Museum Admission

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Mayowood History

The Mayowood Historic Home is one of the top attractions in Rochester, drawing thousands of visitors each year!

A tour of Mayowood is to experience the personal lives of Dr. Charlie Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic, and his son, Dr. Chuck Mayo, and gives visitors an opportunity to celebrate their amazing achievements in medicine and human service.

The 23,000-square foot, thirty-eight room home was built in 1910 by Dr. Charlie and Edith Mayo. The home is built of concrete construction, the first of its kind in southeast Minnesota. Once a 3,300-acre country estate, the home has seen many changes over the years.

Indoors, original Mayo family artifacts tell the story of their many world travels and how the home was used as a house of hospitality to entertain the community and VIP celebrity guests.

Outdoors, this home is surrounded by a grand terrace overlooking the Zumbro River along with beautiful botanical gardens and an Oriental Tea House.

In collaboration, the home and property is owned and operated by Mayo Clinic, while the History Center of Olmsted County conducts public tours, special events, and owns much of the original family archival collection.

Today you're invited to explore Mayowood and immerse yourself in the lives and legacy of the famous Mayo Clinic doctors who helped change the world of medicine.

Please note that photography is not permitted inside the home or on the grounds.

Keeping Us All Safe: COVID Precautions

Masks are optional.

Social distancing is encouraged.

No food or drink will be permitted inside of the house. 

If you are feeling sick, have flu-like symptoms, or have been in contact with someone who has recently had COVID-19, please visit us another time.

Location
Admission Hours
Christmas Tours
Special Event Tours
Tickets

Welcome to Mayowood located at:
3720 Mayowood Road SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Parking is available at Mayowood and tickets may be purchased by clicking on the Tickets button above.

Directions if coming from West Circle Drive or Salem Road:

  • Turn onto County Road 25
  • Drive past Autumn Ridge Church on right
  • Turn left onto Mayowood Road
  • Once over the Zumbro River bridge, turn right and drive through the Mayowood entrance gate and up the hill to the parking lot
  • Alternate Salem Road Directions:
  • Turn onto Bamber Valley Road (County Road 8)
  • At stop sign turn right (Bamber Valley School on left after turn)
  • Drive past the Stone Barn Event Center on right
  • Take first left and drive through the Mayowood entrance gate and up the hill to the house parking lot

For additional assistance with directions, please call 507-282-9447

Mayowood is privately owned by Mayo Clinic and is closed to the general public on non-tour days.  The public is not allowed on the grounds without a pre registered tour ticket during business hours.  Please adhere to the posted signs on the property entrance.

                                                                          

Mayowood Ticket Admission:

Adults (13 & up): $20
Children (3 - 12): $10
Children under 3: NOT RECOMMENDED

Walk-ins are welcome if tours are not full and must be paid by cash only.

Regular Season Tours:

March 18, 2023 - July 30, 2023    *CLOSED EASTER DAY*

Tours start on the hour and run regularly on the hour. 

Sunday: 12pm—3pm
Wednesday: 10am—3pm
Saturday: 10am—3pm

Mid Season Tours:

August 2, 2023 - October 26, 2023

Tours start on the hour and run regularly on the hour. 

 
Sunday: 12pm—3pm
Wednesday: 10am—3pm
Thursday: 10am—3pm
Saturday: 10am—3pm
  • Photography is not permitted inside the home or on the grounds.
  • All Mayowood tours are conducted by professional tour guides and tours last approximately one hour.
  • Groups of 20 or more may call 507-282-9447 or email curator@olmstedhistory.com for group pricing and guidelines.
  • Visitors may purchase tour tickets by clicking on the Tickets button above.
  • Mayowood is privately owned by Mayo Clinic and is closed to the general public on non-tour days.

2023 Christmas Tours:  November 4 - December 17, 2023. CLOSED Thanksgiving Day.

Mayowood Christmas Tours are by reservation or by calling 507-282-9447 only and begin at Mayowood.

Mayowood Christmas 2023

Adults (13 & up): $25
Children (3 - 12): $10
Children under 3: NOT RECOMMENDED

Schedule:

Sunday: 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Wednesday: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Thursday: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Friday: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Saturday: 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm, 4pm

Reservations are required ONLINE ONLY or by phone and all ticket sales are final. There are NO discounts or refunds.

To schedule a group tour, please email curator@olmstedhistory.com or call 507-282-9447. Dates and times are subject to change due to inclement weather or special events.

Tours begin at Mayowood at your scheduled tour time, so please try to arrive on time so tours may begin promptly. The tour is guided and lasts about one hour. Please let guides know if anyone needs the handicap accessible entrance. Your paid ticket also includes a self-guided tour of the Exhibit Gallery and Research Center at the History Center of Olmsted County on West Circle Drive, SW.  Tickets are to be used during regular business hours of Tuesday through Saturday 9-5 pm until December 24, 2024 only.

If you have questions, please call 507-282-9447 or email services@olmstedhistory.com or curator@olmstedhistory.com

 Candlelight tours at Mayowood! Come experience the glitz and glam of Christmas at Mayowood at night! We will be touring the house afterhours, with everything but the Christmas lights turned off! Experience the magic of our Christmas lights during this unique experience.
These tickets are only available on special dates and times, get your tickets here.

Special Event Tours

Special Event Tours require reservation and begin at Mayowood unless otherwise noted. You can see a full list of upcoming Mayowood Specialty Tours here. 

Women of Mayo Specialty Tour

You have heard about the Mayo Brothers, but have you ever wondered about the women who helped develop Mayo Clinic? These women were physicians, laboratory researchers, developers, and innovators. Inspired by the book, Women of Mayo, this tour will explore some of the lesser known stories of the women who were instrumental in the development of Mayo Clinic. Spend time with us and learn about these amazing women and their part in developing Mayo Clinic.
Dates: March 26, 2022 and July 30, 2022 at 3:00 PM

Cost: Members: $30, Nonmembers: $35

Influential Friends at Mayowood

Dr. Charlie and Dr. Chuck were well known for inviting a variety of celebrities, both local and national, home to Mayowood for a visit. Both men kept guest books signed by some of their famous friends. Join us at Mayowood to learn more about some of the special guests that came to call at Mayowood and how each person came to be in Rochester.
Dates: April 30, 2022 and October 22, 2022 at 3:00 PM

Cost: Members: $30, Nonmembers: $35

Beautiful Inside and Out: Mayowood Arts and Garden Specialty Tour

Mayowood is surrounded by beauty, both within the house and outside on its grounds. Come learn some more about this magnificent area and some of the art that is still hanging inside the house and the gardens surrounding it.
Dates: May 28, 2022 and August 27, 2022 at 3:00 PM

Cost: Members: $30, Nonmembers: $35

Conserving Mayowood: Past, Present, and Future

Mayowood is over hundred years old and yet it still looks like it did when Doctor Charlie and his wife Edith lived there. This is no accident as the History Center of Olmsted County and the Mayo Clinic have worked hard to preserve this marvel and this special tour highlights these efforts and explores the hard work we put in every day to make sure the house will stand for another hundred years.

Dates: June 25, 2022 and September 24, 2022 at 3:00 PM

Cost: Members: $30, Nonmembers: $35

All sales are final. No refunds.

Tickets

Mayowood was once a 3,300-acre estate outside of Rochester, established by Dr. Charles H. Mayo, co-founder of Mayo Clinic. The centerpiece of the property is the 38-room home, completed in 1910, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. In collaboration, the home and property are now owned and operated by Mayo Clinic; the History Center of Olmsted County conducts public tours, special events, and owns much of the original family collection.

Tickets can be purchased by clicking on the "Select Date/Time to begin" button below.  Walk-ins available with cash only and if space is available.  
Please note, all ticket sales are final. Each guided tour lasts about one hour. For directions to Mayowood, click on the "Location" button above.

Group tours available upon request by emailing mayowood@olmstedhistory.com

Select Date/Time to begin