Current Exhibits at the Steele County Historical Society
Why do we create exhibits and what is our process?
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While the primary duty of our Society is the preservation of our history, it is also part of our mission to share this history with the community. We do this through the creation of exhibits that we display in our Exhibition Hall and throughout the History Center.
Our exhibits are rotating and we create new ones each year to display and share with the public. Keep your eyes out to see what new exhibits are on the way!
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If you have any ideas or themes for future exhibits that you would like to see, please let us know! Contact the History Center and we would be happy to hear from you.
Vaudeville to the Silver Screen
This exhibit highlights the history of entertainment in Steele County. From the earliest forms of entertainment to the modern era. Themes include local entertainment, society's response, politics, technology, representation, trends, and cultural and racial stereotypes.
This exhibit was sponsored by BOSCH and Blooming Prairie Chamber of Commerce.
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Target Audience: All ages.
Location: Main Exhibit Hall
Display Schedule: January-December 2025
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Celebrating 115 years of Scouting in Owatonna
SCHS has partnered with local Boy Scout Troop 351 for a display on the history scouting in Steele County. This year marks the 65th anniversary of the troops founding and 115 years of scouting in Owatonna.
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Target Audience: All ages.
Location: Lange Theater
Display Schedule: September - October 2025
Land, Air, Water: Celebrating Conservation and Preservation in Steele County
The Owatonna Izaak Walton League will be celebrating 100 years of service, and the Steele County Soil and Water Conservation District will be celebrating 80 years of operation. Come learn about local conservation and preservation projects. There will be interactive displays for the whole family. SCHS is partnering with local Native American historian Jeff Jarvis to create original illustrations and panels sharing the Steele County Wahpekute Dakota history.
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SCHS is seeking sponsors for a permanent Native Wahpekute exhibit. The exhibit will include 11 original text panels featuring original artwork by Jeff Jarvis, graphics, photography, and the untold history of Steele County's Wahpekute.
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The Native Wahpekute exhibit will be featured in the 2026 main exhibit Land, Air, Water. It will then become a standalone exhibit at the History Center.
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As a text panel sponsor, your name or business logo will be included on the panel.
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Cost for the creation of these panels ranges from $500-$800. If you are interested in sponsoring a panel or would like to learn more, please call the History Center at 507-451-1420.
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Target Audience: All ages.
Location: Main Exhibit Hall
Display Schedule: January-December 2026
