Landscape Series
HCOC’s Landscapes Series is a three phase exhibit series; Landscapes of Memories, Our Physical Landscapes and Human Landscapes: The Story of Us.
Series Highlights
- Landscapes of Memories chronicles seven different wars that affected our region, and is a tribute to Veterans from Southeastern Minnesota.
- Our Physical Landscapes looks at significant built and natural landscapes in Olmsted County.
- Human Landscapes: The Story of Us, along with associated programming will uncover the experiences of recent immigrants to Olmsted County, while referencing and comparing these experiences to those of 19th century immigrants. The exhibit will be timed well with current issues written and spoken about in our news and digital media: identity, community, inclusiveness, and multiculturalism. Programming, discussions, and presentations exploring these issues will be produced for adults and children to encourage dialog between groups. It is hoped that Olmsted County residents can learn more about the people they live amongst and come away with a better understanding. This exhibit is generously supported by Mayo Clinic and the Judy & Jim Sloan Foundation. Scheduled to open Spring 2012.
Ancient Olmsted: Peoples & Migrations
The exhibit features the Schumann Cache, a large collection of Paleo-Indian artifacts dating back to 12,000 years ago. The cache is significant because the Schumann Farm in Eyota, Olmsted County is the oldest archeological site in Minnesota. There are only twenty such Paleo-Indian caches known in the United States.
Also featured are mammoth tusks unearthed from a Stewartville quarry, fossils from Minnesota, and the Peck Collection. The Peck Collection features Native American artifacts mainly from the Woodland and Archaic periods.
Olmsted Elegance: Decorative Arts & Design from the Antebellum to the Space Age
The decorative arts collection and technology collection will be featured. Typewriters made in the early days of IBM and the Tattersall Piano will be special artifacts on exhibit. The exhibit explores the development of decorative art styles. You may see artifacts similar to those found on the Mayowood tours.
Past Exhibits
RF Evans Impressions
Mr. Ralph Folland Evans came to Olmsted County for a very specific reason:to work with a friend in the design of a new hotel. What became of that project is one part of a local landmark, and a series of watercolors that will capture your attention. Find out for yourself what the back story is for this part of Olmsted County History.
Ed Fischer: 25 Years of Cartooning
The exhibit featured both originals and copies of Ed Fischer’s works. Ed Fischer worked as the staff cartoonist for the Rochester Post-Bulletin for 25 years. The topics of Transportation, Politics, Health, and Ed’s Favorite Cartoons showed Ed Fischer’s talent and humor.
Surveying the Quilts of Olmsted County
In Minnesota and Olmsted County history, quilting and surveying played key roles. Quilters subdivided fabric into fascinating designs, while surveyors subdivided the land, eventually leading to the patterned landscape we see today.
The exhibit featured several quilts from the History Center’s collections, including crazy quilts and an 1899 red work signature quilt from Grace Universalist Church (whose stones went into the construction of Mayowood.) In addition the surveying equipment of Col. George Healy and early pioneer furniture revealed home life more than a century ago.
NOTE: Dates may be subject to change without notice. Please call ahead.
