Steele County Historical Society

The service was fantastic. There are many different buildings you can look at and the tours fantastic.. They have many different events through all seasons of Minnesota and it is children friendly, and the prices varies depending on events and tours . Plus there is good parking in two parts of the area right by the house or the big center.

The Steele County Historical Society is truly amazing. It's a modern facility with exhibits that give a glimpse into the past of this community and surrounding area. It offers members genealogical research, a database of old records and maps, archived obituaries, family histories, and a great deal of other things. You can attend presentations from guest speakers, and a number of other events that are regularly scheduled. Currently there are exhibits on the impact of WWI on the area, as well as a history of toys from 1970 to today, and an exhibit of the changing styles of wedding dresses from 1888 to 1948.Next to the building is the Village of Yesteryear, which is a group of several refurbished old buildings from the area that have been relocated here. They include a church, school house, train depot, general store, cabins, etc. They offer daily tours through the summer months. A few years ago I was a guest at a wedding service performed in this small (and very un-air conditioned) church. In this church I've also attended a series of talks based on the letters from a local Civil War soldier to his girlfriend back home. They were a very interesting look into his thoughts as he moved from one location and battle to another.In the last of them it was revealed that he was killed in battle. It was given by an author and former Gettysburg Battlefield tour guide that has retired to Owatonna. It was outstanding.

This is a great facility filled to the brim with history. A revolving assortment of exhibits are quite informative, and their preservation of the Village of Yesteryear is fantastic