All Brown County Historical Society programs with fees require advance registration and payment.
To make reservations, call us at 507-233-2616 or email education@browncountyhistorymn.org.
The 2026 U.S.–Dakota War Commemoration is sponsored by the Junior Pioneers of New Ulm & Vicinity and supported by the Clean Water, Land & Legacy Amendment.
Below is the full schedule of Commemoration events
Select a tab to see the events happening on that day.
Wednesday, August 19
12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch & A Bite of Historty | Free, Reservation Required
“The Battle of Wood Lake” presented by Denny Dahmes
Located in the BCHS Annex.
Seating is limited. To make a reservation for this event call 507-233-2616 or email education@browncountyhistorymn.org.
Thursday, August 20
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Dakota War Downtown Walking Tour | $7.00
Tour participants should meet in front of the Brown County Museum, 2 North Broadway St. by 10:20 am. The tour guides will tell stories of Dakota War events that took place at the respective sites included in the tour. The tour takes about an hour and can be a family activity. In case of rain, the tour will be canceled.
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12 p.m. – 1 p.m. Lunch & A Bite of History | Free, Reservation Required
“Attack Shetek” presented by Dr. Paul Carpenter and Kenneth A. Duda
Located in the BCHS Annex.
Seating is limited. To make a reservation for this event call 507-233-2616 or email education@browncountyhistorymn.org.
Saturday, August 22
10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Dakota War Downtown Walking Tour | $7.00
Tour participants should meet in front of the Brown County Museum, 2 North Broadway St. by 10:20 am. The tour guides will tell stories of Dakota War events that took place at the respective sites included in the tour. The tour takes about an hour and can be a family activity. In case of rain, the tour will be canceled.
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11 a.m. – 3 p.m. New Ulm Battery at the Kiesling House
Members of the New Ulm Battery will interact with the audience and share the history of the organization and talk about the cannon which will be on display. Following the US-Dakota War of late summer 1862, the Minnesota Civilian Militia Act authorized the formation of an artillery unit to protect New Ulm against future Dakota attacks. Those attacks never came; but the New Ulm Battery continues up to present day.
Sunday, August 23
2 p.m. at the New Ulm Cemetery | Free
Walking Tour: The Pioneer Section at the New Ulm Cemetery
This tour highlights historical personalities of Brown County’s past as well as the funerary art and symbolism of various grave stones. Weaving the history of New Ulm’s founding together with stories of early pioneers and the tragedy of the U.S.-Dakota War, guides will share extensive research on the history of Brown County. The tour takes about an hour and can be a family activity. In case of rain, the tour will be rescheduled.