History & Culture
The Kensington Runestone, Big Ole, live theatre, and a Scandinavian heritage that shaped the town.
Alexandria’s story starts with a controversial carved stone, a 28-foot Viking statue, and generations of Scandinavian settlers who built a community around the lakes. Today that heritage shows up in everything from the Runestone Museum to Theatre L’Homme Dieu — one of Minnesota’s oldest summer theatres.
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Alexandria Timeline
Key dates and milestones from Alexandria's founding to today.
Learn more →Andria Theatre
Alexandria's historic downtown movie theatre — still showing films after all these years.
Learn more →Big Ole
The 28-foot Viking statue standing guard in downtown Alexandria since 1965.
Learn more →Kensington Runestone
The controversial carved stone that put Alexandria on the map — and started a debate that never ended.
Learn more →Legacy of the Lakes Museum
Vintage boats, lake culture, and the history of recreation in the Alexandria lakes area.
Learn more →Runestone Museum
Home to the Runestone, Fort Alexandria replica, and Douglas County history exhibits.
Learn more →Scandinavian Heritage
How Norwegian and Swedish settlers shaped Alexandria's culture, food, and identity.
Learn more →Theatre L'Homme Dieu
One of Minnesota's oldest summer theatres — live performances on the shore of Lake L'Homme Dieu.
Learn more →Related Guides
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