Fees increase for some museums, historical attractions

Admission fees to historical sites including Fort Snelling and the Mill City Museum will increase by a dollar, the Minnesota Historical Society announced Wednesday.

The Minnesota State Capitol will also begin requesting voluntary donations for its free public tours.

More than half of the society's budget comes from the state. A funding cut of $1.6 million by state government forced the Historical Society to raise fees, director Stephen Elliott said.

Elliott said the historical society tried to absorb the reductions with the least amount of cost passed on to citizens. About 19 full-time equivalent staff positions were eliminated through attrition and layoffs. The organization will also seek more donors to help balance the budget.

"I think that after nearly four years to increase by a dollar by general admission pricing — not for school groups — is a very reasonable thing to do and a little bit of a help in closing the budget gap," Elliott said.

The fees hike affects museums including the Minnesota History Center, Historic Fort Snelling and Mill City Museum, which will charge $11 for adults, $9 for students and seniors, and $6 for children ages 6 to17 years. The increases will begin on December 1. The Historical Society last increased fees in 2008.

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