Our Narratives Open Mic
2023-03-07 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Tell Your Story Before Someone Else Tells it For You

Bring your talent to tell your story! Music, Poetry, Prose, Storytelling, Comedy!

Theme: Tell your story about YOUR place in this Place of Stearns County! Are you a newcomer? Were you born and raised? Do you have a story of a special corner of this community?

Please note that we often hear stories and listen to perspectives that can be uncomfortable. We hold space for this type of exchange, respecting other’s experience. All are welcome.

6-7pm Social Hour with food (TBD), sign up for open mic, Gallery will be open
7pm Performances

Please reach out to us or The Whit Gallery with questions!

Hops & History: Unsolved Mysteries & Miracles of Stearns County w/ Caitlin & Eric @ Beaver Island
2023-03-09 17:30 - 19:00 | Beaver Island Brewing Company, 216 6th Ave S, St. Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Save the date for the first Hops and History of 2023! Caitlin and Eric will be talking about any interesting or unsolved mysteries/miracles they could find in their research of Stearns County. From miracles at Grasshopper Chapel to unsolved bank robberies and other true crimes. If you liked our last H&H program with Dean Klinkenberg (Mississippi River Mayhem), then this is another one you may enjoy!
Join us March 9, 2023 5:30pm @ Beaver Island Brewing Company. $10/person, Museum members are free. Call us or click here to register!

Civil War Roundtable: History of The Lost Cause with Ian Schroeder
2023-03-14 15:30 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Meeting Overview: The American Civil War is surrounded by vast mythology. Indeed, it is far to say that there are two independent versions of the war. On the one hand, there is the history of the war, the account of what, in fact, happened. On the other hand, there is what historian Foster Gaines calls the “Southern interpretation” of the event. This account, “codified” is generally referred to by historians today as “the Lost Cause.” This version, touching almost all aspects of the struggle, originated in Southern rationalizations of the war. It then spread to the North and became a national phenomenon. In the national mind, the Lost Cause represents the popular history of the Civil War; it has been, to a large extent, substituted for the actual history of the war. As his presentation, we’ll have the chnance to examine the genesis of the Lost Cause, it’s central tenets, and contrast these with the actual history of the war.
Speaker: Ian Schroeder – a lifelong history buff with a Masters Degree in Public History from St. Cloud State University.
Meetings are held at the Stearns County History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, March 14 at 3:30pm (doors open at 3)
Note change in starting time:
3:00pm – doors open and opportunity to socialize and interact with fellow members
3:15pm – welcome and “new features”
3:30pm – speaker presentation
4:45pm – adjourn
For more information – contact Andy Ditlevson – aditlevson@gmail.com, 320-241-8477

Whippersnapper Hour: Dear Diary
2023-03-18 10:00 - 11:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Learn about history through hands-on activities! This time, we are diving into diaries, newspapers, photographs, and letters from the SHM archives! Help us gather clues from old documents to solve a mystery!
Students will even get to create their own diary to take home and tell their own stories. Recommended for kids ages 7-13.
Call the Museum to register or click here to register online!

Memory Writers
2023-03-21 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-04-04 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-04-18 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-05-02 10:00 - 12:00, 2023-05-16 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).
Questions? Call the Museum at 320.253.8424.

St. Cloud Area Genealogists - Hidden Treasure in St. Cloud with Tom Steman
2023-03-21 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Have you ever considered the archives of a university as a place for genealogical research? St. Cloud State University Archivist Tom Steman will present “Hidden Treasure No More: Genealogical Resources at St. Cloud State” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists on Tuesday, March 21, 2023 at 7 p.m. at Stearns History Museum (235 33rd Ave S., St. Cloud). The presentation will be offered in-person and synchronously online and will be recorded for members and registered guests.
Steman will show primary resources from the archives that can be used to find genealogical information including yearbooks, commencement programs, oral histories, students newspapers, and WPA biographical sketches. In addition, Tom will provide tips to search other Minnesota academic institutions online. Tom Steman has been the University Archivist at St. Cloud State University since 2007. He has transformed the SCSU Archives into a place to find and use information about St. Cloud State, its campus, people and long history. He is proud of his deep family roots in Stearns and Meeker Counties.
Free to SCAG members and $7 for non-members (to register email kmsauer@ymail.com)

Heritage Circle Tour - St. Cloud Community Outpost
2023-03-23 10:00 - 12:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Heritage Circle members, we’d like to invite you to another special tour in the community! This time, we’ll be visiting the St. Cloud Rotary Community Outpost with the Greater St. Cloud Public Safety Foundation.
The visit will consist of a presentation with Q & A and then house tours. Please RSVP by calling the Museum, or emailing info@stearns-museum.org. You can also click here to register online!
The Community OutPost team collaborates with residents, community groups, businesses, and St. Cloud State University, to assess community needs; build and maintain relationships; and improve access to needed health, wellness, and other services. The outpost was built in 2017 and is the first of its kind in the state. South side residents have said that it has brought positive change to their neighborhood.
Photo courtesy MPR News

Museum CLOSED
2023-04-09 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
We are closed for Easter Sunday.

Civil War Roundtable: That d__n old google eyed snapping turtle - George Gordon Meade Col. Gary Colberg
2023-04-11 15:30 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Meeting Overview – Since Gettysburg has been covered so well by so many, be ready to learn about General Meade before and after that historic battle in am audience participative presentation. This unique, interactive presentation on General George Meade was originally presented to the prestigious Civil War Round Table of DC. In this presentation we review Meade as a young man at West Point to the end of the Civil War. What is there to the rumors that he abused his own soldiers when he lost his temper such as the “Peach Tree” incident? How was this general in combat? What about the famous “Cropsey incident” where a correspondent printed fake news in the newspaper (see Libeler of the Press photo)? What was it that he did that identified him to Lincoln as a “fighting general”? I also go into Meade and the Battle of the Crater during the Siege of Petersburg and his controversial and not as well-known decisions there. Two or three volunteers will be sought to have fun and participate as it is much more interesting. Civil War props such as Union and AOP flags, keppie cap, Brigadier General’s frock coat, saber, and shackles will also be on display.
Speaker: Gary was inspired to become a Civil War reenactor after researching his Great-Grandfather who served for three years in the 20th Regiment, Wisconsin Infantry Volunteers. While serving in the Army National Guard in a unit with lineage and honors back to the 1st Minnesota, he joined the 1st Minnesota Regiment and started his Civil War reenacting hobby. After being mobilized and deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan multiple times he retired as an Army Reserve Colonel with 37 years of service. After his military retirement he continued to serve, working in the Pentagon and DC area as a Senior government supervisor, working with two and three star generals, and Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter. While working in DC he started reenacting again at the 150 th Gettysburg reenactment. He has participated in Living History and battle reenactments at Gettysburg, Antietam, Cedar Creek, Bristoe Station, Appomatttox and over 50 other battlefields. With the Civil War Impressionist Association (CWIA) he developed an impression of Major General George Meade that become in high demand in the Eastern Theater. One reason the CWIA has been so successful might be because they go beyond the normal Living History presentations, doing historically correct vignettes to help spectators feel like they are witnessing an actual event on a battlefield. The CWIA won the prestigious Visitors Choice Honorable Mention Award in 2022 at the Jamestown, VA Military Through the Ages reenactment. In support of DoD, Gary custom tailored a tour of the Gettysburg battle for non-commissioned officers. In addition, he led a tour of “the Crater” at the Petersburg National Battlefield. Gary is now retired, lives in White Bear Lake, Minnesota where he reenacts as a Private with the First Minnesota, and does Living History presentations as both Generals Meade and Hancock.
Meetings are held at the Stearns County History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 11th at 3:30pm (doors open at 3).
Note change in starting time:
3:00pm – doors open and opportunity to socialize and interact with fellow members
3:15pm – welcome and “new features”
3:30pm – speaker presentation
4:45pm – adjourn
For more information – contact Andy Ditlevson – aditlevson@gmail.com, 320-241-8477

Breakfast Club w/ Chris Schellinger - Avon Hills Folk School
2023-04-12 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for breakfast! This time, we’ll be discussing the history of the Avon Hills Folk School with presenter Chris Schellinger. Save the date – April 12 at 9am.
Chris will be discussing the property, how it became a Folk School, and a little about the history of the ‘folk school movement.’ For clarification: this program will be held at the Museum in the galleries as usual. Breakfast Club “On The Road” will return again later this summer.
Questions? Give us a call – 320.253.8424
Breakfast Club is free to Museum members and $7 for nonmembers. Register by calling the Museum or click here to register online.

Our Narratives Artist Retreat
2023-04-15 10:00 - 16:00, 2023-04-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for another Our Narratives Artist Retreat at the Stearns History Museum! Saturday and Sunday is jam packed with creating, collaborating, and connecting. All artists are welcome!
Facilitated by Heidi Jeub and TERRELL X (aka Carnage The Executioner), this workshop has allowed dozens of artists find their authentic voice, and creative confidence, to tell their own stories.
The Stearns History Museum provides a historic context, even if you are a newcomer to the region! How do you fit into the history of this community? We have ideas …
$45 – Registration is necessary. Go to www.heijeuarts.org or email info@heijeuarts.org.

St. Cloud Area Genealogists - What the Heck Does That Say?
2023-04-18 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
One of the biggest hurdles to overcome in genealogy is the seemingly illegible handwriting in our ancestors’ records. Professional genealogist Pam Vestal will address that challenge when she presents the webinar “What the Heck Does that Say? Overcoming Difficult Handwriting” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists on Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 7 p.m. at Stearns History Museum (235 33 rd Ave S., St. Cloud). The presentation will also be available online and will be recorded for members and registered guests.
Whether you struggle to navigate colonial penmanship that doesn’t even look like English or wrestle with contemporary documents that are poorly written, a few good strategies can make all the difference. Participants will look at more than 20 techniques to help figure out what the chicken scratches on the page say as well as what the style of handwriting might reveal about our ancestors.
After a 20-year writing career, Pam Vestal turned her focus to genealogy. Vestal’s articles have been published in the Association of Professional Genealogists Quarterly, the National Genealogical Society Magazine and Forum magazine. She specializes in conducting genealogical research and then transforming the information into illustrated stories that even non-genealogists can enjoy.
Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at 7:00 p.m. (CST)
Free for members, $7 for non-members (to register email kmsauer@ymail.com)
Online & at the Stearns History Museum
facebook.com/stcloudareagenealogists

Oak Savanna Park History Scavenger Hunt
2023-04-29 13:00 - 16:00 | Sherburne History Center, Becker, 10775 27th Ave SE, Becker, MN, 55308, United States
The Fox House. Clitty Lake. A gas station that doubled as a home, office, hotel, railway station and general store. Discover all this and more during the Oak Savanna Park History Scavenger Hunt! Bring your history detective skills to this free, self-guided, family-friendly event. Explore a beautiful park setting while learning more about architecture and natural history in Central Minnesota.
Pick up a scavenger hunt form and get started at the Sherburne History Center in Becker, Minnesota (10775 27th Avenue Southeast). The hunt runs 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, April 29, 2023. A special bonus for the day,
courtesy of the Sherburne History Center, is a free folk concert by local musician, Dennis Warner, and craft- making activities at the museum. The folk concert and craft-making activities start at 2 p.m. Bring your friends and family to spend the afternoon enjoying history and culture!
For more information and to register https://www.rethos.org/classes or contact Ann Marie Johnson, Rethos Central MN Education Coordinator based at the Stearns History Museum at CentralMN@rethos.org or 320-253-8424. Rethos is pleased to partner with The Stearns History Museum for Central Minnesota education programs. This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.
Rethos web link: www.rethos.org/events
Image of Fox House, 2000. Photo courtesy Sherburne History Center

Civil War Roundtable: Was the Civil War about Slavery? Yes, No, and the Path to Yes with Dr. Mark Jaede
2023-05-09 15:30 - 17:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Meeting Overview: Although the Civil War unquestionably led to the freeing of enslaved African Americans, there is ongoing debate in popular culture about whether we should think of is as a war about slavery. Broadly, there is a tendency for those who sympathize with the North to characterize it as a noble war to free slaves, and for those more aligned with the South to call it a heroic but doomed struggle to preserve states’ rights and Southern culture. This talk will explore the shortcomings of both generalizations and consider the question of who really freed the slaves.
Speaker: Dr. Mark Jaede is a professor of history at St. Cloud State University
Meetings are held at the Stearns County History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud. This meeting will take place on Tuesday, May 9th at 3:30pm (doors open at 3).
Note change in starting time:
3:00pm – doors open and opportunity to socialize and interact with fellow members
3:15pm – welcome and “new features”
3:30pm – speaker presentation
4:45pm – adjourn
For more information – contact Andy Ditlevson – aditlevson@gmail.com, 320-241-8477

Hops & History: A Brief History of the Undergarment with Amy and Caitlin
2023-05-11 17:30 - 19:00 | Third Street Brewhouse, 219 Red River Ave N, Cold Spring, MN, 56320, United States
Join the museum’s own Amy Degerstrom and Caitlin Carlson as they use the collection of the Stearns History Museum to tell the “brief” story of how what we wear underneath our clothes has evolved in the last few centuries.
This time, we’ll be at Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring.
As usual – $10 for nonmembers; Museum members are free (bring cash for the bar). See you there Thursday, May 11 @ 5:30pm.
Register online HERE.
Questions? Call us at 320-253-8424.

St. Cloud Area Genealogists - "Five Types of German Genealogy Documents and What You Can Find in Each" with Katherine Schober
2023-05-16 19:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
“Five Types of German Genealogy Documents and What You Can Find in Each” with Katherine Schober.
Have you struggled to find records of your German ancestors in Europe? Professional genealogist Katherine Schober will address that challenge when she presents the webinar “Five Types of German Genealogy Documents – And What You Can Find in Each” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists on Tuesday, May 16, 2023 at 7 p.m. at Stearns History Museum (235 33 rd Ave S., St. Cloud). The presentation will be available synchronously online and will be recorded for members and registered guests.
Schober will address what genealogists should be looking for in their research that will lead them to German records. She will discuss what German records are available, what you can expect to find in them, and most importantly, where to find them.
Free for members, $10 for non-members. To register, email kmsauer@ymail.com
Katherine Schober is a German-English genealogy speaker, author and translator, specializing in old German handwriting. She is the author of The Magic of German Church Records and Tips and Tricks of Deciphering German Handwriting as well as the creator of several online genealogy courses on German genealogy. Schober lives in Bend, Oregon, with her Austrian husband and their son. You can read more about her and reach her through her website germanologyunlocked.com.

Uncovering Racial Covenants in Stearns County
2023-05-17 18:30 - 19:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Honors students from the College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University have spent the last semester researching this neglected topic in the Stearns History Museum Archives, and in other repositories around the county. Join us on Wednesday, May 17 (6:30pm) as they share their findings, the details of the research process, and the reasons for raising awareness about this topic at the Stearns History Museum.
This is a FREE event for both members and non-members. Donations are appreciated!

Living Memory - Celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Pioneer Settlers Association
2023-05-18 17:30 - 20:00 | Rolling Ridge Wedding & Event Center, 31101 Co Rd 133, St Joseph, MN, 56374, United States
Change of Plans!
Our May 18th Living Memory Event is no longer on the calendar. (We know you were excited–and so were we–but sometimes the best-laid plans don’t make history after all.) Instead, the idea behind it is being wrapped into our other upcoming events, with several of our planned makers making featured appearances at other Stearns History Museum events throughout the year. Keep an eye out for these upcoming featured makers! We want to extend a huge thank you to Randy Schmitz at Rolling Ridge, Mary Bruno at Bruno Press (Living Memory prints will still be available for purchase in our gift shop), Liz Fiedler at Sunny Mary Medow Farm, and those who showed support for the Living Memory celebration, and we look forward to seeing you all at these other exciting events:

Hops & History: A Brief History of the Undergarment (May 11, 5:30-7:30 at Third Street Brewhouse in Cold Spring)
Uncovering Racial Covenant in St. Cloud (May 17, 6:30pm at the Museum)
Snooky’s Pub Crawl (Thursday June 8, 6-9pm downtown St. Cloud)
At War & At Home, the World War II Experience (Sat-Sun July 8-9 at the Museum)

Whippersnapper Hour: Adventures in Radio
2023-05-20 10:00 - 11:30 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Whippersnapper Hour allows kids to learn about history in a fun, hands-on environment!
At this month’s Whippersnapper Hour, we will perform and record our own radio play! Students will learn about the power of radio during the Great Depression and World War II, and will then rehearse and perform their own version of “The Mysterious Case of the Magic Milkweed.” We hope to see you there!
$5 per child nonmembers, free for Museum members. Recommended for kids ages 7-13.

Snooky's Pub Crawl
2023-06-08 18:00 - 21:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
We designed a pub crawl based on the WWII era “Snooky’s Handy Guide” map of St. Cloud we have hanging in the exhibit gallery! We’ll be kicking off the crawl at Iron Street Distillery with food options and your first drink included! Continuing into Downtown St. Cloud, we’ll talk about the history of these establishments and the area as well as what it was like in the 1940s. More information to come and itinerary/locations TBA. For now, save the date and we’ll see you then!
June 8, 2023 – Downtown St. Cloud 6p-9p
Register online HERE.
Snooky’s Pub Crawl

Rethos: Plaster Repair & Wood Window Maintenance
2023-06-10 13:00 - 14:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join local trades expert, Dave Masters, for an informative webinar that will
teach you all you need to know about plaster and window repair and
maintenance. Get tips on the best products to use and learn techniques
that can simplify the repair process while getting it done right. Using his
own home as an example, Dave will show how seemingly daunting repair
projects are really not that hard to do!
For more information, contact Central MN Education Coordinator for Rethos
based at the Stearns History Museum in St. Cloud (CentralMN@rethos.org;
320-253-8424).
Register HERE

Breakfast Club: "Burma-Shave: The Rhymes, the Signs, the Times" with Bill Vossler
2023-06-14 09:00 - 10:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Join us for another Breakfast Club at the Stearns County History Museum! This meeting will feature Bill Vossler, author of “Burma-Shave: The Rhymes, the Signs, the Times”.
Local writer Bill Vossler tell the story of this unique Minnesota company, which went from rags to riches thanks to its unique roadside advertising technique. Between 1925 and 1963, these signs were seen all across the country.
For thirty years, the series of six signs posted along roadways were an icon of American life. The little jingles that touted a brushless shaving cream entertained travelers across the country. Many of us who lived during those thirty years could recite favorite jingles by rote. Then super highways and the hectic pace of modern life made them obsolete. Still, for those of us older than thirty-five, Burma-Shave signs are part of our history and treasured childhood memories.
Wednesday, June 14 @ 9am

Saint Cloud PD Presents: That's How I Roll
2023-06-17 10:00 - 14:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
ST CLOUD PD PRESENTS:
FREE ENTRY MUSIC PRIZES WORKSHOPS
BIKE, TRIKE, WAGON, WALK AND ROLL PARADE
FREE
GIVEAWAYS
FAMILY
FUN
Heritage Park Skate Plaza Stearns History Museum
265 33rd Avenue South 235 33rd Avenue South

Our Narratives Open Mic Night
2023-06-20 18:00 - 20:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
Bring your talent and tell your story! Music, Poetry, Prose, Storytelling, Comedy!

Tell your story about YOUR place in Stearns County! Are you a newcomer? Were you born and raised? Do you have a story of a special corner of this community?

Please note that we often hear stories and listen to perspectives that can be uncomfortable. We hold space for this type of exchange, respecting other’s experience. All are welcome.

We will be outdoors (weather permitting) so please bring a lawn chair or blanket! You are welcome to bring your own snacks and drinks.

Go to heijeuarts.org for specifics about the program. Please reach out to us or info@heijeuarts.org with questions!

At War & At Home: The WWII Experience
2023-07-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Stearns History Museum, 235 33rd Ave S, St Cloud, MN, 56301, United States
We’re bringing back our annual WWII weekend! More information to come later in 2023, but for now we wanted to let you all know the dates.
You can expect the Museum to be full of family-friendly activities, reenactors, interactive exhibits, and a lot more.
We hope to see you there July 8 & 9! Register online here: Saturday (Day 1), Sunday (Day 2)
Download Flyer Register Now
