What: Irish Heritage at the Hill House
When: Saturday and Sunday, March 16 and 17
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday; 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday
Cost:$9adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children age 6-17; free for members.
Reservations: Recommended; call 651-297-2555

Join the Minnesota Historical Society at the James J. Hill house for a two day celebration of Irish culture and history. Visitors can take theme tours, enjoy stories of the Hill family and their servants (many of them Irish), hear traditional Irish songs and see needlework demonstrations.

At the age of 21, Mary Theresa Mehegan wed James Jerome Hill, an up and coming businessman who achieved great financial success with the Great Northern Railway. Throughout their marriage, Mary continued to hold on to the Irish values and culture of her parents, who came to the U.S. from Ireland in the mid-19th century. A devout Catholic, Mary carefully oversaw her family of 10 children while often attending to the sick and needy of the city. She excelled in fine needlework and her knit lace is on display during the tour.

What: Easter Egg Hunt
When: Saturday, March 30
Time: 10 a.m.
Cost: $6; $2 discount for MHS members.
Reservations: Recommended; call 651-297-2555

Celebrate Spring at the James J. Hill house with an outdoor egg hunt on the Hill House lawn. Visitors can win prizes, hear stories and look around the first floor of the Gilded Age mansion until 11 a.m.

Children ages 2-7 are invited to look in a special designated area for up to 6 eggs (please bring your own basket).

All children must be accompanied by an adult. Event is outdoors, so please dress appropriately.

About the James J. Hill House

Completed in 1891, the Gilded Age mansion was the residence of James J. Hill, builder of the Great Northern Railway, and his family. The home is located one-half block west of the Cathedral of St. Paul at 240 Summit Avenue. It is open for regular tours year-round, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays through Saturdays and 1 to 3:30 p.m. Sundays. Reservations are recommended. For more information, call 651-297-2555.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.