Community Scan- Stearns History Museum
2025-01-18 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-01-22 10:00 - 15:30, 2025-02-01 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
The Stearns History Museum is offering a free community scanning event. Bring your family photos or other documents important to your family history to be scanned with professional equipment. You will go home with a digital copy of your materials. Registration is required for this event.
There is no limit on the amount of items that can be scanned, but scanning is constrained to the time slot that you sign up for. You will have a 30 minute time slot with 20 minutes for scanning. Limit one time slot per person.
Oversized materials and negatives do take longer to scan than other materials.
A flash drive is needed for this event, you are encouraged to bring your own but the museum will have flash drives available to purchase ($5).

St. Cloud Area Genealogists: Reading Gravestone Symbols
2025-01-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
St. Cloud – Have you ever seen a symbol on a tombstone and wondered if it had significant meaning? For centuries, designs appeared on tombstones, but during the Victorian era, these symbols flourished and often contributed to narratives about relationships, military service, occupations, economic status and social standing.

On Tuesday, Jan. 21, Joy Neighbors will present “The Silent Language of the Stones: Reading Gravestone Symbols” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists (SCAG) at 7 p.m. This online event will be presented live for viewing remotely or watching with others at the Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave. S., St. Cloud.
Joy is a tombstone tourist with an avid interest in cemeteries, history and genealogy. She is the author of “The Family Tree Cemetery Field Guide,” writes the cemetery culture blog “A Grave Interest” and speaks nationally about cemetery research. She edits the Indiana Genealogist, the quarterly journal of the Indiana Genealogical Society and works as the communication director with Cream of Kentucky Distilling.
The program is free to SCAG members; $7 for non-members. Non-members can pay at the door. The individual annual membership rate for SCAG is $25.

Community Scan- Great River Regional Library, Melrose
2025-01-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Great River Regional Library, Melrose, 225 E. 1st St. N., Melrose, MN, 56352, United States
The Stearns History Museum in partnership with the Great River Library System is offering a free community scanning event. Bring your family photos or other documents important to your family history to be scanned with professional equipment. You will go home with a digital copy of your materials.
Registration is required for this event. There is no limit on the amount of items that can be scanned, but scanning is constrained to the time slot that you sign up for. You will have a 30 minute time slot with 20 minutes for scanning. Limit one time slot per person.
Oversized materials and negatives do take longer to scan than other materials.
A flash drive is needed for this event, you are encouraged to bring your own but the museum will have flash drives available to purchase ($5).

Community Scan- Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud Public Library
2025-01-25 10:00 - 16:00 | Great River Regional Library, St. Cloud, 1300 West St. Germain St., Saint Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
The Stearns History Museum in partnership with the Great River Regional Library is offering a free community scanning event. Bring your family photos or other documents important to your family history to be scanned with professional equipment. You will go home with a digital copy of your materials. Registration is required for this event.
There is no limit on the amount of items that can be scanned, but scanning is constrained to the time slot that you sign up for. You will have a 30 minute time slot with 20 minutes for scanning. Limit one time slot per person.
Oversized materials and negatives do take longer to scan than other materials.
A flash drive is needed for this event, you are encouraged to bring your own but the St. Cloud Library will have flash drives available.

Community Scan- Great River Regional Library, Albany
2025-01-28 15:00 - 19:00 | Great River Regional Library, Albany, 400 Railroad Ave, Albany, MN, 56307, United States

Community Scan- Great River Regional Library, Belgrade
2025-01-31 09:00 - 12:00 | Great River Regional Library, Belgrade, 324 Washburn Ave, Belgrade, MN, 56312, United States

Community Scan- Great River Regional Library, Paynesville
2025-01-31 14:00 - 18:00 | Great River Regional Library, Paynesville, 119 Washburne Ave, Paynesville, MN, 56362, United States

Exploring History and Culture in Central MN: Cultural Competence through Park Land Development
2025-02-01 10:30 - 12:00 | Sherburne History Center, Becker, 10775 27th Ave SE, Becker, MN, 55308, United States
On Saturday, February 1st, Sherburne County Park Director, Gina Hugo, will discuss Cultural Competence Through Park Land Development-Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka-Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park, at the Sherburne History Center in Becker. The following programs take place on Saturday, February 8th, at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud with Professor Ted Gordon and undergraduate research assistant Macy Ellis from CSB/SJU and on Saturday, February 15th, at the Benton County Historical Society in Sauk Rapids with the American Indian Center at SCSU. All programs start at 10:30 am and are free and open to the public.
For more information about the series and the upcoming programs, contact Ann Marie Johnson at the Stearns History Museum (320/253-8424 or development@stearns-museum.org).

Archives Explorer- Catalogs and Databases: Where to Start Your Research
2025-02-05 18:00 - 19:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Patrons will learn how to navigate the SHM catalog as well as other databases for starting their historical research. We will start with the basics of searching and by the end, patrons will know how to effectively use the Minnesota State Historical Society, Library of Congress, National Archives, and Land Records Office databases.

This event is free- no registration required!

Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota: Native American Boarding School Impacts and Legacies
2025-02-08 10:30 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Native American Boarding Schools discussed at second program of Exploring History and Culture
in Central Minnesota 2025 event series on February 8th
(January 22, 2025) Join us on Saturday, February 8 th , for the second program in this year’s “Exploring
History and Culture in Central Minnesota” February event series featuring Native American history and
culture. Native American Boarding School Impacts and Legacies will be presented by Ted Gordon, Joe Farry
Professor of Public Policy and Civic Engagement; Macy Ellis, undergraduate research assistant; and Meg
Nelson, President of Indigenous Students Association at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s
University. The series, which is in its sixth year, engages with the history of communities that have been and
continue to be part of central Minnesota. A partnership project of the Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne
County historical societies, the three central Minnesota history museums are collaborating for the 2025
series with the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State University, College of Saint Benedict and Saint
John's University, and Sherburne County Parks.
The three-part series includes Sherburne County Park Director, Gina Hugo, presenting Cultural Competence
Through Park Land Development-Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka-Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park at the Sherburne
History Center in Becker on February 1 st and a program from the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State
University on Saturday, February 15 th , at the Benton County Historical Society in Sauk Rapids. All programs
start at 10:30 am and are free and open to the public.
For more information about the series and the upcoming programs, contact Ann Marie Johnson at the
Stearns History Museum (320/253-8424 or development@stearns-museum.org).

Breakfast Club: Elizabeth Mboutchom, "Preserving Minnesota's Natural Heritage"
2025-02-12 09:00 - 22:00 | MN
Join Elizabeth Mboutchom, from the Northern Waters Land and Trust, as she talks about protection strategies in Minnesota crucial for preserving wildlife habitats and maintaining water quality. Learn how conservation efforts can secure the future of our natural heritage and help sustain our outdoor culture and economy.

Cost is $7, or FREE for Stearns History Museum Members

Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota: "Every Place Has a Native Name: Indigenous Places in Minnesota"
2025-02-15 10:30 - 11:30 | Benton County Historical Society, 202 2nd Ave S, Sauk Rapids, MN, 56379, United States
(February 4, 2025) Learn about the connection between place names in Minnesota to their Indigenous language during the third and final program of this year’s “Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota” event series. The program will be presented on Saturday, February 15th, at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud by Justus Probst, Dakota, from the Lower Sioux Indian Community and Social Studies Education major at St. Cloud State University. In its sixth year, the series engages with the history of communities that have been and continue to be part of central Minnesota. This year’s series features Native American history and culture. A partnership project of the Stearns, Benton, and Sherburne County historical societies, the three central Minnesota history museums are collaborating for the 2025 series with the American Indian Center at St. Cloud State University, College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University, and Sherburne County Parks.
The three-part series includes Sherburne County Park Director, Gina Hugo, presenting Cultural Competence Through Park Land Development-Two Inlets at Bdé Heḣáka-Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park at the Sherburne History Center in Becker on February 1st and Native American Boarding School Impacts and Legacies presented by Ted Gordon, Joe Farry Professor of Public Policy and Civic Engagement; Macy Ellis, undergraduate research assistant; and Meg Nelson, President of Indigenous Students Association at the College of Saint Benedict and Saint John’s University presenting on Saturday, February 8th, at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud. All programs start at 10:30 am and are free and open to the public.
For more information about the series and the upcoming programs, contact Ann Marie Johnson at the Stearns History Museum (320/253-8424 or development@stearns-museum.org).

History Unboxed- From Dust to Hope: Exploring Great Depression Records
2025-03-06 18:00 - 19:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for a hands on experience with records from our archives. you will learn about Stearns County and the great depression through a variety of materials.
This is a FREE event!

Breakfast Club- Miranda Steuckrath, "J.F. Powers & Betty Wahl"
2025-03-12 09:00 - 10:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us on Wednesday, March 12th at 9 am, as SHM Librarian Miranda as she discusses the life and works of J.F. Powers and Betty Wahl, two remarkable literary voices known for their keen insights into faith, family, and everyday life. Discover how their literary contributions, personal histories, and lasting impact on American literature continue to resonate today.
Coffee and donuts will be served.
Cost of program is $7, FREE for SHM Members.

Barnes and Noble Book Fair- Stearns History Museum
2025-03-15 10:00 - 17:00 | Barnes and Noble, Rainbow Village, 3940 Division St., Saint Cloud, 56301, United States
Visit Barnes and Noble in St. Cloud, MN, March 15th – March 20th, and when you checkout, mention that you are supporting the Stearns History Museum! A portion of the sales will benefit our organization.
Stearns History Museum staff will be at the St. Cloud Barnes and Noble on Saturday, March 15th!
Can’t visit in person? Visit bn.com/bookfairs to support us online from 03/15/25 to 03/20/25 by entering Bookfair ID 12850970 at checkout.

Heritage Circle Tour- Stonehouse Stained Glass Studio
2025-03-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Stonehouse Stained Glass Studio, 438 First Street Southeast, Avon, MN, 56310, United States
Join us for the first Heritage Circle Tour of 2025! On March 20th, Heritage Circle members are invited to the Stonehouse Stained Glass Studio in Avon for a tour of the facility, led by stained glass artist Marty Stone.

Heritage Circle Tours are for museum members at the Heritage Circle level only. If interested in becoming a Heritage Circle member, click here- https://stearnshistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=1075182

Hops and History: A Brief History of Stearns County Scams at Bad Habit Brewing Company
2025-03-20 18:00 - 19:30 | Bad Habit Brewing Company
Join Caitlin, Eric, and Grant from the museum as they talk about the background of some of the most infamous scams in Stearns County history, including everything from Samuel Pandolfo’s mail fraud to the architect behind one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in the history of the United States. And that’s not all! There are some scams and scandals you may not have heard of- but you will!
Program will be held at Bad Habit Brewing in St. Joseph, MN
Cost of Program is $10, FREE for museum members

Stearns History Museum Fix-It Clinic
2025-03-28 16:00 - 19:00 | 510 Art Lab, 510 Sinclair Lewis Ave, Sauk Centre, MN, 56378, United States
Something broken? Bring it to a Fix-It Clinic!
This clinic will have a strong focus on mending but you are welcome to bring small appliances, clothing, electronics, toys, or other household items. Volunteers will help you fix or mend your things for free.

No pre-registration required.
Items should be carry-in size for hands-on repair.
First-come, first-served. Limit 2 items per household.
Items accepted until 30 minutes before the event ends.

Archive Explorer: Genealogy 101
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
At this month’s Archive Explorer you’ll learn:
-Resources at the SHM Research Center
-Where to start your research
-Tips and tricks
-Common problems and how to overcome them

This program is FREE!

Breakfast Club- Cindy Frank-Stupnik, "Clearwater and its Historic Connections"
2025-04-09 09:00 - 10:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us on Thursday, April 9th, as local historian and writer Cindy Stupnik shares some historical tales from the history of Clearwater, Minnesota.
Coffee and donuts are served.
Cost of program is $7, FREE for SHM Members!

History Unboxed: The Great War Revealed
2025-05-01 18:00 - 19:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for a a hands on experience with records from our Archives! You will learn about Stearns County connections to World War I through a variety of materials.
This event is FREE!

Members Only Collections Tour
2025-05-07 11:00 - 12:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Museum members are invited to come and take a look at the museum collection you don’t see. Just because it’s not on display doesn’t mean it isn’t a museum treasure!
REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Exterior Painting Prep Hands-On Workshop
2025-05-10 12:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Warmer weather got you thinking about that exterior painting project just waiting for you to start? Want to know how best to prep the site to ensure the project is a success? Then this class is for you! Mark Johnston from Historic Design Consulting LLC will lead class attendees during this rigorous hands-on workshop covering everything you need to know to get your painting project prepped just right. A master craftsman, Mark will share his knowledge and expertise and cover topics including site clearance, lead safety, when and where to scrape, the proper use of caulk, and how to prime. Come prepared to work and learn from a pro!

Cost for the class is $75. Snacks and treats will be provided. Please bring your own beverage. Class size is limited so register today!

For more information, visit stearnshistorymuseum.org or contact Ann Marie at 320-253-8424 or development@stearns-museum.org.

Breakfast Club- Robert Galler, "Taking Charge, Making Change: Native People and the Transition of Education from Stephen Mission to Crow Creek Tribal School"
2025-05-14 09:00 - 10:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us on Wednesday, May 14th, as SCSU History Professor Robert Galler talks about his recently published book, which delves into how people of Crow Creek, Lower Brule, and other reservations gained agency by changing Stephan Mission school from one of oppression to one of cultural representation and pride.
Coffee and donuts provided.
Cost of program is $7, FREE for SHM Members!

Hops and History: Questionable Medical Devices
2025-05-15 18:00 - 19:30 | Art in Motion, 1400 4th St., Holdingford, 56340, United States
Join Laurie Kleinbaum Fink, PhD, from the Science Museum of Minnesota, to learn about the collection of questionable medical devices that form the backbone of a popular exhibition, Weighing the Evidence. The exhibition opened in 2016 and offers visitors three important take-away messages: When making health care decisions, ask questions of a trusted source; consider the costs, risks, and benefits; and look for scientific evidence. The exhibition pulls in museum visitors using a very charismatic collection of over 300 objects collected by Bob McCoy, a minister, steel salesman, and founder of the Minnesota Skeptics, and given to the Science Museum of Minnesota in 2002. Come and learn about the collection, the exhibition that showcases the collection, and how the Science Museum of Minnesota uses objects to engage the public in STEM.

Heritage Circle Tour- Leedstone
2025-05-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Leedstone, 222 County Road 173 SE, Melrose, 56352, United States
Join us for another Heritage Circle Tour! On May 22nd, Heritage Circle members are invited Leedstone in Melrose to enjoy a tour led by the whole Leedstone team!

Heritage Circle Tours are for museum members at the Heritage Circle level only. If interested in becoming a Heritage Circle member, click here- https://stearnshistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/sys/website/?pageId=1075182

20th Century Car Show
2025-05-29 16:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us on May 29th, from 4-8pm, for our 20th Century Car Show! This year, we are featuring cars manufactured between 1900 and 1999! Stop on by, browse the vehicles, check out the museum, and enjoy some hot dogs and beer! You won’t want to miss it!

If you’re interested in registering a vehicle in the show, you can register here: https://stearnshistorymuseum.wildapricot.org/event-6018575
Or, you can contact Eric Cheever at echeever@stearnsmuseum.org, or call us at the museum at 320-253-8424.

Stearns History Museum Fix-It Clinic
2025-06-06 16:00 - 19:00 | Paramount Center for the Arts Technical Site, 248 33rd Ave S., Waite Park, Minnesota
