Hill Farm Historical Society

In 1883, railroad industrialist James J. Hill purchases 3,300 acres encompassing what is today the community of North Oaks. Hill used his North Oaks Farm to produce advances in cattle raising and other agricultural practices to complement his burgeoning Great Northern Railroad.

Today, the North Oaks Hill Farm Historical Society preserves Hill's legacy of innovation on over five acres that includes the dairy, blacksmith shop, and the signature "red barn," which served as the granary. These buildings are on the Register of Historic Places. Guided tours are available by appointment. Self-guided tour brochures are available on the door of the dairy.

The Hill Farm Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization operated by a volunteer Board of Directors. We rely on volunteers to carry out our programs throughout the year. We welcome your involvement and suggestions!

Please Join Us for Our Annual Spring Dinner!
Friday, May 11, 2012 - North Oaks Golf Club
6:00 p.m. Social Hour, 7:00 p.m. Dinner

We are most fortunate to have historian Eileen McCormack, curator of the Hill Papers and author of The Dutiful Son, Louis W. Hill, as our keynote speaker at our Annual Spring Dinner on Friday, May 11th. We will also have on display a scale model of the 35 buildings present at the North Oaks Farm during the James J. Hill era. The evening will feature a Silent Auction of unique vintage maps, pictures, and photographs of Hill Farm and North Oaks that are not available anywhere else. Of particular interest will be an 1892 24 x 24 inch framed color map of the Hill Farm and a striking framed 1886 oil painting depicting James J. Hill's North Oaks home with a glowing sunrise in the background.

Please join us for a stimulating evening of good food and good conversation. Social hour begins at 6:00 p.m. with dinner beginning at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $35 per person. You may make reservations using the Contact Page of our website or calling Chris Knopf at 651.999.9565.

Your Historical Society at Work -- Vintage Farm Equipment Being Restored

Historical Society board member Paul Dickson is overseeing restoration of equpment used on North Oaks Farm. Paul is drawing on his farming roots to restore the equipment to operating condition. Paul Dickson (left) and Paul Storch (right), a restoration expert, are readying a feed mill for restoration.