The fort for which the park derived its name was built between 1853 and 1854 and prove an important position during the U.S. Dakota War of 1862. During the conflict the Sioux attacked Fort Ridgely twice, first on Aug. 20 and again on Aug. 22. The fort was decommissioned in 1867. In 1911, the state park was established.

From 1935 to 1942 the Veteran Conservation Corps excavated the site, restored the foundations of eight fort buildings, and reconstructed the entire commissary building, which serve as a museum and interpretive center. In 1970 the fort was added to the National Register of Historic Places, while much of the park was added in 1989. The Minnesota Historical Society assumed stewardship of the site in 1986.

Today, visitors are free to explore the remains of the fort. The foundations of many of the forts structures are still visible. However, the commissary building and museum and interpretive center is closed. For the last five years the public has been unable to access the interpretive center and recently the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) confirmed there is no plan to reopen.

Allison Ortiz, Head of Communication for the MNHS, said the Fort Ridgely commissary building was closed March 2020 at the start of the COVID pandemic. However, after COVID restrictions were lifted, access to the commissary and interpretive center never reopened.

Welcome sign to Fort Ridgely State Park. The park was established in 1911 on the site a former United States Army outpost. Visitors may explore the remains of the old fort, but Minnesota Historical Society has relocated historic artifacts stored at site to other facilities.

Ben Leonard, the Senior Vice President of Historic Sites Network and Operations for the MNHS said going forward the visitors experience will be centered on the walking trails around the fort.

“The grounds at Fort Ridgely are open daily from dawn until dusk,” Leonard said. “Visitors are encouraged to take a self guided tour of the stone foundations of the eight buildings at the site. Walking this same path as the soldiers who stayed at the fort more than 150 years ago is an impactful way to engage with history. While we are committed to preserving the historic commissary, there are no plans to reopen the building to the public.

Leonard explained MNHS wanted to transition to a different way of experiencing the fort’s history.

“Much of the history of Fort Ridgely is experienced through the landscape, and the new outdoor interpretive signage will tell that story for visitors year-round,” he said. “This year, we will begin the process of updating the panels; this starts with evaluating the current panels to determine their condition and message. Because we have not begun that process, it is too soon to say what will happen to the panels when they are replaced.”

Before the commissary was closed in March 2020, it housed several artifacts and displays connected to Fort Ridgely and the U.S. Dakota War. Leonard confirmed most of the historical items were no longer on site.

“There were a few accessioned artifacts on display at Fort Ridgely that have now been transferred to the Minnesota History Center for preservation, and other program use materials are now being used at Historic Fort Snelling,” he said.

The commissary building is now closed, but the grounds are open year-round to the public. In addition, to the historic fort ground, the state park offers horseback riding trails, hiking trails, camping, fishing the stocked trout stream and picnicking.