WELCOME to HARMONY, MN
Discover the big history of this little town.
Harmony has long been known as “The Biggest Little town in Southern Minnesota”; discover the big history of this little town. The Harmony Area Historical Society is committed to the collection, preservation, dissemination and interpretation of knowledge about the history of the Harmony Area and its unique geology. The Historical Society has developed interpretive exhibits describing this history and geology. We have developed and supported permanent exhibits at the Harmony Visitor Center and along the Harmony - Preston Valley State Trail. In addition, the society creates temporary exhibits during the summer and special events during the year.
We are located at the Harmony Visitor Center, 15 2nd St. NW in Harmony, MN 55939 just off HWY 52 on North Main Ave. (HWY 139).
Displays are open during normal Visitor Center Hours 10 am - 4 pm (11 am -3 pm Sundays) during the Tourist season (May-October). Staff is available most Tuesdays 9-noon.
Email Us
The Harmony Historical society is working on a project to save and restore the old grain elevator located at the entrance to Harmony; this will be a multi-phase, multi-year project and will need to involve many from the Harmony Community and Area Agricultural Community. To learn more about the project, click on the information document below and the foundation research study; you can also review a short video about the elevator.
Historic_Grain_Elevator_Restoration_Information.pdf
312.4 KB
Elevator_Foundation_Report_-_AmyHahn.pdf
1.3 MB
Elevator.MOV
9.2 MB
Harmony Historical Signage Project
In 2017 , the Harmony Area Historical Society engaged in a project to design and install signage to highlight the history and development of the town of Harmony.
This Historical Signage Project was made possible by a great collaborative effort of many individuals and organizations in our community. Thank you to the local organizations for funding support and encouragement, businesses for their cooperation with sign locations and the City of Harmony for coordination with MNDOT. Enough can’t be said about the dedication of Historical Society volunteers for their many hours of research, writing and organization of materials that brought this project to fruition. In addition, a Historical (walking) Tour of Harmony was created and can be picked up at the Harmony Visitor Center. The tour starts with 12 foot time line sign highlighting the development of Harmony.
Culmination of the project was celebrated with an unveiling ceremony on 6/16/2018. Residents ,visitors with city and state dignitaries attended the ceremony. HAHS President Cliff Johannessen emceed the ceremony.
Historic_Grain_Elevator_Restoration_Information.pdf
312.4 KB
Elevator_Foundation_Report_-_AmyHahn.pdf
1.3 MB
Elevator.MOV
9.2 MB
Harmony Historical Signage Project
In 2017 , the Harmony Area Historical Society engaged in a project to design and install signage to highlight the history and development of the town of Harmony.This Historical Signage Project was made possible by a great collaborative effort of many individuals and organizations in our community. Thank you to the local organizations for funding support and encouragement, businesses for their cooperation with sign locations and the City of Harmony for coordination with MNDOT. Enough can’t be said about the dedication of Historical Society volunteers for their many hours of research, writing and organization of materials that brought this project to fruition. In addition, a Historical (walking) Tour of Harmony was created and can be picked up at the Harmony Visitor Center. The tour starts with 12 foot time line sign highlighting the development of Harmony.
On May 28, 2016 we dedicated our "Honoring our Harmony Area Military" Exhibit.
(view information & photos from the dedication by clicking on the "Harmony Military" button above)
(view information & photos from the dedication by clicking on the "Harmony Military" button above)
Harmony Area Historical Society (HAHS)
Oral History Project: Voices of Harmony
HAHS has developed a process for recording the oral histories of Harmony residents in order to preserve the history and memories of Harmony. A special thank you to Amy Hahn for developing this process and completing the first interview.
Our first recorded interviewee was:
ISABEL DANIELS PAOLINI
Interviewed by AMY HAHN
Wednesday, January 13, 2016
Clara House, Harmony, Minnesota
Power Point Slides of Interview:
Isabel_Power_Point_Slides.pdf
3.6 MB
Transcript of Interview:
130.2 KB
We plan to include all photos & the audio content with the next upgrade to the site.
Support the Harmony Area Historical Society
The Harmony Area Historical Society (HAHS) is a non-profit organization interested in the preservation of Harmony’s History. The organization is completely operated by volunteers and is funded by grants, memberships and donations. If you are interested in supporting this organization, please consider joining as a member (lifetime or annual) or giving a separate donation. Your membership or donation is tax deductible.
Membership/Contribution
Information
Name: _________________________________________
Address: ______________City__________St____Zip_____
Telephone:__________________
Email: _____________________
_____New Membership:
____ Lifetime (single payment) - $300
____ Annual (individual/family) - $25
____ Youth - $10
_____ General Fund Donation $______
____ Please contact me if I can help with a project
Send information & check to:
HAHS
PO Box 291,
Harmony, MN 55939
Let's Have Harmony
(A Centennial History)
This 209 page book by
Millicent Yates Johnson was written for Harmony's Centennial Celebration. The book includes a history, great photographs and reflections of Harmony starting with settlements in the early 1800s.
Let's Have Harmony will be a great addition to your library or a perfect gift for any one interested in Harmony.
To order your book, please send a check for $10 (plus $2.75 S/H) to:
HAHS
PO Box 291
Harmony, MN 55939.
