Culture and Heritage in Carver County
Like the rest of Minnesota, Carver County is a mix of immigrants, cultures and heritages that can be seen throughout the cities and countryside of the county. The first peoples who live in the area were the Dakota and Ojibwe.
Carver County became a place where Germans, Norwegians, and Swedes settled. As time continued, the diversity grew, and the county’s election paperwork in 1896 was printed in nine languages. Many named places throughout the county show that diversity, including Hamburg, Cologne, Dahlgren, and others. In the 2000 census, over 44% of Carver County residents claimed German heritage (the largest of any Minnesota county).
Today, Carver County continues to change with a growing diversity of new populations (such as Asian and Hispanic/Latino) to the area. There are over 41 languages spoken in Carver County schools. This infusion gives residents and visitors alike the opportunity to explore the uniqueness of these cultures.
Latino Culture
German Culture
- Stiftungsfest (Founder’s Day Festival)
- Minnesota’s oldest celebration
- Celebrates the music and culture of the county’s German immigrants
- Wilkommen Heritage Center