May is Minnesota Museums Month and the official start to the summer travel season. The 2012 travel map can help travelers navigate the Minnesota Historical Society’s 26 historic sites and museums this summer. In addition to tours, activities, crafts and performances, this year officials say many sites will offer special programming in commemoration of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

A few highlights from the travel map include:

• Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul — Explore one of the nation’s best-preserved Victorian homes with more than 14,000 original furnishings. Open during the holidays and for special events.

• Birch Coulee Battlefield, Morton — Walk a prairie trail and read markers with accounts by an Army captain and a Mdewakanton (Dakota) soldier about a U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 battle.

• Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, Little Falls — Explore the famous aviator’s boyhood home and visit the museum where visitors can sit in a replica cockpit of the Spirit of St. Louis.

• Comstock House, Moorhead — Enter the Queen Anne home and explore original furniture and tapestries, while learning about the Comstock family’s railroad and academic legacies.

• Folsom House, Taylors Falls — Get an up-close look at American Empire and Louis XV Revival furniture in this New England-style house owned by a lumberman and state senator.

• Forest History Center, Grand Rapids — Draft horses welcome visitors to the 1900s logging camp which includes a blacksmith shop, a cook shack and lumberjack quarters. Make sure to climb the 1930s fire tower and explore the nature trails with a GPS.

• Fort Ridgely, Fairfax — Scene of Civil War and U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 history. Explore the reconstructed foundations of the 1853 fort and commissary building.

• Harkin Store, New Ulm — See the original wares in this 1871 general store, then on Sundays take a seat on the porch for music, storytelling or discussions about frontier life.

• Historic Forestville, Preston — Meet the town’s store keeper, farmers and other costumed history players. Visit on July Fourth for patriotic speeches, music and an 1860s ballgame.

• Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul — Meet soldiers from the 1820s and explore the Fort’s barracks, hospital and commandant’s house. Learn about Dred Scott and take in special programs on World War II, the Civil War and Dakota history, including the exhibit “Creating Controversy: The U.S. Dakota War of 1862” opening Aug. 1.

• James J. Hill House, St. Paul — Join a tour to learn about this 36,000 square-foot Gilded Age mansion built for a railroad entrepreneur. View the current art gallery exhibit.

• Jeffers Petroglyphs, Comfrey — Explore more than 2,000 world-renowned American Indian carvings, some of them up to 7,000 years old.

• Lac Qui Parle Mission, Watson — Learn about the first Dakota dictionary, grammar and gospel which were completed here.

• Lower Sioux Agency, Morton — Site of the outbreak of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Explore exhibits on Dakota culture and walk the Minnesota River trails.

• Marine Mill, Marine on St. Croix — Take a scenic walk on trails above the historic ruins of Minnesota’s first commercial sawmill, built in 1839.

• Mill City Museum, Minneapolis — Built into the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, this National Historic Landmark offers stunning architectural beauty. Inside the museum guests can take a ride on the eight-story Flour Tower elevator show, explore the Baking and Water Labs and watch the award-winning film “Minneapolis in 19 Minutes Flat.”

• Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia — Sign up for a workshop and learn how to do beadwork, work with leather and make baskets. Learn about Ojibwe culture in the museum or walk next door to the trading post to purchase locally made crafts and souvenirs.

• Minnehaha Depot, Minneapolis — Pretend to be a train station clerk as you explore this 1875 gingerbread-style depot along the first Minneapolis to Chicago rail line.

• Minnesota History Center, St. Paul — Explore interactive exhibits including “Minnesota’s Greatest Generation,” “Weather Permitting” and “Grainland.” Changing exhibits include “1934: A New Deal for Artists” opening June 3 and “The U.S. Dakota War of 1862” opening June 30. Events include concerts, lectures and hands-on workshops. History Center admission is free on May 12 as part of Museums May. The Gale Family Library is always free.

• Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul — Take a guided tour and explore decorative and fine arts throughout the building or go on a self-guided tour of the monuments on the Capitol Mall.

• North West Company Fur Post, Pine City — Discover a working voyageur camp and learn about the fur trade with hands-on exhibits in the visitor center. Explore an Ojibwe encampment and watch daily demonstrations of American Indian crafts.

• Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River — At the restored 1860s farmstead get up-close with the farm animals, help work the fields, make bread inside the farmhouse and ride the horse-drawn trolley.

• Sibley House Historic Site, Mendota Heights — Explore four original buildings from the 19th century fur trade, including the home of the state’s first governor.

• Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors — Walk to the top of the lighthouse for stunning views of Lake Superior, learn about the historic lens, explore the keeper’s home and stop in the visitor center for exhibits about North Shore shipping history.

• Traverse des Sioux, St. Peter — Explore the Minnesota River Valley trail and head indoors to the adjacent Treaty Site History Center to learn about the 1851 U.S. Dakota land treaty.

• W.W. Mayo House, Le Sueur — Step inside the 1859 home where the first Dr. Mayo lived and had his medical practice.

Admission and hours to each highlighted point may vary. Check www.visitmnhistory.org for more information.

The 2012 travel map can be ordered by calling 800-657-3773.