Gibbs Museum of Pioneer & Dakota Life

The story of the Gibbs Museum begins in 1833 near Batavia, New York. Jane DeBow was taken by a missionary family traveling west to work among the Dakotah around Fort Snelling. Jane grew up in Minnesota and became familiar with the Dakotah culture.

Later, in Illinois, Jane met and married Heman Gibbs. In 1849, the year Minnesota became a territory, the newlyweds came up the Mississippi River and bought 160 acres, the land on which the Gibbs farm house still stands. At first, Jane and Heman lived in a 10 ft. by 12 ft. dugout sod house. The remains of this “soddy” have been excavated. Visitors to the museum can see this excavation site and a replica sod house.