The Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS) will guide you as you explore the fascinating history of our communities. Tours, exhibits, camps, and our many interactive programs cover all manner of topics including the Civil War, the Dakota People, Minnesota as the original “Silicon Valley” of the world, traditional agriculture, food processing, and market gardening, Mississippi, Minnesota, and Vermillion River histories, quack medicine, politics, and much more. There is truly something for everyone at DCHS! We operate three sites for you to explore: + LeDuc Historic Estate + Lawshe Memorial Museum + Sibley Historic Site Established in 1939 and incorporated in 1978, we are a non-profit, membership organization governed by a volunteer Board of Trustees. We encourage donations and memberships to help fund our programs — we receive a grant from Dakota County and also rely on private donations for about 40 percent of our annual budget. We have been granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status for gift tax purposes.