Swensson Farm Museum

The Swensson Farm Museum is a historic farmstead located in Chippewa County, Minnesota, six miles (10 km) east of Montevideo. Established by Norwegian immigrants Olof and Ingeborg Swensson in the 1880s, the farmstead today serves as open-air museum operated by the Chippewa County Historical Society showcasing pioneer life and Swedish-American heritage.

The Farmstead
The centerpiece of the museum is a grand 22-room brick farmhouse built around the turn of the 20th century. Swensson called it the "Governor's Mansion on the Prairie." Inside, visitors can explore a self-guided tour that goes into the Swensson family life. The rooms feature original furnishings and personal belongings, showing domestic life on a late 19th-century farm.

One unique feature of the farmhouse is a 38x38 foot chapel located on the second floor. This reflected his deep religious faith. Swensson who held strong convictions that religious denominations were not adhering faithfully to their doctrines took on the role of a lay minister and delivered his own sermons in response. At first, his family and friends attended the chapel for worship services with Olof. However, over time, they gradually lost interest and stopped attending. This could have been due to the lengthy services and Olof's unique way of conducting them, known to historians as "Olofisms." In the basement, the house contains designated areas were allocated for metalworking, woodworking, harness and blacksmithing, along with a room for agriculture and a fruit cellar.

Another significant structure on the farmstead is the large timber-framed barn, constructed in the 1880s. The barn has undergone extensive restoration and exemplifies the craftsmanship and resourcefulness of Swensson. The intricate wind-bracing and notching system testifies to his skills as a builder and designer.

The grounds also include the remains of a grist mill that Swensson constructed on his property, aiming to outcompete a rival in Granite Falls, Minnesota which happened to be the Pillsbury family, members of which founded the Pillsbury Company. It was first powered by horses and later by a steam engine.

Olof and Ingeborg raised a family on the farm, with three children continuing to live and work the land after their parents' passing. The last surviving heir, John Swensson, bequeathed the farm to the Chippewa County Historical Society in 1967. Additionally, the family burial plot rests on the property.

Historical Significance
The Swensson Farm Museum is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It holds significance for several reasons:


 * Preserving Pioneer Life: It provides a tangible link to the past, offering visitors a chance to experience the challenges and triumphs of life on a Midwestern farm in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
 * Swedish-American Heritage: The farmstead exemplifies the contributions of Swedish immigrants to the agricultural development of Minnesota.
 * Architectural Heritage: Both the grand farmhouse and the meticulously constructed barn showcase the architectural styles and building techniques of the era.

Legacy
The farmstead gained recognition by being featured as a filming location for the Hollywood movie "Sweet Land" in 2004.

Chippewa County Historical Society
The Chippewa County Historical Society which owns and operates the property is a non-profit organization founded in 1936 in Montevideo, Minnesota. Its mission is to preserve and interpret the history of Chippewa County for future generations. The CCHS operates three distinct historical sites: Historic Chippewa City, the Swensson Farm Museum, and the Lac qui Parle Mission.

Historic Chippewa City
Historic Chippewa City was established in 1965 as 20-acre open-air museum featuring a replica of a late 1800s village. It has 24 buildings, including a town square, boardwalk, bandstand, log cabins, an 1880s church, a general store, and various shops replicating those found in a pioneer village.

Lac qui Parle Mission
Lac qui Parle Mission is managed by the Chippewa County Historical Society for the Minnesota Historical Society, Founded in 1835, it was home to the first church bell rung in the state, the first woven cloth produced by European settlers, and the first written Dakota language dictionary and Bible.