Stearns History Museum

Whippersnapper Hour - "The Way we Play"
2022-03-19 10:00 - 11:00 (America/Chicago) | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
In 2022, we’re bringing back the Whippersnapper Hour! This program lets kids get their hands on history, with engaging and interactive activities that bring the past to life. This month at the Stearns History Museum’s “Whippersnapper Hour,” we will dive into “The Way We Play!”
These days, a lot of toys and games for children are driven by technology. But before the days of Nintendo (and even Atari), how did children play? What sort of toys did they use? Did they make them themselves? Did they even have time to play? All of these questions will be answered and more, and of course, the children will get the chance to try out some old toys and games: Victorian era hoops and graces, hopscotch, 20th century board games, and they will make a corn husk doll or thaumatrope to take home!
$3/child (nonmembers), free for members
Call 320-253-8424 or email info@stearns-museum.org to register!
Up Next:

May 21-Whippersnapper Hour- 10 am- “Spy School”

SCAG Look at Your Family in a Whole New Way: Mind Map
2022-03-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Save the date for this St. Cloud Area Genealogists event! Join us on March 15 with Diana Elder for a discussion on Mind Mapping.
This event starts at 7pm on Tuesday, March 15. More information to come. Questions? Email scag@stcloudareagen.org.
If you’re interested in becoming a SCAG member, please email scag@stcloudareagen.org or visit this link.
Upcoming SCAG events:
March 15 – Diana Elder, Look at Your Family in a Whole New Way: Mind Map, 7 p.m.
April 19 – Mary Kircher Roddy, Family Browse: A Different Way to Look at FamilySearch, 7 p.m.
May 17 – Dana Palmer, “Useful Tools for Finding German Ancestors,” 7 p.m.

Hops and History - "Prairie Madness: Fact or Fiction?" with Eric and Caitlin
2022-03-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Pantown Brewing Company, 408 37th Avenue North, St. Cloud, 56303, United States
Hops and History is back! In 2022, every other month we will be enjoying a Historic Happy Hour, complete with discussions of quirky historic topics and local craft beer.
At this month’s Hops and History, Stearns History Museum curators will examine the concept of “Prairie Madness,” and dig into some history to find out how common, or even true, it was during the homesteading years on the Great Plains. In popular fiction, this form of cabin fever often afflicted women on the prairie, leading them to bouts of depression and even violence. But how real was it? Join us at Pantown Brewing on March 15th to find out!
(March 15, 6:30 pm – 8 pm) at Pantown Brewing Company
$7/nonmembers, free for members
The drinking of the beer starts at 6:30, and the program begins at 7! So bring some cash for a couple pints of delicious beer, and join us! You can register by calling 320.253.8424 or emailing info@stearns-museum.org.
To register online, please click this link: https://stearnshistorymuseum.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/stearnshistorymuseum/eventRegistration.jsp?event=42&
Up Next:

May 12- “WWII: Pin-ups, Anchors, and Hearts”- Mitch Bender- 5:30 pm

Memory Writers
2022-03-15 10:00 - 11:00, 2022-02-15 10:00 - 11:00 | 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).

Civil War Roundtable: The Federal & Confederate Navies
2022-03-08 15:30 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for Civil War Roundtable with Keith Gulsvig discussing The Federal & Confederate Navies.
This event takes place March, 8 at 3:45pm. Please call 320-253-8424 with questions.

Director’s Cut: Producing an Oral History
2022-02-28 17:30 - 19:30 | Beaver Island Brewing Company, 216 6th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
You’re invited to join us at Beaver Island Brewing Company for Oral History Happy Hour!
This event will include a boxed dinner, cash bar, and a presentation by Jim Barkley of Sonant History about what it’s like to produce an oral history for SHM. Beaver Island’s own Chris Laumb’s oral history recording will be featured.

Tickets are $20/each
RSVP online by February 21st (click here)
Questions? Email or call the Museum at info@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424
Hosted by the Stearns History Museum

" Ash pe pekran? An Encounter with Coptic Cultural Heritage" -- Morrison County Partnership Program
2022-02-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
This event is part 4 of 4 of the Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota Lecture Series – February 2022.
Join Dr. David Calabro, Curator of Eastern Christian Manuscripts, for a brief introduction to the ancient and fascinating Coptic Egyptian culture. Coptic Christians represent a small but growing community in Minnesota, with two churches in the Twin Cities area. We’ll also highlight resources for the study of Coptic cultural heritage, focusing on manuscripts digitized by the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library (HMML) at Saint John’s University in Minnesota.
This event is free and virtual. It takes place at 10:30am to 11:30am on Saturday, February 26. Please register by calling 320-632-4007 or sending an email to staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org. Registration deadline is February 3!
HMML and the following regional historical societies are partnering for a lecture series that focuses on learning about cultures in our state through their ancient manuscript traditions.
Partners:

Benton County Historical Society – https://mnbentonhistory.org/
Sherburne County Historical Society (Sherburne History Center) – https://sherburnehistorycenter.org/
Stearns County Historical Society (Stearns History Museum) – https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/
Morrison County Historical Society (The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum) – https://morrisoncountyhistory.org/

All lectures will take place on Saturdays in February at 10:30 a.m. Programs will be 60 minutes in length and will be conducted via Zoom. The 2022 dates are February 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Central Minnesota Farm Show
2022-02-22 - 2022-02-23 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
See you at the Central Minnesota Farm Show at River’s Edge Convention Center!
February 22 from 9am to 4pm & February 23 from 9am to 3pm. For more information go to https://www.stcloudareachamber.com/Farm-Show.aspx.

"The Manuscript Heritage of Muslim Communities in Minnesota and Beyond" -- Morrison County Partnership Program
2022-02-19 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
This event is part 3 of 4 of the Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota Lecture Series – February 2022.
Join Dr. Josh Mugler, Curator of Islamic Manuscripts, for a brief introduction to the visual and textual elements of Islamic manuscript traditions from around the world. Muslims are an important and growing part of the Minnesota community, and this presentation will discuss one aspect of their cultural heritage. I will also discuss the efforts of the Hill Museum and Manuscript Library, right here in Central Minnesota, to preserve this heritage for future generations.
This event is free and virtual. It takes place at 10:30am to 11:30am on Saturday, February 19. Please register by calling 320-632-4007 or sending an email to staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org. Registration deadline is February 3!
HMML and the following regional historical societies are partnering for a lecture series that focuses on learning about cultures in our state through their ancient manuscript traditions.
Partners:

Benton County Historical Society – https://mnbentonhistory.org/
Sherburne County Historical Society (Sherburne History Center) – https://sherburnehistorycenter.org/
Stearns County Historical Society (Stearns History Museum) – https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/
Morrison County Historical Society (The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum) – https://morrisoncountyhistory.org/

All lectures will take place on Saturdays in February at 10:30 a.m. Programs will be 60 minutes in length and will be conducted via Zoom. The 2022 dates are February 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Exploring History and Culture: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library Popup Exhibit *Closed
2022-02-18 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Exploring History and Culture: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library Popup Exhibit is at Stearns History Museum! This exhibit will be on display from February 5 – 18 in Gallery 2 & 3.

SCAG French-Canadian Genealogy: Getting Started
2022-02-15 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Save the date for this St. Cloud Area Genealogists event! Join us on February 15 with Margaret R. Fortier for a discussion on French-Canadian Genealogy.
This event starts at 7pm on Tuesday, February 15. More information to come. Questions? Email scag@stcloudareagen.org.
If you’re interested in becoming a SCAG member, please email scag@stcloudareagen.org or visit this link.
Upcoming SCAG events:
Feb 15 – Margaret R. Fortier, French-Canadian Genealogy: Getting Started, 7 p.m.
March 15 – Diana Elder, Look at Your Family in a Whole New Way: Mind Map, 7 p.m.
April 19 – Mary Kircher Roddy, Family Browse: A Different Way to Look at FamilySearch, 7 p.m.
May 17 – Dana Palmer, “Useful Tools for Finding German Ancestors,” 7 p.m.

"The Boy from Buckman Plants a Seed" -- Morrison County Partnership Program
2022-02-12 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
This event is part 2 of 4 of the Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota Lecture Series – February 2022.
Join Dr. Matthew Z. Heintzelman, Curator of Western European Manuscripts & Special Collections, for a discussion on Hill Museum & Manuscript Library. HMML’s work today relies heavily on the early work of the monks at Saint John’s Abbey to make microfilm copies of manuscripts. The Library began work in April 1965 at Kremsmünster Abbey in Austria, led by Father Oliver Kapsner, OSB (1902-1991; born Leonard Kapsner, in Buckman, MN). This presentation will tie together Father Oliver’s start in Central Minnesota and his productive and successful career documenting and preserving books in Austria and elsewhere.
This event is free and virtual. It takes place at 10:30am to 11:30am on Saturday, February 12. Please register by calling 320-632-4007 or sending an email to staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org. Registration deadline is February 3!
HMML and the following regional historical societies are partnering for a lecture series that focuses on learning about cultures in our state through their ancient manuscript traditions.
Partners:

Benton County Historical Society – https://mnbentonhistory.org/
Sherburne County Historical Society (Sherburne History Center) – https://sherburnehistorycenter.org/
Stearns County Historical Society (Stearns History Museum) – https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/
Morrison County Historical Society (The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum) – https://morrisoncountyhistory.org/

All lectures will take place on Saturdays in February at 10:30 a.m. Programs will be 60 minutes in length and will be conducted via Zoom. The 2022 dates are February 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Breakfast Club - "Cahuilla Nation Activism and the Tribal Casino Movement" - Ted Gordon
2022-02-09 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us on February 9 for Ted Gordon’s Breakfast Club discussion. Part of the winter event series, packaged with Anton Treuer’s book club and the “Why Treaties Matter” exhibit, Gordon digs deeper into the Cabazon Decision.
Gordon is a visiting assistant professor of sociology at College of St. Benedict/St. John’s University. His first book, Cahuilla Nation Activism and the Tribal Casino Movement investigates American Indian activism and its impacts on public policy and perceptions. It focuses on his research with the Cahuilla nations who are indigenous to inland Southern California. He currently serves on the Community Education and Research Committee for the Central Minnesota Community Empowerment Organization, a non-profit that serves refugees in need.

When the Cabazon Band first opened a small poker club on their Indian reservation in the isolated desert of California, they knew local authorities would challenge them. Cabazon persisted and ultimately won, defeating the State of California in a landmark case before the Supreme Court. By fighting for their right to operate a poker club, Cabazon secured the possibility for Native nations across the United States to open casinos, spurring the growth of what is now a $30 billion industry. In this talk, Gordon connects the Cabazon Decision to the bigger story of how Native nation activists use cultural and political strategies to maintain their independence and resist settler colonialism. Drawing on examples from California to Minnesota, Gordon will illustrate how tribal self-governance continues to shape America’s political-economy.
Attendance for this event is limited due to COVID-19 space limitations. Reservations are required. Please call the Museum at 320-253-8424 or click here to register. The Breakfast Club program is free for Stearns History Museum members and $7 for nonmembers. Coffee and rolls will be provided.

Civil War Roundtable: Archaeology at Port Hudson Battlefield in Louisiana
2022-02-08 15:30 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for Civil War Roundtable with Professor Rob Mann discussing Archaeology at Port Hudson Battlefield in Louisiana. This event takes place on February 8 at 3:45pm.

"The Order of Saint John of Jerusalem: Culture and Community" -- Morrison County Partnership Program
2022-02-05 10:30 - 11:30 | Virtual
This event is part 1 of 4 of the Exploring History and Culture in Central Minnesota Lecture Series – February 2022.
Join Dr. Daniel K. Gullo and Joseph S. Micallef (Director of the Malta Study Center) for a look at the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, or Rhodes, and of Malta as a religious order and sovereigns of the island of Malta through its organization, culture, and religious life. Founded in the twelfth century, this unique religious order grew from a small gathering of laity and knights to a sovereign power in the Mediterranean island of Malta, whose members continue their mission to care for the poor and sick today.
This event is free and virtual. It takes place at 10:30am to 11:30am on Saturday, February 5. Please register by calling 320-632-4007 or sending an email to staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org. Registration deadline is February 3!
HMML and the following regional historical societies are partnering for a lecture series that focuses on learning about cultures in our state through their ancient manuscript traditions.
Partners:

Benton County Historical Society – https://mnbentonhistory.org/
Sherburne County Historical Society (Sherburne History Center) – https://sherburnehistorycenter.org/
Stearns County Historical Society (Stearns History Museum) – https://stearnshistorymuseum.org/
Morrison County Historical Society (The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum) – https://morrisoncountyhistory.org/

All lectures will take place on Saturdays in February at 10:30 a.m. Programs will be 60 minutes in length and will be conducted via Zoom. The 2022 dates are February 5, 12, 19, and 26.

Exploring History and Culture: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library Popup Exhibit *Opens
2022-02-05 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Exploring History and Culture: Hill Museum & Manuscript Library Popup Exhibit is at Stearns History Museum! This exhibit will be on display from February 5 – 18 in Gallery 2 & 3. Plan a visit to the Museum to see these pieces of history!

Memory Writers
2022-02-01 10:00 - 11:00 | 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)

Minnesota Voices Book Club - Anton Treuer
2022-01-25 18:30 - 20:00, 2022-01-11 18:30 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for the Minnesota Voices Book Club on January 11th. Stearns History Museum and UniteCloud are proud to present author and professor Anton Treuer, as he discusses his book Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask. Treuer, a renowned speaker and member of the Ojbiwe nation, will talk about his important book, which debunks so many stereotypes about Native Americans.
The event will be virtual (via Zoom). Click here for registration link. Cost is free for museum members, and $5 for nonmembers. Hope to see you there!

Whippersnapper Hour "Go Inside your Phone!"
2022-01-22 10:00 - 11:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
In 2022, we’re bringing back the Whippersnapper Hour! This program lets kids get their hands on history, with engaging and interactive activities that bring the past to life. This winter and spring, we will be exploring the technological innovations of the past, playing with different toys and games from decades ago, and cracking codes to become spies! So get ready, and we will see you in 2022!
Today, we can accomplish almost everything just using one piece of technology, our smartphone. But if we go back in time, every single thing we use our phone for, like playing music, watching movies, playing games, doing math, calling and sending messages, was done separately. Stop by this month’s Whippersnapper Hour, “Go Inside Your Phone,” to try out some of those aging old relics like- a typewriter, a rotary phone, a CD Player, a TAPE player, an old camera with FILM, and much more!
Cost: $3/child for non-members, members are free
Call 320.253.8424 or email info@stearns-museum.org to register!

January 22- 10 am- “Go Inside your Phone!”
March 19-10 am- “The Way we Play”
May 21-Whippersnapper Hour- 10 am- “Spy School”

St. Cloud Area Genealogists
2022-01-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join the St. Cloud Area Genealogists meeting with Michael Lacopo as he discusses She Came From Nowhere: A Case Study Approach to a Difficult Genealogical Problem.

Memory Writers
2022-01-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2022-01-11 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-12-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-12-07 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

Hops and History- “Weddings from Wonderful to Weird: How Bridal Fashions Have Shaped the Way We Wed over 120 Years”- Jessica Cygan
2022-01-13 17:30 - 19:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Hops and History is back! In 2022, every other month we will be enjoying a Historic Happy Hour, complete with discussions of quirky historic topics and local craft beer from Pantown Brewing.
Seamstress, reenactor and vintage collector Jessica Cygan leads a discussion on the traditional, the wonderful and the weird of vintage bridal fashion. Cygan will talk about where our modern ideas about weddings came from, and answer questions like: Why do we wear white and when did that tradition begin? How did royal weddings influence our views of weddings? Is that expensive dress only used once? Did they actually make dresses out of parachutes in World War II? Answers to this and many more burning questions explained about bridal traditions from 1840 to 1960.
The drinking of the beer starts at 5:30, and the program begins at 6! So mark the following dates on your calendar, bring some cash for a couple pints of delicious beer, and join us! Call 320.253.8424 or email info@stearns-museum.org for information on how to register.
Cost: $7 for non-members, members free

January 13- “Weddings from Wonderful to Weird: How Bridal Fashions Have Shaped the way we Wed over 120 Years”- Jessica Cygan- 5:30 pm
March 10- “Prairie Madness: Fact or Fiction?”- Caitlin Carlson and Eric Cheever- 5:30 pm
May 12- “WWII: Pin-ups, Anchors, and Hearts”- Mitch Bender- 5:30 pm

Genealogy Roadshow
2022-01-11 18:00 - 19:30 | Virtual
Please join us for a free, special event “Genealogy Roadshow” for members of St. Cloud Area Genealogists on Tuesday, January 11th 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Online.
Register Online no later than January 1st!
Registration link: https://bit.ly/3ouJ2Ni

Civil War Roundtable
2022-01-11 15:45 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for Civil War Roundtable with Win Anderson at 3:45pm.
Stories of Service and Sacrifice: The 1st Minnesota at Gettysburg & The Bedford Boys of D-Day

Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations
2022-01-04 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
The traveling exhibition, Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations, offers an opportunity to learn more about the Native nations in Minnesota and the history of treaty-making with the United States. The exhibit relays Minnesota’s Native history in the voices of Dakota and Ojibwe people in this place once called “Mnisota.” It includes 20 freestanding panels and a 14-minute video titled, A Day in the Life of Minnesota Tribal Nations.
Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations is a collaboration of the Minnesota Indian Affairs Council, the Minnesota Humanities Center, and the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian. The project is funded in part with money from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and The Patrick and Aimee Butler Family Foundation.
This is a traveling exhibit and will be on display at Stearns History Museum from January 4, 2022 to March 3, 2022. Click here to learn more about the exhibit.
