If you're looking for an educational, engaging, and affordable attraction in Rochester, the History Center has you covered! Our exhibits explore the extraordinary and everyday stories of Olmsted County and Rochester and the people who live here.
New Exhibit
IBM in Rochester: A Continued Legacy
This exhibit is the result of extensive research and collaboration, showcasing how a single company helped transform our region into a hub of ingenuity. You won't want to miss this deep dive into the stories, machines, and people that defined an era of progress.
- opened January 2026 -
Watch the IBM panel discussion from January 27, 2026 on our YouTube Channel.
New Exhibit
Faces and Places: 100 Years of the History Center
Celebrating our 100th anniversary with a fantastic exhibit highlighting the key people and various buildings that housed the Olmsted County Historical Society for the last 100 years.
- opened January 2026 -
War Stories of Olmsted County
From the Civil War to the Cold War, we are proud to highlight our extensive collection featuring artifacts and local stories of Olmsted County service members. You will be able to explore how these conflicts shaped our community with our exhibit "War Stories of Olmsted County".
- opened in November 2025 -
Odd Fellows of Olmsted County: Rochester's Secret Society
Come by and dive into the history of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows (IOOF) - a fraternal organization in Olmsted County between 1863 and 1999.
The exhibit highlights the unique role that fraternal organizations played in American history and how secret societies served as community builders. We are showing never-before-seen artifacts from the Rochester Lodge No. 13, including regalia, instruments, and images.
- opened in September 2025 -
A Lasting Legacy: The Story of the Mayo Family
Discover the stories of the members of the Mayo family and how their lives and achievements affected Rochester, Minnesota.
A Lasting Legacy: The Story of the Mayo Family
Discover the stories of the members of the Mayo family and how their lives and achievements affected Rochester, Minnesota.
Olmsted County Through Time
The history of Olmsted County spans thousands of years. Travel through this history with the stories and artifacts in the Olmsted County Exhibit. Journey from the prehistoric period, with its cephalopods and woolly mammoths, to the present, learning about the Native peoples, early European settlers, and surveying. The Olmsted County Exhibit tells the story of our community’s land and people.
I WANT YOU: Olmsted County Service During World War II
In the aftermath of Pearl Harbor, America joined the Allies in World War II to combat Germany, Japan, and Italy. Countless men either enlisted or were drafted into the armed forces. The exhibit features the stories of men and women from Olmsted County who served their country.
Origins of Olmsted County: The Land for Enterprise
Learn how Olmsted County enticed settlers and what benefits the county offered. The exhibit includes a hands-on section where you can handle items early settlers brought with them when moving to Minnesota. Along with Olmsted County, learn about the numerous treaties that shaped the state of Minnesota.
Get to Know a Township: Cascade
The building blocks for democracy can be linked to our townships in Olmsted County. Discover the unique story of both Cascade and Haverhill and the dispute they shared in 1870.
The Legacy of Gold Cross Ambulance
The exhibit highlights John Perkins and some of the innovative technology (AED) that John pioneered into Gold Cross use during their long history. Gold Cross was prominent in the state of Minnesota with locations in Rochester, Owatonna, Mankato and Duluth.