Gather the little ones and join us at the History Center on Friday, July 17th, 2026, for a wonderful morning of imagination, crafts, and snack at our upcoming Storytime! We are thrilled to welcome our special guest storyteller and author of Goodnight Fireflies,  Tammy Wilson, so be sure to mark your calendars and make plans to drop in for this amazing FREE family memory!

The History Center is home to many wonderful partner groups, and we invite you to come learn more about them and celebrate with us! Spend the day exploring the grounds with tours of Heirloom Gardens, vintage base ball with the Rochester Roosters, Olmsted County Genealogy Society will be on site with their cookbooks for purchase. You can also take a look at our beautiful community gardens and more!

Schedule of Activities:

• Roosters Vintage Base Ball: 12:00PM – 2:00PM
• Tours of Heirloom Gardens with Master Gardeners: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Spend the day exploring the grounds with tours of Heirloom Gardens, vintage base ball with the Rochester Roosters, Olmsted County Genealogy Society will be on site with their cookbooks for purchase. You can also take a look at our beautiful community gardens and more!

Schedule of Activities:

• Roosters Vintage Base Ball: 12:00PM – 2:00PM
• Tours of Heirloom Gardens with Master Gardeners: 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM

Join us for five days at the History Center Summer Camp. It is an interactive educational program designed to introduce students to everyday life in the 19th century through hands-on learning experiences. All activities are led by experienced staff in a safe, supportive environment and are tailored to each age group. Daily programs include, 1800s farmstead chores (e.g. grinding corn to feed the chickens), a lesson in a one-room schoolhouse, and fun arts and crafts projects! Parents feel free to roam our museum hall and archives while your child is enjoying the camp.

$65 for non- members. $50 for HCOC members (5 days)
Sorry this event is SOLD OUT, please join us next year!

The History Center Summer Camp is an interactive educational program designed to introduce students to everyday life in the 19th century through hands-on learning experiences. All activities are led by experienced staff in a safe, supportive environment and are tailored to each age group. Daily programs include, 1800s farmstead chores (e.g. grinding corn to feed the chickens), a lesson in a one-room schoolhouse, and fun arts and crafts projects! Join us for one day or all five. Parents feel free to roam our museum hall and archives while your child is enjoying the camp.

$15 for non-members. $12 for HCOC members. (one day) 
Sorry this event is SOLD OUT, please join us next year!

The History Center Summer Camp is an interactive educational program designed to introduce students to everyday life in the 19th century through hands-on learning experiences. All activities are led by experienced staff in a safe, supportive environment and are tailored to each age group. Daily programs include, 1800s farmstead chores (e.g. grinding corn to feed the chickens), a lesson in a one-room schoolhouse, and fun arts and crafts projects! Parents feel free to roam our museum hall and archives while your child is enjoying the camp.

$15 for non-members. $12 for HCOC members. (one day) 
Sorry this event is SOLD OUT, please join us next year!

The History Center Summer Camp is an interactive educational program designed to introduce students to everyday life in the 19th century through hands-on learning experiences. All activities are led by experienced staff in a safe, supportive environment and are tailored to each age group. Daily programs include, 1800s farmstead chores (e.g. grinding corn to feed the chickens), a lesson in a one-room schoolhouse, and fun arts and crafts projects! Join us for one day or all five. Parents feel free to roam our museum hall and archives while your child is enjoying the camp.

$15 for non-members. $12 for HCOC members. (one day) 
Sorry this event is SOLD OUT, please join us next year!

The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile regularly carries more than 4,500 items, including adult and children's books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs. Be sure to stop and visit the Bookmobile July 23rd and  August 6th and 20th at HCOC and be sure to walk through the exhibit hall while admission is FREE thanks to Think Bank.

From historic visits and local milestones to the deeply rooted connections that tie global leaders to our region, this evening will bring local history alive in a whole new way. Whether you are a lifelong history buff or just curious about Minnesota’s unique place in presidential lore, you will not want to miss out. Come explore the remarkable stories that connect Minnesota straight to the White House presented by Shawn Bromelkamp.

$5 for non-members. FREE for HCOC members.

The History Center Summer Camp is an interactive educational program designed to introduce students to everyday life in the 19th century through hands-on learning experiences. All activities are led by experienced staff in a safe, supportive environment and are tailored to each age group. Daily programs include, 1800s farmstead chores (e.g. grinding corn to feed the chickens), a lesson in a one-room schoolhouse, and fun arts and crafts projects! Parents feel free to roam our museum hall and archives while your child is enjoying the camp.

$15 for non-members. $12 for HCOC members. (one day)
Sorry this event is SOLD OUT, please join us next year!

The History Center of Olmsted County is partnering with Ashley Independent House at the History Center for a full day celebrating local authors, bookstores, and the joy of reading! This FREE, family-friendly event welcomes both kids and adults and will showcase a diverse range of genres, including local history authors, independent bookstores, and regional artists. Families can enjoy a children’s story hour led by local children’s authors in the historic schoolhouse at 10am.

To support the History Center, attendees can pre-register for a junk journaling workshop and/or purchase a $5 “passport” HERE. The passport includes discounts with participating vendors, and those who visit every author and vendor will be entered into a prize drawing.

Make an afternoon of it with dirty sodas from Sinner Sota and snacks from 75th and 3rd food truck and FJ Compadres while enjoying our grounds.

Admission is free. Click Buy Tickets to purchase your $5 Passport.

Sponsored by Garden Party Books, Griot Arts and The Amethyst Yogi. 

As part of our Rochester Reads event at the History Center, we're offering Junk Journaling 101 Workshops. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Join us to learn the art of junk journaling using vintage magazine clippings spanning the late 1800s through today. All supplies will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own magazines, stickers, paper scraps, or other embellishments to personalize your journal.

Additional workshop sessions:

12:30 p.m. – Kids
2:00 p.m. – Adults

Cost:
Adults $8 Member, $10 non-member
Kids $3 member, $5 non-member

Sponsored by Garden Party Books, Griot Arts and The Amethyst Yogi.  

As part of our Rochester Reads event at the History Center, we're offering Junk Journaling 101 Workshops. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Join us to learn the art of junk journaling using vintage magazine clippings spanning the late 1800s through today. All supplies will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own magazines, stickers, paper scraps, or other embellishments to personalize your journal.

Additional workshop sessions:

11:00 a.m. – Adults
2:00 p.m. – Adults

Cost:
Adults $8 Member, $10 non-member
Kids $3 member, $5 non-member

Sponsored by Garden Party Books, Griot Arts and The Amethyst Yogi.  

As part of our Rochester Reads event at the History Center, we're offering Junk Journaling 101 Workshops. Advance registration is required, and space is limited. Join us to learn the art of junk journaling using vintage magazine clippings  spanning the late 1800s through today. All supplies will be provided, but you're welcome to bring your own magazines, stickers, paper scraps, or other embellishments to personalize your journal.

Additional workshop sessions:

12:30 p.m. – Kids
11:00 a.m. – Adults

Cost:
Adults $8 Member, $10 non-member
Kids $3 member, $5 non-member

Sponsored by Garden Party Books, Griot Arts and The Amethyst Yogi.  

The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile regularly carries more than 4,500 items, including adult and children's books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs. Be sure to stop and visit the Bookmobile August 6th and 20th. 

Join us on August 6th for the next highly anticipated installment of our Mayo Clinic Lecture Series, presented by W. Bruce Fye, M.D. This special event will feature an insightful short film Mayo Clinic and the White House: Caring for America's First Families followed by a discussion. For more than 150 years, Mayo Clinic has maintained a deeply rooted, non-political relationship with the nation's executive branch. Over the generations, Presidents and First Ladies from both political parties have walked through the doors. We invite you to come explore this fascinating intersection of American history and medicine.

$5 for non-members. FREE for HCOC members.

Get an early look at history before the crowds arrive! Seniors are invited to a special, free preview of Days of Yesteryear on the historic Ralph Stoppel Farmstead grounds. It's the perfect opportunity to enjoy a relaxed stroll through the grounds, marvel at beautifully restored antique tractors, and watch live historic demonstrations. Come enjoy a nostalgic step back in time—absolutely free!

Put on your dancing boots and join us for a spectacular evening at the second annual MHRT Days of Yesteryear Barn Dance! We are thrilled to welcome the community back to the historic George Stoppel Farmstead for a night of music, movement, and local heritage with live music from King Wilkies Dream. This celebration is a wonderful way to experience the charm of the farmstead while enjoying the company of friends and neighbors. Admission to the dance is free with a Days of Yesteryear button, which serves as your all-access pass to the weekend festivities. These buttons are on sale now at the History Center of Olmsted County, so be sure to pick yours up early and get ready to kick up some dust in the barn!

Button: $8.00 each or two for $15.00 on sale now at HCOC or $10 at the gate

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and marvels of early American rural life at the annual Days of Yesteryear celebration, taking place Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year featuring Oliver, Crockshutt and White tractors, hosted by the Mechanical History Round Table on the historic Ralph Stoppel Farmstead grounds at the History Center of Olmsted County, this family-friendly weekend transports you to a bygone era with thrilling live demonstrations. Watch massive steam tractors chug into action, witness traditional oat threshing, and enjoy the classic "parade of power". Visitors of all ages can try their hand at pioneer crafts like rope making, watch the tinsmith, catch an authentic 1860s vintage base ball game with the Roosters, and grab some delicious local food.

Button: $8.00 each or two for $15.00 on sale now at HCOC or $10 at the gate

Grab your sun hats and lawn chair, and join us for a day of community spirit and old-fashioned competition during Days of Yesteryear! The Roosters and Hens host the Apple Jacks for a rousing game of vintage base ball.

Admission is 2 bits (.25¢)

Step back in time and experience the sights, sounds, and marvels of early American rural life at the annual Days of Yesteryear celebration, taking place Saturday, August 8th and Sunday, August 9th, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. This year featuring Oliver, Crockshutt and White tractors, hosted by the Mechanical History Round Table on the historic Ralph Stoppel Farmstead grounds at the History Center of Olmsted County, this family-friendly weekend transports you to a bygone era with thrilling live demonstrations. Watch massive steam tractors chug into action, witness traditional oat threshing, and enjoy the classic "parade of power". Visitors of all ages can try their hand at pioneer crafts like rope making, watch the tinsmith, catch an authentic 1860s vintage base ball game with the Roosters, and grab some delicious local food.

Button: $8.00 each or two for $15.00 on sale now at HCOC or $10 at the gate

Kids of all ages can settle in for a FREE fun, engaging story, followed by a special chance to meet and pet some truly adorable dogs who are looking for their forever homes. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly event where kids can enjoy a story, enjoy some puppy love, and maybe even help a shelter dog find a brand-new family.

The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile regularly carries more than 4,500 items, including adult and children's books, audiobooks, magazines and DVDs. Be sure to stop and visit the Bookmobile August 20th at HCOC.

Join us for an Heirloom Garden Tour at 6:30 p.m., followed by a lecture on Fall Gardening with our Master Gardeners. Explore the garden, discover seasonal tips, and enjoy an evening of gardening insights and inspiration.

$5 for non-members. FREE for HCOC members.

August 22, 2026 from 2pm - 5pm promises unforgettable fun as we honor 50 years of the incredible Booker Mini Band, celebrate 100 years of our very own History Center, and commemorate America’s 250th birthday! Admission to the event is completely free, and guests will have the exclusive opportunity to take tours of our historic farmstead, purchase amazing food from a lineup of fantastic local food trucks and sit back to enjoy some iconic music from one of the areas most loved bands.

• Fundraiser for the Renovation and Extension of the History Center Building (free-will donations)
• Special Guest: Brad Boice
• Bring your own chair!

Special thanks to Majestic Events for their generous support.

Are you ready to be inspired? Join us for our upcoming lecture, presented by Chris Boes, M.D. At Mayo, learning isn't just something we do early in careers—it is a lifelong pursuit fueled by curiosity, collaboration, and a relentless commitment to patients. Whether you are a student, a seasoned professional, or simply someone who believes in the power of growth, this session will dive deep into how a culture of continuous learning shapes the future of medicine. Come discover why the pursuit of knowledge never truly ends. We can't wait to see you there!

$5 for non-members. FREE for HCOC members.