By Audrey Posten

Learn about Clayton County’s unique stories, landmarks and hidden gems through the Clayton County Museum Crawl. Visit participating museums throughout June to collect passport stamps and enter to win a grand prize.

Now in its second year, the Museum Crawl is sponsored by the Clayton County Historic Preservation Commission and Clayton County Development Group, with financial support from the Upper Mississippi Gaming Corporation.

It includes even more participating museums and historic sites in 2026, with the addition of the Carter House Museum and Elkader Opera House in Elkader, the Heritage Museum of the Knights in Strawberry Point and Effigy Mounds National Monument north of Marquette.

Other participants include the Motor Mill Historic Site, Earthmoving Legacy Center, Elkader Depot and George Maier Rural Heritage Museum in Elkader; Edgewood Museum; Froelich Tractor and Village Museum between McGregor and Monona; Garnavillo Historical Museum; Lockmaster House Heritage Museum in Guttenberg; Marquette Depot Museum; McGregor Historical Museum; Monona Historical Museum; Volga City Museum and Library; and Wilder Memorial Museum in Strawberry Point.

While last year’s Museum Crawl required museums to be open set hours, the timeframe was relaxed this year, according to Roger Thomas, chair of the Clayton County Historic Preservation Commission.

“One of the reasons we got more participants is it went with the hours they normally operate,” Thomas said. “A lot comes down to staffing.”

Those who were part of it last year were excited to do so again, with many seeing a growth in visitorship. Thomas is active with the George Maier Rural Heritage Museum and said, “just in the month of June, 135 people did the passport.”

“A lot didn’t know we were here,” Thomas noted, “and we heard that from other museums too. It also enticed some people to come back.”

Thomas feels the Clayton County Museum Crawl helps people learn about what’s in their own back yard. Admittance to museums is often free or a small cost.

“There are some wonderful museums in Clayton County, and there are curators and volunteers who do a wonderful job on displays and holding events,” he said. “People don’t have any idea the amount of history that’s been preserved. Hopefully they take advantage of it.”

The museum crawl also serves as a “county connector.” Whereas communities largely hold their own events and promotions throughout the year, this brings them together in a shared cause. Museum visitors, in turn, support other local businesses and attractions when they make stops.

“People leave dollars behind in the communities. There’s definitely some trickle down,” Thomas said.