Stearns History Museum

History Outdoors- Blazing the Oregon Trail
2024-08-01 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
This summer, students will bring the 1980s computer hit to life as they experience the triumphs and tragedies of The Oregon Trail in real time. Can you make a wagon that floats across the river? Can you find enough food to keep your party alive? Will you make it to Oregon?
Recommended ages: 8-14
Cost: $10/child, members free (Household membership required)

SHM at the Stearns County Fair!
2024-07-31 12:00 - 2024-08-04 18:00 | Stearns County Fairgrounds, 1105 Ash St S, Sauk Centre, 56378, United States
Come visit the Stearns History Museum at the Stearns County Fair in Sauk Centre, from July 31-August 4th!

History Outdoors - Blazing the Oregon Trail
2024-07-25 10:00 - 11:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

History Hunt in the Gardens at Munsinger Clemens Gardens
2024-07-18 10:00 - 18:00 | Munsinger Clemens Gardens, 1515 Riverside Dr. SE, Saint Cloud, Minnesota, 56304
Take the Munsinger Clemens Gardens History Hunt Challenge and get a chance to spin the wheel for prizes. Find us near the Gift Shop in the Gardens! For more information, contact Anne Marie at development@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424.

This class is made possible in part thanks to the generosity of Stearns History Museum members and donors. Thank you for your support!

At War and At Home: The WWII Experience
2024-07-13 - 2024-07-14 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Our World War II Living History event is back! Come to the museum for authentic World War II military vehicles, reenactors, weapons demonstrations, and more! This year, with a focus on war correspondents and journalism, we have something for everyone- from our kids’ obstacle course to World War II trivia, there’s something to keep you busy all day long!

Breakfast Club: Dr. Christopher Lehman, "It Took Courage: Eliza Winston's Quest for Freedom"
2024-07-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Christopher P. Lehman, St. Cloud State University Professor and member of the Stearns History Museum Board of Directors, has released a brand new book! In it, he uncovers the history of the fascinating Minnesota figure Eliza Winston, and her journey as she fought and sued for her freedom.
Cost: $7 for non-members, members FREE

40th Anniversary Open House
2024-06-29 13:00 - 15:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Stearns History Museum building in Heritage Park!
Refreshments from Songbird Kitchen will be served, and a new exhibit, “Home at Last,” will depict the story of the Stearns History Museum building.
This event is free and open to the public- we hope to see you all there!

Girls Just Want to Have Fun Bus Tour
2024-06-21 12:00 - 18:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Ladies, celebrate the Summer Solstice by joining the museum for a fun and tasty afternoon in the southeastern part of the county!
-Tour and summer picnic at Fairhaven Mill Park
-Tours and tastings at Millner Heritage Winery in Kimball
-$65 per person
-Book your spot today!

Breakfast Club: Marla Waseka, Preservation and Graceful Spaces
2024-06-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join Marla Waseka, owner and designer for Graceful Spaces and MoXie Ladies, to learn about her work to preserve and repurpose materials in building renovations.
Event is free for members, $10 for nonmembers

1980s Car Show and "I Want My 1980s" exhibit opening
2024-05-30 16:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
We are kicking off a summer of 1980s fun tonight! Come and see the glory of 1980s cars right here on the museum grounds! Bring some cash for brats and burgers from Auto Value and delicious craft beer from Third Street Brewing, and enjoy the 1980s tunes that will be floating through the air. And when you need to cool off, head on inside the museum and see our brand new exhibit, “I Want My 1980s,” showcasing all the things that made that decade so rad.
Event is FREE to the public- DONATIONS to the museum are always welcome!

Heritage Circle Tour: St. John's Abbey Woodworking and Organ Building Studio
2024-05-23 10:00 - 13:30 | St. John’s Abbey, 2825 Power House Road, Collegeville, MN, 56321, United States
Heritage Circle Members of the Museum are invited to take a behind the scenes tour of the St. John’s Abbey Woodworking and Organ Building Studio! Lunch (pay on your own) will follow at the Refectory, followed by an optional tour at 1pm of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library.
*THIS EVENT IS AVAILABLE TO MEMBERS ONLY

SCAG MEETING - Scott Norrick, Scottish Immigration to America
2024-05-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Intro to Masonry: Materials, Methods, and Maintenance
2024-05-18 09:00 - 13:00 | Rainbow Wellness Collective, 601 West Saint Germain St., Saint Cloud, 56301, United States
arn about masonry at this hands-on, information-packed workshop taught by John Beaty, design reviewer for the Minnesota Historical Society. An expert in the repair of historic masonry, John will share his knowledge and expertise with workshop attendees, covering everything from the ins and outs of masonry to how to identify problem areas and what to do about them. Geared for both residential and commercial property owners, this workshop is bound to be full of information and lots of fun!
The workshop will be held on Saturday, May 18th, 9 am to 1 pm, at Rainbow Wellness Collective in downtown St. Cloud (Lahr Building; 601 West St. Germain Street). Regular admission is $30. Cost for Stearns History Museum members is $20. Not a member? Join today!

For more information, contact Ann Marie at development@stearns-museum.org or call 320/253-8424.
Register-https://stearns-museum.company.site/Intro-to-Masonry-Materials-Methods-and-Maintenance-p642294937

This class is made possible in part thanks to the generosity of Stearns History Museum members and donors. Thank you for your support!

Hops and History- "What a Rush": The 80s Professional Wrestling Boom and its Connections to Minnesota
2024-05-16 18:00 - 19:30 | Pantown Brewing Company, 408 37th Avenue North, St. Cloud, 56303, United States
Before the WWF took over the nation, territorial wrestling reigned supreme. The AWA in Minnesota, run by Verne Gagne, introduced some of the decade’s biggest superstars before they left for brighter lights and more money. Come on down to Pantown, order a pint, and learn all about it!

Breakfast Club - Cory Haala- The 1980s Farm Crisis: Bankruptcies, Protests, and Memory in Stearns County
2024-05-08 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

SCAG Meeting - Branching Out: Tour of Benton County Historical Society
2024-04-20 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
We will be touring the Benton County Historical Society and then heading to Jimmy’s Pour House for lunch.

SCAG MEETING - Michelle Wilson, “Bio-Parents for Peg and Donna: A Genetic Genealogy Case Study”
2024-04-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Breakfast Club - Liz Fiedler, Sunny Mary Meadow
2024-04-10 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Liz Fiedler is the “Keeper of the Flame” on her Stearns County Century Farm, with her daughters being the 6th generation to live and actively farm there on the same land that has been in the Fiedler family since 1888. She and her late husband purchased the property in 2016 and established their business Sunny Mary Meadow in 2020 shortly before he passed away unexpectedly. Over the years, it has been home to many businesses: this farm has been a dairy, feedlot, hog farm, horse farm, traditional row crops, blacksmith shop, butcher shop, sawmill, and now flower farm.
$7.00/person, members FREE

Community Scan
2024-04-06 13:00 - 16:00, 2024-03-23 13:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
The Stearns History Museum will be hosting a community scanning event. Bring your old family photos and have them scanned for FREE. Registration is required. Limit 15 items.

Closed March 25-30 for exhibit installation
2024-03-25 - 2024-03-30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Hops & History- Kary Janousek- "When the Past is Present"
2024-03-21 17:00 - 19:00 | Bad Habit Brewing Company
Join Fargo photographer and artist Kary Janousek to learn about the amazing Victorian wet plate collodion process invented in 1851, what a tintype and ambrotype is, the basic steps of creating an image, and how she will be using this amazing form of photography to bring the past into the present at historical sites across the Dakotas in 2024.
Cost: $10 for non-members, FREE for members

SCAG MEETING - Eleanor Brinsko, Digitalarkivet: What to Know and How to Use It
2024-03-19 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Heritage Circle Tour- Blattner Energy
2024-03-14 10:00 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
This members-only event will tour Blattner Energy, in Avon, with lunch to follow (pay-on-your-own) at the Avon Cabin Cafe.
Questions? Contact Ann Marie – development@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424

Breakfast Club - Patty Wetterling: "Dear Jacob"
2024-03-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join local writer, advocate, and educator Patty Wetterling, as she discusses her new book Dear Jacob: A Mother’s Journey of Hope. Patty will discuss the writing process, what inspired her to bring the book to fruition, and her path to finding hope.*
*Online registration required. To register online, go to the following: https://stearns-museum.company.site/Members-Breakfast-Club-Patty-Wetterling-p623448761

SCAG Meeting - Daniel Earl, “Funeral Homes and Family History: They’re Dying to Meet You”
2024-02-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
This is an online event! For more information, email scag@stcloudareagen.org.

Breakfast Club- Amy Degerstrom- "Meet the New Executive Director"
2024-02-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join our new Executive Director, Amy Degerstrom, as she discusses over 20 years of experience in the museum field, and what led her to her new role. She will also spend some time reflecting on the museum’s past, as we are celebrating 40 years in this building in 2024! What has changed? What does she envision as the museum’s mission moving forward? Join us on February 14th to find out!
Non-Members: $7.00
Members: Free

SCAG Meeting - Anne Hanson, "Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida"
2024-01-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
When Anne Hanson’s dad first asked her to investigate the secret past of his parents, little did she know what she was getting into. Numerous genealogical searches and traditional sources failed to reveal even a speck of evidence that the families of her grandparents, Frank and Ida Hanson, had ever existed. Finally, after two decades of dogged research, Anne unearthed her grandparents’ true identities and the secrets they took to their graves. While her new book, Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida, is one of suspense, it also celebrates love and family. Her genealogical research helped to heal familial wounds and gave her father the answers he had longed for his entire life.
Hanson will present “Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida – a Genealogical Webinar” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists on Tuesday, January 16, 2024 at 7 p.m. at Stearns History Museum (235 33rd Ave S., St. Cloud). The presentation will also be available online and will be recorded for members of SCAG and registered guests. For more information about online availability, email scag@stcloudareagen.org.
Anne Hanson crossed the ocean for her African Studies degree, and as a reporter, would drive endless miles across town to get the story. Anne has written for the Boston Globe and numerous newspapers, as well as for corporate publications and the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s American Ancestors magazine. She lives with her husband in Brookline, Massachusetts.
This event is free for SCAG members, $7 for non-members (to register email kmsauer@ymail.com).

Haunted Holiday Escape Room
2023-12-21 16:00 - 20:00, 2023-12-14 16:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Register here!
