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
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.
Join 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.
SE MN Stories of Freedom: Oral Histories from SE MN Abolitionist Descendants
April 10th, 2025
7:00 pm - 8:30 pmIn the decades leading up to the US Civil War, abolitionists from eastern states migrated westward into the “free” Minnesota territory. Among them were those who assisted with the Underground Railroad before heading north. Join us on April 10, 2025 from 7pm - 8:30pm for a unique oral history event featuring descendants of abolitionists in our region. Sara Holger will share oral histories of the descendants of abolitionists in SE Minnesota prior to the abolition of slavery.
