The Northfield Historical Society and Rice County Historical Society have partnered to provide a common site to view historical collections held in various locations across the county. Formerly this partnership was called the Northfield History Collaborative. In 2020, the name was changed to the Northfield-Rice County Digital History Collection (DHC) and it remains a hub of historical resources related to the area with the goal of preserving and making publicly accessible digital versions of records and artifacts of the history of the Northfield and Rice County, Minnesota area.

Many of the collections in the DHC have been contributed by traditional collecting institutions such as libraries, museums, and college archives as well as non-traditional collectors of history such as local organizations, businesses, historical societies, churches, and governments.

Our founding partners include the Northfield Historical Society, Rice County Historical Society, Carleton College, and the Northfield Public Library. These four partners contributed parts of their collections to the online portal from 2007 through 2011.

In 2011, we added the First National Bank of Northfield, KYMN Radio (now 95.1 The One), the Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield Hospital, the Northfield News, St. John’s Lutheran Church, St. Olaf College, and Bridgewater Township. And in 2015, Christdala Church Preservation and Cemetery Association, First United Church of Christ, the City of Dundas, and Three Links Care Center joined us, as well. In 2019, the Northfield Area Fire and Rescue Service added their large collection to the DHC.

Please use the Contact Us form to let us know about other possible collections that might fit the DHC’s mission.