Situated at the extreme northeastern corner of what is now North Dakota, the region around Pembina has been a center of much activity for centuries. The area was home to several groups of native peoples, including the Ojibwe, Dacotah, Assiniboine, and Cree. With their families, they lived, hunted buffalo, and gathered wild berries here.

The region also played an important role in the fur trade business. From this a new nation of people were born, the Métis, who were descendants of European traders and Indian women. Early fur trade posts and colonies led to the establishment of a river town named Pembina. The scene of international politics and major transportation routes, the region has served as a gateway of commerce between Canada and the United States since the early 1800s.

The museum features two exhibit galleries and observation tower that offers a grand view of the Red River Valley.

Open year round, daily. Modern facilities, on-site parking, ADA accessible. Free admission for the exhibits and store. Admission fee for Observation Tower. School and commercial bus tour group rates. For more information: Pembina State Museum, P.O. Box 456, Pembina ND 58271 or (701) 825-6840 or shspembina@nd.gov.

Grass Dancers: Prairie Grouse of the Red River Valley
On exhibit through April 9, 2006.
Perhaps no other bird typifies the Northern Tallgrass Prairie at the time of settlement more than the greater prairie-chicken. It flourished in the Red River Valley as the seemingly endless expanse of the big bluestem and other native tall grasses coexisted with new fields of wheat and other cash corps. This new exhibit in the permanent gallery examines a unique prairie bird, explores its importance to early settlers, and tracers its population swings from the time of settlement right up to modern times.

Looking Back: Pembina's Flood Battles
On exhibit through April 8, 2007.
This new exhibit examines the struggles the city's residents have faced with flooding during the past 150 years, including battles both won and lost. Pembina's location at the confluence of the Red and Pembina Rivers was of strategic importance to early fur traders. But it has had its disadvantages as well, as the exhibit illustrates.

History of Brewing
On exhibit until December 31, 2006.
This traveling exhibit looks at commercial and private beer brewing from the mid-1800s to contemporary home brewing and micro-brewing.

Exhibits and programs are subject to change. For more information, call (701) 825-6840 or shspembina@nd.gov.

Group visits may be scheduled by calling the Pembina State Museum (701) 825-6840 during museum hours, between 9:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. (CDT). Reservations for school, bus, or other groups are required at least two weeks in advance. The museum is ADA accessible, but please notify the museum prior to your visit if you group has any special needs. Once you schedule your group's visit, pre-visit materials will be sent to you.

When you arrive, please register your group at the Information Desk. Your group will be welcomed by site personnel who will review museum courtesies and provide and overview of the facility. The exhibit galleries and observation deck are designed to be self-guided. Remember, for school visits we recommend that one adult be present for every ten children.

Exhibits and programs are subject to change. For more information, call (701) 825-6840 or shspembina@nd.gov.

Programs are subject to change. For more information call (701) 825-6840 or shspembina@nd.gov.

All programs and exhibits are subject to change. For more information about programs and exhibits at the Pembina State Museum, visit the web site of the State Historical Society of North Dakota http://www.state.nd.us/hist, call (701) 825-6840 or shspembina@nd.gov.