This is a hidden gem of Duluth there is so much history in the building whether youre looking at the Karpeles collection or just the building itself. The museum has free admission and is so worth spending time in. It looks like there wouldnt be much when you walk in but we ended up staying for over 2 hours. Staff is so friendly and knowledgeable this is definitely a place to see when coming to Duluth!

Interesting, Historic, and run by Donations! I walked in expecting a fee in order to look around, but was greatly surprised to see the Manuscript Museum was run on donations. The displays are nicely put together. Areas for recitals with plenty of seating and bathrooms on the lower level. Great for tourists and the displays change periodically, so even if youve lived in the area a long time theyll likely have something youve never seen.

What an awesome gem! Came here to see the Bob Dylan exhibit, which included many items like handwritten lyrics, signed photos, and a yearbook inscription written to his friend Ramona (To Ramona inspiration?)Loved the building, the exhibits and the staff. This place is great

Some pretty neat and early manuscripts, but very little information provided.

Free admission. Gorgeous atmosphere of the old church, quiet and easy to digest exhibits at your own pace.

A secret gem! It is place that displays things for viewing. Displays are tasteful, well lit, clean. Themes change during the year, so it isnt boring to return to. They have had a Bob Dylan display. Many photos and copies of Bob Dylan letters, hand written songs, etc were on display.There is a space to seat about 75-100 for concerts or recitals. The restrooms are in the basement.

This last time I went there it blew my mind stuff like it was in Duluth. They had pages from the first book ever printed on display. They also had a fragment from an Egyptian book of the dead from around 1500 bc, just trying to imagine a time that long ago was impossible and here in front of me was a peice of text written by someone of that time. Last time I went which was quite a few years ago they had notes from Darwin. Its really amazing.The museum is filled with peices from a private collector who boasts the title of largest manuscript collection in the world. Its definitely worth the view if you get the chance.

Fascinating private collection of historical materials curated for the public. This is one of a dozen plus Karpeles museums around the country.

Excellent display of the perfect King James Bible!

Who knows when the inner nerd will come forth. This place brought out mine. It may not be everyones cup of tea. Mr Karpeles must have been a pack rat of the odd. He collected many original documents of obscure origin, but related to famous people. When I was there the traveling exhibit was about Castro & Che Guevara. In the exhibit was one of the first proclamations signed by Castro, after the revolution, and Ches military registration card with his fingerprints in it. There was a diary from the CIA man in Cuba open to a page with his handwritten description of Che. As I said, maybe not everyones cup of tea, but great for nerding out. The permanent collection here had a letter from the queen appointing Sir Francis Drake to head the English fleet in the engagement with the Spanish Armada, and Alexander Graham Bells scetch of his first idea for a telephone. I thought all this was cool. Just understand 3you need the correct frame of mind, and this place can be a gem waiting for you in Duluth

This is an independently owned and operated museum one of a dozen around the country. The exhibits rotate and its an interesting place worth a visit every few months. Definitely worth a stop.

This is a small but potent museum. The space is gorgeous and the displays are well done. The fact that it is free is amazing. This is a highlight of Duluth.

Definitely a hidden gem of Duluth. What a great free resource for the community! Be warned that there is no air conditioning in the summer.

Great place for events as well. Our company had our Christmas party here. It was a really nice space. Would make a great place for wedding receptions

This place is a hidden gem! What a find! Right across from St. Luke’s hospital (which is unfortunately how I found it), it’s full of artifacts and amazing original manuscripts from ancient Egypt, colonial America, and more. Stop here if you get the chance!

Duluth is blessed with many gems. Karpeles is a jewel worth visiting. Let our futures find the stones we have built on. Undeniable rocks in the plastic cyberspace. Contemplate our existence on writers of our past.

Cool building, has lots of super old stuff there. They need to fix their staircase outside though, its crumbling to pieces out there! Very cool piece of history here.

Always a fascinating display.

My kids loved the Disney cels and the rotary phone exhibits. Each of them found something unique to remember as their favorite exhibit, whether it was the Egyptian statuary, the magnificent boat models, or the working telegraph machines.

An awesome place of history

Some very rare artifacts in a peaceful, professional setting.

Its a dump needs to be cleaned up.

Beyond cool, Duluth is so lucky to have this.

Very interesting Bob Dylan exhibit

Duluth link to scientific history. What a place!

Amazing experience.