History At Home: Gimlet Happy Hour
2021-03-05 16:00 - 2021-03-07 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.
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, 2021-07-20 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.

At War: The Living History Experience
2021-06-19 09:00 - 2021-06-20 15:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for this WWII Living History Weekend at the Stearns History Museum!

Weekend One (At War):
Saturday, June 19: 9am-4pm
Sunday, June 20: 9am-3pm

Experience life for the soldiers on the frontlines with activities, re-enactors, and WWII military equipment. The WWII exhibit, Rising to the Crisis, also opens.

Click here to buy tickets >>

This exciting event is part of a series! Click here to learn more.

Whitney Senior Center Tour
2021-06-21 00:00 | MN
Visit the Stearns History Museum through the Whitney Senior Center and explore the stories of Stearns County citizens.
Register with the Whitney Senior Center Here >>

Coffee with Carie in June
2021-06-24 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 June 24 and Aug 26. Space is limited, so registration is needed. Email us at info@stearns-museum.org or call 320-253-8424.

YMCA Day Camp
2021-07-08 10:00 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
From 10 AM to Noon today, we’ll be hosting our local YMCA’s Day Camp group! Registration for this event is full, through the YMCA.

At Home: The Living History Experience
2021-07-10 09:00 - 2021-07-11 15:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for this WWII Living History Weekend at the Stearns History Museum!
Weekend Two (At Home):
Saturday, July 10: 9-4
Sunday, July 11: 9-3

Experience life on the homefront with activities, re-enactors, and a WWII fashion show. The exhibit, 33rd and Cooper, opens and highlights Char-Gale, an aircraft parts manufacturer that employed women during WWII.

Click here to buy tickets >>

This exciting event is part of a series! Click here to learn more.

Minnesota Voices Book Club: July
2021-07-13 18:30 - 20:00 | Zoom / Online
The July book club discussion will feature A Good Time for the Truth: Race in Minnesota, edited by Sun Yung Shin. She will discuss the process of gathering these stories that are described as, “Essays that challenge, discomfort, disorient, galvanize, and inspire all of us to evolve now, for our shared future.” We will send out a Zoom link and a list of reading questions to all registrants about a week before each event.
Your registration will be automatic for 2 dates, Tuesday July 13 and Tuesday July 27 form 6:30-8:00pm.
Register Online Here >>

Breakfast Club: One Last Time—WWII Veteran Stories
2021-07-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
One Last Time: World War II Veteran Stories
Members of the “Greatest Generation” are leaving us at an alarming rate. Photographer and Amateur Historian, Jay Grammond planned and facilitated a WWII History Series in Elk River for 13 years. In that time, he got to know numerous people that lived during that time in history. Holocaust, and Japanese-American Internment Camp Survivors; Homefront Workers; Allied POW’s; Veterans from all branches and Theatres, and in one case, even a German Soldier who fought the whole war on the Eastern Front! In this presentation, Jay is going to tell you about some of these people who participated in his History Series, and are sadly, no longer here. One Veteran even stated, “This will probably be my last time telling this story.” Don’t miss this unique insight into the lives of these amazing people.

Instructor Bio: Jay Grammond is an Amateur Historian, and a Professional Photographer. Jay has studied World War II for two decades, and for 13 years organized and hosted a WWII History Series where he has Veterans, Holocaust Survivors, and others, present their story. The event was held once a month. Jay has worked with and for Veterans of all eras, and has a special place in his heart for those from the WWII Generation. Jay is currently working on a Video and Portrait project featuring those from the WWII era.

Attendance for this event is limited due to COVID-19 space limitations. Reservations are required. 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.

Live Like Pioneers
2021-07-15 10:00 - 11:30, 2021-07-22 10:00 - 11:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Children will live like the earliest Minnesota pioneer children of the 1800s, and that means doing the chores! Collecting eggs, doing laundry, mending clothes, churning butter…you name it! Kids will also make a pioneer-era craft to take home. (best fit for ages 7-13, but everyone welcome)
Please call 320-253-8424 or e-mail Caitlin at ccarlson@stearns-museum.org to register!

What's Behind the Curtain?
2021-07-23 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
What’s Behind the Curtain?

Friday July 23, 9:00am
Have you ever wanted to see the Museum collections storage area? Now’s your chance! Meet in the Stearns History Museum lobby and we will go as a group to offsite storage. Space is limited. Registration required. Call 320-253-8424 or send an email to info@stearns-museum.org. Hope you can join us!
