Stevens: Gardens, Prairie and History

Flowers, plants and vegetables take center stage at the Horticulture Display Garden at the West Central Research & Outreach Center. The garden experience is educational and inspiring. Covering nearly four acres, it includes plantings as well as research work by several plant-breeding companies from around the world. The garden thus combines horticultural displays with plant breeding; the plants and the research behind them jointly shape its character.

Gardens, Prairie and Wetlands

The Pomme de Terre Overlook offers a different landscape perspective: it is located on a 15-acre prairie site on a hill overlooking the Pomme de Terre River valley. Information boards are placed in various themed areas of the garden. The Overlook thus brings together expansive views across the valley and information about the garden areas.

The Morris Wetland Management District offers a broader regional perspective. It includes 249 waterfowl production areas spread across eight counties and covering a total of 54,307 acres. Its goal is to restore and protect wetland and grassland habitats for prairie wildlife, especially nesting waterfowl. The District also provides places for public recreation. While the Overlook offers a specific view of the valley, the District focuses on protecting widely dispersed habitats.

Routes and Exploration

You can explore the Stevens County Barn Quilt Trail on your own by car, bicycle or on foot. More than 100 barn quilts are located throughout the county. The Walking Tours in Stevens County offer a different way to find your bearings: each includes about ten sites and takes 45 to 60 minutes on foot. The routes can also be completed by bicycle or car. This makes for a practical distinction when choosing between the options: the Barn Quilt Trail is described as a self-guided experience using three modes of transport; the Walking Tours also specify an approximate number of sites and a walking time.

The Wadsworth Trail was established in 1864 and played an important role in the early settlement of Stevens County. Gager's Station served as an important meeting place on the trail and included a trading post, a post office and a blacksmith shop. District 63 Schoolhouse also offers programs. It hosts an open house each August during the Stevens County Fair.

Art and County History

The Stevens County Historical Society Museum building was originally constructed in 1905 as a Carnegie library. At the Stevens County Museum, letters, tools, photographs and handmade objects tell the story of the region’s development. The collection covers agriculture, industry, education and cooking, offering different insights into regional history.

The Prairie Arts Center is a gallery in downtown Morris. It is operated by the Prairie Renaissance Cultural Alliance, which aims to create opportunities to experience art in Stevens County. Historical themes, regional art and the exploration of landscapes and trails thus complement one another as distinct focuses for planning a trip.

A practical tip for Morris: extensive free parking is available at the edge of the University of Minnesota Morris campus. The walking times for the Walking Tours offer additional guidance, helping you take their stated time frames into account when planning.

Discover more destinations: Hancock, Morris, Nicollet County, Becker County, Pennington County, Benton County, Watonwan County, Cook County.

For the broader travel overview: Minnesota.