History Center of Olmsted County

09/07/2026

Step out to the History Center of Olmsted County this week to immerse yourself in our rich local history and take a peaceful stroll along our beautiful grounds!
Be sure to save the date for an incredible upcoming night out: An Evening at Avalon on Saturday, September 26, 2026. olmstedhistory.com/events

09/07/2026

Wishing everyone a happy and safe Labor Day from all of us at the History Center of Olmsted County! Today, we honor the hardworking individuals, past and present, whose dedication, craft, and perseverance built the foundation of our vibrant local community.
📷Labor Day Parade 1910. Rochester, MN

09/06/2026

My name is Milton J. Daniels, and my journey through history proved far more exciting than I ever anticipated. It all began in 1857 when I moved to Rochester and established myself as a local banker. When the Civil War broke out, I initially remained on the home front, guiding our local financial institution as the Secretary-Treasurer of Union Savings Bank. But duty eventually called me to the battlefield, and I proudly served in the Union Army from 1865 to 1866. Returning home to Rochester with a renewed passion for public service, I transitioned into politics, earning the honor of serving my community first as a Minnesota State Representative and later as a State Senator.

09/05/2026

In 1871, Alonzo T. Stebbins set down roots at 219 S Broadway in Rochester, partnering with his father to launch a local hardware business. But his impact on the community didn't stop at the storefront. Stebbins went on to shape both local and statewide leadership, serving as a state representative and state senator after his election in 1895. A true civic leader, he helmed the Board of Trade and led the Southern Minnesota Fair Association from 1889 to 1900. His influence extended well beyond city lines, eventually earning him presidency over both the Minnesota and National Retail Hardware Associations, as well as the position of Grand Master of Masons for the state of Minnesota.
📷Stebbins Hardware Store about 1895 located at 219 South Broadway.

09/04/2026

Have you ever been at the state fair, wandered into the Horticulture building and are astounded at the line of people waiting to view this year's crop of Crop Art from around the state?

The Minnesota State Fair Crop Art competition officially began in 1965, where Minnesotans used local seeds, stems and plant parts to make pictures on boards, a true folk art, its original purpose was to help people learn to tell different farm crops apart. It's now one of the most beloved parts of the Minnesota State Fair.

Did you know that not one of the finalists in the 2025 competition was from Olmsted County?
We are ready to change this in 2027!

Local artist Molly Althoff is teaming up with the History Center on September 16th from 5:30-8 p.m. to help you make your very own piece of crop art. You get instruction from a local artist on creating one of two designs or come prepared with your own design to create, select from The Corn Tower, a styled “Ope” or BYOD: bring your own design.

You’ll learn about the history of crop art, state fair guidelines and how crop art has become a thriving folk art in Minnesota, and all of the supplies needed to create your own piece to take home.

$45 for non-members. $40 for HCOC members.
Required registration at olmstedhistory.com/events.

09/03/2026

Whether you are looking to pick up your next page-turner, or return borrowed items, the Rochester Public Library Bookmobile will be at the History Center today from 12:45pm-1:45pm. Enjoy!

09/03/2026

Join us for Operation Paperclip and Mayo Clinic's Involvement on September 24th at 7pm. We will discuss the role of several Mayo Clinic scientists who traveled to Europe following the end of World War II to find and bring German aviation scientists together to continue their research and write a compendium of German aviation research and development during World War II. Several of these German scientists eventually came to the United States to work in aerospace research and medicine. Presented by E. Andrew Wood who takes a deep dive into this incredible story.

$5 for non-members. FREE for HCOC members. olmstedhistory.com/events

09/02/2026

Lori Milanowski and Molly Althoff, once again sharing all the exciting details about the upcoming crop art class September 16th at the History Center! Inspired by Minnesota’s legendary State Fair tradition, this hands-on workshop dives into the rich, quirky history of seed art while giving you everything you need to build your very own seed-mosaic masterpiece.

History Center of Olmsted Co. Crop Art Workshop with Molly Althoff on September 16
History Center of Olmsted County
Click in Comments for Story!

09/02/2026

The circus was a primary form of entertainment and information for the nineteenth century population, especially in rural communities, Rochester was no exception.
Beginning of the twentieth century there were more than 100 circuses traveling around the country and The Adam Forepaugh and Sells Brothers Circus was a major American circus that operated from 1896 through 1911 and it came to town in 1903. The manager of the circus told the Post and Record Newspaper that "Rochester was a beautiful city, but it needed paved streets and motor cars".
Here is the July 8, 1903, photo showcasing the circus parade. Photo taken from the top of the old Queen City building on the corner of Broadway and Second Street SW looking south toward the old Central Fire Station.

09/02/2026

Author Karlyn Coleman's straightforward descriptions and simple questions guide readers through the marvels of the fair—from tasty foods to adventurous rides, from animal antics to vegetable displays, from games of chance to marching bands. Illustrator Cori Doerrfeld captures the fun and chaos a busy day at the fair entails—and her playful, enticing scenes yield new delights with each closer look.

Be sure to read this amazing book to your family before setting off to making your own history and memories at the state fair! On sale now in the HCOC gift shop.
Tuesday through Saturday 9am - 5pm.
https://www.facebook.com/karlyn.coleman