Steele County Historical Society

09/04/2026

09/03/2026

🍂 Save the Date! 🍂

Join us for the Orphanage Museum’s 2026 Fall Celebration on Saturday, September 12, from noon–3:00 PM at the Owatonna West Hills Campus!

Enjoy an afternoon filled with history, music, stories, and fun for the whole family:

🎶 Live musical entertainment by Curtis & Loretta — 1:45 PM
🎬 1930 narrated film
👻 Historic character re-enactors
⚰️ Cemetery renovation tours
🏛️ Gymnasium & Cottage 11 tours
📖 Genealogy help & oral histories
🔎 Scavenger hunt
🥤 Refreshments
📚 “Finding Arthur Anderson” by Joyce Anderson Steen — 1:00 PM

FREE & OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!

Come celebrate local history and discover something new. We hope to see you there! 🍁

09/01/2026

💧 Join us for the Steele County Historical Society's Onward & Upward Program & Lunch!
Celebrate the women who are leading the way in protecting one of our most valuable resources—our water.
🗓 Thursday, September 17
🕦 11:30 a.m.
📍 Steele County History Center
1700 Austin Road
This year's program, "Her Earth, Her Voice: Celebrating Women Leading the Way, Protecting Our Environment and Water Resource," features a panel discussion with Cherry Schwartz, Adrienne Gransee, Lois Nelson, and Rebecca Higgins. Hear their experiences, insights, and the important work they're doing to protect our environment and water resources for future generations.
🍽️ Lunch is included.
🎟️ Tickets:
• $25 for Steele County Historical Society members
• $35 for non-members
📞 RSVP by September 11 by calling 507-451-1420.
If you'd like to be seated with another attendee, please let us know when you register.
A special thank you to Lonna Lysne for sponsoring this event.
We hope you'll join us for an engaging afternoon of conversation, learning, and community!

08/27/2026

🎶🌭 Get Ready for Brats & Blues 🌭🎶

Get ready for an evening of great music, delicious food, and summer fun at the Village of Yesteryear!

Join us for Brats & Blues featuring the Mark Cameron Band, an Overton Records recording artist and a #1 Blues Charts performer. Bring your friends, relax, and enjoy live blues in a unique historic setting.

🗓 Saturday, August 29
🕟 4:30–7:30 p.m.
📍 Village of Yesteryear
East side of the Steele County Fairgrounds
1448 Austin Road, Owatonna

🌭 Brats, food, and beverages will be available for purchase.
🪑 Be sure to bring your own lawn chair for comfortable seating!

Whether you're a longtime blues fan or just looking for a fun way to spend a summer evening, this is an event you won't want to miss.

Gather your family and friends, enjoy some incredible live music, and make it a memorable night at the Steele County Historical Society!

08/26/2026

🇺🇸 Signatures of Leadership – A Journey Through America’s History 🇺🇸
Step into the stories of the men who have led our nation and explore a remarkable collection of presidential signatures spanning 250 years of American history. From George Washington to modern-day presidents, each signature offers a unique connection to the leaders who shaped the United States through triumphs, challenges, and change.
📜 Signatures of Leadership Exhibit
📍 Lange Theater, Steele County Historical Society
📅 July 1 – August 29
🕙 Tuesday–Friday: 10 AM–4 PM
🕙 Saturday: 10 AM–3 PM
🎟 Admission: Free Will Donation
As America prepares to celebrate its 250th Anniversary, this special exhibit provides a rare opportunity to experience history through the personal marks left by our nation’s presidents.
All proceeds support the Steele County Historical Society and its mission to preserve and share our community’s history

08/25/2026

💧 Join us for the Steele County Historical Society's Onward & Upward Program & Lunch!

Celebrate the women who are leading the way in protecting one of our most valuable resources—our water.

🗓 Thursday, September 17
🕦 11:30 a.m.
📍 Steele County History Center
1700 Austin Road

This year's program, "Her Earth, Her Voice: Celebrating Women Leading the Way, Protecting Our Environment and Water Resource," features a panel discussion with Cherry Schwartz, Adrienne Gransee, Lois Nelson, and Rebecca Higgins. Hear their experiences, insights, and the important work they're doing to protect our environment and water resources for future generations.

🍽️ Lunch is included.

🎟️ Tickets:
• $25 for Steele County Historical Society members
• $35 for non-members

📞 RSVP by September 11 by calling 507-451-1420.

If you'd like to be seated with another attendee, please let us know when you register.

A special thank you to Lonna Lysne for sponsoring this event.

We hope you'll join us for an engaging afternoon of conversation, learning, and community!

08/22/2026

🎶 🎶 Tomorrow's Live Music at the Village of Yesteryear during SCFF! 🎡🎡

The stage is set, the bands are ready, and it's time to enjoy an incredible lineup of live entertainment all fair long! Come early, stay late, and enjoy everything the Village of Yesteryear has to offer. We can't wait to see you there!

🕒 Tomorrow's Music Schedule
• 3 PM – Alan O'Malley-Laursen

08/21/2026

🎶 🎶 Tomorrow's Live Music at the Village of Yesteryear during SCFF! 🎡🎡

The stage is set, the bands are ready, and it's time to enjoy an incredible lineup of live entertainment all fair long! Come early, stay late, and enjoy everything the Village of Yesteryear has to offer. We can't wait to see you there!

🕒 Tomorrow's Music Schedule
• 12 Noon – Tim Penny Band
• 3 PM – Paul Proft: Harmonica Music
• 6 PM – Dunnell Lenort

08/20/2026

🎶 🎶 Tomorrow's Live Music at the Village of Yesteryear during SCFF! 🎡🎡

The stage is set, the bands are ready, and it's time to enjoy an incredible lineup of live entertainment all fair long! Come early, stay late, and enjoy everything the Village of Yesteryear has to offer. We can't wait to see you there!

🕒 Tomorrow's Music Schedule
• 12 Noon – Todd Uptadel: Musicians Against Cancer
• 3 PM – Curt Copeland
• 6 PM – Senior Moments: Bruce Bernhart & Tim O'Connor