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Mayowood Family Festival

The second annual Mayowood Family Festival will be from 9 a.m. -
4 p.m. June 28 at the Historic Mayowood Mansion in Rochester, MN.  Sponsored by the Olmsted County Master Gardeners and the History Center of Olmsted County, this year’s magical theme draws from historical accounts of the Mayo children’s fascination with fairies and brownies.

The job of the festival, according to Jane Yunginger, committee chair, is to interpret history and tell the stories in interesting and entertaining ways.  As such, this year’s festival focuses on recreating a day in the rich life of the Charles W. Mayo family who moved into the mansion in 1911 and lived there until his death in 1939.  His descendants continued to occupy the mansion until the 1960s.

After finding a picture of Charles Mayo surrounded by his grandchildren who were dressed as fairies and brownies, or elves, the committee decided this would be a fitting theme.  At the heart of any Mayo family function was an element of education, and the festival continues that purpose. What separates the Mayowood Family Festival from other summer activities is its emphasis on providing outdoor and hands-on learning experiences in an historical setting, thus becoming a fun classroom without walls.

The hillside at Mayowood, its winding ribbon road, the woods and even the courtyard are all places of learning for children and adults of all ages. Imagination and creativity come into play as Joan Woxland guides participants in sculpting an entire fairy village that will be placed in the woodland surrounding Mayowood.  Additionally, children may dress up either in bird wings, fairy costumes or in clothing from the period. Adult costumes also are available, and photographer Cat Thisius, will take your family’s photo for a $5 fee.

Comb the acreage on  a “history hunt” or go on a nature hike with naturalist Kirk Payne.  Lectures by Terry and Joyce Grier will help you identify birds on the grounds both by sight and sound.   A visiting Faerie Queene will regale visitors with tidbits of history and perhaps even sprinkle you with fairy dust.

Other activities include Birds of Prey from Oxbow Park, fairy gardens to make and take home,  hillside water garden tours by Master Gardeners, Revival Dance Group of Rochester performing in costume, Mayowood Mansion tours, and Charles H Mayo II, also known as “Young Dr. Charlie” visiting with guests, reminiscing about growing up at Mayowood.  Additionally, there will be farm animals and animals from Paws and Claws.   Daube’s Bakery will provide picnic lunches.

Plan to come and make a day of it.  The experience is relevant to a child’s life.  Instead of seeing the woods as a place filled with trees, they learn that the forest is a place to take care of and respect and also a place to have fun.  They learn that trees shed leaves and if those leaves fill a pond, eventually the leaves turn to compost rich enough to grow a tree to maturity. 

Tickets may be purchased before the day of event at a reduced price of $8 for adults, $5 for children 4-17, and children under 3 are admitted free.  Tickets are available at Sargent’s on Second Street, Hunt Drug at Silver Lake, the History Center and at the Leisure and Lifestyle office at Mayo Clinic.  Tickets may be purchased the day of the event at the History Center or at Autumn Ridge Church for $9 for adults and $6 for children 4-17.

Parking is at Autumn Ridge Church, 3611 Salem Road SW.  A shuttle is provided for transportation to the mansion and back.