Current Events
Looking for things to do in Rochester? The History Center offers a variety of events all year round throughout Olmsted County. All events are listed at Central Standard Time (CST) unless otherwise stated. As a non-profit, our events are only possible with the support of the community! If you would like to sponsor an event, call the History Center at 507-282-9447, or contact us by email.
For members tickets, please keep in mind that your discount only applies to the same number of tickets that your membership applies to. For example, if you have an Individual membership, you may get one ticket at the discounted rate. All other tickets should be purchased at the full rate. If you have the Individual Plus membership, you are welcome to purchase two tickets at the discounted rate and all other tickets should be purchased at the regular rate. Thank you.
Event Key:
History
Center Events
Center Events
Mayowood
Mansion
Mansion
Partner
Events
Events
2025 Events Coming
Days of Yesteryear
August 9th, 2025
12:00 am - 12:00 amRAIN OR SHINE! Step onto the Ralph Stoppel grounds and be transported to a bygone era! Witness the marvels of yesteryear with thrilling live demonstrations. Check out the steam tractors, threshing of oats, or participate in hands on activities for the whole family, like rope making and tinsmithing. There is something for everyone on August 9 & 10, 2025, 9am-4pm thanks to Mechanical History Round Table. John Hardy's food will be available for purchase.
SATURDAY SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m. Gates open
canceled: 10:00 - 3:00 Vintage Baseball with the Hens & Roosters
11:00 - 11:30 Kids Straw Scramble
11:00 - 11:30 Grain Bin Rescue Demonstration
11:15 - 11:45 Folk Singer Steven J. Schmidt on schoolhouse steps
1:00 - 1:30 Parade of Power
2:00 - 2:30 Singer Steven J. Schmidt on schoolhouse steps
2:00 - 2:30 Kids Straw Scramble
2:00 - 3:00 Garden Tractor Pull
2:30 - 3:00 Grain Bin Rescue Demonstration
4:00 Gates Close
7:10 Gates Re-open for barn dance
7:30 - 9:30 Barn dance with 1930s blue grass band (Button required)
SUNDAY SCHEDULE
9:00 a.m. Gates open
11:00 - 11:30 Kids Straw Scramble
1:00 - 1:30 Parade of Power
2:00 - 2:30 Kids Straw Scramble
Live Demonstrations: Threshing grain, Shelling corn, Dairy Barn, Steam&Gas Engines, Clothes Washing, Sawmill, Antique vehicles, rope making, Tinsmith, Blacksmith Rock Crusher, Old-time school, Woodshop Demonstrations
Buttons (which serve as tickets) are $10 at the gate or get one in advance at the History Center for $8 or 2 for $15!
You can also purchase tickets on the MHRT website: https://www.mhrt.org/event-details/days-of-yesteryear-2025
Dog Days of Summer
August 14th, 2025
4:00 pm - 6:00 pmMake history with us at our first annual FREE Dog Days of Summer event for humans and their canine friends. Stop by with or without your favorite canine companions from 4-6 PM for activities around the History Center Campus:
- An amazing demonstration from the Rochester and Olmsted Co K9 Units at 4pm
- A guided dog walk around the History Center Campus
- Local dog related vendors
- Concessions available for purchase to support the History Center.
Looking for ways to expand and enhance your family history? The History Center of Olmsted County, in partnership with the Olmsted County Genealogy Society, is hosting a class with genealogy expert Lois Abromitis on Thursday, August 14 at 7pm. This class will teach you how to use timelines for your research. Lois Abromitis will show you how creating chronologies of events in your ancestors' lives can help you solve problems and identify holes in your research.
This special event is $15 for HCOC members and $20 for non-members. Included in the price are two additional sessions with the Olmsted County Genealogy Society. Please register in advance.
Friday Storytime with Miss Barb
August 15th, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 amOur popular Friday Morning Storytime returned! Come and join us on August 15 for a fun and creative morning with Miss Barb. The Storytime includes a story as well as a craft project. Recommended for children between 4 and 10 years old.
Free admission for everyone, sponsored by Olmsted Medical Center.
All About Ice Cream (History Mystery Kick-Off) - 4:00 PM
August 21st, 2025
4:00 pm - 5:00 pmOur 2025 History Mystery kicks off with an event all about Ice Cream. Join us on Thursday, August 21st from 4:00-5:00pm to explore the wonders of ice cream with Fuzzy's Italian Ice on site. Don’t miss the trivia, Rochester ties, and an opportunity to make your own homemade ice cream!
This event is free for everyone; please register online!
The History Center has a $20,000 matching donation for education funding for this year’s History Mystery! We are very grateful for all contributions to this campaign.
All About Ice Cream (History Mystery Kick-Off) - 6:00 PM
August 21st, 2025
6:00 pm - 7:00 pmOur 2025 History Mystery kicks off with an event all about Ice Cream. Join us on Thursday, August 21st from 6:00-7:00 pm to explore the wonders of ice cream with Fuzzy's Italian Ice on site. Don’t miss the trivia, Rochester ties, and an opportunity to make your own homemade ice cream!
This event is free for everyone; please register online!
The History Center has a $20,000 matching donation for education funding for this year’s History Mystery! We are very grateful for all contributions to this campaign.
A Fancy Nancy Tea Parties Storytime
August 22nd, 2025
10:00 am - 11:00 am🎀 Ooh la la! 🎀
You're cordially invited to a Fancy Nancy Party!
Put on your fanciest outfit — think tiaras, tutus, sparkles, and boas — tuxedos with bow ties, zoot suits and tall hats and get ready for a soirée full of glam, giggles, and fabulosity, fun for all ages!
This special storytime features Fancy Nancy tea parties, about a little girl Meet Nancy, who believes that more is ALWAYS better when it comes to being fancy. She loves to wear fancy clothes, play with fancy toys, and most of all, use fancy words! But everyone in her family is just the opposite. From the top of her tiara down to her sparkly studded shoes, Nancy is determined to teach her everyone a thing or two about being fancy.
Steven J. Schmidt: Stories & Inspiration
September 4th, 2025
7:00 pm - 8:15 pm
Join us on September 4th for an evening with local singer and songwriter Steven J. Schmidt as he shares his stories, music, & inspiration for his latest CD "The Driftless Sessions". An accomplished musician, Schmidt is widely known for his guitar skills and moving lyrics. This evening will give you a first insight and foretaste of the big CD release concert on Saturday, September 6th. This is a free event for all to enjoy!
Singer, Songwriter & Guitarist Steven J. Schmidt will play an exclusive outdoor concert on the grounds of the History Center. Join us the evening of Saturday, September 6th for the release of Schmidt’s newest work “The Driftless Sessions”. Schmidt’s quartet will stage the concert as a fundraiser for The History Center of Olmsted County and the music will begin at 7:00 pm.
Some refer to Schmidt as "a folkie with chops". He is noted for his finger picking and use of alternate tunings.
Tickets are available for $35.
Listen to Steven J. Schmidt's music on his website: stevenjschmidt.net
Explore the fascinating story of The Parsonage—from its humble brick beginnings in 1877 to its modernization in 1917, and the ongoing questions about its future. Learn how this structure reflects the values, growth, and transformation of a community over time. As we consider its fate, we ask: How do we determine whether a site or structure is worthy of preservation?
Is it age, architecture, cultural relevance, or the stories it holds? Join the conversation and share your perspective.
Tickets are $5 for non HCOC member and FREE for members.
Explore the fascinating story of The Parsonage—from its humble brick beginnings in 1877 to its modernization in 1917, and the ongoing questions about its future. Learn how this structure reflects the values, growth, and transformation of a community over time. As we consider its fate, we ask: How do we determine whether a site or structure is worthy of preservation?
Is it age, architecture, cultural relevance, or the stories it holds? Join the conversation and share your perspective.
Tickets are $5 for non HCOC member and FREE for members.
You're invited to our much-anticipated annual Cemetery Walk at the historic Healy Chapel in Oakwood Cemetery. This year, we honor the legacy of some of our community’s most prominent business owners—individuals whose vision and entrepreneurship helped shape Olmsted County. We’ll also recognize the Healy Chapel itself, built in 1890 by George Healy, a striking example of historic architecture and lasting community impact.
Come walk among the stories that built our past. Meet at Historic Healy Chapel anytime between 9am and 3pm as new tours will begin often.
$5 for HCOC members and $10 for non members.
