Quick Facts

Exhibit: “My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall’s Story”
Where: Mill City Museum, 704 S. 2nd St., Minneapolis
Cost: Free
Hours: Tues-Sat, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun, Noon-5 p.m.

On Saturday, Nov. 9, a new exhibit “My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall’s Story” opens at Mill City Museum, featuring work from local artist Gaylord Schanilec. Making prints with materials collected along the Mississippi riverbank, Schanilec creates works of art that show St. Anthony Falls over thousands of years, including the waterfall's movement over time from present-day St. Paul to its current location, 15 miles upriver in downtown Minneapolis.

Schanilec’s artwork was created to illustrate the new MNHS Press book “My Mighty Journey: A Waterfall’s Story” by John Coy. This book for young readers showcases prints and poetic storytelling to narrate the history of the only major waterfall on the Mississippi River—known as Owamniyomni in Dakota and St. Anthony Falls in English—and the changes it has witnessed over 12,000 years.

Mill City Museum will celebrate the exhibit's opening on Saturday, Nov. 9 with a family day full of activities for all ages from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. John Coy will read from "My Mighty Journey," and visitors can enjoy a meet-and-greet with Coy and Schanilec from 12:30-1:30 p.m. Plus, visitors can try their hand at using natural and found materials to make their own artistic images of St. Anthony Falls and the Minneapolis riverfront.

The exhibit is located in the museum's central Mill Commons and is free and open to the public during regular museum hours through March 29, 2020.

About Mill City Museum
Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark, the award-winning Mill City Museum chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking Lab and other hands-on exhibits.

The museum is located at 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The site is also open Mondays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. For more information, call 612-341-7555 or visit www.mnhs.org/millcity.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. Visit us at mnhs.org.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partner: Explore Minnesota Tourism.