The mission of the Northfield Historical Society is to connect individuals to the history
of the Northfield area by collecting, preserving, and sharing its unique stories.
For Information on the Defeat of Jesse James Days Celebration, Go To The Defeat of Jesse James Days Website.
The Northfield Historical Society Does Not Manage The Celebration.
Visit Us
408 Division Street
Northfield, MN 55057
Phone number: 507-645-9268
Fax number: 507-663-6080
Admission
$5 – Adults
$4 – Seniors (65+)
$3 – Students
$2 – Children (6 to 12)
Free – Children under 6
Free – NHS Members
Plan Your Visit
Hours
September
Monday – Saturday 10 to 4
Sunday 1 to 4
– Closed Labor Day –
Exhibits
The Northfield Bank Raid
John Sletten: Northfield’s Cobbler Artist
Customize Your Visit
Go Through The Museum on Your Own
Pick Up Discussion Prompts for Adults or Students
Play I Spy With your Kids
Use a Spanish Language Booklet to Read Along
Please Note: All visits to the museum after that are self-guided.
2021 Calendar
September 1-11 – Outlaw Run Virtual 5K/15K Run-Walk
8-12—DJJD
12—Outlaw Run 5K/15K Run-Walk
24 – Northfield 1920 Walking Tour, 7pm
Outlaw Run registration is open!
For information on the VIRTUAL run (September 1 – 11)
or the LIVE run (September 12)
Follow Us on Facebook!
Make sure to pre-pay to reserve a spot on the walking tour scheduled for this Sunday. It's only $8 for NHS members and $10 for non-members. The tour begins at 1:30 on Bridge Square and will take you back 100 years to Northfield in the Roaring 20s! Join us!
Don your glad rags and make plans to join the Northfield Historical Society on the final Northfield 1920s walking tour of the season. This tour is for anyone age 21+ who wants to see Northfield the way it was 100 years ago. Costumes are encouraged!!![]()
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Sunday, September 26, 1:30pm![]()
NHS Members - $8. Non-Members - $10. Prepay your reservation.![]()
For info, please call 645-9268.![]()
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We'll meet at Bridge Square and have a real swell time!
It's like Christmas here at NHS - we're finally getting new boilers and a new water heater!! Thanks, Keith Pumper!!
Next door to the First National Bank was Theodore Miller, who operated a furniture and undertaking business. According to a report in the Northfield News years after the raid, when Alonzo Bunker fled out the back door of the bank, he ran into Miller. Miller was hard of hearing and as he came out to see what was going on, Bunker literally ran headlong into him. Later that evening Bunker, likely still in shock, reportedly could not stop laughing at the thought of Theodore Miller tumbling over as Bunker ran past him. Miller also prepared robbers Bill Chadwell and Clell Miller (no relation) for their temporary interment in the potter's field of Northfield Cemetery. #DjJD #djjd2021 #northfield #DEFEATOFjessejames ![]()
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Images: Advertisements in Rice County Journal, 1976![]()
Sources: Northfield News, Rice County Journal
The James-Younger Gang was routed at Northfield when they attempted to rob the First National Bank and although they left bloodied and empty-handed, they also left permanent scars on the community. In addition to acting cashier, Joseph Lee Heywood, a Swedish immigrant named Nicolaus Gustafson was also shot that day. Gustafson came to the United States in July, 1876 and settled in Millersburg with relatives. Gustafson spoke no English and was in town with neighbors to sell produce and gather supplies. At one point during the robbery Gustafson was in the stairway leading to the cellar of what is now known as the Bierman building. Not understanding Cole Younger's order to get off the street, Gustafson was shot in the head, but not killed. He was taken to the Norske Hotel where he died four days later. Multiple witnesses including Nellie Ames and John Olson, a carpenter working in the basement of the building where Gustafson was shot, fingered Cole Younger as the shooter. After his death, Millersburg residents erected the Christdala Church and cemetery as the first church and burial grounds for Swedish immigrants in the area. Because the church and cemetery did not exist at the time, Gustafson was buried in Northfield Cemetery where he has laid since his death 145 years ago today. #DjJD #djjd2021 #northfield #DEFEATOFjessejames