Houston Area Museum

04/30/2026

✨ Throwback Thursday: Prom Night Memories ✨

Travel back to May 20, 1995, with this gem from the Houston Area Museum VHS Archives! 💃🕺

The Houston High School Prom was held at the Riverport Inn in Winona, followed by an After Prom Party at HHS. A night full of memories, music, and milestone moments for the Classes of ‘95 & '96.

👑 Prom Queen: Stephanie Aga
👑 Prom King: Aaron Swenson
🌟 Junior Queen: Emily Naber
🌟 Junior King: Kyle Erdmann
🎤 MC: Todd Lundberg

A special thank you to the family of Keela Johnson for generously donating this piece of Houston history to the museum. ❤️

Do you recognize anyone or have memories from this night? We’d love to hear your stories, drop them in the comments! 📸

https://youtu.be/agZvtkn378k

1995 HHS Prom & After Prom Party

04/23/2026

🎭 Throwback Thursday 🎨

This week, we’re resharing this special photo - beautifully colorized by Kim Rostad, giving new life to a historic moment from over a century ago.

A big thank you to Kim for sharing his work with us and helping bring Houston’s history into color!

What stands out to you when you look at it now?

04/23/2026

Another gem from the Houston County Historical Society!

Note the Cargill logo. This photo is from Houston MN

Photo donated by Joan and Paul Wiste, Houston MN.

04/16/2026

🎭

Step back to November 28, 1912, when the original Opera House in Houston, Minnesota, officially opened its doors to the community.

Described at the time as “of ample size for most occasions,” this impressive space featured a 36 x 90-foot main hall, a permanent elevated stage, balcony seating, dressing rooms, and even space below for fire apparatus and furnaces. Built in a sturdy “clubhouse style” with steel and cement, the Opera House was designed to be both substantial and fire-resistant, with a simple elegance, soft gray walls, rich brown trim, and just enough detail to give it a quiet dignity.

But this building was much more than its measurements.

Like many small-town opera houses of the early 1900s, it served as the cultural heartbeat of the community, hosting everything from traveling performers and local talent shows to graduations, proms to wedding receptions, and town meetings. Despite the name, grand opera was rare; what mattered most was bringing people together.

Over the years, the Opera House evolved into Houston’s community center, and today, it lives on as the home of the Houston Area Museum, preserving the very stories that once filled its stage.

Do you have a memory of this historic building? We’d love to hear it - share your stories in the comments!

Or better yet, stop in and experience it for yourself. The museum is open Sundays from 1–4 PM. We’d love to welcome you in. ❤️

04/15/2026

We love when pieces of history like this resurface. 🖤

Thank you to the Houston County Historical Society for sharing this incredible photo, believed to be from around Houston and dated back to 1896. Donated by Peggy Callaghan, this image offers a fascinating glimpse into everyday life over a century ago.

03/24/2026

📣 Please Note:

The Houston Area Museum will be closed on both Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday.

We will reopen on Sunday, April 12th from 1:00–4:00 PM and look forward to welcoming you back!

Thank you for your understanding, and we wish you a joyful Easter! 🐣🌷

02/24/2026

We love seeing local history preserved and shared by our friends at the Houston County Historical Society ❤️

This beautiful oil painting captures the District 100 school from the 1890s, once located just east of Swede Bottom Cemetery in Houston County, MN. The boys pictured in front are Allie Benson and Amir Johnson, while the teacher remains unidentified.

The painting was generously donated to the Historical Society by Claude Benson of Houston, Minnesota.

An oil painting of the District 100 school from the 1890s. The school was located just east of the Swede Bottom cemetery in Houston County, MN. The boys in front are Allie Benson and Amil Johnson; the teacher is unidentified. Painting donated to the Houston County Historical Society by Claude Benson of Houston, MN.

See the upcoming HCHS newsletter for Claude Benson’s article about the life and sad early death of Allie Benson.

02/18/2026

We have been featured in Root River Current!
New contributor, Michelle Hoskins, shares the story of the Houston Area Museum as it bestows its first-ever "Heritage Award" on Ron Carrier, honoring his decades of dedication to preserving Houston, Minn. history. Read the essay at the link in the comments 👇

New contributor, Michelle Hoskins, shares the story of the Houston Area Museum as it bestows its first ever "Heritage Award" on Ron Carrier, honoring his decades of dedication to preserving Houston, Minn. history. Read the essay at the link in the comments 👇

02/06/2026

Some fun history about The Loretta house! 🕰️

12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from the Houston Area Museum!
Wishing you a joyful holiday season filled with history, community, and cheer.

12/06/2025

❄️🏛️ Houston Area Museum Winter Break Announcement 🏛️❄️

The Houston Area Museum will be taking a winter break during December, January, and part of February.

But good news! We’re still happy to open our doors for individuals or groups by request.
To schedule a visit, please contact us at:
📧 [email protected]

📞 507-459-2143 (leave a message)

11/27/2025

🦃🍂 Happy Thanksgiving from the Houston Area Museum! 🍂🦃

Wishing you and your loved ones a warm, joyful, and peaceful Thanksgiving. We’re grateful for our community and for all who support the work of preserving Houston’s history and heritage.

Have a wonderful holiday! 🤎