Mission:

Preserving and sharing history today for tomorrow.

Vision:

The Steele County Historical Society is a dynamic organization serving our audiences through public programs, research, stewardship, and through our consistent visibility. We will strive to be a credible educational resource, a welcoming gathering place, an active partner, and a forward-looking institution.

About Us:

A private, nonprofit, educational organization established in 1949, the Steele County Historical Society is the official historical society of the county and one of the oldest in the state. Located at 1700 Austin Road in Owatonna, MN the SCHS is home to the Village of Yesteryear offering 19 historic structures and the History Center which houses the an exhibit hall, gift shop and the Zamboni Genealogy, Archives and Research Lab that are open to the public and funded by private contributions. The SCHS collection includes diaries, graphics, books, artifacts, and other historical materials accessible at our campus and on loan at other organizations.

The SCHS collection, programs and exhibits help Steele County residents connect with each other, have conversations that shape our communities, and make informed decisions based on our past and present.