I have had a couple of field trip opportunities recently that will help the Hormel Historic Home continue to strive toward its vision of being a Community Resource Preserving and Sharing the Hormel Family Legacy.

Amanda, HHH Operations Manager, and I attended a day long workshop specifically for House Museums at the Ramsey House in St. Paul. With about 30 other House Museum employees and volunteers, we learned about specific security measures that our facility should take to protect ourselves from crime, liability issues, and disasters. From the Marketing Director at the Glensheen Mansion in Duluth, we were taught various ways to use social media more effectively to promote the beauty and mission of the Hormel Historic Home. Take a look at #housemuseummn #hormelhistorichome #tbt or #weddingwednesday to see what we learned. Enhancing the tours we offer was the third topic for the day and included unique and personal stories about the Ramsey House that helped to engage us in the history contained within the beautiful home.

We then discussed how, as peers in the house museum industry, we can support one another in our daily efforts to bring our respective histories to life. Museum standards suggest that a positive outcome following a visit to a historic site would be to influence a change in people, to teach them something, or to motivate them to action.

On another day, I found myself in Mason City, Iowa, visiting with the co-president of the Our Loving Children organization. Led solely by volunteers, Our Loving Children provides support, resources, advocacy, community events, business partnerships and a dedicated play area for those with autism and other special needs. The autism programming sponsored by the Hormel Historic Home has served 100 families in seven years, and we want to keep making a difference. Along with a dedicated group of leaders, the HHH has been reviewing what other communities are doing to serve those with autism and special needs, and our visit to Mason City gave us some ideas for future programs that will fill a need in our community.

I do not take lightly the mission of the HHH and want to make an impact on those who visit. By participating in field trips like the ones described above, we are ensuring that the Hormel Historic Home will be a meaningful resource for all people for generations to come. George Hormel made his commitment to the community and his passion for quality well-known. The HHH wants to mirror his intent through our position in the community and the quality of services we provide.

Master Piano Class

2 to 3 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 6 in the Historic Living Room

Led by New York pianist, Peggy Reich, four young people will play a classical piece, and then Ms. Reich will discuss the marvels behind the composition. Free.

Holiday Card Playing Party

Noon, Thursday, Nov. 17

$10 per person
Enchanted Evening Tours

Friday, Nov. 18

Hors ’doeuvres by 3B Catering, 6 p.m.; Bissen Family Concert, 7 p.m. $10 per person

OpenHouse with Entertainment, Shopping and Cranberry Cake

11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 $10 per person

Soup & Santa

4:30 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 19 $5 per person