A one-hour, tongue-in-cheek guided look at corsets, bloomers, long johns and the hidden histories sewn into them. Intimate groups, vintage pieces from Vagabond Village, and close-up details make this an unexpected highlight for visitors in Mankato.
A one-hour, tongue-in-cheek guided look at corsets, bloomers, long johns and the hidden histories sewn into them. Intimate groups, vintage pieces from Vagabond Village, and close-up details make this an unexpected highlight for visitors in Mankato.
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Blue Earth County Historical Society · Mankato, Minnesota
easy.
1 hour.
You should be able to stand and move in a small indoor space for roughly an hour; minimal physical exertion required.
Please check in just outside the Carriage House no more than 10 minutes before your start time as noted in the listing.
Only the first floor is handicap accessible; contact staff ahead of time to discuss specific accessibility needs.
Groups are limited to ten people, creating an intimate setting for close viewing and discussion.
The program runs approximately one hour and involves standing and moving within a small exhibit space.
Photography rules are not specified in the listing—ask staff at check-in about photographing artifacts or close-up details.
The listing does not specify age limits; consider whether children can comfortably stand and pay attention during a one-hour, object-focused presentation.
The program highlights intimate garments that reflect shifts in technology and social norms from the 19th and 20th centuries, using locally sourced pieces to tell community stories.
Artifacts are fragile; staff prioritize gentle handling and conservation, and visitors are asked to avoid touching objects unless explicitly permitted to protect fabric and trim.
Blue Earth County Historical Society is based in Mankato, Minnesota and offers public programming focused on the Historic R.D. Hubbard House. The Society presents guided tours and specialty experiences that interpret the architecture, material culture, and family history tied to the Hubbard property. The R.D. Hubbard House Guided Tour runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day and showcases the house's French Second Empire architecture, innovations such as indoor plumbing, the history of the Hubbard family, the adjoining Victorian gardens, and the carriage house antique collections. These guided tours provide visitors with curated access to period rooms and artifacts that connect local history with the built environment. The Hubbard House Flashlight Tours are a specialty offering that explores Victorian mourning customs and superstitions in an atmospheric, limited-capacity setting. Flashlight tours include access to restricted areas such as the attic and basement and are intentionally limited to just 10 participants to preserve an intimate visitor experience. All programming is offered by the Blue Earth County Historical Society and takes place at the Hubbard House in Mankato, Minnesota. Visitors can expect historically grounded interpretation of the Hubbard House site, with opportunities to learn about domestic technology, Victorian-era customs, and the material legacy of the Hubbard family.
Book with Blue Earth County Historical Society