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DAR Headquarters, including the DAR Museum and DAR Library, will be closed to the public on Saturday, June 13 
due to street closures and access restrictions connected with an area event. Additionally, street traffic and parking 
in the area will be significantly restricted in the days leading up to and following the weekend events.

Historic Site

The Fairbault House

The Fairbault House - Quick Facts
HSP Category Building
Period 1836
Architect John Mueller
HSP Style Early Victorian
Builder John Mueller
Construction Stone
No. Stories 2
Original Use Family home
Present Use Museum

Historical Significance:

"On the property adjoining the Sibley estate, John Mueller built another stone house which is also closely associated with the early history of Minnesota. This historic house was built for Jean Baptiste Faribault in 1839. The house, a fine example of Colonial architecture, was built of yellow sandstone quarried locally with a red sandstone front.

It is similar in construction to the Sibley House and was used not only as a home for Mr. Faribault but also as an Inn. The front and back entrances both open onto a single wide hall with a staircase. Two large rooms, each with three windows, lie to either side of the central hall. The upper floor repeats the layout of the first. The third floor was used as a ballroom and community meeting place for the settlers. The basement, like Sibley’s had two cold storage rooms and a large kitchen where the cooking was done in old fashioned kettles hung on a crane in the fireplace.

After the death of his wife in 1847, Mr. Faribault made his home with his daughter in Faribault, Minnesota, and his grandson, George Faribault, conducted a hotel in the house. Here were housed river travelers, priests, teachers, explorers, and adventurers, and later representatives of the various government activities.

Later the house was sold to Mr. James McGrownan who lived there from 1870 to 1889. In 1895, part of the house was rented to Mr. and Mrs. James Moffet, who served meals to the artists who came to sketch in the historic old town. Still later, Mr. Bernier purchased the house, using it as a warehouse for vegetables. The home was sadly in need of repairs and the grounds became a desolate stretch of sand and weeds.

The Faribault house was considered of sufficient historic value to warrant its restoration as a government project. In 1934, the State Highway Department began the restoration of the Faribault House through a Public Works Administration project.

The home, partially restored in 1935, was turned over to the Minnesota Daughters of the American Revolution who completed the project. The house with the grounds attractively landscaped by the State Highway Department was opened to the public May 5, 1937. The Faribault House as well as the Sibley House are both listed on the National Register of Historic Places." (Wording from http://www.sibley-friends.org/faribaulthouse.htm)

 

Acknowledgements: The home, partially restored in 1935, was turned over to the Minnesota Daughters of the American Revolution who completed the project. The house with the grounds attractively landscaped by the State Highway Department was opened to the public May 5, 1937.
Form Submitted By: Minnesota State Society, NSDAR 06/9/2013

Designations:

  • National Register of Historical Places
  • National Historic District
  • State Historical Commission
  • County Historical Commission
  • City Landmark

Funded By:

The operating funds are provided by the Minnesota State Society, NSDAR.

Information for the Visitors:

What you need to know if interested in visiting this destination:

  • Condition of Property: Preserve
  • Open to the Public? Yes
  • Public Fee: $6. for Adults; $5 for senior citizens and college students; $4 for children ages 6-17. Free for children age 5 and under and MHS members. Different fees may apply for special events.
  • Public Hours: June through August Open 1st and 3rd Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Open during special event weekends (see activity calendar) Winter and Spring Group and Educational Tours on weekdays by reservation.
  • Is it Family Friendly? Yes
  • Lodging? None
  • Brochure available? Yes
  • Catalog available? Yes
  • DVD available? Yes

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Units Overseas

Directions and application forms can be found on this page or in the Forms section of the DAR members' website.

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