UPCOMING EVENTS & EXHIBITS
Step into history with us and travel through time!
Join us for our uniquely special events, where history comes to life in the most fascinating and entertaining ways. Become a time traveler and experience the past with our captivating and newsworthy gatherings.
New Exhibit - Portrait of a Lady
August 12 – October 23, 2025
Free Admission | Open Tues-Fri 9-5
Portrait of a Lady, opening August 12 and running through October 23, shines a light on the life of Florence Rose Castor—an accomplished, university-educated woman from Waseca County whose promising career as a German teacher was cut short by wartime fear, personal injury, and the societal stigma surrounding mental health. Florence’s story was nearly lost to history. Until now.
This original exhibit draws from Florence’s personal scrapbook, family records, and newly uncovered artifacts to piece together a remarkable life interrupted. Visitors will explore the broader social forces that shaped her fate—and the lives of countless other women—through a rich blend of narrative, photography, and interactive elements.
Portrait of a Lady is more than an exhibit—it’s an act of remembrance. Visitors will have the chance to consider the ways we preserve, erase, and reclaim memory over time.
The Mermaid of Loon Lake, and Other Wonders the World Has Forgotten
Oct 28-31
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls—prepare yourselves!
For one fleeting week only, a spectacle most unnatural descends upon the Waseca County History Center! Enter if you dare, for within these walls lurk wonders so strange, so sinister, so shocking, you may never look upon the world the same way again!
THE MERMAID OF LOON LAKE!
Tales whispered from the misty waters come alive before your very eyes! Is she maiden, is she fish, or is she something far more sinister? Learn the chilling truth of her creation, and marvel at the trickery that bewitched crowds a century ago!
THE CAPRICORN BABY!
Part goat, part unicorn, part fish, and ALL wondrous! Crafted in secret workshops of deception, this taxidermied gaff will make you doubt your own eyes! Could such a creature have lived?
THE HISTORY OF THE SIDESHOW!
Walk the crooked path of humbuggery and fraud that dazzled innocents and skeptics alike. See how deception was spun into spectacle—right here in Waseca County’s own backyard!
Oct 31 6-9pm
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE GRAND FINALE!
On the night when spirits stir—October 31st from 6 to 9 o’clock—dare to climb the museum’s shadowed stairs, come rain or shine! Inside will await for you:
Candy for the little ones
Chills for the brave
Board and volunteers clad in eerie garb, stalking the darkened galleries
A sideshow of dreams and visions to crown your Halloween night!
Candies, curiosities, and wonders await… Will you come face to face with the impossible? Or will you turn back before the curtain rises?
Trick or Treat at the Museum!
CAT Paranormal Talk & Investigation
October 30 · 6-8:30 (or so) PM · Waseca County History Center
Join CAT Paranormal for a spine-tingling evening of ghostly exploration! 👻
6pm Talk (check in begins at 5:30) - The night begins at the History Center, where you’ll spend 45 fascinating minutes learning about the real tools and techniques used in modern paranormal investigations—from EMF detectors to spirit boxes and beyond.
7pm Investigation (SOLD OUT) - Then, for those daring enough, the adventure continues with an exclusive paranormal investigation inside the Bailey Lewer Research Library—a site long rumored to be haunted. Space for this portion is extremely limited, and participation is available only to full-ticket holders.
🎟️ Museum Talk Session: $7
Are you brave enough to uncover what lingers in Waseca’s past?
Vintage Holiday Gift Sale
Nov 20 & 21st 9am - 5pm, Museum Building
Vintage Holiday Sale – Find the Perfect Gift!
Step back in time and shop our Vintage Holiday Sale at the Waseca County History Center!
A little bit of everything (not just holiday items) - discover treasures with character – from timeless home décor and charming collectibles to unique pieces you won’t find in any store. Whether you’re searching for the perfect gift, adding to your holiday decorations, or just love a good vintage find, you’ll enjoy browsing our handpicked selection.
✨ All prices will be deeply discounted – so you can treat yourself or someone you love without stretching your budget.
Perfect for:
One-of-a-kind holiday gifts
Vintage holiday décor
Collectibles with history and charm
Your purchases help support the Waseca County Historical Society’s mission to preserve and share our county’s stories. Come shop, find something special, and make this holiday season truly memorable!
Upcoming Seasonal Series
Volunteer with us!
Our events are an absolute blast to volunteer for. Be a part of our volunteer team! Can you act, paint, do carpentry or electric work? Are you a good organizer, a good cook, a good decorator? We would love to find out how your gifts can bring joy to our community at the History Center.