The history of open pit mining on the Iron Range unfolds with tours of the Hill Annex Mine. Mine Bus Tour will take visitors along beautiful scenic overlooks and the mine's operation area with stops for up-close viewing of vintage mining machinery and buildings. Boat Tour will take visitors for a trip on the open water of the Hill Annex Mine, which for 60 years was one of Minnesota's most productive open pit natural iron ore mines. Fossil Hunting Tour takes visitors to the Cretaceous Ore Pile where the hunt for 86 million year old sea fossils (sharks' teeth, clams, and other ocean critters) begins. Tours are conducted Wednesdays through Sundays, and holidays. Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Fossil Tour: 10:00 a.m., Mine Bus Tour: 12:30 p.m., Boat Tour: 3:00 p.m.. All tours are 1 1/2 hours long. Tour busses and facilities are handicap accessible. Museum, gift shop and observation deck open year round.

Hill Annex Video

Club House/Museum Hours: Memorial Day to Labor Day, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., Mon. - Thurs. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Fri. - Sun. (off season) after Labor Day to just prior to Memorial Day, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Tues. - Fri.

Itasca County Historical Society  - Judy Garland Exhibit
10 Fifth St. NW, PO Box 66
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 326-6431 Fax: (218) 326-7083

The Itasca Historical Museum captures and conveys the rich story of Itasca County's past. Travel back in time to the Ice Age by viewing our Woolly Mammoth tusk. Learn how Native Americans lived before and after the arrival of Europeans. Find out how the Mississippi River allowed access to land that provided the nation with precious lumber and iron ore. Examine the relationship between Itasca County and the paper industry. Admire the resourcefulness and tenacity of the immigrants who came to this area for a promise of a better life and who ultimately changed rough-and-tumble outposts into communities. Learn about Itasca County's most famous resident, Frances Ethel Gumm, known by all as Judy Garland.

The Itasca County Historical Society is celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2007 with many surprises and exhibits.  Other exhibits include: "Woolly Mammoth: Creature of the Ice Age" which examines an interesting creature that formerly inhabited this region, and "Eric Enstrom: Bovey Photographer" which tells the story of Swedish Immigrant Eric Enstrom and his famous "Grace" photo.

Open Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sat. 10:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Restored childhood home of Judy Garland, memorial flower garden and gallery showcasing the carriage used in the Wizard of Oz and once owned by Abraham Lincoln.

Summer Hours: Memorial Day - September 30: 7 days a week 10a - 5p
October 1 - March 31st: Friday & Saturday only 10a-5p
April 1 - Memorial Day weekend: Monday through Saturday 10a-5p

Groups of 20 or more can schedule tours on any day.
Admission: $7.00

Judy Garland Festival
2727 Highway 169 S 
PO Box 724
Grand Rapids, MN 55744
Phone: (218) 327-9276 or
Toll Free at 1-800-664-JUDY (5839)
 

33^rd Annual Event:
June 26-28, 2008
1989 top award-winning festival. Mingle with the original Munchkins who appeared in the world's most beloved film, The Wizard of Oz. Other events include: guest celebrity appearance, film festival, collector's exchange and seminars.

MacRostie Art Center features monthly exhibits of local and regional artists. Opening receptions are generally the first Friday and are free and open to the public. Artists throughout the Midwest are invited to submit work for 'Handmade In America' in April and the 'Annual Juried Exhibition' in August. Workshops and classes in both two- and three-dimensional disciplines are offered, and in the gift shop you'll find handcrafted jewelry, pottery, leather and paper goods, woodcarvings, wearables, and much more. Admission is always free.  MacRostie's regular business hours: Mon-Sat, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The USA Olympic Shooting team coach, Dan Durben, after training with the Olympic rifle team, proclaims MSSEC is one of the finest shooting centers in the nation. MSSEC is open to the public for educational training, train the trainer programs, 4-H Shooting Sports, NRA programs, Youth Firearms Safety, Minnesota Advanced Hunter Education, and supervised recreational shooting.

The twelve lanes, 50-meter range provides shooters with state-of-the-art equipment and educational facilities. MSSEC specializes in airgun, archery, and small bore rifle, although the range can handle handgun calibers to 50 cal.

The outdoor 3-D archery range is realistically situated in a wooded setting with hunting style shots from elevated stands, ground blinds, and even African game at a water hole.

Beginners and experienced shooters both benefit from MSSEC's firearm rental program. Shooters can try a variety of firearms before making a purchase.

A visit to MSSEC makes a great side trip for vacationers or business travelers.