.

Before you go

Plan your visit

  • HoursTuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; closed Sunday-Monday and listed holidays
  • AdmissionFree, donation-based admission under the policy adopted in September 2024
  • AccessibilityThe society describes the main museum building as handicapped-accessible; call about the exact route, seating, restroom, and any Stans House access need
  • Current main exhibitRide On: 50 Years of Valleyfair, opened May 27, 2026 and scheduled through fall 2026
  • Community galleryScott County People & Places uses historic photographs from communities across the county
  • Research libraryRailroad and county maps, New Prague and Shakopee newspapers, church and cemetery records, subject files, census sources, books, and family histories
  • Offsite research$15 per hour with an estimate before work; printed results add per-page and shipping charges
  • Stans HouseAdjacent historic house access is not promised by the current general-hours page; call ahead if the house is essential
  • ClosuresHoliday and weather closures are posted on the official site calendar and Facebook page

Return toward the train

Add New Prague Area Historical Society

Use the closer New Prague exhibits, virtual museum, and Sept. 20 trolley tour for the most direct local pairing.

View the guide →

Useful answers

Frequently asked questions

What are the museum's current hours?

Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m.-4 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.; it is closed Sunday-Monday and on listed holidays.

How much is admission?

General admission is free under the museum's donation-based policy.

Is the museum accessible?

The society describes the main museum building as handicapped-accessible. Call for the exact route or any need involving the adjacent Stans House.

What is the main 2026 exhibit?

Ride On: 50 Years of Valleyfair opened May 27 and is scheduled through fall 2026.

Does the library include railroad material?

Yes. Its published holdings include railroad maps alongside county maps, newspapers, town files, church and cemetery records, census sources, and family histories.

Can staff research something for me?

Yes. Offsite requests are estimated before work and cost $15 per research hour, plus optional copying and shipping.

Can I tour the Stans House?

Do not assume house access follows main museum hours. Call the society before travel if entering the house is important.

How should I pair it with GSRM?

Protect the museum's 3 or 4 p.m. closing time, then allow the separate drive to GSRM; a late Dozinky event is the easiest same-day match.

Trust and accuracy

Sources

Source checked 2026-08-15. This free guide has not yet been confirmed by the venue. Current hours, prices, services, and accessibility can change; confirm time-sensitive details directly.