The History Center works to serve the community’s need to learn about its history and heritage. The History Center does this through its education department with a varied presentation of educational and outreach programs some of which are listed here. For more information on any of our community outreach activities or learn how you can become involved please contact our Education Programs Director, Janet Timmerman, 507-282-9447 ext 117 or email Janet at programs@olmstedhistory.com.
TRASH CAMP!! Sign up NOW!
The week of July 18-22, 2011
Middle school students in grades 6-8th can spend a week at Trash Camp and find out what Olmsted County residents have tossed out for thousands of years and where it went!
Each day will be filled with fun and interesting things to do.
- Be an archeologist! Dig in and find artifacts from an earlier time.
- Be a garbologist! Figure out what the lifestyle of a family or a business is by the junk they throw out.
- Create Artables! Make works of art from recyclables.
- Join a Trash Band! Make an instrument from junk and put on a Concert.
- Be a Journalist. Write your own “Trashy” novel.
PLUS!
- Check out a Veolia Hybrid Waste Management Truck.
- Go on a Landfill field trip.
- Play Duct-Tape Kickball!
- And learn lots of other fun and interesting things about trash you never dreamed of!
At the end of the week you can answer these questions:
- “What did the Mayo Doctors’ pig farm have to do with Rochester’s garbage?”
- “Does anyone know where I can play soccer on a landfill?”
- What is a City Scavenger?
To register for Trash Camp click below and fill out the application and medical information forms. E-mail them to programs@olmstedhistory.com or FAX to 289-5481. Spaces are limited for each session. Register by July 15, 2011.
2011 HCOC Trash Camp Registration
History Center Museum tours
Tours are available for community, church, service and scout groups. Advance reservations required by contacting our Education Program Director, Janet Timmerman at 507-282-9447 ext 123 or email programs@olmstedhistory.com.
Museum Tour Fees:
1-5 people, $25 with a 1 hour program
6-10 people, $40 with a 1 hour program
Special needs groups, $2 per person
Historic Mayowood Tours
Historic Mayowood Mansion Tour Fees:
Call the History Center at 507-282-9447 for information.
Extra Programs
Programs are available to come to your school, organization, daycare or homeschool groups. We will work with you to create a program that meets your special needs. Fees are determined on a case by case basis.
Oakwood Cemetery Walk
The 14th Annual Oakwood Cemetery Walk is being moved to September. This will allow the History Center to create a school component for students. This fall’s theme is “Crime and Crime Fighters.”
Actors in period costumes bring historic personalities, who helped forge Rochester’s history, back to life for a day. This quality event, often attended by over 400 people, features people from all walks of life.
Rochester Reads Program
Each year, the History Center participates in the Rochester Reads Program by providing theme based programs and events.
Movies Under the Stars
This summer we will be showing movies under the stars on Friday nights at Schmitt Base Ball Field on the History Center grounds beginning July 22, 2011. Think Mutual Bank is our presenting sponsor for this community based program.
July 22 Bee Movie
July 29 The Fugitive
August 5 Bye Bye Birdie
August 12 Back to the Future Part III
August 19 Space Balls
August 26 Goonies
Doorways to the Past Summer Programs
Starting June 4 and running most Saturdays the History Center will host demonstrations, classes, and programs from 1-4PM. Cost for these programs are $5 for adults and $2 for children or all these programs are FREE with a family membership. Click here for program schedule.
Little House Storytime in the Log Cabin
Bring your children and grandchildren to experience storytime in the W. Dee log cabin. This summer we will be reading the Little House on the Prairie series of books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Every Thursday beginning June 16 and running through August 18. Story time is 10 AM for toddlers, Kindergarten and 1st grade. Parents are required to stay with their children.
Storytime at 2PM is for 2nd grade through adult. Parents are encouraged to stay and share in the fun. Readers will be dressed in period costumes and participants are encouraged to wear their pioneer clothes as well. We have extra bonnets, aprons, and boys hats. There will be a time allowed at the end of each reading period to play pioneer games and have hands-on time in the cabin.
The cost is $3 per student per session or all sessions FREE with a family membership.
Space is limited and Pre-registration is required. To register click here and fill out the registration form and e-mail to programs@olmstedhistory.com or FAX 507-289-5481 before June 10, 2011.
Comprehensive Interpretive Plan
With the input of community members, the History Center completed a Comprehensive Interpretive Plan (CIP). The CIP is a plan that outlines the themes that guide the interpretive programs for the History Center. “Olmsted County has connections to the world” was identified as the umbrella under which the three primary themes operate. They are:
- Technological innovation in medicine (Mayo), machines (IBM) and agriculture developed and implemented here put Olmsted County on the map.
- People, (those who migrate to, pass through, or make Olmsted County their home), work together to share cultures and build community. The people of Olmsted County utilize resources and impact the landscape in response to natural and historic events.
- Innovation placed Rochester in the position of being an agent driving change, shifting rural to urban development and settlement, impacting land use, local economies, transportation, and ways of life in Olmsted County.
The project to develop the CIP was funded in part by a Museums for America Grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), an independent Federal grant-making agency dedicated to creating and sustaining a nation of learners by helping libraries and museums serve their communities.
To learn more about our educational programs contact Janet Timmerman, Education Programs Director at 507-282-9447 ext 123 or email programs@olmstedhistory.com.
