The Research Center Presents: “Seven Women Strong”: The Hibbing 7 Strike
2026-03-26 17:00 - 19:30 (America/Chicago) | Minnesota Discovery Center, 1005 Discovery Drive, Chisholm, MN, 55719, United States
Come celebrate Women’s History Month by learning about the (in)famous “Hibbing 7”!

🗓️ Date: Thursday, March 26
⏰ Time: 5:00pm-7:30pm
📍 Location: MDC’s Taconite Square and Theater
💵 Cost: FREE
✍️ Registration: Not necessary, just show up!

During this educational evening, Allyse Freeman (MDC’s Museum and Research Center Director) will talk about Minnesota’s longest strike, which involved seven women who protested for fair wages, benefits, and contracts for more than four years (1987-1991). They picketed in sun, rain, sleet, and snow; held local rallies; marched on their employer’s headquarters in Minneapolis; and were at the heart of a court case that affirmed union protections.
Throughout her presentation, Allyse will put the strike in its broader historical and economic context, and she’ll answer audience questions.
The Evening’s Schedule:

🖼️ 4:00pm: Free museum admission starts
🍸 5:00pm: Social hour (snacks, drinks chats)
👩🏻‍🏫 6:00pm: Allyse’s presentation starts
🗣️ 6:45pm: Q&A and story sharing starts
👋🏾 7:30pm: The event ends
🚪 8:00pm: The museum closes

Free light snacks will be provided (first come, first serve), and the Tire Bar will be open with yummy mocktails and cocktails for purchase.

Thursday Night Trivia
2026-04-02 16:30 - 19:30
Join us on April 2 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm for a night of brain-busting fun. 🧠 This fan-favorite event is FREE to play—plus, there’s no admission fee to the MDC on Thursday nights, so you can check out the Museum before or after you play!
Whether you’re flying solo or with friends, this is your chance to show off your smarts! While the questions are geared toward adults, everyone’s welcome! Come hungry—delicious food and drinks will be available for purchase. Don’t miss out! 🥙🍻
The night’s schedule:
🚪Doors Open—4:30pm
🍔 Food Service Starts—also 4:30pm
⁉️ Trivia Starts—6:00pm
👋 Things Wrap Up—7:30pm

Easter Festival
2026-04-04 10:00 - 13:00
Get ready to hop, dance, and celebrate spring at our Easter Festival! 🐰🐣 After drawing 700+ attendees at our first-ever festival, this event is back on Saturday, April 4—and it’s going to be egg-stra unforgettable!
Explore the Museum during our Egg Hunt 🥚🔍, meet the adorable animals from Cook’s Country Connection 🐾💕, and let the kids cut loose at our Kid Dance Rave. 🎶🪩
Plus, enjoy:
🎨 Face Painting
🖍️ Coloring Stations
🌸 Flower Crafting
Fuel the fun with snacks and drinks available for purchase 🍪🥤 and soak up all the springtime smiles. Bring the whole family and make memories that’ll last long after the eggs are found! 💛
🎟️ Free for members | $5 for nonmembers

Wild Roots Learning Community Session
2026-04-09 10:00 - 12:00, 2026-04-23 10:00 - 12:00
Quick Info!
🗓️ Dates: Jan. 8, Jan. 22, Feb. 12, Feb. 26, Mar. 12, Mar. 26, Apr. 9, Apr. 23 (all Thursdays)
⏰ Time: 10:00am-12:00pm (each time)
📍 Location: Creative Lab, Heritage Park
👧 Age Range: 3-12 years old
💸 Cost: FREE for Members, $5 per child/session for Nonmembers
⚠️ Note: Grown-up supervision is required—adults get in free!
What is the Wild Roots Learning Community?
Wild Roots is a play-based learning group where kids (aged 3-12) discover the world around them through child-led exploration. During the sessions, our facilitators present an open-ended activity that kids can interpret and engage with in their own way—some might observe, some might jump in right away, and some might transform the activity into something entirely their own! Activities include anything from climbing our Bijou playground, snowshoeing through Heritage Park, crafting a useful object, creating an art project, and more!
We believe that true learning blossoms when children are free to follow their curiosity. The adults’ job is to listen carefully, provide materials, and then step back and trust the process. The kids’ job? To be curious, play hard, and have fun! In the end, the goal is to encourage children to develop a love for learning itself.
Grown-ups are required to supervise their kids, but they get in free!
The group meets from 10:00am-12:00pm every other Thursday from January to April (see the top of this listing for the exact dates). Sessions may take place indoors or outdoors, so please ensure you and your kids wear/bring appropriate clothing—even in the winter!
Why did we choose “Wild Roots” as a name?
Our name originates from a fascinating discovery made in Biosphere 2, an experimental, enclosed ecosystem located in Arizona. Scientists found that trees grown inside the protected biosphere kept falling over unexpectedly; they grew quickly but couldn’t support their own weight. What was missing? Wind. Without the natural stress of wind pushing against them, the trees never developed strong, resilient root systems. The experiment taught us that growth isn’t just about perfect conditions—it’s about authentic experiences, including the challenges, the wobbles, and the natural push and pull of life. At Wild Roots, we honor this wisdom by trusting children to navigate their own learning adventures, knowing that real strength comes from the freedom to grow wild.

POSTPONED: Hall of Geology Renovation Opening
2026-04-10 17:00 - 20:00
IMPORTANT: Due to installation delays, this event has been postponed to Friday, May 22. We apologize for any confusion and/or inconvenience, and we look forward to seeing you at the later date!
Here is a link to the new date’s event listing: NEW DATE: Hall of Geology Exhibit Renovation Opening

Hey, Iron Rangers… our Hall of Geology is getting a much-needed update!
🗓️ Date: Friday, April 10 ❗NEW DATE: Friday, May 22❗
⏰ Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
📍 Location: MDC’s Taconite Square & Hall of Geology
💵 Cost: FREE
Come celebrate the official unveiling of the newly renovated Hall of Geology! The completely overhauled permanent exhibit features Iron Range geology (rocks and minerals) and paleontology (fossils). This renovation has been years in the making, and we’re so excited to share the results with you—and because of that, we’re waiving admission! This event is FREE for everyone. Plus, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar, will be available.
What’s changed? A lot. Many scientific advancements have been made since the exhibit was originally created in 1979. These findings have been incorporated into the renovations, plus the content has become more focused, tailored specifically to Iron Range rather than Minnesota in general. As for specifics… you’ll have to come see for yourself!
Our partnerships with BrownKnows Design and Šek Design Studio have been key to making this happen. So, we want to make the official unveiling not just about the new content in the Hall of Geology, but also the effort and partnership that went into the renovation. Along with our museum staff, Jeff Brown from BrownKnows Design will be here to share insight into the design/engineering process and answer questions.
This renovation was made possible through a grant supplied by the Minnesota Historical Society. MHS is a wonderful long-term supporter of not only MDC but museums and nonprofits across the state. Thank you, MHS!
The Evening’s Schedule:
🍸 5:00pm: Social hour
👩🏻‍🏫 6:00pm: Opening remarks
💎 6:15pm: Official unveiling
🔍 6:30pm: Exhibit exploration
👋🏽 8:00pm: Event ends, doors close
By the way… for a museum, this is a seismic (pun intended) event. From brainstorming and researching, to fabrication and installation, permanent exhibit renovations take a lot of time and money to complete. So, it’s a big deal. One of great magnitude, you could say. We’re feeling a bit sendimental about it, so it would be gneiss to have you here with us for the unveiling.

Range Fiber Arts Guild Pop-Up Exhibit Opening
2026-04-16 10:00 - 20:00
Range Fiber Arts Guild: Celebrating 50 Years of Creativity 🧶✨
Our next pop-up exhibit officially opens on Thursday, April 16, and it celebrates 50 years of creativity with the Range Fiber Arts Guild! This special showcase highlights the Guild’s study groups—including weaving, spinning, knitting and crocheting, and felting—and honors five decades of craftsmanship and education in traditional, ethnic, and contemporary fiber arts.
The Guild has long shared a strong connection with MDC, with many members serving as past and present demonstrators. This exhibit continues our pop-up gallery’s focus on community collaboration, spotlighting a local partner alongside MDC interpretation. This quarter, we’re proud to feature the Range Fiber Arts Guild. 🎉🪡
This exhibit will be open for about three months, so come see it before it’s gone!

Thursday Night Trivia
2026-04-16 16:30 - 19:30
Join us on April 16 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm for a night of brain-busting fun. 🧠 This fan-favorite event is FREE to play—plus, there’s no admission fee to the MDC on Thursday nights, so you can check out the Museum before or after you play!
Whether you’re flying solo or with friends, this is your chance to show off your smarts! While the questions are geared toward adults, everyone’s welcome! Come hungry—delicious food and drinks will be available for purchase. Don’t miss out! 🥙🍻
The night’s schedule:
🚪Doors Open—4:30pm
🍔 Food Service Starts—also 4:30pm
⁉️ Trivia Starts—6:00pm
👋 Things Wrap Up—7:30pm

Late Night in the Research Center
2026-04-30 10:00 - 20:00
Uncover your family’s story at the MDC! Join us for Late Night at the Research Center on Thursday, April 30, from 10:00am to 8:00pm. During these extended hours, you can explore the rich history of your ancestors at your convenience.
Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced researcher, we’re here to guide you. Best of all, admission to the Iron Range Research Center is completely FREE! So, come and dive into your family history! Our friendly RC staff will be thrilled to see you. 📚🔎

LAST SESSION: Thursday Night Trivia
2026-04-30 16:30 - 19:30
Join us for the last session of Thursday Night Trivia (just for this season, don’t worry) on April 30 from 4:30pm to 7:30pm. 🧠 This fan-favorite event is FREE to play—plus, there’s no admission fee to the MDC on Thursday nights, so you can check out the Museum before or after you play!
Whether you’re flying solo or with friends, this is your chance to show off your smarts! While the questions are geared toward adults, everyone’s welcome! Come hungry—delicious food and drinks will be available for purchase. Don’t miss out! 🥙🍻
The night’s schedule:
🚪Doors Open—4:30pm
🍔 Food Service Starts—also 4:30pm
⁉️ Trivia Starts—6:00pm
👋 Things Wrap Up—7:30pm

Family Discovery Day: Summer Fun & Safety
2026-05-07 16:00 - 19:00
🗓️ Date: Thursday, May 7, 2026
⏰ Time: 4:00-7:00pm
📍 Place: MDC’s Heritage Park and Pavilion
😁 Age Range: All ages are welcome!
💸 Cost: FREE for all!
🖊️ Registration: Not necessary, just show up
There are so many good ways to spend a summer in northeastern Minnesota—lounging at lakes, playing in parks, swimming in streams, trekking on trails, and more. Before you head outside and enjoy the Iron Range’s plentiful warm-weather recreational opportunities, prepare for the upcoming summer season with a free, fun safety fair!
On Thursday, May 7, from 4:00-7:00pm, MDC is teaming up with a variety of community partners who specialize in safe summer fun for the whole family—including pets. During the event, you’ll be free to visit safety stations, talk with presenters, and interact with animals. Plus, our Museum, Research Center, Playground, and Play Studio will be open to explore.
🐐 Ed Nelson from Mr. Ed’s Farm will talk about summertime on his farm. Plus, he’s bringing some special furry friends along!
🐶The Mesabi Humane Society will discuss how to keep four-legged family members safe in the summer. They’re also bringing some special furry friends along with them!
🎣 MN DNR staffers from the Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park will teach folks about fishing safety through interactive games and art projects. Plus, they’ll provide recent information on updates to our state parks!
🐻 Our friends from the North American Bear Center will talk about how to safely enjoy outdoor recreation in bear country, and they’ll share human-bear coexistence strategies and lots of fun facts about black bears!
🚲 The exercise experts from 30West Fitness & Rec will show folks about how to exercise safely in the heat!
🎭 And a special grandmother-granddaughter duo on MDC’s Staff will be putting on finger puppet shows about summer safety geared toward our youngest Iron Rangers!
Food and beverages will be available for purchase at the Food Court. Remember: Staying well-fed and well-hydrated is an important part of staying safe in the summer heat! 🌭💧☀️

Maynard Okereke the Hip Hop MD: Presentation & Book Signing
2026-05-12 12:45 - 14:30
🗓️ Date: Tuesday, May 12
⏰ Time: 12:45-2:30pm
📍 Location: MDC
😁 Age Range: All are welcome!
💸 Price: FREE for MDC Members, general admission for Nonmembers
🖊️ Registration: No sign-up necessary, just show up!
At this year’s Iron Range Science & Engineering Festival (IRSEF), we’re thrilled to welcome special guest Maynard Okereke, known as the “Hip Hop MD”! He’s an award-winning science communicator who blends music, entertainment, and science to make STEM (that’s science, technology, engineering, and math) fun and engaging.
On Tuesday, May 12 from 12:45-2:30pm, Maynard will be putting on a presentation not just for our seventh-grade IRSEF attendees, but for the public as a whole! After the show, he’ll sit down for a book signing, so be sure to snag a copy and get his signature. Entry is FREE for MDC Members and the usual cost of general admission for Nonmembers.
Along with being a public speaker, Maynard is also a civil engineer, author, artist, actor, musician, and entrepreneur. He is best known for his hit kids’ show MayNERD’s Wild World of Science, and he has also been featured on Netflix’s Ada Twist, Scientist, The Science Channel, and Curiosity Stream. His STEM outreach work has been published in Scientific American, and he recently published his first book, Zombie Spiders & Asteroid Blasters: 16 Incredible Ways That Scientists Are Changing the World.
Awards and honors? Maynard’s got ‘em. He has received the EarthLight Foundation’s Odyssey Award for Excellence in Social Media, been named the National Society of Black Engineers’ Entrepreneur of the Year, and been featured on EBONY’s “Power 100” List.
Thank you to IRSEF 2026’s sponsors! We’re able to bring incredible talent like Maynard to MDC thanks to support from…

PRESENTING SPONSOR: Minnesota Power, an ALLETE Company
U.S. Steel
Cleveland-Cliffs Inc.
MiningMinnesota
Twin Metals
Baldwin Supply Company
CTC
Widseth
Iron Trail Motors
Northeast Technical Services
Iron Range Plumbing & Heating
NewRange Copper Nickel
Iron Mining Association of Minnesota
Komatsu

NEW DATE: Hall of Geology Exhibit Renovation Opening
2026-05-22 17:00 - 20:00
Hey, Iron Rangers! After a short postponement due to shipping/manufacturing delays… our Hall of Geology is getting a much-needed update!
🗓️ NEW DATE: Friday, May 22
⏰ Time: 5:00pm-8:00pm
📍 Location: MDC’s Taconite Square & Hall of Geology
💵 Cost: FREE
Come celebrate the official unveiling of the newly renovated Hall of Geology! The completely overhauled permanent exhibit features Iron Range geology (rocks and minerals) and paleontology (fossils). This renovation has been years in the making, and we’re so excited to share the results with you—and because of that, we’re waiving admission! This event is FREE for everyone. Plus, complimentary appetizers and a cash bar, will be available.
What’s changed? A lot. Many scientific advancements have been made since the exhibit was originally created in 1979. These findings have been incorporated into the renovations, plus the content has become more focused, tailored specifically to Iron Range rather than Minnesota in general. As for specifics… you’ll have to come see for yourself!
Our partnerships with BrownKnows Design and Šek Design Studio have been key to making this happen. So, we want to make the official unveiling not just about the new content in the Hall of Geology, but also the effort and partnership that went into the renovation. Along with our museum staff, Jeff Brown from BrownKnows Design will be here to share insight into the design/engineering process and answer questions.
This renovation was made possible through a grant supplied by the Minnesota Historical Society. MHS is a wonderful long-term supporter of not only MDC but museums and nonprofits across the state. Thank you, MHS!
The Evening’s Schedule:
🍸 5:00pm: Social hour
👩🏻‍🏫 6:00pm: Opening remarks
💎 6:15pm: Official unveiling
🔍 6:30pm: Exhibit exploration
👋🏽 8:00pm: Event ends, doors close
By the way… for a museum, this is a seismic (pun intended) event. From brainstorming and researching, to fabrication and installation, permanent exhibit renovations take a lot of time and money to complete. So, it’s a big deal. One of great magnitude, you could say. We’re feeling a bit sendimental about it, so it would be gneiss to have you here with us for the unveiling.

The Research Center Presents: Start Your Family History: A Genealogy “How-To” Presentation
2026-05-28 18:00 - 20:00
🗓️ Date: Thursday, May 28
🕰️ Time: 6:00-8:00pm
📍 Location: MDC’s Theater, the IRRC
😁 Age Range: Everyone is welcome!
💸 Cost: FREE
Want to start your family history but don’t know how to, well… start? Come attend a genealogy “how-to” presentation with Alex Montcalm, MDC’s Research Center Specialist! During this FREE event, Alex will share tools and resources that will help you discover your family’s story, including the types of assistance her team has available for you at the Iron Range Research Center. Then, you’ll have the opportunity to explore the IRRC yourself! You can peruse the library, ask the staff questions, inquire about collections, try the microfilm machines, and use our computers to begin your search!
The evening’s schedule:
🏛️ 4:00pm: Free admission to the Museum begins
🗣️ 5:00pm: Social hour with mingling, snacks, and drinks
👩‍🏫 6:00pm: Alex’s presentation starts
🔎 6:45pm: Q&A and IRRC exploration starts
✌ ️8:00pm: Things wind up, we part ways (for now!)
Free light snacks will be provided (first come, first served!), and a cash bar will be available with cocktails, mocktails, and more.

Life's a Garden, Let's Dig It! Summer Day Camp
2026-06-16 09:30 - 2026-06-18 12:30
🗓️ Dates: Tuesday, June 16 through Thursday, June 18
⏰ Times: 9:30am-12:30pm
🌾 Harvest Day: Thursday, August 20 from 4:00pm-6:00pm
💸 Pricing: $60/group* for Members | $75/group* for Nonmembers
👦🏻 Age Range: 3-7 years old
❗️ Adult supervision required!
📞 Registration: Call to sign up! 218-254-7959
As they say, “Life’s a garden, let’s dig it!” Part art and part science, gardening is a fun, hands-on task that cultivates an appreciation for nature and a love for learning in kids.
During this Early Childhood Education (ECE) summer day camp, kids will garden in raised beds using modern and heirloom seed varieties. Plus, they’ll enjoy engaging activities and art projects. It all takes place down at MDC’s historic Glen Location.
The camp itself takes place from Tuesday, June 16 to Thursday, June 18, but there will be a very special “Harvest Day” on Thursday, August 20 so the campers can come back and reap what they sewed.
* Special note: We understand that families look different! Here, a group includes your household unit, however that looks. That means you can register multiple 3- to 7-year-olds for the camp if you have them, plus can bring along non-camper babies/older kids so you don’t have to worry about arranging childcare. Your payment covers everyone!

Dirt Sciences Summer Day Camp
2026-06-22 10:00 - 2026-06-25 16:00
🗓️ Dates: Monday, June 22 through Thursday, June 25
⏰ Times: 10:00am-4:00pm
💸 Pricing: $125/camper for Members | $150/camper for Nonmembers
👩🏻‍🦰 Age Range: 8-12 years old
✋🏽 Overflow Camp: Mon., Aug. 3 through Thurs., Aug. 6 from 10am-4pm
❗️ *Overflow Camp registrations will begin if the initial camp fills up.
📞 Registration: Call to sign up! 218-254-7959
3 camps in 1! We’ve combined our fan-favorite Paleo Camp with new programming from two other “dirt sciences”—archaeology and geology. During this three-day educational, entertaining, and hands-on camp, participants will get up close and personal with fossils, artifacts, and rocks found right here on the Iron Range.

6th Annual Youth Mental Health Night
2026-06-25
SAVE THE DATE!
Every summer, MDC teams up with the St. Louis County Family Services Collaborative, Fairview Range, Ride MN, local practitioners, local vendors, and others to put on Youth Mental Health Night. 🧠🩷
The 6th Annual Youth Mental Health Night will take place on June 25th, 2026. Be sure to save the date on your calendar so you can enjoy a festive evening that connects Iron Range youth to imporant mental health resources in a fun, stigma-free way. There will be yummy food 🍔, fun games 🎯, exciting prizes 🏆, shopping opportunities 🛍️, and more–even thrilling BMX stunt shows 🚴‍♂️! Best of all? Entry is FREE.

Dino Discovery! Summer Day Camp
2026-07-14 13:30 - 2026-07-16 16:30
🗓️ Dates: Tuesday, July 14 through Thursday, July 16
⏰ Times: 1:30pm-4:30pm
💸 Pricing: $60/group* for Members | $75/group* for Nonmembers
👧🏾 Age Range: 3-7 years old
❗️ Adult supervision required!
📞 Registration: Call to sign up! 218-254-7959
Discover the dinosaurs that once roamed the Iron Range during this Early Childhood Education (ECE) camp! Over three half-days, campers will engage with the science of paleontology through creative activities, playful performances, and hands-on projects. It’ll be a RAWR-some time! 🦖
* Special note: We understand that families look different! Here, a group includes your household unit, however that looks. That means you can register multiple 3- to 7-year-olds for the camp if you have them, plus can bring along non-camper babies/older kids so you don’t have to worry about arranging childcare. Your payment covers everyone!
