Have you ever been at the state fair, wandered into the Horticulture building and are astounded at the line of people waiting to view this year's crop of Crop Art from around the state?   

The Minnesota State Fair Crop Art competition officially began in 1965, where Minnesotans used local seeds, stems and plant parts to make pictures on boards, a true folk art, its original purpose was to help people learn to tell different farm crops apart.  It's now one of the most beloved parts of the Minnesota State Fair. 

Did you know that not one of the finalists in the 2025 competition was from Olmsted County?   

We are ready to change this in 2027! 

Local artist Molly Althoff is teaming up with the History Center on September 16th from 5:30-8 p.m. to help you make your very own piece of crop art.  You get instruction from a local artist on creating one of two designs or come prepared with your own design to create, select from The Corn Tower, a styled “Ope” or BYOD: bring your own design. 

You’ll learn about the history of crop art, state fair guidelines and how crop art has become a thriving folk art in Minnesota, and all of the supplies needed to create your own piece to take home. 

• Advance registration is required and will close on 9/14/26. 
• Spots are limited to 40.  
• Please watch for an email to request your preferred design after your purchase.
• This class is for ages 16 and up, teens age 12-15 can attend if an adult attends with them (2 tickets required). 
•  $3 processing fee for any cancellations/refunds until 9/1/26. No refunds after 9/1/26. 
  
  $45 for non-members. $40 for HCOC members. Registration for this event has CLOSED.

The Rochester Public Library Bookmobile strengthens community and enriches the lives of community members who are unable to use the main library due to geographic, transportation, economic or other barriers.
The Bookmobile will be at the History Center from 12:45pm - 1:45pm.

Chicago-born and raised, Ashanté Gills is an author, community advocate, veteran, and emerging social worker whose work sits at the intersection of child welfare, mental health, and community care. She lives here in the community and serves as Chair of the Health and Wellness Committee for NAACP and is the current President-elect of NAMI Southeast Minnesota, where she creates spaces for conversation, connection, and support.

From teaching yoga and leading emotional literacy workshops to hosting annual etiquette classes for youth, Ashanté uses everyday moments to build confidence, self-awareness, and community. Her work is guided by one belief: villages aren’t just for children; adults need them too.

In her memoir, School Daze, Ashanté reflects on growing up in Chicago and what it meant to balance education with survival. Through this lecture, she will share how those experiences shaped her path into social work and child welfare, offering a deeper look at how grief, poverty, and instability often show up in childhood, and why understanding the story behind behavior matters.

You will not want to miss out on this amazing presentation! 

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

Join us at our Historic George Stoppel Barn for a special storytime with the Rochester Public Library, then explore the newly restored barn and step back in time to discover what farm life was like in days gone by.

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM (free event)

Thanks to Olmsted Medical Center for sponsoring this free program.

This presentation will discuss the role of several Mayo Clinic scientists who traveled to Europe following the end of World War II to find and bring German aviation scientists together to continue their research and write a compendium of German aviation research and development during World War II. Several of these German scientists eventually came to the United States to work in aerospace research and medicine. Join E. Andrew Wood who takes a deep dive into this incredible story.

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

Celebrate 100 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Olmsted County in the beautifully restored and historic Avalon Social. Step back into the elegance of the 1920s for this special 100th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser while enjoying live music from local jazz favorites The D'Sievers, delicious appetizers, and curated cocktails in a truly memorable setting.

Every ticket purchase includes entry into our 100 Year Raffle, featuring incredible prizes from generous local partners, including the Rochester Repertory Theatre, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery, and Northern Hills Golf Course.

VIP Parking 6-Pack tickets are $900 (only 3 available) and include all Standard Ticket benefits, plus one reserved parking spot in the venue’s gated parking lot, a reserved six-person booth, and six drink tickets.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of history, music, community, and celebration.

Please call 507-282-9447 for this VIP Package.

Celebrate 100 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Olmsted County in the beautifully restored and historic Avalon Social. Step back into the elegance of the 1920s for this special 100th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser while enjoying live music from local jazz favorites The D'Sievers, delicious appetizers, and curated cocktails in a truly memorable setting.

Every ticket purchase includes entry into our 100 Year Raffle, featuring incredible prizes from generous local partners, including the Rochester Repertory Theatre, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery, and Northern Hills Golf Course.

VIP Parking 4-Pack tickets are $600 (only 4 available) and include all Standard Ticket benefits, plus a reserved parking spot in the venue’s gated parking lot, a reserved table for four, and four drink tickets

Join us for an unforgettable evening of history, music, community, and celebration.

Please call 507-282-9447 for this VIP Package.

Celebrate 100 years of collecting, preserving, and sharing the rich history of Olmsted County in the beautifully restored and historic Avalon Social. Step back into the elegance of the 1920s for this special 100th Anniversary Celebration & Fundraiser while enjoying live music from local jazz favorites The D'Sievers, delicious appetizers, and curated cocktails in a truly memorable setting.

Every ticket purchase includes entry into our 100 Year Raffle, featuring incredible prizes from generous local partners, including the Rochester Repertory Theatre, Four Daughters Vineyard & Winery, and Northern Hills Golf Course.

VIP 2-Pack tickets are $250 (only 5 available) and include all Standard Ticket benefits, plus a reserved two-seat booth in the VIP section and two drink tickets.

Join us for an unforgettable evening of history, music, community, and celebration.

Please call 507-282-9447 for this VIP Package.

Join LeAnn Stee in a screening of a short film highlighting the incredible story of Maud Mellish Wilson—the visionary widow and nurse recruited by Dr. William J. Mayo in 1907 to launch Mayo Clinic’s library and editorial department. Mellish edited thousands of medical papers, shaping the clear, world-renowned institutional voice that established Mayo Clinic as a global leader in medical publication and oversaw the creation of one of the world's great medical libraries.

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

Join us for a free howling good time at our hair-raising hour of Halloween fun! Hear spooktacular, kid-friendly stories, come dressed in your favorite costume, and all the little gouls can stay to craft something creepy!

Thanks to Olmsted Medical Center for sponsoring this free program.

A favorite fall tradition is back for another year! For more than 10 years, families have been gathering at the History Center for a day full of fall fun!

Bring the whole family and enjoy:

• Pumpkin Painting 
• Alpaca Storytime with Homestead Arts Farm
• Hay Wagon Rides 
• Fall Arts & Crafts 
• Explore our Historic Farmstead 
• Food Trucks on site

Admission:

Register in Advance:
$5 per child
$2 per adult

At the Door:
$8 per child
$4 per adult

Advance registration is strongly encouraged! Register ahead of time to guarantee a pumpkin for each participating child. Pumpkins are available while supplies last.

Celebrate The Reading Center's 75th Anniversary with an inspiring panel discussion at the History Center of Olmsted County, moderated by Ilaya Rome Hopkins, granddaughter of cofounder Paula Rome. Hear accomplished Reading Center alumnus, including entrepreneurs, a lawyer, a doctor, an author, and other community leaders, share how they have made a lasting impact on our community, how they navigated dyslexia, and the role The Reading Center played in helping them achieve success.

Event Schedule
6-7 pm- History display and social hour
7-8 pm- Panel discussion

Panelists:
Brooks Edwards- M.D., Emeritus Professor of Medicine (Cardiology) Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Joe Powers- CEO of Powers Ventures
Claire Langton Yanowitz-  JD, Owner and Managing Attorney at the Yanowitz Law Firm 
Greg Nesler - Retired Owner & President of Rochester Plumbing and Heating  
Andy Wood- Semi-retired Owner of Ergonomics and Wellness Consultant, Inc. and author.

Thanks to generous sponsors, this event is free and open to the public. Registration is not required, but seating is limited, so pre-registration is recommended by clicking →Reading Center Alumni Panel & History Display at History Center of Olmsted County