Oliver H. Kelly Farm

Address

Directions

2.5 miles southeast of Elk River on Hwy. 10

Phone

Run by

The Minnesota Historical Society

Date Established

Date Established
1850’s

Cost

Admission fee charged

Peak Season

Fall
Summer

Peak season (notes)

Late summer to fall for garden and harvesting activities

Region

Central

Garden Type

Historic Garden

Extras

  • Free parking on site 
  • Restrooms 
  • Hiking – 2.5 miles of groomed nature trails through woodlands along the banks of the Mississippi or through nearby restored prairie

Comments

This is the mid-19th century farm and home of Oliver H. Kelly, who, in 1867, helped establish the National Grange Organization to help his fellow farmers. The gardens on the site include fields, orchards, vegetable plots and extensive kitchen gardens all planted with heirloom varieties dating from 1850 to 1876. Gardens and fields are planted using tools and machines of the period. Visitors at summer’s end can help harvest crops and costumed interpreters demonstrate food preservation techniques.