Houston Area Museum

05/25/2026

Memorial Day is more than the unofficial start of summer; it is a day to remember and honor the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country. At the Houston Area Museum, preserving history means preserving the stories of those who served and the generations whose courage helped shape our communities and nation.

As we remember those who gave so much, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on the importance of honoring and sharing these stories so they are never forgotten.

Houston Area Museum will be open from 11am to 4pm immediately following Houston's Memorial Day in the park.

05/22/2026

🌲 Explore America’s National Parks 🌲

Join the Houston Area Museum for a special August program featuring Lee Wendel and Krin Abraham as they take us on a journey through some of the most breathtaking National Parks across the United States.

📅 Sunday, August 23
⏰ 2:00 PM
📍 Houston Area Museum

From iconic landscapes to hidden gems, this presentation will highlight the beauty, history, and significance of our national parks, and why they continue to inspire generations.

Grab a friend and come travel the country with us, no hiking boots required!

05/18/2026

🇺🇸America at 250: Stories That Shaped a Nation 🇺🇸

The Houston Area Museum is excited to welcome back returning presenter Frederick Beseler for a special program you won’t want to miss!

Join us on Sunday, July 5 at 2:00 PM as Frederick shares fascinating stories and historic documents leading up to the 250th anniversary of the United States. From 1776 to 2026, explore the moments, people, and records that helped shape our nation’s journey to independence.

As we approach this once-in-a-generation milestone, America’s Semiquincentennial (250th Independence Day on July 4, 2026) this presentation offers a meaningful look at the history behind the celebration.

📍 Houston Area Museum
🗓 Sunday, July 5
⏰ 2:00 PM

Bring a friend and come experience history in a whole new way!

05/14/2026

✨ Throwback Thursday ✨

Take a trip back in time with this black & white postcard featuring the Houston Wagon Bridge - 1908. Long before modern highways and traffic, this bridge connected neighbors, farms, businesses, and stories that helped shape our community.

Do you have family memories or old photos connected to the wagon bridge or early Houston history? We’d love to hear them in the comments! 🖤🤍

05/07/2026

🔍 Step inside a piece of Houston County history!

On Wednesday, May 6th, 2026, a group of local citizens along with members of the newly formed Friends of the Houston County Jail had the opportunity to tour the historic Old Houston County Jail. These photos give a rare look inside the building and showcase both its history and potential for the future.

Despite flood damage from years ago, much of the affected drywall, ceilings, and damaged materials were removed during mitigation efforts, and the building remains in surprisingly good structural condition. Over the years, possible future uses discussed for the jail have included county offices, a library, and even a brewery!

Want to learn more about the fascinating history of the Old Jail and ongoing conversations surrounding its future? Join the Houston Area Museum for a special presentation on Sunday, June 14th at 2:00 PM.

Come explore the stories, history, and possibilities behind one of Houston County’s most unique landmarks! 🏛️✨

05/07/2026

🎥 | Houston’s Main Street Story

Let’s take a step back to 2018, when Houston student Lillian Carlson shared an insightful look at the future of rural retail right here in our community.

Her video, “Next Gen Rural Retail in Houston, MN,” highlights something many small towns across America have struggled with: the loss of local staples like hardware stores and grocery stores. Yet Houston stood out, holding strong with a locally-owned hardware store and a cooperatively managed grocery.

Take a few minutes to revisit this thoughtful piece and reflect on how far we’ve come, and where we’re headed.

👉 Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/fkrLqOuYUBU?si=ATt6aZp0hLyaGqwJ

Next Gen Rural Retail in Houston, Minn. by Lillian Carlson (12th grade, Houston):In small-town America, the health of a community is often determined by the ...

05/04/2026

🔐 Unlock the Stories Behind the Old Houston County Jail 🔐

Join us at the Houston Area Museum on Sunday, June 14 at 2:00 PM for a fascinating presentation you won’t want to miss.

“The Friends of the Historic Houston County Jail,” featuring Deb Wray and Laurel Rusert, will take us inside the walls of one of Houston County’s most storied buildings.

The old jail now sits empty, but don’t mistake that for forgotten. It’s packed with history, memories, and a whole lot of untold stories.

Even more importantly, the Houston County Historical Society is working to ensure this landmark doesn’t fade into the past. Learn how the “Friends” group is leading the charge to preserve the structure and reimagine its future use for generations to come.

👉 If you care about local history, preservation, or what happens to the places that shaped our community, this is for you.

📍 Houston Area Museum
🗓 Sunday, June 14
⏰ 2:00 PM

Come curious. Leave inspired.

05/03/2026

Planning a class reunion? 🎓
Make it one to remember at the Houston Area Museum!

We’d love to host your class and help you reconnect in a space full of local history and nostalgia. We can even tailor a special exhibit to your graduating year, bringing back memories, milestones, and maybe a few forgotten fashion choices 😉

Reach out to us to start planning your reunion, we’ll help make it meaningful, memorable, and uniquely yours.

05/01/2026

Did you know the Houston Area Museum turns 3 on May 11th? 🎉

We’re celebrating our anniversary all month long with exciting happenings you won’t want to miss! May is also National Historic Preservation Month, which makes this milestone even more meaningful to us.

Stop in any weekend in May and sign up for our giveaway basket! We’ll also be announcing our 2026 Heritage Award Honoree and showcasing many new artifacts now on display.

Come see what’s new, revisit local history, and celebrate with us!
🕰 Open Sundays from 1–4 PM

04/30/2026

✨ Throwback Thursday: Prom Night Memories ✨

Travel back to May 20, 1995, with this gem from the Houston Area Museum VHS Archives! 💃🕺

The Houston High School Prom was held at the Riverport Inn in Winona, followed by an After Prom Party at HHS. A night full of memories, music, and milestone moments for the Classes of ‘95 & '96.

👑 Prom Queen: Stephanie Aga
👑 Prom King: Aaron Swenson
🌟 Junior Queen: Emily Naber
🌟 Junior King: Kyle Erdmann
🎤 MC: Todd Lundberg

A special thank you to the family of Keela Johnson for generously donating this piece of Houston history to the museum. ❤️

Do you recognize anyone or have memories from this night? We’d love to hear your stories, drop them in the comments! 📸

https://youtu.be/agZvtkn378k

1995 HHS Prom & After Prom Party