Ask the Archivist
2020-08-22 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-09-26 09:00 - 17:00, 2020-10-24 09:00 - 17:00 (America/Chicago) | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Did an ancestor fall off your tree? Racking your brain over a family mystery? Does your lineage lead to Germany, Poland, English?
Join us on the 4th Saturday of every month (occasional exclusions) in the Research Center where our archivists Jessie or Steve will be ready to help answer any questions you’re dying to ask!
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few examples: • What happened to Picardy? • What was that odd-shaped building? • Meyer, Meier or Mayer? • Where was Dan Marsh Drug? • What was Pantown? • Where is Unity? • Trying to Find an Overseas Relative?
Our knowledgeable and experienced archivists can help answer even the most complicated questions.

Missing Pieces Walking Tour (Now Full)
2020-08-31 18:30 - 20:00 | TBD
Discover the Missing Pieces of Equity in St. Cloud’s History
***Update: This tour is full—watch for another date coming soon!***
Uncover the “Missing Pieces” in the narrative we commonly tell about St. Cloud’s history during a downtown walking tour, hosted by the Stearns History Museum, at 6:30 p.m. Monday, August 31. The 90-minute excursion highlights stories about race, racism, and structural obstacles to equity.
Annette Atkins, professor emerita of history at the College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University, will lead the tour and discussion. Meeting information and other details will be provided after registration. Cost is $5.
When we post the next tour, be sure to save your spot early, as space is limited.

Scarecrow Contest
2020-09-19 08:00 - 2020-10-23 17:00 | MN
Create your scarecrow, take a picture, and share it with us for a chance to win a prize—now through October 23rd! Check out our official Facebook page for this event here >> https://www.facebook.com/events/317336069357147/

Family History Conference (sold out)
2020-09-19 09:00 - 16:30 | Zoom / Online
This event will be held virtually via Zoom this year, and you can buy your tickets online. Learn more at https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/2020/01/08/family-history-conference-2020/.

St. Cloud Area Genealogists (Digital Event)
2020-10-20 19:00 - 20:00 | Zoom / Online
Who’s the “Miss” Who Became “Mrs.?” Finding The Women Who Married Your Male Ancestors

Free Zoom Event: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81018284781
St. Cloud –Finding the elusive maiden name of the women who married the men in your family tree can be daunting. Often she’s only found as “Mrs. Smith.” In this presentation, Tina Post will use three case studies to show how analysis of related records can create an “argument” to reveal each wife’s name. Let’s give the ladies an identity of their own!
Tina Post is a genealogist with 22 years of experience. In February 2016, her article “Peter Hopper Post, A Cane, a Letter and a War,” was published in the Genealogical Society of Bergen County, New Jersey’s The Archivist. That research resulted in a Sons of the American Revolution (SAR) lineage membership. Tina is a graduate of Boston University’s Genealogy Research Certificate Program. She is a member of Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), National Genealogical Society (NGS), New England Historical Genealogical Society (NEHGS), and the Genealogical Society Bergen County, NJ (GSBC). Learn more at https://TheAncestorInYourLife.com
Follow on Facebook at Facebook.com/stcloudareagenealogists
About the St. Cloud Area Genealogists: Founded in 1974, the St. Cloud Area Genealogists is a non-profit organization that strives to make family history research an enriching and rewarding experience. This premier organization is for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Our members research their ancestors from varying locations within Minnesota, throughout the United States, and from foreign countries.

Zip Code Saturday for St. Martin, Paynesville, and Roscoe
2020-10-24 10:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Awaken your Inner Child with exhibits like, “Just for Fun: The Toys We Loved.”
Free entrance for St. Martin, Paynesville, and Roscoe Residents! Show your current ID with address at our front desk to enjoy this Zip Code Saturday—specially limited to your location.
PLEASE NOTE: Appointments are Required! Schedule your time by calling 320-253-8424.

History at Home: Old School Pumpkin Pie
2020-10-25 14:00 - 14:15 | MN
Watch this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—Sunday is only a suggestion.
Watch “Harvest History: Old School Pumpkin Pie”
It’s time for another episode of Harvest History! In this episode, we are going to look at that most glorious symbol of fall in America, the pumpkin! We’ll go through a brief history of this crop’s dominance in the Americas, and then show you how to make a pumpkin pie the way early American settlers would- by baking a custard right there in the pumpkin! Give it a try with your family at home- trust us, it’s delicious!

Recipe for “Pie in a Pumpkin”

Cut open and scoop out the seeds and pulp from a small pie pumpkin
In a mixing bowl, mix together: -3/4 cup sugar -3 eggs plus 4 egg yolks -1/2 TBSP of vanilla extract
-Whisk until smooth, then add: -2 cups heavy cream – 1tsp corn starch -pinch of salt.
Whisk until smooth
Pour into hollowed out pumpkin, leaving about one inch of room at the top
Bake at 400 degrees for 15 minutes, then place tin foil loosely over the top of pumpkin, and bake for another 15 minutes
Turn heat down to 375, place top of pumpkin on baking sheet, and bake for another 15 minutes
Remove tin foil, and bake for 30 additional minutes
Turn oven off, let custard/pumpkin cool for about an hour, then place in fridge for at least 6 hours, so custard can set
Scoop custard out of pumpkin, and enjoy!

Zip Code Saturday: Freeport, Melrose, New Munich
2020-11-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
If you’re a current resident of Freeport, Melrose, or New Munich, enjoy FREE museum admission on November 7th! Please make an appointment by calling 320-253-8424 or email info@stearns-museum.org to make an appointment. Also, please plan to show an ID with your address on it when you arrive. Note: Those who live outside those zip codes will need to pay admission.

History At Home: Tom & Jerry Happy Hour
2020-12-10 16:00 - 2020-12-12 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson: The Tom and Jerry

Caitlin is back with another festive beverage for you to try at home! The Tom and Jerry has been around for 200 years, and while it’s not as popular as it once was, it’s definitely worth a try this holiday season! This tutorial is a bit longer and more complicated than usual, as it requires making a batter before putting the drink together. If you have your own store-bought Tom and Jerry batter, you can skip ahead to the 9:02 mark to see how to create your own warm and delicious yuletide drink.

Ask the Archivist: Email requests only!
2020-12-21 09:00 - 17:00, 2021-01-18 09:00 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Did an ancestor fall off your tree? Racking your brain over a family mystery? Does your lineage lead to Germany, Poland, English?
Send us an email on the third Monday of the month and one of our Research Center archivists will be ready to help answer any questions you’re dying to ask! Email info@stearns-museum.org.
The possibilities are endless, but here are a few examples: • What happened to Picardy? • What was that odd-shaped building? • Meyer, Meier or Mayer? • Where was Dan Marsh Drug? • What was Pantown? • Where is Unity? • Trying to Find an Overseas Relative?
Our knowledgeable and experienced archivists can help answer even the most complicated questions.

History At Home: Brandy Alexander Happy Hour
2021-01-14 16:00 - 2021-01-16 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
While the Brandy Alexander isn’t necessarily the first beverage that comes to mind when thinking about the holiday season, it sure tastes like the season! Watch the video to learn the story behind it, which features railroads and a lady named Snow.

Ten Skills Every Genealogist Needs
2021-01-19 19:00 - 20:00 | MN
This free online event will be hosted on the St. Cloud Area Genealogists Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/stcloudareagenealogists
Nancy Loe will present the webinar “Ten Skills Every Genealogist Needs” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists. In this presentation, participants will learn how to find new records by searching the “Deep Web,” pinpoint geographic locations past and present, read old handwriting, and translate records to English. Loe will also give vocabulary and file-naming ideas for organizing your work and show how information management skills can help you scan your photos and records. Get organized and discover new resources in this webinar.
After a long professional career in academic archives and genealogy libraries, Nancy E. Loe, MA, MLS, is now a genealogy educator, researcher, and writer. She specializes in U.S. and European research, and provides expert guide on organizing research and family papers.
Her website, sassyjanegenealogy.com, offers a blog, free monthly newsletter, and e-books on research topics. Nancy has appeared on PBS’s American Experience, at National Genealogical Society, RootsTech, and numerous genealogy conferences and webinars in the U.S., Canada, and Australia. Recently, Nancy has been on a genealogy pilgrimage to visit the eight European villages of her great-grandparents.
Founded in 1974, the St. Cloud Area Genealogists is a non-profit organization that strives to make family history research an enriching and rewarding experience. This premier organization is for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Our members research their ancestors from varying locations within Minnesota, throughout the United States, and from foreign countries.

History At Home: Sherry Cobbler Happy Hour
2021-01-21 16:00 - 2021-01-23 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson with Caitlin: Sherry Cobbler
Go waaaay back to the mid-1800s to try a cocktail that was all the rage at the time—the Sherry Cobbler! Sherry gets a bad rap these days, but once upon a time, it was the most popular liquor out there! And the Sherry Cobbler in particular is noted for introducing something into American society that has become a staple. Watch not only for a brief history, but also a quick tutorial on how to make your own! Caitlin used a grapefruit, but you can use an orange if you like.

History At Home: Victory Kitchen "Egg in a Nest"
2021-01-27 08:00 - 2021-01-29 23:00 | MN
For this episode of “In the Victory Kitchen with Eric,” we are taking a look at how soldiers would eat! Collections Curator Eric Cheever shows us how to make a couple of precious eggs go a little further, something English and American soldiers would do when they got the chance!
Egg in a Nest (Mock Fried Egg): -2 fresh eggs -water -2 slices fresh bread -bacon grease
Beat the eggs in a bowl and set aside. Add bacon grease to a warm pan. Cut a hole in the center of two slices of bread, set aside. Dip one side of each slice of bread in water, then add to the pan. Fry for one minute, then add eggs to the holes in bread. Fry, flipping often, until eggs are done and bread is golden brown. Enjoy!
For more episodes, visit our YouTube Playlist >>

History At Home: Caesar Happy Hour
2021-02-04 16:00 - 2021-02-06 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson with Caitlin: The Caesar
Instead of a Bloody Mary, mix yourself up a Caesar and learn the history behind Canada’s unofficial cocktail.

Raffle Draw from Valentine's Fundraiser
2021-02-10 16:00 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Winning tickets from our Valentine’s Day Fundraiser will be drawn on Wednesday February 10, 2021 at 4:00pm! Prizes include two chances for a romantic dinner for two prepared by Jules’ Bistro and drinks provided by Pantown Brewing Company; a beautiful SOHO Sterling Silver Bangle Bracelet from D.J. Bitzan Jewelers; and a free outdoor wedding venue rental at the Stearns History Museum, including two hours of photography time by KW Photography. Each of these prizes also includes a behind-the-scenes tour of the Museum collections (archives and 3D collections) at a later date and a bouquet of flowers provided by St. Cloud Rotaract.

Exploring Your Swedish Roots
2021-02-16 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Free for members, $5 for non-members
Location: Online
Facebook: @stcloudareagenealogists
To register, please email scag@stcloudareagen.org the week prior to the event for payment and login details.
Jill Morelli will present the webinar “Finding Your Swedish Parish of Birth When You Don’t Know the Language” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists. In this presentation, Morelli will help participants take U.S. information they have about their Swedish ancestors and use the county-wide indexes to find their ancestors’ parish of birth. Armed with an ancestor’s name, date of birth and some family members, Morelli is convinced that even “Lars Larson” can be found! She will show how, even without knowing the language, you can delve into parish records, household examination records and develop a basic vocabulary for Swedish genealogy.
Jill Morelli, CG, loves to share her passion for genealogy with others. She is a writer, lecturer and researcher specializing in the U.S. Midwest, Scandinavia and northern Germany and lectures nationally on topics inspired by her own research and methodology. Jill has written articles for National Genealogical Society Quarterly, Swedish American Genealogist, Illinois State Genealogical Society Quarterly and many others. Jill is past president of the Seattle Genealogical Society and Program Director for the Puget Sound-Association for Professional Genealogists.
For more information, please contact Brenden Duffy at 320-237-3023 for duffyroots@gmail.com.

Founded in 1974, the St. Cloud Area Genealogists is a non-profit organization that strives to make family history research an enriching and rewarding experience. This premier organization is for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Our members research their ancestors from varying locations within Minnesota, throughout the United States, and from foreign countries.

History At Home: The Manhattan Happy Hour
2021-02-19 16:00 - 2021-02-21 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson with Caitlin: The Manhattan
How about one more toast to 2020? To send this year off into that good night, we are mixing up a cool and classic cocktail, the Manhattan. Though it has murky origins, this sophisticated drink came to symbolize the urban sophistication of New York City in the late 19th century, and is still consumed by hip drinkers today.

History At Home: Victory Kitchen Spam Pie
2021-02-20 08:00 - 2021-02-23 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time.
In the Victory Kitchen with Eric: The Upside-Down Spam Pie
Eric is back in the Victory Kitchen! And this time he’s not messing around- he is armed with SPAM! For as much flak as SPAM gets sometimes, without it, WWII could have gone a little differently. So to celebrate this glorious meat concoction, Eric will be doing a series of recipes on SPAM, all while giving you some little historical nuggets about the wonder meat. This week- an upside-down SPAM pie!
NOTE: This video is a little quiet, so don’t be afraid to turn up the volume!
SPAM upside-down pie recipe: Line an 8-inch mold with SPAM slices and fill with baking powder biscuit dough (prepared or home-mixed), well-laced with tiny cubes of SPAM. Bake 40-45 minutes at 425 degrees F. Turn it out on a platter, fill center with a tart cheese sauce (as one made with tomato or horseradish) and watch the family turn out and fill the table in a hurry!

History At Home: White Russian Happy Hour
2021-02-25 16:00 - 2021-02-28 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson with Caitlin: The White Russian
This week, we are checking out the history of the delightful White Russian! With only three ingredients needed, this one is not only easy, but delicious! (And stronger than we remembered – beware!)

History At Home: Gimlet Happy Hour
2021-03-05 16:00 - 2021-03-07 20:00 | MN
Enjoy this video from our staff and have some fun learning about history from the comfort of your home! Feel free to watch any time—”Happy Hour” is only a suggestion.
Historic Cocktail Lesson with Caitlin: The Gimlet
Need a timeout for a quick, easy cocktail with an interesting history related to scurvy? Look no further than the gimlet! Even if you don’t have a severe Vitamin C deficiency, this drink is a refreshing treat!

March SCAG Event: Genealogy Resources at Local Historical Societies
2021-03-16 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Free for members, $5 for non-members
Location: Online
Facebook: @stcloudareagenealogists
March Event: In my Backyard or at Least Nearby—Genealogy Resources at Local Historical Societies
Head Archivist Steve Penick from the Stearns History Museum will cover ways to find primary resources at local historical societies and specialized libraries from traditional ones to those that might provide surprising results.
Presentation highlights will include:
• Genealogical resources of small libraries and archives, including obituary lists; biographical files; naturalization, church, and census records; historical publications such as town/parish histories; county publications; city directories; and family histories.
• Maps/Aerial Photographs
• Newspapers and Periodicals
• Archives. (Sometimes researchers pass over archival materials. We will spend some time exploring primary sources as genealogical tools including business records, diaries, and clubs/organizations.)
• Photographs
• Online resources. Historical societies/small libraries might have a few online materials from photographs to a catalog. Regardless, a visit will be rewarding if you plan ahead.
To register, please email scag@stcloudareagen.org the week prior to the event for payment and login details.
For more information, please contact Brenden Duffy at 320-237-3023 for duffyroots@gmail.com.

Founded in 1974, the St. Cloud Area Genealogists is a non-profit organization that strives to make family history research an enriching and rewarding experience. This premier organization is for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Our members research their ancestors from varying locations within Minnesota, throughout the United States, and from foreign countries.

Minnesota Voices Book Club: 2-Part April Series
2021-04-08 18:30 - 20:00, 2021-04-22 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom / Online
Minnesota Voices Book Club, presented by Stearns History Museum and UniteCloud via Zoom
Featuring Dr. Christopher P. Lehman, discussing his book “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State”
*NOTE* Please be sure to register for BOTH events (dates) for the series
April 8, 6:30-8:00 pm
April 22, 6:30-8:00 pm
Registration is free and available now on Eventbrite here at Minnesota Voices Book Club
Questions? Contact Caitlin Carlson, Program Director, at ccarlson@stearns-museum.org or 320-253-8424
…
The Stearns History Museum is partnering with UniteCloud to launch a quarterly book club that connects history to diversity, equity, and inclusion topics that impact our community. These sessions will be led by Minnesota authors who bring a wide spectrum of voices to the table, providing context to often absent narratives in local history. Beginning in April 2021 and quarterly thereafter, the book club will meet twice to discuss each book.
The first book club discussion will feature Dr. Christopher Lehman, who will be sharing his acclaimed book, “Slavery’s Reach: Southern Slaveholders in the North Star State.” Dr. Lehman will discuss the book itself, his research process, and will be available for questions following his discussion.
We will send out a list of reading questions to all registrants about a week before each event.
The event will begin as a virtual series on Zoom and will move to an in person gathering at the Museum once it is safe to do so.
We hope you can join us!

Donuts With The Director
2021-04-17 10:00 - 11:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
You’re invited to swing by on Saturday April 17 at 10:00am to visit with our Executive Director Carie Essig. Have a donut and get the latest updates about what we’ve been working on or chat about the weather, your family, or how the MN Twins are looking this season. Now’s your chance to get back into the building, with masks and social distancing to ensure your safety. This will be a monthly gathering if you can’t make it this time.
RSVP: Please call 320-253-8424 or e-mail info@steans-museum.org by Friday April 16 at noon if you’d like to attend so we can have enough donuts on hand!
Future dates are:

May 22
June 12
August 21
September 18
October 16
November 13
December 11

Memory Writers
2021-04-20 10:00 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Memory Writers is a writing group that meets twice a month on the first and third Tuesdays at 10:00 am. The group develop topics to write about and in turn shares those stories. This program is free to Museum members (non-members $7). Join the Memory Writers as they explore our past and develop skills as writers. No RSVP is required. Questions? Contact Jan Sorell for more information: jsorrell97@gmail.com

Tips & Tricks for Lesser-Used Record Types
2021-04-20 19:00 - 20:30 | MN
Free for members, $5 for non-members
Location: Online
Facebook: @stcloudareagenealogists
To register, please email scag@stcloudareagen.org one week prior to the event for payment and login details.
Deanna Korte will present the webinar “Tips & Tricks for Lesser-Used Record Types” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists. Korte will help participants take their research to the next level by leading them to use non-traditional sources and think outside the box. Lesser-used record types can help the researcher by providing historical context and missing facts. Sometimes the smallest, otherwise overlooked detail can enable even the experienced genealogist to push a family line back another generation or two. Learn where to find these records and the best ways to use them.

Deanna Korte is a professional genealogist, writer and lecturer. She holds a certificate from the Boston University Genealogical Research Program and is currently pursuing the Certified Genealogist credential. Her specializations in the United States include New York state, New York City and Midwestern research. She also has extensive experience with Swedish genealogy.

For more information, please contact Brenden Duffy at 320-237-3023 for duffyroots@gmail.com.

Founded in 1974, the St. Cloud Area Genealogists is a non-profit organization that strives to make family history research an enriching and rewarding experience. This premier organization is for everyone from the beginner to the most advanced family historian. Our members research their ancestors from varying locations within Minnesota, throughout the United States, and from foreign countries.
