Historic Mesaba Co-op Park

2012 has been designated the International Year of Co-operatives by the UN. Mesaba Park was organized as a cooperative by Finnish farmers and laborers in 1929 and is one of the few cooperative parks remaining in the United States.

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Minnesota Local History jumped up 7 fans this past week, to 879. News of note this week:

• How does your organization preserve state, county and/or local fair history?
• Defender's State Monument rededication.
• New Ulm Junior Pioneers have a lot to commemorate.
• End of the summer season = get out there and enjoy area museums!

Story Time
Blue Earth County Historical Society, Mankato MN, invites the public to attend Story Time with the Hubbard girls at the Historic R.D. Hubbard House, 10:30-11:30 a.m. Friday August 31, 2012. Call 507-345-5566 for more information.

U.S.-Dakota War Talk
Fort Ridgely Historic Site, Fairfax MN, hosts Curt Dahlin, independent historian, who will share his research on the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, Fort Ridgely Historic Site Commissary, September 1, 2012, 2 p.m. Contact Nicollet County Historical Society, 507-426-7888, or Fort Ridgely Park office, 507-426-7840, for more information.

Vermillion Falls Walking Tour
Enjoy an historic walking tour of Vermillion Falls, Hastings MN, just blocks from the LeDuc Historic Estate. Special tour opportunities offered Saturday September 1 and October 6, 2012. Reservations required; contact LeDuc Historic Estate, 651-437-7055, to purchase tickets.

Documentary Film Screening
Come to the Treaty Site History Center, St. Peter MN, for a screening of the documentary film "The Boys of Baraka," Thursday September 6, 2012, 7 p.m. Free. Contact Nicollet County Historical Society, 507-934-2160, for more information.

Beer and Wine Tasting
Northfield Historical Society, Northfield MN, kicks off this year's Defeat of Jesse James Days when it hosts a beer and wine tasting on Thursday September 6, 2012, 5:30-8 p.m. The free event features two craft beers brewed in Minnesota by Bank Brewing Company as a tribute to Northfield history. Contact Hayes Scriven, 507-645-9268, for more information.

Civil War Weekend
LeDuc Historic Estate, Hastings MN, hosts Civil War Weekend with a "War in the West" theme, September 8-9, 2012, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. For more information check the Dakota County Historical Society website or call 651-437-7055.

Dakota History Talk
Blue Earth County Historical Society, Mankato MN, hosts Bud Lawrence and Jim Buckley, who will present History of the Mahakto Wacipi, Saturday September 8, 2012, 10 a.m. to noon. This free event is part of the Discover the Dakota Culture and Heritage Series. Call 507-345-5566 for more information.

Young Historians Program
Blue Earth County Historical Society, Mankato MN, announces the start of the 2012-2013 Young Historians program for school age children. Hands-on history workshops take place the second Saturday of each month during the school year. The program kicks off on Saturday September 8, 2012, 10 a.m. to noon with a program on Dakota history and culture. Call 507-345-5566 for more information or to pre-register.

Vintage Base Ball
Denmark Demons vintage base ball team takes on the Columbia Heights Quicksteps, Sunday September 9, 2012, 1 p.m. at Denmark Town Hall, Denmark Township. Free. Contact Wayne and Jean Boyd, 651-436-8031, for more information.

College History
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud MN, hosts the next Breakfast Club, Wednesday September 12, 2012, 9 a.m. Featured topic will be "Lighting the Torch--The First 50 Years of the College of St. Benedict," an exhibit on display at the Haehn Museum, Saint Benedict's Monastery. Call 320-253-8424 for more information.

Latino Oral History Reception
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Moorhead MN, announces the completion of two multi-year oral history projects on Latino leaders of the Red River Valley. A reception will be held at the Hjemkomst Center on Sunday September 16, 2012, 2 p.m. Call 218-299-5511 for more information.

Mysterious Creatures
St. Louis County Historical Society, Duluth MN, presents Lunch with the History People, Thursday September 20, 2012, noon to 1 p.m., Ruth Maney Room, St. Louis County Heritage & Arts Center. Featured speaker is author Chad Lewis, who will speak on "Mysterious Creatures of Minnesota: From Aliens to Sea Serpents." Contact Julie Bolos, 218-733-7568, for more information.

Civil War Cemetery Tour
Boy in Blue Memorial Project, Mankato MN, sponsors the Glenwood Civil War Cemetery Tour, Saturday September 29, 2012, 1-3 p.m., Glenwood Cemetery, Mankato.

Historic House Tour
Tour ten fabulous houses on and around White Bear Lake, including country homes, lakeside cottages, and grand estates during the White Bear Area Historic House Tour, Sunday September 30, 2012, noon-6 p.m. Tickets: $25 in advance; $20 WBLAHS members; $30 for all on day of tour. For more information or to purchase tickets contact White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, 651-407-5327.

Wildwood Amusement Park
Come to Ramsey County Library-White Bear Lake, Monday September 24, 2012, 6-7 p.m. for a talk on the history of Wildwood Amusement Park. Wildwood Park boomed on the south shore of White Bear Lake during the first part of the twentieth century. Contact White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, 651-407-5327, for more information.

Free Museums
Landmark Center, St. Paul MN, is home to several historical organizations. Visit them and see their exhibits free of charge!

Museum Store Basics Workshop
Iowa Museum Association offers a workshop on Museum Store Basics, Monday September 24, 2012, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., Old Capitol Museum, Iowa City IA. Registration deadline: September 17, 2012.

Family History Conference
Minnesota Genealogical Society announces their upcoming North Star Family History Conference, October 5-6, 2012, Colonial Church, Edina MN. Featured speaker is D. Joshua Taylor, known for his appearances on NBC's "Who Do You Think You Are?". Register online; early bird rates available through August 31, 2012.

Board Member Openings
Rockford Area Historical Society, Rockford MN, seeks enthusiastic people willing to share their time and talents by serving on the RAHS board of directors. Three open positions available for two-year terms beginning October 2012. Contact RAHS, 763-477-5383, for more information.

Collections Management
Check out this great animation about the importance of having a collections plan for museums and historical organizations.

New U.S.-Dakota War Website
Read about the effects of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 in Minnesota, county by county, compiled by a local historian on a new website.

New IRS website
Internal Revenue Service announces that their redesigned website goes live August 30, 2012. Preview the new look now!

Camp Release Dialogue
Chippewa County Historical Society, Montevideo MN; Lac qui Parle County Historical Society, Madison MN; and Clean Up the River Environment (CURE), Montevideo MN invite the public to a Camp Release Dakota War Dialogue and Memorial Walk, Sunday September 23, 2012, 1-5 p.m., beginning at Historic Chippewa City, Montevideo. Free, but pre-registration required, 877-269-2873.