Stearns History Museum

History At Home: Brandy Alexander Happy Hour
2021-01-14 16:00 - 2021-01-16 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Ask the Archivist: Email requests only!
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.

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, 2021-05-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2021-05-18 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.

History At Home: Tom Collins Happy Hour
2021-04-23 15:00 - 2021-04-25 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 Tom Collins
Did you know that the Tom Collins drink was based on a 19th century practical joke? But is it still funny by today’s standards? We will leave that for you to decide. Watch the video for the full story and our simple recipe for a quick and refreshing cocktail.

History At Home: Whippersnapper Hour
2021-05-05 08:00 - 2021-05-06 17:00 | 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—”Whippersnapper Hour” is only a suggestion.
Whippersnapper Hour: A Tale of Two Pandemics
Hey there, Whippersnapper! Are you ready to talk about the pandemic? (No, not that one!) We’re going back in time to get a brief history lesson on the Spanish Flu that ravaged the country and the world over 100 years ago, beginning in 1918. You’ll learn some new information, but you’ll also be surprised by how much of it sounds familiar. You know what they say about history— it often repeats itself. Stay tuned at the end of the video for a trivia challenge about other pandemics and plagues throughout the course of history—even if you don’t know the answers, you will learn something new!

St. Cloud Area Genealogy May Event
2021-05-18 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.
Naturalization Records: Well, I Declare!
Christopher Welter will present the webinar “Naturalization Records: Well I Declare!” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists. Welter will give participants an overview of the history and evolution of the naturalization process in the United States. Welter will particularly focus on the 20th century records, the information they contain, and how they can help you in your research.
Christopher Welter is the archivist at Minnesota Discovery Center’s Iron Range Research Center in Chisholm, Minnesota, and manages all of their historical records collections. He is a graduate of Saint John’s University in Collegeville, Minnesota, and received his Masters of Library and Information Science degree from Dominican University in River Forest, Illinois. He previously worked at the Minnesota Historical Society.
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.

Donuts With The Director
2021-05-22 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 May 22nd 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 May 21st at noon if you’d like to attend so we can have enough donuts on hand!
Future dates are:

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

Coffee with Carie in May
2021-05-27 10:00 - 23:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Want to touch base with the museum, and see what kind of insider news our Director has to share? Then pull up a chair and pour yourself a hot one, because “Coffee with Carie” takes place 10 to 11 a.m. on May 27, June 24 and Aug 26. Space is limited, so registration is needed. Email us at info@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424.

The League of Women Voters Minnesota Opening Week
2021-06-01 09:30 - 2021-06-08 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
A Century of Civic Engagement: The League of Women Voters Minnesota
Discover Minnesota’s suffrage story, highlighting the women who made it happen and who continue to lead through the League to make democracy work for all.
June 1-August 27, 2021
Stearns History Museum

Reception of the Opening of The League of Women Voters of St. Cloud
2021-06-03 16:30 - 19:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
The League of Women Voters of the St. Cloud Area is hosting a reception for the opening of A Century of Civic Engagement: The League of Women Voters Minnesota
When: Thursday, June 3, 2021 from 4:30 – 7:00 pm
Where: Stearns History Museum | 235 33rd Ave S, St. Cloud, MN
Join us for a free in-person reception with refreshments to celebrate our newest exhibit—a 12-panel exhibit recognizing a century of voter service and activism by Leagues in Minnesota, which will be on display here at the Stearns History Museum through August 27th.
Masks will be required, and all safety protocol required at the time of event will be followed.
Our regular exhibits will also be open. The museum and reception are free and open to the public for this event. LWV exhibit will be on display from June 1- August 27.
Reservations are recommended due to limited space! Call 320-253-8424.

Breakfast Club, 1918 Flu
2021-06-09 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Brendon Duffy, archivist at CentraCare, will present Precedented Times: The 1918-19 Spanish Flu in Central Minnesota at 9 a.m. Wednesday, June 9, at our Breakfast Club. As World War I was coming to an end, the world battled an invisible opponent – the Spanish Flu of 1918-19. This pandemic, which took an estimated 50 million lives worldwide, had major effects on medical care, public health and personal hygiene. Duffy will share what life was like in Minnesota during the Spanish Flu and talk about how that crisis shaped healthcare in Central Minnesota in ways we may not realize.
Duffy is an experienced researcher and presenter who strives to tell meaningful stories. He has been an archivist with CentraCare for more than four years and is a certified genealogical researcher. He also worked several years for St. John’s University, Collegeville.
Attendance for this event is limited to 40 people due to COVID-19 space limitations. Reservations are required and will close at noon Tuesday, June 8. Please call the Museum at 320-253-8424 to register. The Breakfast Club program is free for Stearns History Museum members and $7 for nonmembers. Coffee and rolls will be provided.

Donuts With The Director
2021-06-12 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 June 12th 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 June 9th at noon if you’d like to attend so we can have enough donuts on hand!
Future dates are:

August 21
September 18
October 16
November 13
December 11

Rising to the Crisis Opens: Stearns County & World War II
2021-06-19 08:00 - 2021-06-25 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
New exhibit, now open! Featuring stories of Stearns County residents during World War II.
