Hormel Historic Home

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  • Home
    • HHH History
    • The Open Road-Autobiography
    • Do History at Home
  • Weddings
    • Weddings
    • Mini-Mony Wedding
    • Grooms/Rehearsal Dinner
    • Just Say "I Do" Wedding
    • Wedding & Event Showcase
  • Membership
  • Hospitality & Tours
    • Event Rentals
    • Ultimate Happy Hour
    • Tours For All Ages
    • Lillian's Table
    • Little Lillian Tea Party
    • Holiday Open House & Christmas Tours
    • Visit the HHH & Austin
  • Education
    • Autism Programming
    • Autism Friendly Austin
    • ASD Recreation Events
    • All Access Community Explorations
    • Camp Just for Me
    • Circle of Friends Day Camp
    • History for Half Pints Children's Programming
    • History Happy Hour/Hump Day History
  • Music
    • Harris Music Contest
    • Music @ the Mansion
  • Calendar & Tickets
  • Newsletter
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
  • Volunteer
  • Contact Us
  • Donate Now

Hospitality

Tours
Event Rentals
Picture
Lillian Belle Gleason Hormel was a very hospitable woman and loved opening her home to her friends, her family, and George's business associates.  In a tribute to Lillian following her death in 1946, Gertrude Skinner writes this, "She made a well-ordered home, to which he (George) could return after business work and worry, to a haven of rest   She kept the home in readiness to entertain the many who came on business missions to the plant.  For years the annual meetings and banquet of the stock-holders were held in this home where the heavy responsibility of entertaining fell on the hostess.  She made it a home where the chums and companions of her son, Jay, found a welcome and she gave to this son an inheritance of her own rare qualities..." 

This spirit of hospitality continued in the Home after George and Lillian retired to California in 1927 and generously donated their treasured Home to the YWCA.  For over 60 years the facility served the women of Austin by renting rooms at an affordable rate and offering space for many community groups to meet.  Within the first year of the Y's operating in the Home over 13,000 people had visited either for social or business reasons, many coming just to tour the beautiful rooms. 

In 1939 a space was added to the Carriage House specifically for the use of the Girl Scouts.  Many women in Austin today remember meeting in this space during the 50+ years of its existence.  

In 2009, a 6,000 sq. ft. commercial kitchen and banquet facility replaced the carriage house on the north side of the Home and is now used for a variety of events including weddings, business meetings and seminars, class reunions, and various community events.

 ​Trip Advisor
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Office and Tour Hours 
 Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm*
*If you are traveling from a distance you're welcome to call us to check tour hour updates as we sometimes have events who rent the historic house for special events.  We also do our best to update our social media and place a sign on the front door or porch if hours will differ.
Special Event Hours Vary and are Customized Per Event

The Hormel Historic Home is an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  The Hormel Historic Home is not own, operated, or operationally funded by any corporation, historical society, county, city or foundation.  Tours, memberships, donations, gift shop purchases, and venue rentals support the Historic House Museum's operations and programming.  We thank you for your support!
Hormel Historic Home
208 4th Ave. NW
Austin, MN  55912
507-433-4243
​
Executive Director:
Cindy Meany
cindy@hormelhistorichome.org
Operations Manager:
Amanda Barber
amanda@hormelhistorichome.org​

Banquet Lead:

Mindy Kenyon
mindy@hormelhistorichome.org

Community Autism Resource Specialist:
Beth Tobak
beth@hormelhistorichome.org
Newsletter:      ​View the current newsletter    Subscribe to our monthly newsletter by submitting your e-mail on the home page.
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