Riverside History & Nature Learning Center- New Ulm

WOW! What an absolute amazing find this place was! Located right next to Riverside Park, one of my kid’s favorite playgrounds in New Ulm with its pirate boat, large dragon, and pretty view of the river, is the Riverside History & Nature Learning Center. Several years ago, we noticed the History and Nature Learning Center and wondered about it. It’s definitely a must stop place located in the old Franklin school building. Walking into the door, we were greeted by two men. One man, Ron, is the curator of Riverside. He is retired and this is his passion project. His passion for nature, educating, and teaching is so evident in his interactions. Ron went out of his way to ensure that each person’s experience at Riverside was enjoyable.

One of the first things that Ron told us when we entered the building was that the kids could feel free to touch anything they wanted in the first room. This was music to my son’s ears. Right away, he looked at me and smiled as large as he could! The first room was filled with all kinds of taxidermy. Each kid enjoyed gently petting everything from a porcupine to a bison. This is just an opportunity that you very rarely receive to be able to pet these animals and examine them up close. Sure, you’ve seen these animals in zoos, in nature, or in pictures, but getting the chance to see all the details of each animal up close is truly unique.

Next, we were able to walk through a hallway, filled with different pictures and newspaper articles of history. Being that we aren’t from New Ulm, it was interesting to see how much the town has changed and evolved through the years. Last, we visited a large room with more taxidermy and more pieces of nature everywhere. Ron was quick to show us new items that people had graciously donated recently, such as a big branch with probably a hundred holes from a woodpecker to a display of hand carved fishing lures. There were hands-on items for the kids to explore, such as scat and footprints of animals. Books of animal activities were given to each child and a plethora of coloring sheets were also, available.

The tour was complete with a fake werewolf that was supposed to be scary, but our baby thought it was hilarious. Before leaving, the kids were each given a fake one million dollar bill with animal facts printed on it. Such a fun souvenir! Also, at Riverside, there was a large beautiful deck on the back of the building. It overlooks the river for a stunning view and makes for a wonderful picnic spot. Plus, a large goose and acorn statue were near the front of the building for a fun photo opportunity.

Overall, we spent at least an hour here and every family member was completely engaged with all the exhibits and information. The center is free and definitely well worth the trip. Each of us left with a lot more knowledge and an appreciation for nature. All of that being said, Ron truly was a highlight of the center. He went out of his way to ensure that each child was welcomed, interested in the different parts of nature, and taught each of us tons of information. It was an honor to be able to experience his passion project and I would recommend it to anyone else interested in animals and nature. Be sure to check out my seven reasons to visit New Ulm blog for a few more places to stop in New Ulm if you decide to make the trip!