John Dwan Office Building

The John Dwan Office Building is a red brick office building with rectangular windows located at 201 Waterfront Drive in Two Harbors, Minnesota. The structure now functions as a museum featuring a reconstructed attorney office from the 1900s and an early research laboratory.

This office building was constructed in 1898 and became the birthplace of Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company in 1902, which later became known as 3M. The site marks the beginning of what would grow into a major global corporation.

The building houses a museum displaying the early products that 3M developed, such as sandpaper and Scotch Tape, through photographs and documents. These everyday items on display show how the company began making things people still use today.

The building operates as a museum run by the Lake County Historical Society, allowing visitors to see historical work spaces and learn about the company's beginnings. Walking through the rooms gives a sense of how people actually worked in the early days.

The corporation 3M provided substantial funding for renovating the building with over 100000 dollars in grants to preserve its connection to the company's early history. This financial support demonstrates how the corporation maintains its bond with the place where it all started.

Location: Two Harbors

GPS coordinates: 47.02092,-91.67125

Latest update: December 12, 2025 09:02