Rochester, MN is perhaps best known as the home of the Mayo Clinic, but did you know that the third-largest city in the state also has vibrant cultural offerings? Some of the best museums in the region are located in this city of 115,000. Whether you’re here for a day or an entire week, Rochester has plenty to keep you busy, from art and history centers to a museum dedicated to veterans and emergency services workers.
7 of the Best Museums to See in Rochester, MN
1. Rochester Art Center
Rochester Art Center, located near the heart of downtown, is a contemporary art center that exhibits local, national, and international work. Exhibits rotate seasonally, and the center also offers tours and classes. The building that houses the center is architecturally striking and offers beautiful views of the river.
2. Plummer House
The Plummer House is where Henry S. Plumber, who helped Dr. Charles Mayo create the Mayo Clinic, lived with his wife. Tours of this Tudor-style home take place during the summer.
3. Mayowood Mansion
Once you’ve visited the Plummer House, the Mayowood Mansion is the logical next stop. Once the home of Dr. Charles Mayo, co-founder of the Mayo Clinic, this house museum takes visitors back to the early 20th century. Hour-long tours of the estate are offered seven days a week, and visitors are also allowed to explore the estate’s gardens.
4. Minnesota Veterans and Emergency Services Museum
If you’re interested in learning more about the work that individuals who serve in the military or emergency services do, the Minnesota Veterans and Emergency Services Museum is for you. The interactive exhibits at this museum showcase the contributions that Minnesotans have made in these roles. Historic equipment, vehicles, and clothing are on display.
5. History Center of Olmsted County
Situated on a 54-acre site, the History Center of Olmsted County showcases local history. The museum displays maps, diaries, and other artifacts and exhibits that chronicle Rochester’s development as a leader in health care. The museum is also home to an early 1862 pioneer home and a one-room schoolhouse.
6. Charles E. Gagnon Museum & Sculpture Garden
This art museum showcases the bronze sculptures of Charles E. Gagnon, a local artist. This museum is based in the home and studio that Charles Gagnon lived and worked in and shows the progression of his sculptural work. During the summer months, a sculpture garden is open for visitors to explore.
7. Heritage House
This historic property is just a short walk from the Mayo Clinic and offers visitors a glimpse of what life was like in the 1800s. Tours of this Italianate-style home, which has been restored and is filled with Victorian antiques from the period, are offered in June, July, and August. This house museum focuses on preserving and building awareness of Rochester’s early years.
If you’re eager to get out and explore all that Rochester offers, you’ll need a vehicle to travel in. Go to Rochester Mazda and pick out your next car, truck, or SUV today!
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