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.
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History
Center Events
Center Events
Mayowood
Mansion
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Events
Events
2025 Events Coming
A Historic Fashion Show Fit for a Queen!
March 9th, 2025
1:00 pm - 4:00 pmExciting new additions...
Our historic fashion show has expanded to include styles from the excess & frivolity of the reign of Queen Marie Antoinette all the way to the 1870s!
This educational fashion show will feature the work of Joy Melcher, a fashion historian and designer of historic clothing from Osage, Iowa. Joy has created costumes and period clothing for theatrical organizations and museums, including Lincoln Center, and the New York City Opera. Her designs are also featured on an upcoming Netflix special. The inspiration for this year’s fashion show is the excess and frivolity of the Queen Marie Antoinette era. Join us at the Rochester Event Center on March 9th, 2025 from 1pm - 4pm for decadent desserts and a fashion show fit for a Queen!
Doors open at 1:00. Dessert serving at 1:30. Fashion show begins at 2:00. $35 per ticket.
Special thanks to Powers Ventures, Premier Banks, and Serenity Salon and Spa for helping make this event magical.
Online ticketing is now closed.
Limited tickets will be available at the door.
Join us at the History Center for an evening learning about the Women Airforce Service Pilots and the important role they played in winning the war on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 from 7pm - 8:30pm.
FREE for members and $5 for non-members
Join us at the History Center for an evening learning about the Women Airforce Service Pilots and the important role they played in winning the war on Thursday, March 13th, 2025 from 7pm - 8:30pm.
FREE for members and $5 for non-members
Get ready for some Irish magic! ☘️ Join us for this fun family event on March 15th, 2025 from 10am - 11:15am where we will learn local history regarding St. Patrick and the Irish in MN, followed by a family art project based on historic Celtic design.
Together you can create your own family monogram inspired by Celtic tradition and imagery.
$5 for all participants and FREE for HCOC members.
Celebrate Women's History Month with Amy Hahn (in person)
March 27th, 2025
7:00 pm - 8:00 pmJoin us on March 27, 2025 from 7pm - 8:30pm in welcoming local author Amy Jo Hahn as she shares stories of influential women who shaped Rochester. Learn about their contributions and legacies as she brings to life the history of the city's most important women. Don't miss this engaging event!
Free for members and $5 for non-members.
Celebrate Women's History Month with Amy Hahn (by Zoom)
March 27th, 2025
7:00 pm - 8:30 pmJoin us on March 27, 2025 from 7pm - 8:30pm in welcoming local author Amy Jo Hahn as she shares stories of influential women who shaped Rochester. Learn about their contributions and legacies as she brings to life the history of the city's most important women. Don't miss this engaging event!
Free for members and $5 for non-members.
Wining About Herstory LIVE Podcast 2025
March 29th, 2025
10:00 am - 11:30 amJoin us on March 29th from 10am - 11:30am at the History Center of Olmsted County for a Women's History celebration! Kelley and Emily will be performing LIVE, telling the stories of some incredible local women! The event will be family friendly, so feel free to bring your budding herstory buffs!
Free for members and $5 for non-members.
Join us March 29, 2025 from 1pm - 2:15pm in welcoming Andrea Gilats as she shares her journey into old age, including the choking fear of losing her health and with it, her independence; the profound pleasures of “growing up again” as she reconsiders experiences from young adulthood; and finally, her unexpectedly optimistic journey toward contentment as she contemplates her future as she shares her new book, "Radical Endurance: GROWING OLD IN AN AGE OF LONGEVITY".
Free for members and $5 for non-members.
Join us March 29, 2025 from 1pm - 2:15pm in welcoming Andrea Gilats as she shares her journey into old age, including the choking fear of losing her health and with it, her independence; the profound pleasures of “growing up again” as she reconsiders experiences from young adulthood; and finally, her unexpectedly optimistic journey toward contentment as she contemplates her future as she shares her new book, "Radical Endurance: GROWING OLD IN AN AGE OF LONGEVITY".
Free for members and $5 for non-members.
Bubbles the Goldfish will be on site from Rochester's Goldfish Swim School with a fun interactive program to educate children on the importance of water safety! Join us at the History Center on April 5th, 2025 from 10am - 11:15am for storytime and crafts with Bubbles the Goldfish while snacking on...what else...Goldfish Crackers!
$5 for all participants and FREE for HCOC members.
