History Crawls

Pub Crawl

Take a trolley ride and hear true tales of how some of St. Paul's most noteworthy neighborhoods built a Capital city. Neighborhood history crawls include pub crawls, food crawls, University Grove neighborhood tours and Mid Century Modern architecture tours. New this year: Civil War tours!

To request a private History Pub Crawl for your group, please see our policies and procedures.

Upcoming History Crawls

Downtown Low-Down Pub Crawl

Wednesday, June 19, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This event is SOLD OUT.

$25 ($20 MHS members).

Discover how Gilded Age robber barons, intrepid entrepreneurs, crime bosses, vaudeville impresarios and influential politicians transformed a down-and-dirty river port into the gleaming power center of St. Paul. Enjoy bar stops in two of downtown’s most storied buildings and get an exclusive peek behind the scenes at one of St. Paul’s most celebrated landmarks!

A trolley will take participants to historic stops and watering holes. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price. Drink specials will be made available at participating locations.

Rondo, Frogtown and University Avenue Food Crawl

Saturday, June 22, 2013 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Includes food samples. Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Ride through the history, culture and cuisine of St. Paul’s most changeable district before it changes again.

Explore University Avenue—the former country road, streetcar line and urban highway and future light rail route that both divides and defines the district. Investigate Frogtown, where humble, but sturdy homes built a century ago by German railroad workers now house new immigrants from around the world. Discover the 10-acre wonder that is Hmongtown Marketplace. Find out what was lost in Rondo, the city’s historic African American neighborhood. Experience the beauty of St. Agnes Catholic Church, one of St. Paul’s hidden architectural gems, and get to know the incredible story of Pilgrim Baptist, heart of Minnesota’s oldest Black congregation.

Along the way, expert foodies from Gastro Non Grata will satisfy your hunger for culinary adventure with hearty samples from the neighborhood’s best purveyors of the foods that reflect its rich culture and history.

Downtown Low-Down Pub Crawl

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This event is SOLD OUT.

$25 ($20 MHS members).

Mid Century Modern Tour

Saturday, June 29, 2013 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

$25 ($20 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Explore hallmarks of mid century modern design in Minneapolis and Saint Paul on our new and improved guided bus tour.

Stops include the University Grove neighborhood, an architectural "time capsule" of houses designed by Minnesota architects including Elizabeth and Winston Close, and Ralph Rapson; the interior of the Rapson-designed Hope Lutheran; and a rare cluster of prefabricated, colorful, all-steel Lustron houses along Nicollet Avenue.

The tour also includes a stop at Forage Modern Workshop, a retail store which focuses on modern interior décor.

Tour leaves from the Minnesota History Center.

Mid Century Modern Tour

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

$25 ($20 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Explore hallmarks of mid century modern design in Minneapolis and Saint Paul on our new and improved guided bus tour.

Stops include the University Grove neighborhood, an architectural "time capsule" of houses designed by Minnesota architects including Elizabeth and Winston Close, and Ralph Rapson; the interior of the Saarinen-designed Christ Church Lutheran; and a rare cluster of prefabricated, colorful, all-steel Lustron houses along Nicollet Avenue.

The tour also includes a stop at Forage Modern Workshop, a retail store which focuses on modern interior décor.

Tour leaves from the Minnesota History Center.

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

When the Civil War ended, Union veterans, recently freed slaves, and European immigrants arrived by the hundreds in St. Paul. Hear their stories of arrival or homecoming, and explore the St. Paul they helped to build, a city trying to move on after a devastating war.

Tour leaves from Historic Fort Snelling and visits Oakland Cemetery and the Old Soldiers Home. Ticket price includes full picnic lunch catered exclusively by Chowgirls Killer Catering. PLEASE SELECT SANDWICH OPTION WHEN YOU PURCHASE TICKETS.

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, July 6, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Working the West End Pub Crawl

Wednesday, July 10, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This event is SOLD OUT.

$25 ($20 MHS members).

Move into St. Paul’s oldest neighborhood (at least temporarily) and hear vibrant tales of the Yankees, Czechs, Germans and Italians who gave it life. Roll from beautiful Irvine Park to the German Brewery District and on to the lost world of the Upper Levee, and enjoy bar stops at two great neighborhood joints along the way!

Rondo, Frogtown and University Avenue Food Crawl

Saturday, July 13, 2013 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Includes food samples. Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Ride through the history, culture and cuisine of St. Paul’s most changeable district before it changes again.

Working the West End Pub Crawl

Wednesday, July 17, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This event is SOLD OUT.

$25 ($20 MHS members).

University Grove Home Tour

Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

A unique neighborhood set aside for University of Minnesota faculty and staff, University Grove is a collection of early and mid 20th century architect designed homes that’s been recognized as an “architectural time capsule” of modern America by The New York Times. Enjoy a tour of the exteriors and a rare glimpse at the interiors of selected homes in the grove representing the work of such regional giants as Close Architects and more.

Presented in partnership with the University Grove Neighborhood Association.

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

University Grove Home Tour

Saturday, July 20, 2013 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Presented in partnership with the University Grove Neighborhood Association.

Working the West End Pub Crawl

Wednesday, July 24, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

This event is SOLD OUT.

$25 ($20 MHS members).

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Rondo, Frogtown and University Avenue Food Crawl

Saturday, July 27, 2013 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Includes food samples. Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Ride through the history, culture and cuisine of St. Paul’s most changeable district before it changes again.

Working the West End Pub Crawl

Wednesday, July 31, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

$25 ($20 MHS members). Tickets on sale online or by phone at 651-259-3015.

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, August 3, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Summit Hill Special Pub Crawl

Wednesday, August 7, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

$25 ($20 MHS members). Tickets on sale online or by phone at 651-259-3015.

Bask in the Victorian grace of St. Paul’s Summit Hill, and discover the stories and people behind the epic rise, fall and rise again, of the city’s most fashionable historical address. Follow the path of the old streetcars past 19th-century homes, luxury hotels and the former haunts of F. Scott Fitzgerald. Enjoy bar stops at two of the best hilltop spots along the way!

A trolley will take participants to historic stops and watering holes. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price.

St. Paul After the Civil War - Trolley Tour

Saturday, August 10, 2013 - 10:00am - 1:00pm

$45 ($40 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Rondo, Frogtown and University Avenue Food Crawl

Saturday, August 10, 2013 - 1:30pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Includes food samples. Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Ride through the history, culture and cuisine of St. Paul’s most changeable district before it changes again.

Summit Hill Special Pub Crawl

Wednesday, August 14, 2013 - 7:00pm - 9:00pm

$25 ($20 MHS members). Tickets on sale online or by phone at 651-259-3015.

A trolley will take participants to historic stops and watering holes. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price.

Cass Gilbert Home and Building Tour

Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 9:00am - 12:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Explore the exteriors and interiors of public buildings and gracious homes designed by Cass Gilbert, one of the most prolific and stylistically versatile architects of his generation.

Presented in partnership with the Cass Gilbert Society.

Cass Gilbert Home and Building Tour

Saturday, August 17, 2013 - 1:00pm - 4:00pm

$35 ($30 MHS members). Tickets on sale online and by phone at 651-259-3015.

Explore the exteriors and interiors of public buildings and gracious homes designed by Cass Gilbert, one of the most prolific and stylistically versatile architects of his generation.

Presented in partnership with the Cass Gilbert Society.