The Hormel Historic Home will soon have three newly completed exhibits on display. With a grant from the Hormel Foundation we have been able to update some of our interior displays and create new areas of interest.

In 2013, a China place setting that once belonged to Lillian Hormel was donated to the HHH. This setting was part of a 12-piece set sold by the YWCA many years ago as a fundraising effort. The owner graciously donated the setting to the HHH, and I finally have it safely on display in the dining room. The pattern was produced by the George Jones and Sons Company of England between 1907 and 1921 and is now discontinued.

Another item that has been at the HHH for many years is a derby style hat that is believed to have to belonged to George A. Hormel. The band inside the hat indicates the manufacturer was John T. Shayne & Company, which was a Chicago-based hatter, haberdasher and furrier. The company was founded in 1884 by John Thomas Shayne so it is likely that George picked the hat up during his time working in the area. We have a photo from 1888 showing George A. Hormel and Samuel D. Catherwood dressed in their finest. In the photo George is wearing the hat and has described his and Catherwood’s attire well in his autobiography, “Three Men and a Business.” The hat is likely 127 years old, so in order to preserve it into the future, it is now on display in a museum quality box in George’s Office.

The third new display will feature architectural drawings created by Harry Wild Jones. When the Hormels purchased the home in 1901, they hired Jones, an MIT educated architect, to perform major renovations. We recently acquired copies of the drawings from the Minnesota Historical Society. Though not dated other drawings in the collection depict plans for a gymnasium and banquet hall to be added to the Home or to the YWCA. Jones died in 1935 so these drawings were done prior to then. Seeing the plans that Hormel and Jones considered many years ago turn into a reality with the 2009 addition makes the plans even more valuable to the HHH.

You’ll want to stop in to view the new displays soon. More updates are planned so stay tuned.

History Happy Hour

5:30 p.m. Social; 6 p.m. Presentation, Monday, June 8

Antique Evaluations with expert Mark F. Moran. Guests can bring one item for Mr. Moran to evaluate. Some exclusions do apply. Must pre-register by calling the HHH 507-433-4243. Free to members of the HHH, The Mower County Historical Society, or the Friends of the Library. $5 for non-members. 10 spots remaining. Light refreshments included. Cash bar available.

 Free Garden Concerts

2 p.m., Monday, June 22

The Teddy Bear Band, a Twin Cities favorite, will perform. All ages welcome. At 6:30 p.m. members of the Teddy Bear Band transform into The Resistors to perform high energy versatile music for all ages.