New Member Spotlight: The Bakken Museum

Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States

Science, technology, and innovation abound at The Bakken Museum in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Established in 1975 by Earl Bakken, co-founder of health care solutions company Medtronic, the museum features exhibits that explore invention, plant medicine, the humanities, technology, and science. 

“The Bakken Museum seeks to awaken the innovator inside of each of us,” says President and CEO Michael Sanders. “Our exhibits explore both modern and historical technologies and ask how the culture and science of a given time influence which inventions evolve and which do not.”

Seeing the movie “Frankenstein” at a young age sparked Earl Bakken’s lifelong interest in invention and technology, which guided his career and became woven throughout the museum experience. 

“‘Frankenstein’s Laboratory’ is an icon at The Bakken Museum. The 10-minute immersive object theater tells the story of Frankenstein’s monster,” Sanders says. “The show is paired with the ‘Mary and Her Monster’ exhibit, which explores the art, culture, and science that inspired Mary Shelley, who is known as the mother of science fiction.”

Additional exhibits include “Deep Roots: Plants as Medicine” and “Ben Franklin’s Electricity Party.” The Bakken Museum is also home to a world-renowned collection of books and artifacts, as well as 3 acres of gardens and grounds, including the largest of the gardens, the Florence Bakken Medicinal Garden.

“This past January, the museum began its first major renovation in 20 years,” Sanders says. “In October, the museum will unveil a brand-new exhibit focused on the cycle of inspiration and innovation. The ‘Spark’ exhibit will introduce visitors to historical innovations and challenge them to ask big questions about how they can use science, technology, and the humanities to make the world a better place.”

The Bakken Museum hosts several education and outreach programs. Its education team serves 45,000 students throughout Minnesota each year, providing live science theater and interactive classes, with a focus on electricity, magnetism, historical inventors, and ways to become innovators. During “Discovery Days” family-friendly events, guests participate in experiments, interact with exhibits, and learn from experts.

“Given the recent COVID-19 closing and reopening, we are grateful for the resources and network that IAAPA has provided as we navigate it all,” Sanders says. “Also, museums and other cultural attractions are a part of the larger experience economy. Seeing what other experiences are doing and why helps us better understand the market and our audience a bit more.” 

Fast Facts

• The Bakken Museum was originally named the Bakken Museum of Electricity in Life, but it was later simplified to encompass the museum’s broader focus on inspiration and innovation.
• The Bakken Museum is located in two connected buildings. Built in 1930, the West Winds mansion combines Gothic and Tudor styles, and a second building was added in 1998 to provide additional space for education programs and exhibits.
• The current renovation will provide the museum with a new entrance, updated classrooms and rental areas, a modernized makerspace, and new exhibit experiences.
• The Bakken Museum’s vault holds 15,000 artifacts, books, and ephemera about electricity, magnetism, and health and wellness throughout history.
• The museum’s green roof overlooking Bde Maka Ska, the largest lake in Minneapolis, is a popular venue for weddings and events.