Washington County Historic Courthouse

  1. Park operations changes due to COVID-19

    County swim beaches opening are delayed until June 8, rentals are cancelled through June 15, and the swim pond at Lake Elmo Park Reserve will be closed for the 2020 season. Pavilion rentals can commence with 25 people or less. Read on...
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Visiting the Historic Courthouse

Located high on the hill overlooking downtown Stillwater, the Washington County Historic Courthouse is the longest standing courthouse in the state of Minnesota, serving as the county seat for over 100 years. Now a Washington County Park, the Historic Courthouse offers daily guided and self-guided tours, activities for families, educational programming for the public, schools and scouts, public events, and private meeting and event rental spaces.

Please see the menu on the left-hand side for more details.  

Additional Activities

  1. Family Activities
  2. Walking Tours
  3. Team-Building

Vintage clothing display and children’s activitiesIn addition to self-guided and guided tours, the Washington County Historic Courthouse offers fun activities for children, families, and all those who are young-at-heart.

  • Scavenger Hunt
    Step into the shoes of a County Sheriff and hone your detective skills with the Courthouse Scavenger Hunt. Search for items throughout the building - children who find them all will win a prize!
  • Playing the Past
    Uncover the history of Washington County and the lives of area residents using our interactive biography boxes and timeline. Using what you have learned as inspiration, create your own character. Visit the clothing display and dress up as your character! Will you be a pioneer, a fine Victorian lady/gentleman, judge, or deputy?
  • Create a Comic Strip or Write Your Own Story
    Learn about the courthouse mice, Gus & Sig, along with Winfield the Cat - lovable characters created by courthouse volunteers. Create your own stories and comic strips about people or animals that live in historic places. 
  • Children’s Corner
    Stop by the children’s corner to touch and feel courthouse artifacts, including tiles and snow catchers, or stamp a county seal using an antique stamp.

*A St. Croix Valley History curriculum unit is also available for teachers and homeschools using the interactive biography boxes available at the Historic Courthouse.