Ooh la la! Join us for a FANCY NANCY HOLIDAY PARTY! Put on your sparkliest clothes, grab your boas, and get ready for an hour of exquisite (that's fancy for super fun) holiday activities! We'll have fancy crafts, marvelous treats, and an amazing storytime. It’s the perfect way to make the holidays extra glamorous!

Join us to explore classic German traditions surrounding St. Nikolaus!

Enjoy a festive day for all ages, filled with crafts, treats, and holiday cheer. St. Nikolaus himself will make a special appearance, giving children the chance to write letters and receive small gift bags. Weather permitting, we’ll open the historic Schoolhouse, and you can warm up by the fire pit with hot chocolate or a traditional German Christmas drink, Kinderpunsch. Additional concessions will also be available for purchase.

Activities Include:
_Writing a letter to St. Nikolaus
_German Christmas crafts (Angel Ornaments, Krampus Masks, and more)
_Sipping Kinderpunsch by the fire

In the spirit of giving, we invite you to bring non-perishable food items for our holiday food drive.

$5 per child and $2 per adult. HCOC members FREE

Step back into 1951 as costumed interpreters Dr. Chuck and Alice welcome you into their home for a nostalgic Christmas experience. Dressed in authentic period attire—along with select pieces of their original clothing on display—they guide you through a 60-minute, family-friendly tour filled with unique holiday stories not shared on the regular Christmas tour.

On the Specialty tour you will be transported to a December evening in 1951, just after the Mayo Fellows Chorus have finished their rounds through the city of Rochester. The house will be beautifully prepared for a festive holiday party, glowing with period Christmas lights as night settles in. Enjoy the warm ambiance of a live piano player (instrumental only) as you explore each room and experience the magic of the season illuminated at night.

$45 per person.

Step back into 1951 as costumed interpreters Dr. Chuck and Alice welcome you into their home for a nostalgic Christmas experience. Dressed in authentic period attire—along with select pieces of their original clothing on display—they guide you through a 60-minute, family-friendly tour filled with unique holiday stories not shared on the regular Christmas tour.

On the Specialty tour you will be transported to a December evening in 1951, just after the Mayo Fellows Chorus have finished their rounds through the city of Rochester. The house will be beautifully prepared for a festive holiday party, glowing with period Christmas lights as night settles in. Enjoy the warm ambiance of a live piano player (instrumental only) as you explore each room and experience the magic of the season illuminated at night.

$45 per person.

Dr. Mark Warner will be presenting a special program for the next Mayo Clinic Lecture Series that includes a film showing of "An Adventure in Medicine: The Story of the Mayo Brothers". The film is followed by a dedicated time for discussion on the foundational principle of the Mayo Clinic, "the needs of the patient come first".

$5 for non members. FREE for HCOC members

Join us at the History Center of Olmsted County on January 15, 2026 for a fascinating program uncovering the vital, often-overlooked contributions of local women during World War II. Author Virginia Wright-Peterson and playwright Patricia Barrier will jointly present these unknown stories, bringing to light the experiences of Olmsted County women in support of the war effort.

$5 for non members. FREE for HCOC members

We are pleased to announce the next fascinating film and lecture in our ongoing series exploring the history of the Mayo Clinic! This special presentation, titled "Healing Hands: The Sisters of St Francis and Mayo Clinic," will be delivered by the distinguished Sister Tierney Trueman on January 8, 2026 at 7pm. Don't miss this opportunity to gain insight into the foundational and enduring role of the Sisters of St. Francis in the history of the Mayo Clinic.

$5 for non members. FREE for HCOC members

Join us for a cozy winter event benefiting a fantastic cause! Mechanical History Round Table is once again hosting a fun-filled afternoon complete with sleigh rides, sweet treats, and a warming bonfire at the Ralph Stoppel Farmstead! Bring your sweetie and whole family out on Valentines Day, February 14th, 2026, from 10am - 4pm, all donated proceeds go to support the Special Olympics! Come make some memories while making a difference! We can't wait to see you there!