The History

It all began in 1883 when 25 Minneapolis citizens founded the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts to help bring the joy of the arts to their community. The MIA opened in 1915 to further this mission. The original building was expanded in 1973, and then a new wing was added in 2006.

With all of these additions, the museum has grown from 800 to 89,000 permanent works of art. They represent cultures across the globe and have more than 500,000 people visit each year. It also teaches 100,000 children through its Art Adventure program. With all this culture, what is there to be scared of?

The Ghostly Encounters from Around the Building

There have been plenty of supernatural encounters throughout the museum despite its lack of tragedy. Much of the unexplained experiences happen to staff members after closing hours. Is it because the ghosts are more active then, or because the quieter museum lets the ghosts be heard?

Staff members have reported hearing footsteps and doors when the floor is empty. Bed curtains closed and laughter without explanations have also scared employees.

Even the control room isn't safe from paranormal encounters. Located in the basement, guards monitor cameras during the night and can let staff in after hours. As can be expected, sometimes these guards get sleepy.

Unfortunately for one, he woke up to quite a fright after nodding off. It wasn't his boss who scolded him for sleeping on the job, but a ghost. A woman in a white dress shook her finger at him before disappearing. Staff members think the woman is the same as in the painting entitled "Mrs. T in Cream Silk, No. 2," which features an older woman with blue eyes wearing a wedding dress.

Another room of particular interest is one that employees try to avoid as much as possible. And where some visitors have felt uncomfortable.

The Particularly Spooky Connecticut Period Room

Employees do their best to steer clear of the Connecticut room, which appears to be the most haunted spot in the entire museum. While tragedy hasn't struck directly, we don't know what happened to some of the pieces in this room. There are both a fireplace and paneling that came from an 18th-century rural colonial house.

Perhaps some of the pieces brought along some spirits. Visitors have felt hands tugging on them and a feeling of being extremely unwelcome upon entering.

One thing is for sure; the MIA has the potential to satisfy your craving for beautiful art, but you may also encounter the paranormal as you wander the halls. 

Uncover the Haunting Secrets of the Minneapolis Institute of Art

Ready to experience the thrill of a paranormal encounter while surrounded by captivating art? Dive into the haunting mysteries of the Minneapolis Institute of Art, where beautiful works meet eerie apparitions. Join our Minneapolis Ghost Tour and wander the museum’s haunted halls, where footsteps echo after hours, doors mysteriously close, and the spirit of Mrs. T in Cream Silk is said to roam. From the Connecticut Period Room to the quiet, ghostly whispers in the galleries, this tour is perfect for art lovers and ghost enthusiasts alike. Check our Minneapolis ghost tour reviews on Google to see what others are saying. Book your Minneapolis Ghost Tour at the Minneapolis Institute of Art – if you’re ready to face what lingers in the shadows!

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