A very interesting historic site. Sad story behind the need for the structure. You can do a self guided tour with stops that share pre-recorded messages about the different locations. The recordings are done by a previous resident. Unbelieveable! Bring a toy and leave it at the graveyard.

Very interesting place, will recommend to family and friends.

Its a nicely maintained green area, holding lots of history, public tours, and monuments to its history.

Very interesting museum. Another road trip with my brother.

Beautiful grounds and very Fascinating.

Very knowledgeable staff, self lead tour

The museum is underwhelming. Its good, I guess. Someone put a lot of work into it. If you have a connection to the place, it is probably way more interesting. The cemetery is where its at. Dont miss it if you go to the school grounds. The museum gives you an idea of how the kids lived, but the cemetery really drives home the fact that this place was brutal. There is something surreal about standing with 200 gravestones, knowing that only one of them made it to adulthood.

My grandpa grew up here. It’s a part of my personal history and part of Minnesota’s history. It’s well presented and very interesting.

Wow!!! Loved the History here, We spent over 2 hours visiting the Childrens Cemetery, The cottages and the Museum. It was so educational and I wish I could remember the woman that was working at Cottage 11 she was so vivid and detailed very well about the Past of this place, she really made me get a real feeling of what life was like back then especially for Henry. We will definitely be back. Thanks ️

A very well done museum of orphan lives in the early 20th century. Dont miss cottage 11.

We learned a lot by visiting and we wanted to learn more about the children who stayed there after visiting. They have great resources (book, movie). Worth a visit if you are in the area.

We were near town and looking for ways to beat the heat. We discovered this museum and stopped by with our kids. It was fascinating and a great learning experience for us all! The gentleman working there was also very friendly and helpful, it was fun listening to him.

The tour, which I organized for a small school group, was well done and sensitive to our age group. The tour guide could have exploited or politicized either the positives or negatives, but did not. She stated facts and shared the personal accounts from those who had lived there.I was somewhat surprised by how small the museum room section was. There are documents, photos and items preserved and protected behind glass. I only mention this because a person who only sees this slice is missing the rest of the pie which has been prepared for them.There are historical audio markers scattered around outside which are easily heard with a push of a button. Despite having a map of their location, I was a bit confused at their location a couple times. It is worth pushing through and finding them. There is not a trail system between them. Some are in the middle of grass, but worth standing in the wind to hear. Very worth it.Our tour included cottage 11, a well preserved cottage which was housed by children and their matron. Inside cottage 11 was a video which was recently discovered in someones attic depicting all the children during a particular time. Wow! To think if that was not found there would be nothing.to view...no other choice of footage.There is also a gift shop inside cottage 11 where a few books or articles can be purchased. Remember, although most of us arent necessarily interested in a t- shirt or mug with the state school on it, many elderly people return who consider this place their childhood home.Also, the grounds and buildings are used for other purposes, such as, offices. It is a bit distracting from the solemn and historical feel BUT Im sure that is what makes this museum and grounds affordable and so very well maintained.Thanks to all who have invested in this great Minnesota spot and to those who have shared their stories.

Went in to reserve a mineral springs park for next year. Service was great as usual.

Very very interesting, lots to read and so much history, you will enjoy it, some fine restaurants in the area also.

Sad, well - documented, and interesting. Wish the map were better at explaining whats still around and whats been renovated, but ultimately a really cool experience.

This place is brimming with history and nostalgia. I found it to be facinating.

Very informative tour.. buildings are kept in immaculate condition. I was a little disappointed that we didnt get to tour more of the buildings or the kitchen that was used to feed over 500 children. However it was a great experience.

Some sad stories here. It was informative and interesting. The very small display

Smaller exhibit than I thought but definitely worth a look. I was given a souvenir of a old crib and some Christmas bears. The guy that works there is delightful.

This place is so hunted that I all most poop my pants I accidentally went in a different cottage that ur not supposed to go in and I saw blood in a old dress and on the floor

Alot of good history and can tour at your own pace

Check it out! Lots of great history and some horrible things all people should learn, about the past.

Terrific local history, the only state run orphanage in Minnesota, its set up so you can easily understand how the daily life was, helpful volunteers answer any questions.

Great historical place, small but his for a quick view of the past

Great piece of history. Very knowledgeable and friendly staff.

Small but educational, I have walked through the museum 2 times now. Both times I count understand why it is so small and so un noticed. There are various items from that time period, that were used at the orphanage. Dolls, beds, rocking chair, tricycle, lots of different toys and clothes. There is information to read as you walk through. It just seems to have gotten put in a smaller area of the building. I think it should have the recognition and the full story told. Not the short one. Its now located in the basement of the parks & rec and the city permit, & section 8. All those buildings have been used for good use for the community. I just think someone could take the items that they have now turned into a museum and actually display them with there childs story and the schools story. Well what can be found out about it. It made me sad to go there but im sure the childen felt much worse than I could ever feel for them.

Well, I work in the building. I visit every day. The building and grounds are worth the visit.

A well put together museum of what would otherwise be forgotten history.

Trees shade beautiful

Great piece of history

Very interesting

A HISTORICAL LOOK AT MINNESOTAS ONLY ORPHANAGE...OPENED IN 1886 AND FOR 60 YEARS THE ORPHANAGE HOUSED THOUSANDS OF CHILDREN AND WAS MASSIVELY OVERCROWDED...FOR SOME IT PROVIDED A SAFE PLACE AND SOME NOT...THE CITY OF OWATANNA.MN CREATED A MUSEUM TO HONOR THE CHILDREN THAT WERE HOUSED HERE...A VERY SAD PIECE OF HISTORY ....

Cool buildings and a great history lesson

Very sad, but great stories of these children overcoming and doing great with thier lives

Interesting and sad.

Amazing local history!

Beautiful grounds, sad history.

Love history

Goood

Lots of books and things too do

A must visit. Everyone needs to learn about the history of the orphanages when our ancestors came over and lost their parents or how alcoholism put many children in an orphanage.

NiceYou can see in side and the cottages

Amazing very informative

Interesting place for a day trip

Very interesting

Amazing history brought to life!

Interesting museum of the old orphanage

Very interesting place!

WONDERFUL, FANTASTIC!!