Uncover the rich history of Minnesota through Whoosh!, a lively and deeply moving ghost tale. Solo artist Andrew Erskine Wheeler masterfully brings to life a range of characters, intertwining the rich history of St. Anthony Falls (Owámniyomni/Gakaabikaang) in the post-Civil War era with the story of his Irish heritage. This award-winning show, which debuted at the 2022 MN Fringe Festival, weaves a hauntingly local and unforgettable ghost story through compelling song and storytelling.
Gangster moll Mickey Comforti spills the tea on gangsters, mobsters, and a host of other secrets about Chicago’s love connections with the not-so-saintly city of St. Paul during the 1930’s. Join us as we delve into stories of St. Paul’s ties to infamous figures like Al Capone and Bugs Moran, and explore the brutal rivalry that reached its peak in a garage on St. Valentine’s Day in 1929.
Join us at the History Center of Olmsted County on January 15, 2026, for a fascinating panel presentation revealing vital, often-overlooked contributions of local women during WWII. Coralee Grebe, Sean Kettelkamp and Virginia Wright-Peterson will share their experiences finding, writing, and, in some cases, performing powerful stories of courage, innovation, and persistence.
$5 for non members. F
$5 for nonmembers. FREE for HCOC members olmstedhistory.com/events
Join us as the Rochester Public Library is brings their well-loved Storytime to the History Center! After enjoying some fun and engaging stories, stick around for a kid-friendly and free tour of the History Center Museum and discover fascinating stories from Rochester and Olmsted County’s past. Bring the whole family for a relaxed and fun morning of stories and history!
Break out the mittens and don your coziest sweater! At Mill City Museum, we're embracing winter in the Baking Lab with a hot chocolate brownie demo and the book Bring Warm Clothes, a collection of photos and letters assembled by Peg Meier, formerly of the Star Tribune. Included with site admission.
A gust of icy wind changes everything! Follow St. Paul’s own Clarence “Cap” Wigington and his wife Viola as their Winter Carnival ice palace design plunges them into the magical realm of King Boreas. They’ll encounter iconic Minnesota figures, from bygone poets to racing legends, all woven into the vibrant tapestry of the Carnival’s myth and history. Discover the strange, wonderful heart of a tradition built on resilience, imagination, and the enduring spirit of our snowy state.
Northern Shores features the talented duo of Danny Diamond on fiddle and Brian Miller on guitar, bouzouki, and vocals. This collaboration unites two of the finest Irish folk and traditional musicians in the United States. Belfast-born Diamond delivers music that is profoundly connected to the north of Ireland, highlighting a unique and eclectic repertoire, infused with rhythm and sensitivity. Miller, hailing from Minnesota, immerses himself in his local roots to bring back to life Irish-American folk songs from the Great Lakes.
The Coast & the Sea: Marine and Maritime Art in America is a traveling exhibition organized by the The New York Historical featuring 49 paintings and 10 maritime objects from their immense collection relating the story of early American culture and history. The exhibition is organized into several chronological themes exploring America’s relationship with water.
Geo Rutherford is a Sauk City, Wisconsin based artist, author, educator and a social media sensation with a keen interest in science, natural history, and telling stories about water. On display are original illustrations from her New York Times best selling book Spooky Lakes (2024) and from her forthcoming book Spooky Rivers (2026). Her illustrations explore fascinating, quirky, and sometimes eerie stories about the Great Lakes and other fascinating bodies of water around the world.
Barbara McIlrath travels along the Mississippi River between her farm studio in Pepin, Wisconsin and her house in St. Paul, Minnesota. The seasonal color changes of the Driftless Region inspire her paintings and drawings.
McIlrath is particularly drawn to the shoreline of Lake Pepin in the historic Village of Old Frontenac, Minnesota, as well as the prairie surrounding her farm in Hicks Valley, near the Village of Pepin.
