Hiawatha and Minnehaha

Hiawatha and Minnehaha is a bronze sculpture in Minnehaha Park in Minneapolis that depicts a man carrying a woman in his arms. The statue stands prominently above Minnehaha Creek near a waterfall, dominating the natural setting around it.

Jacob Fjelde created the artwork originally for the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago, with the bronze version installed at its current location in 1912. The realization of this sculptural vision over many years shows the enduring interest in this artistic representation.

The characters come from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's 1855 poem and blend elements from Ojibwe and Dakota traditions rooted in Minnesota. The site draws visitors who want to experience these literary figures within their physical setting.

The sculpture sits on the northwest side of Minnehaha Creek and can be reached through the park's main paths. The area is open from early morning until nightfall and offers a pleasant spot to linger and take photographs.

Minnesota schoolchildren donated pennies to help fund the bronze casting of the sculpture, making it a remarkable community effort of that era. This funding method turned the creation of the monument into a collective undertaking by ordinary citizens.

Inception: 1912

Creator: Jacob Fjelde

Made from material: bronze

GPS coordinates: 44.91550,-93.21170

Latest update: December 10, 2025 20:04