Northfield Historical Society

4th of July

Hayes Scriven — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 14:12:05 +0000

The Northfield Historical Society will be open Saturday July 4th!

Here is a list of what all will be happening on Bridge Square.

Outlaw Run

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:34:10 +0000

It's back! That's, right the Outlaw Run motorcycle ride is back! Last year NHS went out on a limb and hosted it's first ever Outlaw Run motorcycle ride to benefit the NHS Youth Education Programs. It was such a success that we are bringing it back again this year. The run is on August 22 and registration is $20 per bike. This year's event is going to be bigger and better than last year! To learn more about the Run and how to register, visit the Outlaw Run web page.

Here are the photos from last year's ride.

Archer House

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 20:23:43 +0000

I can't believe it has been three weeks since I did a post. I am sorry for that.

With all the talk about the Archer House renovations, I thought I would share two photographs to show how it has changed over the years.

This first one is dated about 1900. Notice no boardwalk.

Now this picture is dated about 1960. Once again no boardwalk.

Now, here is a trivia question for everyone. When was the boardwalk put on?

Bill Clinton Visits Northfield

Hayes Scriven — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 21:33:32 +0000

I was digging in the archives this past week and came across this photograph and thought it was fitting because of Carleton's graduation this weekend.

This is a photograph of President Bill Clinton in the back of his Presidential Limo at the Staton Airport heading to give the commencement address at Carleton College.

Enjoy and have a great weekend everyone! On Saturday NHS is open until 7:00 p.m. and on Sunday until 4:00 p.m. for more information on NHS or photographs in our collection call us at 507-645-9268 or email us.

Stairway painted, more painting to come!

Hayes Scriven — Thu, 28 May 2009 13:58:49 +0000

Well, about a year ago we had to replace some of the supports on our outside wood staircase. They needed to be replaced because they were starting to rot. Last week we got the staircase painted. See the slide show below for the painting process. Doesn't it look nice!

Today, Scott Elmer with Dreamscape Remodeling has started the process for painting all the wood on the Division Street and the Bridge Square sides of the building.

Closed on Memorial Day

Hayes Scriven — Thu, 21 May 2009 21:07:22 +0000

The Northfield Historical Society will be closed on Memorial Day, May 25. We will re-open again on May 26 at 10:00 a.m.

Enjoy the weekend!

2008 Volunteers of the Year

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 13 May 2009 16:00:03 +0000

NHS is honored to announce its 2008 volunteers of the year. Student Volunteer of the Year is Sofie Jokela. 2008 Volunteers of the Year are Chip DeMann and Earl Weinmann. All three winners will be honored at the NHS Volunteer Appreciation Day on May 21 at 6:30 p.m. at the Northfield Historical Society.

Jokela, who graduates from Northfield High School this spring, was a Summer Assistant for two years and participated in SCOPE, Jr. Posse and the Adult Posse. She has a great love for history and is a wonderful musician. About her experiences with NHS she said, “In all of the programs I participated in I deepened my knowledge of Northfield's early history.”

DeMann and Weinmann were selected in part because of their involvement in the publication of “Caught in the Storm,” which was awarded the Milton F. Perry Award for best nonfiction book of 2008 by the National James-Younger Gang Association. Weinmann served as the coordinator of the project for the past four years, guiding the students in their research and writing of the book. DeMann helped the students in their research. He sat in on classes with the students and advised them on parts of the escape route.

DeMann has served in many capacities with NHS. His first term on the Board was in 1985 and he served as President in 1986 and 1987. He just finished a six-year term on the board, 2003-2008. He has served on the NHS Building, Exhibits and Finance committees. He was very involved in the 2001 publication of the John Koblas’ book “Faithful Unto Death.” He also served the President of the Rice County Historical Society (RCHS) in 1988 and is currently on the RCHS Board. DeMann is also active in the Defeat of Jesse James Days (DJJD), serving as General Chairmen in 1983 and 1984. He is also the leader of the James-Younger Gang.

Weinmann started his teaching career in 1984 and has taught both high school and middle school. Currently, he teaches seventh grade social studies at Northfield Middle School. In 2005, he was a top 10 finalist for the Minnesota Teacher of the Year Program. From the first year of his Northfield teaching assignment, he has served the Northfield Historical Society. His involvement began as a tour guide, later as a coordinator for the museum youth programs and more recently as a member of the Northfield Historical Society Board of Directors. He has just finished a six-ear term on the board 2003-2008. Weinmann served on the Sesquicentennial Committee, and helped instigate the October Cemetery Tour, which is now an annual NHS event. He has also served on the NHS Exhibit Committee, Education Committee, and as a trainer/coordinator for the Adult Posse tour guides. Earl continues to coordinate the Jr. Curator, SCOPE, Jr. Posse and Summer Assistant Programs at the Historical Society.

Northfield Arts Guild: 50 Years in the Making

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 16:54:40 +0000

Tomorrow, April 30, 2009, at 6:30 p.m. the documentary The Northfield Arts Guild: 50 Years in the Making will premier at Viking Theater which is located at St. Olaf College .

The film expresses both the positive influence that Northfield Arts Guild (NAG) has and continues to have on Northfield as well as NAG's historical significance. Through interviews from various members, from various time periods, the film dives into NAG's tremendous impact and NAG's rich history. "NAG has been a great communal outreach for Northfield and has given so much, and for us the mindset we had going into this project was to somehow give back to NAG, and through the interviews it's evident that the favor was returned" said Stephen Anderson and Rachel Woldum, St. Olaf Seniors who produced the film this past semester.

The event is free and open to the public. If you have any questions please call us at 507-645-9268 or email us.

See the article in today's Northfield News about the film.

Northfield History on Film!

Hayes Scriven — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 22:18:59 +0000

On April 29, "Cemetery Stories: A Rebel Missionary in South Africa" will premier in Olin 149 at Carleton College at 7:15 p.m.

This film was directed/produced by Cherif Keita a Professor of Francophone Literature at Carleton College.

Keita, takes us along his journey on the footsteps of two families, the Wilcoxes and the Dubes, one of white American missionaries, and the other, of Zulus from Inanda, whose friendship in the late 19th century, is an important yet little-known landmark in the struggle for Black liberation and Democracy in South Africa. Along the way, the Keita brings to both of those families some lost pieces of their history and makes them reconnect after ninety years. However, during his eight years of going back and forth between the US and South Africa, Kieta kept wondering why he, a West African Muslim and a professor of Francophone literature, had to be the one passionately piecing together the lost story of two Protestant missionaries in the distant land of South Africa. The answer only comes to him the day he discovers that he had been “chosen” for this surprising quest by two "unappeased" souls in Northfield, the town where he lives in the US.

I have seen the film and it is amazing. The screening is FREE AND OPEN to the public!

On the next night, April 30, the film "The Northfield Arts Guild: 50 Years in the Making" will premier in Viking Theater at St. Olaf College at 6:30 p.m. This past semester two St. Olaf interns working for NHS developed a documentary that chronicles the 50 year history of the Northfield Arts Guild. This event is FREE AND OPEN to the public as well!

If you have any questions on either event please call us at 507-645-9268 or email us.

Maggie Lee wins Heywood Award!

Hayes Scriven — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 19:41:39 +0000

The 2009 Joseph Lee Heywood Distinguished Service Award winner is Maggie Lee!

The award is given to a person who exemplifies a commitment to public service, which Heywood lived and died for. Maggie's resume looks something like this:

Founder of the Northfield Historical Society.
Served on the Board of NHS and the Rice County Historical Society for many years.
Has worked at the Northfield News for 65 years, she served as Editor for 19 years.
Past President of the Northfield Business and Professional Women Group
Past President of the Minnesota Press Women
Past District Chair of the National Federation of Press Women
Past Chairperson of the Minnesota Newspaper Association
Currently serves as the Vice President of the Northfield Historic Preservation Commission
and many more...

Maggie will be honored during the Defeat of Jesse James Days at the Heywood Award Banquet.

CONGRATS MAGGIE!

See Locally Grown for more photos of Maggie, KYMN Radio news story and of course the Northfield News!