Our 2024 Creepy Event was a howling success! Thank You

The 6th Annual Creepy Doll Contest
Circus After Dark


In celebration of their 6th year in the limelight, the Creepy Dolls of the History Center of Olmsted County are going on a trip all the way to the circus!

The circus is in town, and the dolls’ owners decided to visit from around the county. Unfortunately, in the excitement, all 8 dolls were left behind at the circus and ended up picking up the tricks of the trade. From contortionist to animal tamer to The Trapeze Twins, the dolls are preparing for their big debut at their annual party on October 19th. In the meantime, the dolls invite the public to visit them at the museum to uncover where they are from and determine who is truly the most ghastly among them. Get ready to explore history and artifact preservation in this terrifying foray under the big top! Choose how you will proceed:

HCOC Museum Exhibit

A spectacle awaits museum attendees as they learn what is a circus and can spend time getting to know our eerie performers. Each doll hails from somewhere in the county, and they’ve chosen a spookish new job for their spell with the circus.  Ascertain where they dwelt and vote for the most terrifying doll from October 1 – 31 and catch a peek at the other exhibits as well.

Creepy Dolls: Circus After Dark

October 19th at the Historic Chateau Theatre in downtown Rochester, MN the Dolls invite everyone for an enigmatic evening to enjoy their circus-themed party. This spine-chilling event will include a full dinner, cash bar, costume contest, DJ & dancing, circus entertainment, and more! Visit with dolls and fellow ghosts and ghouls for an unforgettable celebration. This 18+ event will be from 6:00 pm – 10:00 pm for the cost of $50. Tickets are pre-sale only, and we will not be accepting walk-ins this year. 

On Social Media

The Creepy Dolls will never forget their roots as a viral social media phenomenon and are bringing history and pandemonium online for their global followers the entire month of October. Follow the History Center online to learn about their preparations, pasts, and to vote for the most petrifying.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/OlmstedHistoryCenter

Instagram: @olmstedhistorycenter                     X: @HCOC

#creepydollcontest

​Special Thanks To Our Sponsors:

Dunlap Seeger, P.A., Minnesota Energy Resources, and Townsquare Media

About the Creepy Dolls at HCOC

The Creepy Doll Contest began in 2019 as a series of viral social media posts featuring rarely seen, and uncannily creepy, dolls from HCOC’s artifact collection. The collection currently houses 125+ vintage dolls that range from the 18th to 21st century in creation. The Creepy Dolls have been featured in numerous media spotlights including CNN, O Magazine, Hyperallergic, MPR News, and Smithsonian Magazine.

Ever since the contest began, HCOC has received new doll donations from our area, and occasionally dolls from other regions of the U.S. which we encourage to be offered to their own local museums. All items in HCOC’s collection, including the Creepy Dolls, must have direct ties to Olmsted County’s history.  Our staff can only handle opening a few terrifying boxes each year - more might be damaging to their cardiovascular health – though we encourage donations nonetheless.