Who takes a school aged child to a historic house museum?

The Hormel Historic Home wants all families to realize they can bring their children here.  Our furnishings are old, but that makes it even more important that parents expose their young people to old relics or they may never have the chance to appreciate pieces from the past.

George and Lillian Hormel invested in many activities and organizations that benefited youth.  They contributed to Girl and Boy Scouts in the region and Mrs. Hormel led many youth programs in her church.  They may have only had one child themselves, but they provided for many more through their investments.

Today, the Hormel Historic Home wishes to influence all generations in the appreciation of history.  The added event center space has allowed us to bring more youth programming to the organization.  This old home certainly enjoys the energy and enthusiasm that the kids bring to the space.  Their awe and wonder often reawakens interests that someone from an older generation may have lost over time.

In the last ten years the HHH has offered over 40 events specifically designed to get kids involved in history.  We have also welcomed more than 50 field trips from area schools and scout troops.  Our volunteers have created age appropriate tours and activities in the form of story times, historic game playing, character visits, scavenger hunts and ‘cooking’ events.

All of these events fall under the History for Half Pints programming initiative because we want to be intentional about what we are offering.  The History for Half Pints team has also created activity centers in several rooms of the historic home so that when kids do come in with their adults they have things to do that may interest them more than looking at artwork or hearing about people who died many years ago.  I would have struggled with that when I was 8 years old too.

The addition of the event center has made it possible to do more for the younger generations.  The Austin Area Foundation has helped to fund many of our activities, and thousands of kids have had the chance to experience the lifestyle of a family who lived long long ago.

However, the main ingredient that has made our youth programming successful is the passionate people who have invested creativity and time to develop meaningful curriculum.  Kids are curious.  They notice things that adults may overlook, and they aren’t afraid to ask questions and give their opinion.  A historic environment gives them an opportunity to explore and be inquisitive.  We welcome them, we want them, and we appreciate them.

We appreciate volunteers who would like to help broaden a child’s mind. If you are interested in being a part of our History for Half Pints programming please contact me at holly@hormelhistorichome.org.

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Music @ the Mansion: Bluedog Blues

7 p.m., Monday, July 29

Award-winning blues band featuring female blues vocals, rocking blues guitar, hot keys and solid rhythm and bass. The music is influenced by life experiences of Native people.

Music @ the Mansion: Scott Jasmin and Friends-Small Town Songs

7 p.m., Monday, Aug. 5

Free.