steele county historical society

The Minnesota Historical Society issued a news release today announcing 36 recipients of 38 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants (up to $10,000 each), totaling $319,726 in 19 counties. These small grants are awarded quarterly to help nonprofit and educational organizations, government units and tribal organizations preserve and share Minnesota history...

June Voss shares snippets of soldiers’ letters home during World War I. The letters will be part of an exhibit at the Steele County Historical Society titled “The Great War, Over Here, Over There,” which opens in April 2017. New episodes featuring Rice and Steele county history are posted to the Power96 YouTube channel and power96radio...

Johnnie Jaeger recounts worries and preparations surrounding Y2K in Owatonna and Steele County, including a community celebration in Medford and extra police patrols in other communities. New episodes featuring Rice and Steele county history are posted to the Power96 YouTube channel and power96radio...

June Voss displays the shovel that broke ground for construction of the new Steele County Historical Society building, and tells how it was built with no taxpayer money. The building is a popular meeting place, and its event rooms are often booked by outside groups...

The Steele County Historical Society’s Jerry Ganfield shares the history of the Village of Rice Lake. In the 1850s, it was just east of the entrance to Rice Lake State Park and was a major stop on the stagecoach route from Rochester to Owatonna...

Did you know pop superstar Beyonce has a connection to Owatonna? Turns out, Owatonna High School Class of ’95 alum Scott Nylund is the designer behind some of her costumes, and one of his designs, and some sketches and photos are displayed in the Steele County Historical Society...

Steve Groening brings the KOBK news for September and October 1916. In the report: A bond to build a new high school, $20,000 for a new bridge over the Straight River, opposition to a meatpacking plant, the future location of the Steele County Fair, and pre-election political candidate rallies...

It was a race between the Minneapolis and Winona rail lines. Which would get to Owatonna first and claim right-of-way? The Steele County Historical Society’s Daniel Moeckly shares the excitement of the rail lines coming to Owatonna and how the improved transportation options benefited the city...

Barry Adams describes the conditions Owatonna’s National Guard Company I experienced during its stint fighting Pancho Villa along the Mexican border in 1916. New episodes featuring Rice and Steele county history are posted to the Power96 YouTube channel and power96radio...

The Little Theatre of Owatonna recently wrapped up its 50th season. Jerry Ganfield shares some of the behind-the-scenes details that go into launching and sustaining a successful community theater troupe. New episodes featuring Rice and Steele county history are posted to the Power96 YouTube channel and power96radio...