Houston County Historical Society

Houston County Historical Society Hours: Mon-Wednesdays, 10 am to 4 pm. Visits at other times can be made by appointment. Did you know? Come explore! Free admission Store in Eitzen.

In addition to the museum, the HCHS has copies of old newspapers, genealogy records, and a library of old photos. The Houston County Historical Society, an all-volunteer organization, provides many services to county residents and visitors. Located by the Houston County Fairgrounds in Caledonia, Minnesota, the Society maintains exhibits in the Main Museum, the Sheldon Presbyterian Church, Flatten-

Swenson Pioneer Home, the Mayville Town Hall, the Daley School, and the Ag Machinery Building, that are open during the Society's business hours and by appointment. Besides the exhibits and artifacts, the Society has extensive resources, including microfilm for Houston County births, deaths and marriages; land and probate records; declarations of intent and naturalization records; county newspapers; Houston County state and federal census; and county Lutheran and Presbyterian church records. Over 20,000 photographs and growing. Our library includes: county histories, plat books and maps, church and community histories, cemetery recordings and records, obituaries, clippings and ephemera files, genealogies, some school, business and church records. Other exhibits can be found in The Church of the Holy Comforter, Episcopal in Brownsville, and the Christian Bunge Jr. Both are on the National Register of Historic Places. The Society also maintains the former Caledonia Presbyterian Church and manse. The Houston County Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution, established in 1948 by Dr. Carleton Qualley, a Spring Grove native, and reorganized in 1960, to preserve and share the history of Houston County. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Houston County's past through museum exhibits, photographs, research materials, educational programs, tours and historic sites.

Some photos from inside the agriculture building at the Houston County Historical Society. There’s a forge, a “one horse...
05/31/2026

Some photos from inside the agriculture building at the Houston County Historical Society. There’s a forge, a “one horse open sleigh,” an old thresher and a water heater.

A dedicated Houston County Historical society volunteer from Spring Grove (who wishes to remain anonymous!) was busy tod...
05/26/2026

A dedicated Houston County Historical society volunteer from Spring Grove (who wishes to remain anonymous!) was busy today refreshing the landscaping in front of the museum. Others were busy inside the museum, taking down old exhibits and arranging new ones to be completed in time for the county fair in August.

The Museum also hosted a group of visitors from A.B.L.E. These visitors really enjoyed the displays of the historic dentist’s and doctor’s offices, the collection of fur coats, and the elaborate doll houses. They had fun and volunteers enjoyed having such an appreciative audience. Thank you for coming!

Photos of the Houston County historic jail (left) and courthouse (right). The Friends of the Historic Houston County J...
05/22/2026

Photos of the Houston County historic jail (left) and courthouse (right). The Friends of the Historic Houston County Jail is investigating ways to refurbish and re-use the old jail that would preserve this historic building and also contribute to the community. Both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places.

A photo of Roger and Shirley Johnson of Houston, MN, during the reception in their honor at the Houston County Historica...
05/20/2026

A photo of Roger and Shirley Johnson of Houston, MN, during the reception in their honor at the Houston County Historical Society on May 16, 2026.

Shirley served in several positions at the historical society and was President for nearly 40 years. Roger became a much-loved fixture in the museum also, helping out in many small ways, and telling stories of the olden days. Thank you to everyone who attended— it was a wonderful way to show the community’s appreciation for their contributions!

05/12/2026

On Saturday May 16, 2026, the Houston County Historical Society is hosting an open house from 1-4 pm to show the county’s appreciation to Shirley and Roger Johnson.

Shirley Johnson served as President of the Houston County Historical Society for many many years, and in other positions before that. In recent years, she could be found every Tuesday and Thursday at the research center along with her husband Roger.

Please come! See you there.

A full page newspaper ad from 1955. The item comes from an anonymous donor.
05/12/2026

A full page newspaper ad from 1955. The item comes from an anonymous donor.

Old photos of Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indians in Houston County. Note the date of 1903 on the one photo. The other has been...
05/10/2026

Old photos of Winnebago (Ho-Chunk) Indians in Houston County. Note the date of 1903 on the one photo. The other has been colorized.

A photo from 1912.
05/08/2026

A photo from 1912.

A group of citizens and members of a new group Friends of the Houston County Jail were able to tour the old jail on Wed...
05/07/2026

A group of citizens and members of a new group Friends of the Houston County Jail were able to tour the old jail on Wednesday May 6th, 2026. Here are some photos of the inside. The individual photos are labeled

There was a flood some years ago and the damage was mitigated by removal of the drywall, dropped ceilings and other damaged elements. The jail is actually in good structural condition.

Possible uses for the jail that have been considered previously included County offices, a library, and a brewery.

Welcome to the Mississippi Red Hatters group who travelled upriver to tour the Houston County Historical Society museum ...
05/01/2026

Welcome to the Mississippi Red Hatters group who travelled upriver to tour the Houston County Historical Society museum today! They are from Farmersburg, Iowa.

Address

104 History Lane
Caledonia, MN
55921

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 10am - 4pm
Wednesday 10am - 4pm
Thursday 10am - 4pm

Telephone

(507) 725-3884

Website

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