Blue Earth County Historical Society

10/19/2026

Celebrate 125 years of the Historical Society! Discover artifacts, documents, and photographs that share the story of both the Society and the county—spanning from our earliest treasures to our most recent donation.

National Brass Cash Register, 1900c
Saulpaugh Hotel, 1887-1974. Located on the corner of South Front and Main Streets.

When constructed, the Saulpaugh Hotel was the social hub of Mankato—a magnificent four-story stone building, made of Mankato-Kasota stone. For years, it was the largest building in southern Minnesota.

This ornate machine sits atop an oak base and has two cash drawers. It can be operated electrically and mechanically. The register was designed for a tavern or a hotel. Some of the keys are for w**e, bottle, table, and room. It has a customer counter and a way to have two separate cashiers, each with their own drawer and receipts. It was donated to the Blue Earth County Historical Society in 2001 by Steve and Avis Woehrle.

10/18/2026

We have another Then and Now image to enjoy! This week, we're looking at St. John's Episcopal Church in Mankato.

Visit our website to move the Slider! Link is in the comments!

10/16/2026

There are two weeks left to get your tickets for the Timekeeper's Ball. Looking for inspiration on what to wear? Check out this video on the changes in women's fashion!

Link to get tickets is in the comments!

Take a look back at the last hundred years of gowns, from the drop-...

10/14/2026

Step through history at The Timekeeper’s Ball on November 7, 2026, as the Blue Earth County Historical Society celebrates 125 years of preserving our county’s stories. Dress for your favorite decade.

Follow the link in our bio to buy your tickets!

10/14/2026

Take a peek at the darker side of play with this limited-time micro-exhibit “Masters of Monsters,” featuring the private collection of Mankato collector and longtime KMSU DJ Bob Pavlenko.

From classic monsters and ghosts to pop-culture favorites, explore how horror has found its way into toys and collectibles through the generations. Highlights include Silent Screamers figures inspired by the classic films The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Nosferatu. Strange creatures. Creepy characters. A little bit of the macabre. Come see what toys go bump in the night at the History Center.

10/12/2026

As we celebrate our 125th anniversary, we are looking at a different decade each month. This month, we move into the 2000s!

The 2000s saw both Jessica and Shelley start at BECHS within a month of each other. Jessica became the Executive Director of BECHS in 2005 and has been leading us ever since.

The research center moved from the end of the hallway to the front of the hallway just inside the Cherry Street Entrance. This also moved the meeting room from this space to the end of the upper level.

The first lawn party was held at the Hubbard House. This annual tradition continued for decades.

10/11/2026

We have another Then and Now image to enjoy! This week, we're looking at the Mankato Baptist Church, not Divine Towers!

Visit our website to move the slider! Link is in the comments!

10/10/2026

It is National Motorcycle Day! We've had them around Blue Earth County for quite some time as this picture is from 1915!

10/09/2026

There's still time to get tickets for the Timekeeper's Ball! Ticket link in the comments!