Spring Splendor
Visit the State School Orphanage Museum and enjoy the Spring Splendor with an evening of theatre in Owatonna, MN
April 28-30 or May 5-7, 2011
Day One
10 – 12:00 pm
Arrive at the State School Orphanage Museum to learn the story of Minnesota’s orphans between 1886-1945. Enjoy a presentation as told by one of the children who lived at the orphanage for 11 years.
12 – 1:00 pm
Enjoy a catered lunch at the beautiful Owatonna Arts Center, formerly the Orphanage’s dining hall.
1 – 1:45 pm
Get out into the fresh air to tour the grounds of the State School Orphanage West Hills Campus. First make a stop at Cottage 11 to explore an original cottage from the orphanage era and the history of the boys who lived there. Move on for a visit to the new gift shop.
1:45 – 3:30 pm
Next, visit the four Outdoor Audio Tour Stations to understand the buildings and grounds as they existed then. This tour walks the visitor through the beautiful campus, the old root cellar, used to store food and vegetables in the early 1900′s, then onto the original and restored rock gardens that lead eventually to the Children’s Cemetery.
3:30 – 4:00 pm
Grab an afternoon cup of coffee and a treat downtown at Costa’s Café & Chocolate Shop -featuring delicious hand-made/hand-dipped candies. Or swing into Russell Stover Candies for a sweet treat or cool dip of Bridgeman’s Ice Cream!
4 – 7:00 pm
Head back to one of Owatonna’s group friendly lodging properties to freshen up for dinner and a show.
7:00 pm
Take in the musical “The Unsinkable Molly Brown” at the Little Theater of Owatonna. Enjoy the riveting tale of Molly Brown who survived the sinking of the RMS Titanic.
Day Two
9 – 10:00 am
Rise and shine and discover Owatonna’s Parks and Trails with a brisk walk through Kaplan’s Wood’s or enjoy the sights and sounds of Lake Kohlmeier.
10 – 12:00 pm
Discover historic downtown in the National Farmer’s Bank, designed by world-renowned architect Louis Sullivan. The bank building is famous for its Prairie School architecture.
12:00 pm
Grab lunch on the go before departing Owatonna for your next stop along a scenic byway in southern Minnesota!
For more information or to customize this sample itinerary for your group please contact your tour operator or Owatonna Tourism Department 800-423-6466 or go to www.visitowatonna.org.
