northfield historical society museum

The museum offers wonderful displays illustrating the history of Northfield and highlights the pivotal event when the infamous James-Younger Gang was defeated by the heroic citizens. Situated in the carefully restored bank where the attempted robbery took place. The museum store contains a delightful array of fascinating gifts and souvenirs.

The museum is small but worth a visit. Our grandkids, ages 9,11,14, didn't want to go but were engrossed after we saw the video and took the tour. It's an interesting story, I hadn't realized the significance of the robbery and the impact it had on the James gang. And the town has a nice quaint main street. Try Hogan Brothers for lunch.

It is an interesting stop, well worth $4. We had lunch across the street at Hogan's. This is a cute small town!

They have many static exhibits such as a saddle, numerous guns (hand held and shot guns) and story boards to recount how the robbery occurred. The bathroom was worth the price of admission and they probably need some screens there to show a movie or something to captivate the younger crowd. The 2 early teen boys at the front desk weren’t engaging, though a woman who showed up later was very nice and gave us some insider tips: Hogans is great for sandwiches, the Tavern has a great kids menu, and the Old Store is very good, but a bit more $ than anything else in town. If sharing that info helped you, please give me a helpful vote. Also the Post Office is incredible in terms of the mural and hanging light fixtures and leaded glass windows.

Knew all about Northfield's claim to fame before I went and that is thwarting the James brothers and the Dalton gang as they tried to rob the bank. Killed a couple and caught the Dalton's but the James brothers escaped. The museum was nice - very small but I understood there was better historical artifacts in the basement. You have to have a reservation and you have to figure out how to get one.

This is a tiny museum dedicated almost entirely to the James-Younger Gang’s attempted Northfield bank robbery of 1876. The museum is the bank itself, original vault and all, as well as the adjoining building. There’s a great collection of old photos of the major players from the robbery story, as well as guns from the era, and a bunch of good maps of the town and the robbers’ escape routes. Up front there is maybe 30 or so books about the James brothers, the Youngers, and the town. Well worth the $4 admission and the 45-minute drive down from Minneapolis for the right kind of history buff.

The tour of the bank at Northfield was very interesting. Gave you a better look at how thing were when they tried to rob the bank. After going to Liberty, MO and seeing the bank there it just showed how far they rode to try and rob Northfield's bank. Enjoyed very much.

I first read about Northfield in a Jesse James children's book when I was about 7. I was on the other side of the world, but never forgot about it. Almost 40 years later, I finally made it here - and am so glad I made the drive.The museum curators - with a huge amount of luck on their side - have recreated the bank as it was on the day that the James-Younger gang tried to rob it in 1876. Everything is pretty much authentic, including the time-lock vault that vexed the raiders. You can also see the ledger showing the bank's handwritten transactions (the bank closed the day after, but reopened the following day).A detailed gallery includes some of the guns used in the shootout, a saddle and other artifacts. We learn that one of the robbers killed in Northfield ended up on the dissection table and his bones were tossed in the river. Cole Younger eventually hit the lecture circuit, and we all know the fate that befell Jesse James.The townsfolk are justly proud of their defense of the bank. You have to remember that deposits were not insured. If the gang had cleaned out the vault, the town might have withered away.My only complaint is that I left the gift shop empty-handed. All I wanted was a contemporary postcard of the bank and/or a fridge magnet. No luck.

A very nice little talk/tour about the notorious Jesse James gang bank robbery in Northfield with great memorabilia and pictures. There was also a display of vintage band instruments to coincide with the Vintage Band Festival being held in town.

History buffs will love this. A tour of james younger gangs hold up. Original building and many authentic artifacts from the event. Bullet scars to pistols. Its all here. The best part was our guide, who was dressed in period costume and gave us a very detailed tour of events. She really made it come alive. The whole town is one interesting thing after another. Great for architect students.Want to see iteresting buildings - its here, An old mill - yep, Great flower display - see the college,Cool hidden italian restaurant, thats here too, just too much to list.

This museum has come a long way from when I was a girl. The museum itself is fascinating. It includes a carefully reconstructed bank teller's counter of faux wood grain, (back in the day, hiring an artist to paint pine to look like oak was cheaper than buying the oak!) and the original bank safe so heroically guarded by Joseph Lee Heywood. There is a wonderful display of photographs and artifacts and a short video explaining the events leading up to the fateful day when Jesse James and his gang met their match with the citizens of Northfield. There is a wonderful gift shop with a most interesting selection of old-fashioned toys, books for all ages, t-shirts and more. Plan ahead and do your Christmas shopping here.

The actual bank the James - Younger Gang's attempted to rob on September 7, 1876. Lots of actual artifacts from the attempted robbery. The downtown area around the bank is also historical, with a lot of very nice shops to visit! This is a do not miss stop!!

The museum has been recently renovated. It has a neat gift shop and several rooms with exhibits. The first room is for local historical exhibits with change every few weeks. Some recent exhibits have been on the history of telephones in Norhfield, the girl scouts, and the 1862 uprising. The other three rooms are on the 1867 bank robbery attempt by the James-Younger gang. The first of these rooms gives an even-handed presentation of the background of the gang including their involvement in the War Between the States and their previous bank and train robberies. The second room is the restored bank itself including the original layout and much of the original furnishings. Be sure to get the inside story of the raid from one of the volunteer guides often dressed in period costume. The third room presents the aftermath which is as interesting as the raid itself - the escape routes, the shootout at Hanska slough, the capture of the Younger brothers and their life in prison. Allow close to an hour to take it all in.

Northfield has two wonderful colleges and a thriving Main Street. Tucked away on the corner, not far from their post office is the Museum. It is ok, and if you have some time in Northfield it is worth the stop. Dont expect to much, but it is definitly okay.

The Northfield Historical Society is a great place to come to learn about Northfield and the surrounding community. A great part of Northfield's History includes The Defeat of Jesse James Days which is held every year the weekend after labor day. The Historical Society is connected to The First National Bank which was the site of the attempted James Younger Gang robbery. The Historical Society offers great tours as well as a gift shop to buy Northfield souvenirs.