January

30- Souper Sweet Fundraiser Dinner 

Join us on Thursday, January 30 at the History Center for a sit-down Soup Souper and Sweet Treat Live Auction. All proceeds raised will go towards HVAC software upgrades.

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Tickets are $15 per person for the all-you-can-eat dinner. The menu includes turkey wild rice, chili, tomato basil soup, salad, rolls, and bars. Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm.

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The Sweet Treat Live Auction will begin at 6:00 pm. Bid on delectable treats made by SCHS volunteers.

Reserve your place at the dinner by Monday, January 27. Please call 507-451-1420 to reserve your seat.

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This event is sponsored by Rocon Inc.

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February 

8- Victorian Tea

Saturday, February 8 at 10:30 and 1:00 pm SCHS will offer two tea sittings at the Dunnell House. This year participants will learn about dating and courtship etiquette in the Victorian Era. Tickets are $20 for members and $25 for non-members. Space is limited and reservations are due by Monday, February 3. 

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Menu includes:

Frozen Strawberry Mocktails

Sausage and Cheese Quiche

Chocolate Chip Scone

Ham & Cheese Open-Face Sandwich on Rye

Green Salad with Lemon Dressing

Chocolate Mousse with a Shortbread Cookie. 

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This program is sponsored by Rita Stilwell. 

March 

17- Annual Meeting

Monday, March 17- SCHS welcomes all members to the Annual Meeting held during the Board Meeting. We will recap the past year and look towards our 2025 goals. Members will be provided the new budget and proposed bylaw revisions. 

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22- Genealogy Games Live- Clue?

Saturday, March 22, at 10:00 am join us at the Owatonna Arts Center as we hold the second Annual Genealogy Games Live. Historic people, places and objects from Steele County will be in play! Was it Galen Merrill at the Owatonna Public Library with the Drum Major Baton? This program is free for SCHS members and $5 for non-members. 

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April

12- The Exaggerated History of Steele County

Join us on Saturday, April 12 at 1:00 pm at the History Center. Have you heard whispers about Princess Owatonna, gold mines, Jesse James, and other intriguing tales from Steele County's past? Join local historians Anne Peterson and Nancy Vaillancourt, the self-branded History Hags, as they delve into the truth behind these local legends. This program is free for SCHS members and $5 for non-members.  

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If you have a story, you're curious about, feel free to reach out to the Steele County Historical Society by calling 507-451-1420 or sending an email to anne.peterson@owatonna.gov.

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21- Volunteer Appreciation

All SCHS volunteers are invited to dinner at the History Center! We want to celebrate all the time and dedication our volunteers give to help SCHS serve Steele County. Dinner will be served at 5:00 pm. Please call 507-451-1420 or stop into RSVP. 

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25- SCHS Gala Dinner 

Join the Steele County Historical Society as we celebrate the entertainment history of Steele County. The 2025 Gala will be on Friday, April 25 at the History Center.

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The evening begins with a social hour at 5:00 pm featuring a cash bar and live music played on an Edison Amberola.

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Dinner will be served at 6:00 pm. This year's meal is provided by the Historic Hubbell House. Guests have their choice of an 8oz petite sirloin or salmon with a citrus butter sauce. The meal will be served with a chopped salad, baked potato with sour cream, garlic toast, and cake.

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Tickets are $50 for SCHS Members and $65 for Non-Members. Please call 507-451-1420 by April 11, 2025, to reserve your seats for this special night.

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The 2025 SCHS Gala: Hollywood Night at the Museum is sponsored by North Risk Partners.

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May

10- Rosemaling Workshop with Lyn Rein of MOD Nordia Arts 

10:00 - 2:00 pm at the History Center. 

Free​

Class is limited 8 participants and must be ages 14+. 

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Discover the beauty of Rosemaling, the traditional Norwegian folk art, in this special workshop led by third- generation rosemaler, Lyn Rein of Mor og Datter Nordic Arts. This program will explore the history and traditions of rosemaling, followed by a hands-on session where you will learn essential brush strokes and designs. You'll have your own hand-painted rosemaling ornament to take home.

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

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Lunch will be provided.

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Call 507-451-1420 to register. 

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June

22- Jazz Jam in the Village with H30 Trio!

           Due to maintenance on the water tower, we are moving this year's Jazz Jam to the Village of Yesteryear. 

           The Village benches will be available to seating, but feel free to bring your lawn chair. New this year

           Milo's Popcorn will be available for purchase. Beverages will be available from the Beaver Lake Pop stand. 

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July

12- Lacemaking Workshop with Minnesota Lace Society

10:00 - 4:00 pm at the History Center.

Free

Class is limited to 24 participants and must be 10+. 

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Join us for a special Lacemaking Workshop, led by Minnesota Lace Society members. This hands-on program will introduce participants to the intricate art of bobbin lace and tatting. You'll learn the history of lacemaking, gain fundamental skills in both techniques, and complete two small, finished projects to take home.  

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This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural heritage fund.

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Lunch will be provided.

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Call 507-451-1420 to register. 

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13- Extravaganza

12:00-4:00 pm Village of Yesteryear

Free

Join us for the 39th Annual Extravaganza in the Village of Yesteryear. There will be live demonstrators selling their merchandise. Music, vintage games, a Medicine Show, radio show experience, and a Non-profit Cornhole Tournament. Food and beverages will be available for purchase. 

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This event is sponsored by Baker Tech Services with hot dogs and brats provided by Steve's Meat Market. 

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August 

11- Steele County Prisoner of War Camp Program 

On the Monday of fair week, SCHS will host a presentation about the Owatonna Prisoner of War (POW) Camp. Presented by SCHS Board Member, Jerry Ganfield. He will discuss how the 1929 Geneva Convention on Prisoners of War led to the creation of the POW Camp located on the former Thomas Cashman Farm. 

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             This program is sponsored by Minnesota Farmers Union

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12-17- Steele County Free Fair 

Just a short walk from the fairgrounds, take a break at the History Center and the Village of Yesteryear. There is something fun for the whole family.  Live music, children's activities, vintage candy and floats, Milo's Kettle Corn, and a Medicine Show. 

 

September 

6- Onward and Upward: Ladies of the Stage

 9:30-11:30 am at the History Center. 

$25 for SCHS Members and $35 for Non-Members

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Join us Saturday, September 6, for brunch and a panel discussion of women in local theater. Victoria Bartkowiak, Betsy Cole, Shelley Fitzgerald, and Linda Karnauskas will share their training, experiences, and triumphs in the local theater world. Each of these women has a different perspective to theater through acting, costuming, directing, and management of local theater. Owatonna’s rich history of local theater productions is only possible through dedication and community support. It will be interesting to hear how all this talent melds together into a production. Q&A time will follow

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This program is sponsored by Joni Mosher and Berniece Schroht

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13- Orphanage Museum Fall Celebration

Noon to 3:00 pm at the West Hills Campus

Free and Open to All

Enjoy an afternoon learning about the history of the State School and the children who lived at the State School. Add the Orphanage Museum Fall Celebration to your September calendar so you can make plans to attend.

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October 

9 & 11- Murder Mystery Dinner at the Dunnell House                 Both Dinners are Sold Out!! Please call the History Center

6:00 - 8:30 pm at the Dunnell House                                          to be added to the waitlist. 

$35 for SCHS Members and $45 for Non-Members

Limited to 20 guests per dinner. 

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Come for dinner, stay for the murder, solve the mystery.  SCHS will be hosting two murder mystery dinners at the Dunnell House. Thursday, October 9 and Saturday, October 11. Come prepared to solve a Live Action Steele County Clue! As you arrive at the Dunnell House front door, guests will be given instructions on how the evening will commence. Get ready for a fun evening determining which local historic figures may have offed an unlucky soul. Guests are encouraged to dress in period costume spanning the 1800s-1960s. If you survive the evening, guests will be tasked with keeping the suspects, weapons, and murder a secret or else. 

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Dinner will include Beef Bourguignon, mashed potatoes, salad, a roll, and a bloody good cheesecake. 

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25- Village Fright Night 

6:00-8:30pm

Village of Yesteryear

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SCHS invites you to experience the darker side of the Village of Yesteryear. Guests are encouraged to bring a flashlight as they stroll the grounds and tour the hauntingly beautiful buildings. Actors will be sharing scary and paranormal stories from Steele County and Southern Minnesota's history. Vintage soda will be available to purchase, cost is $2 per bottle. No candy will be distributed at this event. Parent discretion is advised as some stories may not be suitable for young children. This event is free and open to the public. 

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November 

6- Membership and Awards Dinner 

5:30 pm

$25 per person.

Join us for the Annual Membership and Awards Dinner on Thursday, November 6, at the Steele County History Center. We will be electing 2026 Board Members, recognizing the 2025 Volunteer of the Year, and the 2025 Community Partner Award. Our meal is being provided by Superior Foods of Ellendale. This year we will be having Scalloped Potatoes & Ham, vegetable, roll, and dessert. Register online using the link or by calling 507-451-1420. 

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15- Children's Victorian Tea 

10:30 and 1:00 pm

Dunnell House

$20 for Adult & $10 per child

 

Kick off the holiday season with the annual Children’s Victorian Tea for children ages 4 to 10 years, with an adult. Enjoy a special lunch, holiday music, and the story of St. Nicholas at the Dunnell House for this very special day. Children will be given a special craft to take home.  Register online or by phone at 507-451-1420.

 

This program is sponsored by Matt and MaryAnne Higgins.

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​                                                                      Registration opens Monday, October 6 and closes on Wednesday, November 12, 2025. 

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December 

Christmas in the Village Activities! 

3 & 4- Holiday Cookie Sale

Wednesday, December 3 from 3:00-7:00 pm and Thursday, December 4 from 10:00 am until sold out! 

It's that time of year, SCHS is calling all cookie bakers for the Holiday Cookie Sale. Please bring your cookies to SCHS on Monday, December 1 from 8:00 - 5:00 pm. We are asking bakers to bake 4 to 6 dozen cookies. There will be no limit to the number of plates you can purchase. If purchasing in bulk, please bring a box. 

 

4 & 5- Holiday Tours of the Dunnell House

1:30 to 3:30 pm 

Come see the beautifully decorated Dunnell House for the holidays! Area nonprofit organizations and businesses will decorate the Dunnell House to the delight of adults and children this holiday season. 

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4- Holiday Sip and Shop

4:00 to 8:00 pm

History Center

Holiday shoppers are encouraged to attend the first ever Sip and Shop. SCHS is partnering with Grapeful Wine Bar for this special holiday event. Local craft artisans and a wide- variety of area businesses will have merchandise available for purchase this evening. Guests will be able to purchase glasses of wine, beer, and charcuterie cups throughout the evening! This event will be a wonderful way to start or finish your holiday shopping. 

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6- Christmas in the Village 

Noon to 3:00 pm 

History Center and Village of Yesteryear

 

This year's Christmas in the Village will highlight Christmas Around the World for adults and children alike. Songs, folklore, and crafts will be featured from countries around the world. Along with this holiday display, children will be able to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to the Polar Express in the Bixby Depot scheduled at 12:30 and 2:30 pm. The Dunnell House will be open for everyone to see the decorated rooms and sample fresh baked cookies. 

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This event is sponsored by Viracon.