In Morris, views over the Pomme de Terre River valley, horticultural interests and insights into regional history come together. Those considering a stay can take these different themes into account when choosing what to explore: the landscape around the Pomme de Terre Overlook offers a different focus from the collections at the Stevens County Museum or the art on the UMN Morris campus.
Gardens and Landscape at the Pomme de Terre Overlook
The Pomme de Terre Overlook sits on a rise at the western end of the Horticulture Display Garden. From there, visitors can look out over the Pomme de Terre River valley. The garden is located at the West Central Research & Outreach Center in Morris and is an All America Selections Trial Grounds. This brings together a particular landscape view and a focus on horticulture.
A network of paths connects visitors at the Overlook with the horticultural teaching gardens and the city of Morris’s bike and pedestrian trail. In addition to its views, the site is connected to the teaching gardens and the city’s trail system. Those especially interested in horticulture will find a different way to experience Morris here than on a visit focused primarily on historical collections or campus art.
Collections and History in Stevens County
The Stevens County Museum displays letters, tools, photographs and handmade objects. These offer a way to trace the region’s development in agriculture, industry, education and cooking over the years. The different types of objects give these subjects varied forms: photographs and letters sit alongside tools and handmade items. The collection thus ranges from written and visual records to objects from everyday life.
The Carnegie building in Morris also has a history of its own. In 1905, it was one of 66 Carnegie buildings Minnesota received. The Stevens County Historical Society rented the building to store historical records and artifacts from the destroyed armory. The building’s history thus links its place among Carnegie buildings with its later use to preserve regional documents and objects.
In 2005, the Historical Society built an addition to the existing Carnegie building. It received two significant awards for preserving the integrity of the original building. Those interested in architectural heritage can look beyond the year 1905 to the later expansion and the recognized efforts to preserve the original building.
Art and Remembrance on Campus
Works of art are located outdoors on the UMN Morris campus, rather than in galleries or buildings. Their integration into the campus landscape makes them directly accessible. Here, art is not associated only with an exhibition space, but is part of the campus environment. The Legacy Courtyard behind the Welcome Center adds another dimension to this focus with a place dedicated to the history of the campus.
The Native American Heritage Barn Quilt commemorates the presence of the American Indian Boarding School on the Morris campus from 1887 to 1909. At the same time, the artwork honors today’s American Indian students, staff and faculty at UMN Morris. This dedication connects remembrance of the campus’s past with recognition of the people who study and work there today.
These themes offer different points of focus: the Overlook centers on views, gardens and paths; the museum and Carnegie building lead to collections and regional history; campus art and the Courtyard connect art with campus history and remembrance. These interests can guide which facets of Morris receive particular attention when planning a trip.
Discover more destinations: Hancock
Return to the main travel overview: Stevens.
