Runestone Museum (Alexandria, MN)

On a recent road trip to Fargo, ND from the Twin Cities I made a stop in Alexandria, MN to visit the Runestone Museum where the Kensington Runestone is held. Have you heard of this world renown Runestone? I’ll admit I didn’t know much about it, but after my visit I find it fascinating! The Kensington Runestone is believed to be one of the oldest records of Scandinavian exploration in existence. Discovered by a farmer in 1898, the stone’s inscription told a narrative of settlement and murder—and today, there are mixed feelings on whether the Runestone is authentic or fake. Come along as I share the story of the Kensington Runestone and tell you all about the Runestone Museum.

Kensington Runestone History

Olof Ohman, who immigrated to the United States from Sweden, owned a farm near Kensington, MN. In the fall of 1898, Olof was clearing trees on his farm in preparation for planting the following spring. When he managed to bring down an Aspen (Poplar) tree, a large rock was found entangled in the roots. Olof’s two sons, Olof Jr. and Edward, were helping him that afternoon, and as the stone was pulled from the ground Edward noticed some kind of writing chiseled into the stone. The stone was hauled to the Ohman farmyard where with the help of neighbors the dirt was removed with a nail so the characters on the stone could be exposed. The stone, approximately 31” X 15” X 6” and weighing about 200 lb., contained an inscription of 12 lines, nine lines appeared on the face of the stone, and the last three were on the side.

Word of the unusual discovery spread relatively quickly. On January 1, 1899, the mayor of Kensington, John P. Hedberg, arranged to have a sketch of the stone and inscription sent to his friend Swan J. Turnblad, who was the publisher of Svenska Amerikanska Posten in Minneapolis, MN. Turnblad then forwarded the sketch to the University of Minnesota where Professor Olaus J. Breda, who after hasty consideration, was inclined to think the stone was a hoax. Professor Breda was unable to make a complete translation but identified the characters as Norse runes.

Note: The runic alphabets are a set of related alphabets using letters known as runes to write various Germanic languages prior to the adoption of the Latin alphabet and for specialized purposes thereafter. The Scandinavian variants are also known as futhark, derived from their first six letters of the alphabet: F, U, Þ, A, R, and K). This ancient Germanic alphabet dates to about 150 AD. The Latin alphabet gradually replaced the runic alphabet in Scandinavia and England as the influence of Christianity spread northward from Rome. However, the runic alphabet was used in certain parts of Sweden even after the Middle Ages.

The translation Professor Breda offered is paraphrased as, “an unknown number of Swedes and Norwegians on a journey from Vinland camped one day’s journey from this stone. One day after coming home from fishing a number of men were found red with blood and dead. AVM-save from evil. Have men at the ocean to look after our ships. Year-unknown.”

In 1899, one of the Ohman’s neighbors, Sam Siverts, also made a copy of the Runestone, mailed it to Professor Curme at the University of Illinois. Professor Curme, thinking the stone may be authentic, requested to investigate the stone more.

Both professors forwarded their information to others, and without extensive consideration, a general opinion formed among the influential professors that the Runestone was a hoax. After translating the stone, the words and phrasing sounded more like those that might have been used in 19th century Sweden than in 14th century Norway. Several discrepancies suggest the stone might have been carved long after the time it claims to describe and does not reflect how the Vikings wrote of their travels. In addition, the physical condition of the Runestone seemed questionable as the etchings appeared a bit too smooth and well-preserved to be as old as it claimed to be.

However, not everyone dismissed it as a fraud. In 1907, Hjalmar Holand purchased the Runestone. For the rest of his life he researched and promoted the authenticity of it. Holand’s translation of the Runestone is, “8 Goths and 22 Norwegians on this discovery voyage from Vinland over the west. We had camp by 2 skerries one day’s journey north from this stone. We were and fished one day. After we came home found 10 men red from blood and dead. Ave Virgo Maria save from evil. Have 10 men by the sea to see after our ship 14 day journeys from this island. Year 1362.”

Around the year 2000 Dr. Richard Nielsen, Scott Wolter, and Dr. Henrik Williams made further investigations int the Runestone. In 2009, Dr. Nielsen and Dr. Williams translated the Runestone as, (front) “Eight Götalanders and 22 Northmen on (this?) acquisition journey from Vinland far to the west. We had a camp by two (shelters?) one day’s journey north from this stone. We were fishing one day. After we came home we found 10 men red from blood and death. Ave Maria save from evil.” (Side) “There are 10 men by the inland sea to look after our ships fourteen days journey from this peninsula (or island). Year 1362.”

This suggests that a group of Scandinavians ventured into the heart of North America 130 years prior to Christopher Columbus landing in the West Indies, and consequently being credited with discovering America.

Kensington Runestone Museum

There does not appear to be definite evidence on whether the Kensington Runestone is real or a prank. However, the only way to really appreciate the Kensington Runestone and decide for yourself is to visit the Runestone Museum and see it in person.

The Runestone Museum wastes no time sharing the main attraction with its visitors. The Kensington Runestone is housed in glass and located front and center as you walk through the door of the museum!  The museum has a little room to the side for visitors to view a video about the history of the Kensington Runestone. I highly encourage you to watch the video prior to going through the museum for a better understanding of the Runestone – it gives a lot of good information!

When the Runestone Museum first opened its doors in 1958, the Kensington Runestone was the only artifact the museum had. However, since then the museum has grown to include additional artifacts found in Minnesota that relate to Middle-Age Nordic explorers. Many people were primarily from Scandinavia, and the exhibits tell individual and group stories. The museum also has a First Peoples exhibit, which includes an original 1920s Tinkle Cone Dress on display (only four such dresses exist in North America) along with exhibits of Minnesota’s natural history and wildlife (complete with animal sounds and habitat information).

One of the coolest things is a 40-foot replica Viking ship that is housed in Fort Alexandria, the open-air portion of the museum. The ship stands in the middle of one of the outpost buildings, so visitors can walk all the way around it. Fort Alexandria represents the fort that was commissioned in 1862 during the Dakota War and the Civil War. The nine historic buildings, all originally built between 1860 and 1910, represent what fort life was like for the first European settlers in the region. You can walk into some of the buildings, which include a schoolhouse and a church, giving you an idea of what these structures looked like during that time.

When you’re finished going through the museum, be sure to check out the gift shop! They have a great selection of books, t-shirts, games, toys, etc. Enjoy!

Whether you’re interested in history, heritage, or wildlife, the Runestone Museum has something for everyone! Have a great time during your visit!

Oh, also, did you know? The locals in Alexandria, MN call it Alec – not Alex or Alexandria. During my visit to the Runestone Museum, the nicest person working at the museum (with a ton of knowledge!), who is also a local, shared how to correctly say the town’s name like the locals. When you’re visiting a new place, be sure to talk with the locals – they have so much to share!

Additional Resources:

1. Kensington Area Heritage Society
2. Road Unraveled – Kensington Runestone: History and Mystery in Alexandria, Minnesota