WATER TOWER BARN SCANDIA
Rooted in rural heritage and sense of place, Water Tower Barn Scandia arts and heritage center will celebrate the history, ingenuity, craftsmanship, and artistry of our community. The venue’s focal point is the Water Tower Barn tankhouse, an iconic historic structure that will serve as the centerpiece for a wide range of community gatherings and cultural activities -- music performances, theater productions, art shows, museum exhibits, and classes focused on arts and environment.
Explore | gather | play
Envisioned as a place to explore, gather and play, the full six-acre arts and heritage center – surrounded by wetlands on three sides – will also include the only large amphitheater in the St. Croix Valley, a water garden play area for kids, a wetland overlook and trails, a small outdoor café, and a peaceful respite amid beautiful native landscaping.
In addition to offering a platform for local artists and performers, the center will serve as a historical archive and museum that showcases Scandia’s rich past, recognizing its unique position as home of Minnesota’s first Swedish settlement. Museum displays will tell stories of Native American settlements, early Scandia immigrants, and the entrepreneurial development of Scandia's commercial center -- including the story of Frank Lake, credited as founder of Scandia township.
The only remaining tankhouse in Minnesota, the iconic barn will showcase 19th Century craftsmanship, including hand-hewn logs in a post-and-beam structure. Within its walls, permanent displays will demonstrate how the historic wood pumping rod, driven by the windmill, draws water from the stone-lined well up to the wooden tank in the barn's distinctive tower. Curious children will explore the innovative workings of this 20th century innovation.
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