Stearns History Museum

Intro to Masonry: Materials, Methods, and Maintenance
2024-05-18 09:00 - 13:00 (America/Chicago) | 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, 2023-12-07 16:00 - 20:00, 2023-11-30 16:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Register here!

Breakfast Club - Secrets of the Waite Park Car Shops Revealed!
2023-12-13 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Civil War Roundtable - A Civil War Tea Party
2023-12-12 15:00 - 17:00 | The Whitney Senior Center, 1527 Northway Dr, St. Cloud, MN, 56303, United States
A CIVIL WAR TEA PARTY!
Learn about dress and clothing during the Civil War
Enjoy Civil War inspired teas, crumpets and cookies
Live music with popular Civil War songs!

$5 per person – Space Limited
Advanced Registration Required
To Register – call the Whitney Senior Center at 320-255-7245
OR send an email to aditlevson@gmail.com

Hosted by the Central MN Civil War Round Table – find them on Facebook at:
www.facebook.com/CMCWRT

Gingerbread Architecture - The Sweet Elements of Design
2023-12-02 | Benton County Historical Society, 202 2nd Ave S, Sauk Rapids, MN, 56379, United States
Love gingerbread? A fan of architecture and construction? Dream of building your own home or designing a structure? Then this class is for you!
Learn the basics of building construction and architectural design at this all-ages, family-friendly, kid-oriented workshop taught by Eric Cheever, the fun-loving Exhibits & Collections Curator for the Stearns History Museum. Eric will show you the inner workings of construction and design and teach about basic building elements during this hands-on class. Engage your inner architect or builder while creating your own structural masterpiece using icing and gingerbread. It’s sure to be a sweet treat!
Gingerbread Architecture: The Sweet Elements of Design will be held twice: the first on November 18 and the second on December 2.
This class on December 2 will be held at the Robinson-Stanton House, Benton County Historical Society, 202 2nd Avenue South, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379.
General admission is $15. Sliding scale admission options are also available. Register here.
This class is brought to you by Rethos: Places Reimagined. Rethos Education is financed in part by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.
This event is sponsored by GLTArchitects and Cold Spring Bakery.

SCAG Meeting - Alexis Petrie, "Vintage Aerial and Genealogy: Exploring Your Story Through Aerial Photography"
2023-11-21 19:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Whippersnapper Hour - Dear Diary
2023-11-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States

Gingerbread Architecture - The Sweet Elements of Design
2023-11-18 | Great River Children’s Museum, 601 W St Germain St, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Love gingerbread? A fan of architecture and construction? Dream of building your own home or designing a structure? Then this class is for you!
Learn the basics of building construction and architectural design at this all-ages, family-friendly, kid-oriented workshop taught by Eric Cheever, the fun-loving Exhibits & Collections Curator for the Stearns History Museum. Eric will show you the inner workings of construction and design and teach about basic building elements during this hands-on class. Engage your inner architect or builder while creating your own structural masterpiece using icing and gingerbread. It’s sure to be a sweet treat!
Gingerbread Architecture: The Sweet Elements of Design will be held twice: the first on November 18 and the second on December 2.
This class on November 18 will be held at the Great River Children’s Museum, Lahr Building, at 601 West St. Germain Street, St. Cloud, MN 56301. The class will be held from 11am-noon.
General admission is $15. Sliding scale admission options are also available. Register here.
This class is brought to you by Rethos: Places Reimagined. Rethos Education is financed in part by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.
This event is sponsored by GLTArchitects and Cold Spring Bakery.

Heritage Circle Tour - Central McGowan
2023-11-02 10:00 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
75+ years in the making and still going strong! Join us at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 2nd, 2023, for the final Heritage Circle Tour of the year at Central McGowan headquarters in St. Cloud. Learn about one of the area’s leading, state-of-the-art companies from third-generation CEO, Joe Francis. Tour the facility and discover the science and technology behind the company, its successful business model, and the origins of this diversified industry. Don’t miss one last great adventure of the year into Stearns County’s past, present and future. Space is limited so register today!
Following the tour, everyone is welcome to gather for lunch-on-your own at Brigitte’s (42 32nd Avenue South). Be sure to bring your own cash or other form of payment.
If you have any questions or need more information, contact Ann Marie at development@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424.
Register online today!

Keeping the Weather Out: Homeowner How-to's
2023-10-28 10:00 - 12:00 | TBD
Back by popular demand, “Keeping the Weather Out: Homeowner How-tos,” is perfect for home and property owners eager to get ready for Minnesota’s cold weather season. This hands-on workshop will cover how to fix cracks and drafts, repair problem doors and windows, and practice the best winterization methods and techniques. Taught by local renovation specialist, Eric Cheever, this class is for anyone caring for an older home or structure.
The workshop takes place at the beautiful Queen Anne-style home near downtown St. Cloud built in 1886 by Frank Fandel, founder of Fandels Department Stores. The yellow brick structure has seen various remodels and alterations throughout its 135 years of existence, making it the perfect setting to learn about everything from energy audits and tuck pointing to how older, existing buildings can be just as snug and energy efficient as newer ones. A must for anyone looking to get
ready for winter!
Held both inside and out, the class will include a tour of the home and a chance to practice the effective skills and techniques needed for keeping the weather out of your own home or structure. A complimentary boxed lunch will be provided courtesy of the site host, Peter Fandel. General admission is $20. Class size is limited so register today!
For more information and to register, visit https://www.rethos.org/events or contact Ann Marie Johnson, Central Minnesota Education Coordinator for Rethos based out of the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud (CentralMN@rethos.org; 320-253-8424).

SCAG Meeting - Maggie Hill-Kipling, "Caring for your Family Heirlooms"
2023-10-22 | Pantown Brewing Company, 408 37th Avenue North, St. Cloud, 56303, United States
The St. Cloud Area Genealogists will present “Caring for Your Family Heirlooms” on Sunday, Oct. 22, at Pantown Brewing Company, 37 th Ave. N., St. Cloud. The event begins at 12:30 p.m. with the presentation taking place from 1-3 p.m.
Whether it’s your grandma’s antique necklace or your great-grandpa’s pocket watch, Objects Conservator Maggie Hill-Kipling will share valuable tips and tricks on cleaning, storing and maintaining your heirlooms for generations to come.
If you have a particular heirloom you would like addressed at the event, register online by searching for “Caring for Your Family Heirlooms” on Eventbrite. Not all registered heirlooms may be discussed due to time. For those without an heirloom for discussion, no registration is necessary — just show up to the event. Attendees are welcome to bring heirlooms and share their history with others at the end of the presentation.
The event is free and open to the public. Food and beverages are available for purchase at the event.
Maggie has a Master of Science in art conservation from the Winterthur/University of Delaware in Newark and a Bachelor of Arts in anthropology and museum studies from Beloit College in Wisconsin. Maggie spent the bulk of her career in Tucson at the University of Arizona working on cooperative agreements with the National Park Service’s Intermountain Museum Services Program, where she conducted collection condition surveys, implemented and advised on storage, rehousing and move projects, and treated a wide variety of historic, archaeological and Native American cultural materials.
Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from Maggie and keep your family’s history alive.
Founded in 1974, St. Cloud Area Genealogists (SCAG) 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.

"Wayfinding" Exhibit Opening!
2023-10-19 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
