06/29/2026
Wasioja, Minnesota — Dodge County and the community of Wasioja are celebrating the completion of the Wasioja Seminary Ruins Stabilization Project, a milestone made possible through local leadership, regional collaboration, and support from the State of Minnesota.
With support from Senator Carla Nelson, State Representative Duane Quam, and an extensive group of local advocates working towards this effort over decades, funding for the project was awarded in 2023. Work began in late fall of 2024, and focused on the stabilization of the ruins that were destroyed by a fire in 1905. The effort was funded through a general fund appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society for a grant to Dodge County. The final touches were recently completed and it is ready for its official re-opening!
The team, led by MacDonald and Mack Architects, included Environmental Associates, Inc., which completed the masonry and structural stabilization. Archaeological investigation and monitoring were conducted by Nienow Cultural Consultants, LLC (NCC).
“This is a proud moment for Wasioja and our County,” said David Kenworthy, Chair of the Dodge County Board of Commissioners. “The stabilization project will have a lasting impact on preserving the history in Dodge County for decades to come.”
The original structure was built from native limestone and was completed in 1860 and opened with an enrollment of more than 300 students and was known as the Minnesota Seminary. By 1861 the school had been renamed Northwestern College and offered classes on all levels from primary to collegiate.
A ribbon cutting event will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026 at the Seminary Park in Wasioja located at 602nd St, Dodge Center, MN 55927. Schedule of events: Networking and Photos 2:00 p.m.; Ceremony begins promptly at 2:30 p.m. Self-guided tours of the ruins will be allowed after the ribbon cutting. The public is invited to attend this event. Arrive early as parking is limited. Event will take place rain or shine.
For media inquiries, please contact Dodge County Administration at: (507) 635-6239 or by email at [email protected]
