Eric Linner’s family has a long history of Army veterans, including himself, two brothers, his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. His inspiration to research his great-great-grandfather’s journey with the Minnesota Seventh in the Civil War-West started 50 years ago when his grandmother piqued his interest in family history. The presentation will give a brief […]

Who built the enormous, strong barn at Aamodt's Apple Farm? Surprise! It was Judith Stern's own great, great, great grandfather from Meissenheim, Baden, Germany. Judith only learned that after moving to Washington County. Like a hungry detective, she wanted to learn more. Her family tree on her maternal side grew to 159 names beginning in […]

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) opened the Vietnam Memorial on our US Capitol Mall in1982 to honor all veterans of that war. With a PowerPoint presentation we will discover how that same organization makes sure we never forget the men and women of that era. Join us for a free program to see the […]

  Before automobiles, planes, and the Light Rail, there were streetcars in cities across Minnesota. They were pulled by horses until 1889, when electricity became practical. Stillwater had no horsecars because of its steep hills, but in 1889 it opened the first electric streetcar lines in the state, ahead of Minneapolis and St. Paul. A […]

Just over a century ago, Charles Strite was employed at a local manufacturing plant. Fed up with burned toast in the cafeteria, a great idea “popped” into his head, and the Toastmaster automatic electric toaster was born! About the event: Enjoy a program about the history of toast and view our antique toaster collection. Sample […]

Jim Lammers presents his newest book, “Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: An Architect’s Sketchbook.” The book contains 500 sketches of beacons all over the Great Lakes area. Lammers takes readers on a road trip, sharing the history and inner workings of the lighthouses as well as the lighthouse establishment itself. Copies of the book will […]

Author and historian Mark Labine will tell the adventurous story of​ ​Isaac Labissonière, a 19th Century Métis pioneer who ​blazed a trail of firsts in Minnesota. Isaac traveled with his family via oxcart from the Selkirk Colony to become one of the first settlers of St. Paul in the 1830s. He went on to build the St. Paul Chapel, […]