The Wanda Gág House Association is known for its collection of art, artifacts, and books that relate to the history of Wanda Gág and the Gag family. The art collection includes: lithographs, paintings, and drawings by Wanda Gag and paintings by Anton Gág and Flavia Gag, another of the talented children. It also includes books written and illustrated by Wanda and Flavia. The collection is all original art and provides audiences with a thorough survey of major developments in Gág art in a welcoming setting.

Culture, peace and religious tolerance were the qualities Anton considered necessary for happy living, a philosophy he revealed in his decoration of Turner Hall on south State Street. He took the greatest pleasure in this project. One of his still-life paintings remains at Turner Hall.

Anton was 14 when he arrived in the United States from Bohemia in 1873. The following year he came to New Ulm where he found work at the estate of August Schell, founder of the brewing company that remains in operation today. Schell became Anton’s friend and mentor, sending him to art schools in Chicago and Milwaukee for several months. This was his only formal art training.

In a significant contribution to history, Anton interviewed survivors of the Dakota Conflict of 1862 to recreate events in oil paintings. These have been reproduced in history books. His painting, The First Battle of New Ulm, was exhibited at the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago and is hung at the Minnesota State Capitol. A panorama of Dakota Conflict scenes, painted by Anton and his partners, is in the Minnesota Historical Society collection.

It was a wonderful tour and I’m intrigued to learn more about them.

Beautiful even on a rainy day! The home of Wanda Gag, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1894

Original artwork done by Wanda Gag’s father, Anton. He also installed the skylight, something that was  not typical for the time period.

The sky light that Anton Gag had built into his photo studio sometime in the 1800’s. Very forward thinking for that time period

Inspired 

119 N. Minnesota Street | New Ulm, MN 56073
website | facebook

Inspired Elements for Life & Home is a store that occupies the former Lambrecht’s location, a store that was in New Ulm for many, many years. They offer a great variety of gifts and decorative elements for your home. They also have a nice selection of Minnesota products which are really on-trend right now Minnesota Proud!!

We stopped here because they were offering a free Pop Socket or ear buds with the New Ulm Instameet Badge- thank you!!  Dusty and I each chose a Pop Socket and they’re awesome. We also found a treasure to take home, a cookbook called Eat & Explore Minnesota Cookbook & Travel Guide by Christy Campbell. It’s a really cute store with lots of fresh and fun things for your home. You’ll find something for yourself or for a gift.

Beautiful Cribbage Board at Inspired. We just may have to add this to our collection

Cute little Gnomes can be found everywhere in New Ulm!

Cute Minnesota product at Inspire. We left with the cookbook.

Turner Hall

102 South State | New Ulm, MN
hours: daily 10am – 9pm
website | Facebook Page 

We had no idea that the oldest bar in Minnesota was located in New Ulm. Founded in 1856 by the Turner family, the bar also has the oldest gym in the state of Minnesota. The Turners believed in the concept of a sound mind & body and were gymnasts. Gymnastics are still offered in the building upstairs from the restaurant & bar, otherwise known as a Rathskeller, which means a restaurant or bar in the basement. There are over 70 feet of beautiful hand-painted murals of Switzerland, Italy and Germany on the walls. It is a fun experience, indeed!

We were in for a special treat while we enjoyed our free beer for showing our New Ulm Instameet Badge. Thanks!! The Narren of New Ulm made a special appearance and we all had a photo with them. Neither Dusty or I have ever hear of Narren. The purpose of the Narren is to spread German culture through stories & entertainment. Their masks are carved of wood, some even by master wood carvers in Germany, and represent ‘characters’ of the community. This was one heck of a fun crowd of women.

Murals in the Rathskeller of Turner Hall

View of the Rathskeller of Turner Hall

Rathseller of Turner Hall depicting hand painted mural and a history lesson from George Glotzbach

Narren of New Ulm

PO Box 384 | New Ulm, MN  56073
Email: [email protected]
website | facebook

Narren Crew spreading German culture

Narren Entertainment spreading German Culture

Brown County Historical Society Museum 

Again, this is a place we’ve driven by for years and have never stopped. The museum is 3 floors rich in New Ulm History and it’s listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The German-Renaissance style brick building was built  in 1910 and is something that catches your eye when you drive by. The BCHSM is one of the most photographed buildings in town. We very quickly went through the floors, knowing there was no way that we could begin to properly visit. We stayed for a short 20 minutes or so and decided it would be best to come back when we have more time to dig into the history.

A few observations, the Historical Society Museum. It’s done very well. You will get a full history of whatever theme is on display. They offer self-guided tours with video explanation at each of the artifacts. The staff couldn’t be happier to discuss all things New Ulm with you.

August Schell Brewing Co

1860 Schell Road | New Ulm, MN 56073
Cost: $5 Tickets are first come, first served
Brewery Tours: Fridays: 1:00 & 3:00.  Saturdays: 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00. Ticket sales begin at 11:00 | Sundays: 1:00 & 2:30.
Website | Facebook

A tour of August Schell Brewing Co was part of our New Ulm Instameet. This is a tour we’ve taken before but we were happy to take again!

Schell’s is a 5th generation brewery and is the 2nd oldest Brewery in the nation. August Schell Brewing company has always specialized in German-style lagers and we think they’ve nailed it. The grounds are simply majestic. There are family gardens, the Cottonwood River, gift shop and a Rathskeller Tap Room. We sampled 6 biers: Light, Firebrick, Goosetown, Hefeweizen, Grain Belt Lock & Dam and their Pilsner. The Hefeweizen is only available from May August and we were excited to have that beer! We’re also big fans of the Goosetown & Firebrick so were happy to taste those again. Schell’s beers can be purchased in Iowa, Minnesota, North & South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Schell’s Brewery Exterior

Beautiful copper kettle inside August Schell Brewing Co

Lush gardens and mansion on the property of August Schell Brewing Co.

Gorgeous taps in the tasting room of August Schell Brewing Co

Morgan Creek Vineyard

23707 478th Avenue | New Ulm, MN 56073
Hours: April, Nov & Dec: Sat & Sun 11 – 5:00pm Sunday Brunch 11 am – 2pm | May – Oct Hours Thur- Sat 11am – 9pm
Sunday 11am – 5pm Sunday Brunch 11am-2pm
Facebook | Website

Morgan Creek Vineyard offered a free glass of wine to those with the New Ulm Instameet Badge and we were happy to stop there on our way home. We have visited this winery previously but it was nice to be back and reminded us that we’d like to visit more often. Morgan Creek Vineyard has won a ton of awards, and it’s quite obvious why. The vineyard is set in a beautiful valley with a creek running through it. Plenty of space to walk around or enjoy a fire pit and pond. It’s just a delightful way to spend the time and that’s not even including inside. It’s a small tasting room and they also have a menu where you can order a light lunch or dinner.

Dusty and I decided to order 2 flights of wine so that we could sample all of the wine before settling on our free glass of wine.  We both chose the same glass, the Colure. Very good. Thanks!! We ordered a flatbread pizza and enjoyed jazz music from the Jim McGuire Trio Band. It was just delightful. The rain had subsided to a drizzle for the first time all day so we advantage to get outside and enjoy the fire and explore a bit.  We took a walk down by the creek and saw where the grapevines are growing before heading home.

Wine flights at Morgan Creek Vineyards

A rainy day only added to the magical feel around the Vineyard

This Greek Flatbread hit the spot with our wine flights.

A few last thoughts for the day

We were unaware that World War 1 had such a lasting effect on the city of New Ulm. Honestly, it was just not something we had given much thought to before the tours. It was amazing to hear how it affected the locals. The U.S.- Dakota War of 1862 was another event that we didn’t know touched New Ulm. We’re quite familiar with Dakota 38, as it’s a very dark part of Mankato’s history. We had no idea how the U.S.- Dakota War of 1862 affected the neighboring town of New Um. We heard about these two events during our tours of the Wanda Gag House, the Brown County Historical Society Museum and Schell’s Brewery. It was quite fascinating, and a bit embarrassing to not have known more about it.

Over the course of the day we struck up conversation with other Instagrammers.  It’s so fun to talk to people who love to travel & explore our great state (and beyond)! Dusty and I talked with people who traded tips on editing photos, more breweries to visit, recommendations to try out VRBO and Air B & B for upcoming trips.

It was a wonderful day and we hope to find other Instameet events to attend! It’s such a great way to learn about any town or subject.

And that’s a wrap on the New Ulm Instameet. This was such a delightful day! It helps to have a partner in crime with the same outlook adventure & spending the time! Kudos to Sarah from New Ulm and Greta from Pickles Travels for organizing a wonderful day of exploring & Instagram. It’s quite obvious that a lot of planning and thoughtfulness went into the event. New Ulm is a community rich in history & good people who love sharing their town with anyone who wants to visit.