March 2009 • Volume 14 / Issue 1 Chaska to York Factory in Forty-Nine Days ear the amazing story of Colton Witte and Sean Bloomfield’s paddle Hup the River, down the Red River of the North, across the massive Lake Winnipeg and ending after a total of 49 days at the York Factory on the Hudson Bay. The two teenagers started out at their hometown Chaska and paddled for an incredible 2,250 miles. Sunday March 29th, 1 p.m. / Treaty Site History Center Sean and Colton will talk about a journey few people would ever dream of doing through images and personal observations. The idea came to them after reading about Eric Sevareid and Walter Port’s 1930 canoe trip from to the Hudson Bay in the book Canoeing with the Cree. For Sevareid and Port, it took 98 days. The two teenagers started out on April 28th as snowflakes fell from the dark sky and they paddled back into winter by the time they made it to the York Factory on June 15th. On the way they battled a flooding , ate moldy pizza, and suffered through extreme weather conditions. They learned quickly to take people’s advice on what they might see upstream with a grain of salt. Witte and Bloomfield continued on page 5 Charitable giving workshop spotlights smart ways to share e all have time, talents and treasures Sign up today! W(assets) that can be a powerful gift to organ- izations that we care about. A free educational Sign up on the registration workshop, Charitable Giving: How to Make a form at the Treaty Site History CONTENTS Center or contact the Nicollet Difference by Giving Back, will cover a variety Director’s Report 2 of ways you can share and make an impact. County Historical Society at Site Info 2 507-934-2160 or e-mail Memorials 2 In this workshop developed by Thrivent [email protected] to reserve Ridgely Report 3 Financial for Lutherans, you’ll learn about every- your spot today. Moline Scholarship 4 thing from volunteer opportunities to financial While various product solutions may be suggested as Legacy Amendment 5 tools that may actually increase your giving solutions for your needs, no products will be sold at Active Archives 6 capabilities. You’ll also find out how you can this educational event. Registered representative for Dakota History securities offered through Thrivent Investment Roundtable 7 leave a charitable legacy that will continue to Management Inc., 625 Fourth Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN 55415-1665, 800-THRIVENT (800-847-4836), a Members 7 provide help far into the future. wholly owned subsidiary of Thrivent Financial for Median Project 8 Lutherans. Member FINRA and SIPC. The workshop will be presented by Financial Spring Fling at Co-op 9 Thrivent Financial and its representatives and New Board Members 10 Representatives Jonathan Kraatz and Brian E employees cannot provide legal, accounting or tax Jones, CFP®. advice or services. Work with your Thrivent Financial Plant Sale 10 representative in collaboration with your attorney Norseland Invitation 10 and/or tax professional for complete details. When: Thursday, March 26 at 6:30 p.m. Events Calendar 11 Where: Treaty Site History Center Membership Form 12 Executive Board Memorials President, Gary Schmidt, Mankato received since the last Vice President, Julie Gilbert, St. Peter newsletter: Secretary, Jeremy Freeman, St. Peter Treasurer, Herb Poncin, Nicollet Historian, Evie Swenson, Nicollet In Memory of Irene Bell Directors Director’s Column Given by Steve Baxa, St. Peter Marilyn & Bill Robertz Dr. Chris Corley, North Mankato can’t turn on the news or the Arden DeBoer, Lafayette In Memory of Dr. Lori Lahlum, North Mankato I internet without hearing about Don Burch Emilie Lokensgard, Norseland current economic crisis. We all Given by Thorild Nelson, Nicollet Carol & Martin Menk Dr. Sujay Rao, St. Peter know times are tough right now. Marilyn & Bill Robertz Tami Skinner, St. Peter I have many friends, as I’m sure Ed & Bev Wetherill Diane Stenson, St. Peter many of you do, who are out of In Memory of Sally Webster, Bernadotte Dave Bussman work. In troubled times people Given by Contact Information often look to history for guid- Marilyn & Bill Robertz Executive Director, Ben Leonard ance and perspective. It’s some- Ben Leonard In Memory of [email protected] Beulah Martens Collections Manager, Bob Sandeen what amusing that we seem to Given by [email protected] be getting neither from the media. The Great Carol Jackson Office Manager, Jessica Brockberg Depression is a popular starting point for news In Memory of [email protected] Gene Nelson reports these days. Some even suggest our Given by Museum Store Manager, Ruth Grewe current economic malaise is worse than that of Marilyn & Bill Robertz Cox House Manager, vacant eighty years ago. For a little context I turned to In Memory of Harkin Store Site Manager, Ruth Grewe the Library of Congress. They provide a history Bill Pell Given by Harkin Store Asst. Site Mgr., Ross Gersten lesson for those of us born after the Great Carol & Martin Menk Harkin Store Site Guide, Ann Koch Depression: In Memory of TSHC Museum Assistants, Allen McBride, Evelyn Ricci Hannah Skinner The began in 1929 when, in a Given by TSHC Maintenance, Wayne Passon Dolores Holteen period of ten weeks, stocks on the New York Judy Scholl Ft. Ridgely Site Manager, Nancy Zempel Stock Exchange lost 50 percent of their value. As In Memory of Ft. Ridgely Site Guides, Dorothy Polesky, stocks continued to fall during the early 1930s, Carol Tostenson John Taylor and Char Nack businesses failed, and unemployment rose dra- Given by Richard & Dwight matically. By 1932, one of every four workers was Tostenson Treaty Site History Center unemployed. Banks failed and life savings were 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue lost, leaving many Americans destitute. With no St. Peter, MN 56082 TSHC Phone: (507) 934-2160 job and no savings, thousands of Americans lost TSHC Fax: (507) 934-0172 their homes. The poor congregated in cardboard Hours: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. shacks in so-called Hoovervilles on the edges of Sunday 1–4 p.m. cities across the nation; hundreds of thousands of Archives: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. General information via e-mail: the unemployed roamed the country on foot and [email protected] or in boxcars in futile search of jobs. Although few [email protected] Website: www.nchsmn.org starved, hunger and malnutrition affected many. E. St. Julien Cox House 500 N. Washington Avenue In a country with abundant resources, the largest St. Peter, MN 56082 force of skilled labor, and the most productive Cox House Phone: (507) 934-4309 industry in the world, many found it hard to the CROSSING Hours: June, July, August understand why the depression had occurred Thurs.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. is a publication of the and why it could not be resolved. Moreover, it Nicollet County Harkin Store Historical Society. P.O. Box 112, New Ulm, MN 56082 was difficult for many to understand why people Subscription is Eight miles northwest of New Ulm, should go hungry in a country possessing huge free with a Society on County Highway 21 food surpluses. Blaming Wall Street speculators, membership. Harkin Store Phone: (507) 354-8666 Hours: June, July, and August bankers, and the Hoover administration, the rum- Contributors for Tues.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. blings of discontent grew mightily in the early this issue: September through October 15 1930s. By 1932, hunger marches and small riots Jessica Brockberg Fri.–Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m. were common throughout the nation. Ruth Grewe Eileen Holz 72404 County Road 30 However, not all citizens were caught up in the Fairfax, Minn. 55332 Ben Leonard social eruptions. Many were too downtrodden or Jenniver Luhmann Fort Ridgely Phone: (507) 426-7888 Bob Sandeen Website: [email protected] busy surviving day to day to get involved in pub- Nancy Zempel Hours: Memorial Day–Labor Day lic displays of discontent. Instead, they placed Fri.–Sun.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. September–October 15 Director’s Message continued on page 4 Sat. & Sun.: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. 2 the CROSSING Ridgely Report by Nancy Zempel, site manager ith snow still on the ground it is hard to Roger Breckenridge will present Wimagine that in less than two months the a program on Sunday at 1:30 grass will be green and the Fort Ridgely Historic p.m. Roger is a Civil War histo- Site will be busy with school groups. Many rian and will present his schools are return visitors and will set their May research about local men who visit a year in advance. It is always great to hear fought in the Civil War. He will the laughter and chatter of children at the site. share family histories and also where the veterans have been Our first program of the season will be on June 7, laid to rest. which is the State Park Open House Sunday. No fee will be charged to enter any of the states 67 More programs are being parks. Ron Bolduan will be at the commissary planned for the upcoming sea- with his program—Macro World: Little Critters son. Keep checking the NCHS Are Wildlife Too. Ron’s pictures are always website for updates. See you at great and he will share his knowledge of Fort Ridgely. wildlife in the Minnesota River valley. Check out his website at Soon we will be www.experiencenature.com. preparing the exhibits for the 2009 season. There will be no charge for Plan on scheduling a the program or to enter the visit. exhibit room.

The Civil War Military The 5th Minnesota Weekend will be held on from Albert Lea, Saturday, June 27 and our Saturday and Sunday June 27 and Sunday, June 28. The 5th 28 program. Minnesota from Albert Lea along with the Living History group will be camped at the fort grounds. Ongoing military and daily mid-19th century demon- strations will start at 1 p.m. each day. Learn how the U.S. Army trained men for battle and how the women worked each day to make a home for their families. On Saturday the Minnesota Kite Society will have a kite flying demonstration on the parade grounds. This will be the third time the Society has been to the site. Come and see the fantastic huge kites catch the breezes from the prairie.

1700 3rd Avenue Mankato, MN 56001 (507) 388-1004

the CROSSING 3 Ted Moline Scholarship Offer he Nicollet County Historical Society is offer- work. Projects should involve Ting the $1,000 Ted Moline Scholarship for primary source research and post-secondary education to 2009 graduating add to the historical record. High School seniors residing in Nicollet County. Projects that simply restate The scholarship will be awarded to the student historical facts in book report who demonstrates the greatest contribution to fashion will not be very the discovery, preservation, and/or dissemina- successful. We would like to tion of county history. see real historical exploration, understanding, and an excite- Ted Moline was born July 21, 1915 in St. Paul ment in conveying that to and soon after his family moved to Baldwin, others. We would encourage Wisconsin. Ted received an amateur radio oper- students and/or educators to Ted Moline ator license in 1934 and was an avid operator contact the Society before proj- the rest of his life. Moving to St. Peter in 1937 ects begin to avoid confusion. to work for the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis, We can learn and Omaha Railroad, he also served in the Projects will be judged by an from history United States Army, retiring in 1971 as a expert panel at a public recep- how past Colonel. Ted passed away in August of 2005. tion, held Thursday, May 21st, generations He was an extremely generous man who loved 6:30 p.m. at the Treaty Site thought and local history. This scholarship honors Ted and History Center. Students will be acted, how they his commitment to our mission. asked to attend and present their projects. Final copies of responded to Students wishing to compete for this year’s each project will be preserved the demands of scholarship must create a significant project in the NCHS collections. their time and that contributes to the preservation and/or how they understanding of Nicollet County history. This For more information please solved their could include an oral history project, exhibit, contact Ben Leonard at 507- documentary film, research paper, play, or other problems. We 934-2160 or [email protected]. can learn by analogy, not by example, for our Director’s Message continued from page 2 circumstances their hope and trust in the federal government, will always be especially after the election of Franklin D. different than Roosevelt to the presidency in 1932. theirs were. The New Deal, as the first two terms of Franklin The main thing Delano Roosevelt’s presidency were called, history can became a time of hope and optimism. Although teach us is that the economic depression continued throughout human actions the New Deal era, the darkest hours of despair have conse- seemed to have passed. In part, this was the quences and result of FDR himself. In his first inaugural that certain address, FDR asserted his “firm belief that the choices, once only thing we have to fear is fear itself—name- less, unreasoning, unjustified terror.” As FDR made, cannot provided leadership, most Americans placed be undone. great confidence in him. However, the end to They foreclose the Great Depression did not about until 1941 the possibility with America’s entry into World War II. of making other choices and thus they determine future events. Ben Leonard, Director ~ Gerda Lerner www.marlborolibrary.org 4 the CROSSING Witte and Bloomfield continued from page 1 Legacy Amendment Some of the trip’s high points n November 2008, Minnesota voters passed included receiving the key to IMinnesota Legacy Act, which provides the city from Redwood Falls’ enhanced funding, through a statewide 3/8 of mayor, the kindness of one percent sales tax, for a variety of funds, strangers who not only provid- including an Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund ed encouragement but also (19.75% of the overall collected funds). The Act food. One person hung a states that the Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund lantern to help guide them “may be spent only for arts, arts education, and around the Minnesota Falls arts access and to preserve Minnesota’s history dam. After breaking the and cultural heritage.”

canoe’s yolk, they got a ride to courtesy Klossner of Ruth Photo Granite falls from the Chairman In December 2008 and January 2009 four pub- New programs and projects of the Upper Indian lic meetings were hosted by the Minnesota Reservation. History Coalition, six statewide organizations representing the interests of the public history There were some challenging community. The meetings demonstrated a need moments on the trip too. Like for operational funds along with bricks-and- the time they were forced to mortar projects for county and local historical put up their tent along the side societies. The groups that called the meetings of the railroad track because it were asked to carry it forward, on behalf of their offered the only dry ground. In constituents and members. NCHS Director Ben the middle of the night a couple Leonard was asked to be a part of that decision- of trains came roaring by as making process. Colton and Sean struggled to Support of organizations hold down their tent. They also The Minnesota History Coalition recommends swamped their canoe once that 50 percent of the Arts & Cultural Fund be while going over a lowhead dedicated in statute to statewide history funds. dam on the Red River. Within that 50 percent: One of the more interesting sit- • 45% of the statewide history funds for History uations happened near the end Programs and Projects that are of a statewide of their trip when a can of bear significance and are a state responsibility. spray accidentally exploded in • 30% of the statewide history funds for History their packs and covered every- Programs and Projects operated or conducted thing they owned including through County or other Historical sleeping bags, food, and their Organizations to be distributed through a Maintenance of properties cooking utensils. From that competitive grant program. point on every time they made pancakes for breakfast it had • 25% for History Programs and Projects that this distinctive pepper spray are operated by partnerships of organizations flavoring. They had brought in order to encourage collaboration to along the spray to protect improve capacity and expertise. themselves It is believed that the Minnesota Historical from polar bears. Society should serve as the state entity that Fortunately, the administers these funds. polar bears were still out We at NCHS are hopeful that this amendment on the ice. and the money generated will make a real dif- Restoration of historic jewels ference to local organizations like ours. If these For more infor- recommendations become a reality it will mean mation on the approximately $7.5 million dollars annually to Voyage down county and local museums. This money is nec- the Minnesota essary for general operating and project support River presenta- so that we can increase the capacity of institu- tion please con- tions like ours to preserve and interpret our tact Jessica at shared heritage. 507-934-2160.

the CROSSING 5 Active Archives by Bob Sandeen, Collections Manager ew projects are underway in the archives. years. They will supplement the NWe finished scanning the confirmation photos material that can be found in from Trinity Evangelical Lutheran Church in the surname folders in the file Nicollet. Previously, we scanned photos from cabinets in the archives. Bernadotte and the two churches in Norseland. We still expect to add additional photos from Additional images will be Trinity in Nicollet that show the church interior appearing on the “Minnesota and exterior, and photos of various activities or Reflections” website later this special events. These types of photos were year. The selected items are included when we digitized photos from the now being digitized at the other three churches. University of Minnesota. In addition to more photographs We are especially happy to be able to announce from the Nicollet County that we are in the process of organizing a large Historical Society’s collection, collection of newspaper clippings that have been four Nicollet County atlases or brought to us over a long period of time by such plat books will be added. There people as Bernice Breitung and Eunice Holz. It will be two from 1885, one takes a great deal of time to cut up newspapers from 1913, and one from and to organize clippings in such a way as to 1927. These will be in addition make them easily accessible to the public. We to the 1899 plat book that wish to thank Bernice and Eunice and others has already been added to the who have brought us important articles from website. area newspapers! They are greatly appreciated! Also, thanks to the hard work of Marty and Carol A photo album and a variety Sterner (Carol is originally from Nicollet County) of single photos from the St. we now have many of the clippings ready to be Peter State Hospital are also in used. Photocopies of marriages and obituaries the process of being digitized have been placed in sheet protectors in three- at the University. Those images ring binders. The copies have been arranged by will later be added to the the first letter of the surname. This is still a work “Minnesota Reflections” website in progress, but a large amount of information is as part of the St. Peter Regional now available to researchers. An index has not Treatment Center collection. yet been prepared, but one will be made as soon as possible. These items are mainly from recent

Museum Store Musings by Ruth Grewe, manager he Treaty site gift shop has put in some and In Cod We Trust by Eric T new childrens books by Thornton W. Dregni, the dog says how by Burgess. The books are about Kevin Kling. animals in human situations. It is a If you have a book club or very good series for school that wants to order any age child. There books, we have many sources are many unique that we have access to, so we items at the shop for could be contacted for ordering young people to them for your group. learn and explore. Come and visit the new dis- For adults, we also plays at the site and our gift have the new books shop, I think that you will be Trails of Tears, very pleased at the “new look.” Minnesota's Dakota Indian Excile Begins

6 the CROSSING Members Dakota History Thanks to the following new and renewing members of NCHS since our last newsletter. Renewed Business Members. Renewed Sustaining Roundtable Discussion Goodrich Construction Members: $500 Business Julie & Chris Gilbert oin the Society on Thursday, April 16th, 6:30 p.m., at the Culligan Mayer Marshall Peterson JTreaty Site History Center for a roundtable discussion $200 Business St. Peter Chamber New Sweden Mutual of Commerce revolving around the Treaty Site’s new exhibit, the Treaty of $200 Business Roland & Edi Thorstensson 1851, Dakota War, and their lasting consequences. Experts Nicollet County Bank $200 Business Renewed Patron Members: including Dr. Bill Lass and others will speak and answer ques- Larry & Judy Biederman Renewed Individual Verlin Carlson tions. Audience participation is encouraged. Members: Marie Dranttel Verda Beatty Bernhard & Marilyn Erling The Treaty of Traverse des Sioux was signed on July 23, 1851 Myrna Bennett Nicollet Chamber near the present day Treaty Site History Center in St. Peter Carolyn Brethorst of Commerce Eric Carlson Mr. & Mrs. Stanley Palmer between the Sisseton and Wahpeton Dakota and the United Helen Christianson Sujay Rao States Government. Signed by U.S. representatives Luke Lea Opal Dewanz Riverside Dental Care and Alexander Ramsey and 35 Dakota delegates, the Treaty of Michael Frederick Bob Sandeen Colleen Freitag Marty & Carol Sterner Traverse des Sioux and, a month later, the Treaty at Mendota, Paula Goblirsch Loren Sundboom ceded Dakota Lands from present day Moorhead to Winona, William Harvey Stephen & Barbara Conrad Irrgang Wilkinson south to the Iowa border. Renee Jackson Marolyn Kleinert New Individual Members: The Dakota sold 35 million acres for $1,665,000 in cash and Mary Klingler Lori Ann Lahlum Donna Kowal New Family Members: annuities in the Treaty of Traverse des Sioux. The Dakota were Ruth Larson Steve & Jen Baxa paid less than 8 cents per acre. The government then sold the Mary Long John Iverson same land to white settlers for $1.25 an acre. Of the Dolores Lueck Mr. & Mrs. Wayne Palmer Joy Lutzi $1,665,000, $275,000 was kept to pay debts with traders and Janet Prehn to relocate the Dakota to reservation lands they retained in the Dorothy Schultz Karen Smithers treaties. Another $30,000 was set aside for reservation Agnes Stensby improvements. The remaining $1,360,000 was put in trust by Neil Stevermer the U.S. Government, with only the interest, 5 percent over 50 Bernadine Thompson Sally Webster years, to be paid. Gertrude Wright Renewed Family Members: The Dakota never received the full amount agreed upon in the Frani & Mark Anderson treaty. Many Dakota were angered and betrayed. Mazasha, Eric Annexstad Bruce & Deb Beatty whose village was located at Traverse des Sioux, spoke in Bernard & Pam Bidelman 1852, “You can take the money back. We sold our land to you, Richard & Bonnie Compart and you promised to pay us. If you don’t give us the money, I Chris & Patty Conlin Arden & Marilyn DeBoer will be glad, and all our people will be glad, for we will have Peter & Phyllis Disher our land back.” Garfield & Marjorie Eckberg Brand Frentz The summer of 1851, 7,000 Dakota move to Upper and Lower Don & Beverly Gustafson Sioux reservations. However, the U.S. Senate ratified the Stanley & Marjorie Treaty after it was signed and abolished the reservations. Halvorson Ellis & Janet Jones Millard Fillmore, president from 1850–1853, agreed to let the Ardis & Earl Lund Dakota live there until the land was needed by whites. John & Sara McKay Roger & Barb Nelson Stripped of the land and most of the money guaranteed by the Thorild & Ardith Nelson Treaty, many Dakota who Janet & Byron Nordstrom lived along the Minnesota Doug & ReVae Nygard Earl & Marjorie Renneke River became discontented. Gordon & Jackie Rodning For a few that anger and Ken & Patsy Rossow Sue & Lee Schott distrust boiled over in Douglas & Judy Schultz 1862 and caused the James & Diane Stenson Dakota Conflict. Herman & Nel Swanson Howard & Jane Swenson A Fur-Trader in the Council Tepee Owen & Evie Swenson Engraving by Victor Bernstrom Bradford and Jane after an original sketch by Frederic Thompson Remington (1861–1909) Buster & Nina West Larry & Joan Zambino The image was printed in Harper’s New Monthly Magazine, Feb. 1892 From the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society

the CROSSING 7 U.S. 169/Minnesota Avenue Median Project

First row left: approximately 1870 First row right: 1905 Second row: 1939 Third row left: 1944 Third row right: 1965 Fourth row: proposed median with limestone planter wall between Nassau and Park Row. Fifth row: proposed bump-out and median treatment for Minnesota Avenue in downtown St. Peter.

June 1st the Minnesota Department of Transportation in collaboration with the City of St. Peter will begin making substantial changes to Minnesota Avenue in St. Peter between Union Avenue and Highway 22 South. The project will add medians, crosswalks, and a resurfaced roadway. Construction is expected to last through Thanksgiving. For fun, we thought we’d pull out some old photos to show changes to the road over the last 140 years – as well as what the anticipated changes will look like.

8 the CROSSING Harkin Happenings pring is right around the corner and the scrimp on fun. An outing to SHarkin Store opens for the season on May Harkin and then on to Fort 2nd. Visitors will see a lot of new amenities at Ridgely is an exciting way to this old favorite. A new sturdy set of stairs greet spend a Saturday–and it won’t most visitors, but the site also boasts upgraded break the bank. handicapped parking beside the house. The new paint job might look like a bold departure. It’s actually more historically accurate than the very faded familiar red and green. A new handicap lift replaces the old ramp and leaves a lot more room for visitors. The new grassy program area will surely be a great spot to sit and enjoy sunny day concerts. Check the NCHS events calendar for all the stuff going on at Harkin this summer. Many of you might be staying closer to home this summer. That doesn’t mean you have to Saturday, April 25 – All day Spring Fling & Meet Your Farmers Day! The Country Store She goes into a country store oin the St. Peter Food Co-op for a celebration And stands rooted to the floor Jof all things SPRING! We are proud to be host- When she was a child. ing Meet Your Farmers Day in conjunction with She stares at all the wondrous things our Spring Fling event this year! Many of our With a nickels worth of dreams local farmers and producers will be on-site And a smile. sampling their products, chatting about their Glass jars filled with growing practices, answering your questions, Mary Janes, candy Canes and promoting the benefits of buying locally Bon-Bons, Bubble Gum produced foods. There will be live music by Ron Mint Patties, Sugar Daddys Arsenault and Brendan Larson throughout the Candy bars, Chocolate Stars day. Kids will enjoy planting seeds they can take Milky-Ways, Pay Days home with them, as well as a coloring contest. Kit Kats, and Cracker Jacks. This event is free, open to the public, and will Now a woman of great wealth be held rain or shine! The perfect follow-up to She owns a chain of stores herself the Earth Day Celebration at the Treaty Site But it’s not the same… History Center on Wednesday, April 22! Contact For none has thrilled her more Jennifer Luhmann at the St. Peter Food Than the little country store Co-op with questions (507.934.4880 or Down the lane. [email protected]). ~ by Judy C Meeker

Preparing students for lives of leadership, service, and lifelong learning since 1862.

NCHS especially thanks the St. Peter United Way for 2008 general operating support. www.gustavus.edu

the CROSSING 9 Meet Your Cox House New Board Annual Plant Sale Members he Cox House annual Heritage T Plant Sale will be held from native of North Dakota, Lori 8:30 to 2 p.m. Saturday, A Lahlum moved to North Mankato May 16, at the E. St. Julien Cox in 2005. She is Assistant Professor of House, 500 North Washington, History at Minnesota State University, St. Peter. Mankato, where she teaches courses in the American West and environmental Old fashioned perennials, bulbs, Dr. Lori Lahlum history. Her research to date has herbs, rhubarb, raspberry plants focused on Norwegian American and small shrubs will be for sale. women on the northern prairies and There will also be master garden- plains, which includes Minnesota. ers at the Cox House to answer questions about gardening. Having recently moved to St. Peter, Money raised from the sale will Steve Baxa “is excited to have the support the E. St. Julien Cox opportunity to be involved in the com- House and the gardens. If your munity. I currently teach U.S. History green thumb is itching to get at Mankato East High School. Life at outside, you may be willing to home with my wife Jennifer is occu- donate plants or bulbs to the pied by spending time with our two sale. We rely on donations from boys, fixing our 109-year-old house, thoughtful gardeners like you to and gardening.” make the sale go. For more Steve Baxa information contact Barb Olmanson, 934-2828, or Bev Wetherill, 934-4417.

THIS IS A SPECIAL INVITATION TO: THE Friends of Norseland Community from: Fred Struck, Garfield Eckberg, Myrna Schoeb, Evie Swenson, and Judy Hanson NORSELAND PRESERVATION ASSOCIATION (NPA) ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING Please join us on Sunday, March 22, 2009 7:00 p.m. at Scandian Grove Lutheran Church What will happen at the meeting? *Reflection/update of 6-21-08 event *Ideas for a community event or project for 2009 *Remarks-David Grabitske, Head of Outreach Services, Minnesota Historical Society *Explanation of Norseland Preservation Association (a 501c3 corporation) Presentation/changes - adoption of bylaws Election of seven board members *Decision on moving forward Come and join your neighbors for conversation and light refreshments. Working together we can help Norseland stay the strong, viable community we love.

Questions: Call Judy Hanson at 246-5388

10 the CROSSING 2009 Calendar of Events: Event/Program information: Harkin Store: Time: 1 to 4 p.m. / Fee: $3 adults, $2 seniors and children 6–17. Free for children age 5 and under and MHS members. Fort Ridgely: Time: Programs start at noon each day / Fee: A State Park Vehicle Permit is required unless otherwise noted below. TSHC & Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. unless noted below / Fee: $4 adults, $1 children 6–16, $10 family max. Cox House: Free for children age 5 and under, NCHS and MHS members. through April Giving Vision and Voice to the Minnesota River Valley TSHC Exhibit Room Photo Exhibit March 26 Charitable Giving: 6:30 pm. How to Make a Difference by Giving Back Treaty Site History Center Sponsored by Thrivent Financial and NCHS. FREE March 29 Chaska to York Factory in 49 Days Treaty Site History Center 6:30 pm. See story on page 1 of this newsletter. April 16 Treaty of 1851 Round Table Treaty Site History Center 6:30 p.m. Join a panel of experts including Dr. Bill Lass, Dr. Lori Lahlum, and others to discuss the Treaty of 1851, Dakota War, the mass execution in Mankato, and lasting implications of this chapter of Minnesota River Valley history. $3 for adults, $1 ages 6–16. April 22 Earth Day Celebration: Raptor Center of Minnesota Treaty Site History Center Learn about birds, conservation, and the environment by meeting live Minnesota raptors. Don’t miss your chance to get up close with a bald eagle! 1–4 p.m. NCHS, and children under age 12 admitted free, $4 for adults. May 3 Opening Weekend Harkin Store Opening weekend with music and “Egg Coffee and Newton” May 10 Aprons, Aprons Everywhere Harkin Store The ladies of the prairie had one most important piece of clothing that they used for everything. Come and see some of the old styles of apron, we will have many aprons through the years on display. May 16 Cox House Plant Sale E. St. Julien Cox House 8:30 a.m. See details of this annual Cox House fundraising event on page 10 of this newsletter. to 2 p.m. Plant donations taken: contact Barb Olmanson, 934-2828 or Bev Wetherill, 934-4417. May 17 Heirloom Gardening Harkin Store Heirloom gardener, Brian Vessar, will be bringing information and displays of heirloom garden products. May 21 Ted Moline Scholarship Reception Treaty Site History Center See details for this event on page 4 of this newsletter. May 24 Memorial Day Harkin Store Folk music by Bob Bovee and Gail Heil May 31 Wildlife Hunting Adventure Harkin Store Fowl Stories–The Adventure of Waterfowlers on Swan Lake, A Prairie Jewel with Pell Johnson June 7 Macro World-Little Critters are Wildlife too! Fort Ridgely This walk through forest and field with photographer Ron Bolduan, using a macro (close up) lens may open your eyes to a world of beauty and intrigue often passed by. June 7 4-H and Dairy Day Harkin Store West Newton 4-H displays and Dairy Day treats of products to sample June 13 Family Nature Hike Treaty Site History Center Children ages 2 to 9 with parents June 14 Lafayette 1860’s Baseball Game TBA June 14 Honoring Flags Harkin Store Information about the history of our flags up to 1870s June 21 Woodcarving and Drawing Harkin Store Area woodcarvers and artists are invited to show their crafts June 27 & 28 Civil War Military Encampment Fort Ridgely June 28 Afternoon of Leisure Harkin Store Ladies arts & crafts the CROSSING 11 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue • St. Peter, MN 56082

Your membership dollars at work…

partnering with new exhibits at TSHC painting of Cox House staffing at Harkin Store programming at Ft. Ridgely MHS at TdS Townsite

NCHS Membership Application

Name ______Yes! I would like to support my Nicollet County Historical Society in 2009 at the following level (please check one). Address ______■ Individual $ 30 ■ Family $ 45 ______■ Sustaining $ 75 ■ Patron $ 100 Phone ( ______) ______■ Supporter $ 200 ■ Benefactor $ 500 E-mail ______■ Life Member $ 1,000 Business Memberships call or My check is enclosed ■ Please debit my credit card ■ e-mail for info Please make checks payable to: Acct. Number______Nicollet County Historical Society

Expiration Date ______Membership applications should be mailed to: Nicollet County Historical Society Authorized Signature ______1851 North Minnesota Avenue St. Peter, MN 56082