What: Guest Chef: Modern Maple with Teresa Marrone
When: Saturday, April 13
Time: Noon
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MHS members

Join food writer Teresa Marrone as she celebrates the publication of her new book, "Modern Maple," with a cooking demonstration in the Mill City Museum's Baking Lab. Marrone's new book features seventy-five recipes using maple to season, flavor and sweeten dishes ranging from traditional breakfast favorites to appetizers, sandwiches vegetables, main courses, breads and desserts. Marrone's book will be available for purchase and author signing after each demonstration and at the Mill City Farmers Winter Market from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

What: White vs. Whole Wheat: A Tale of Two Flours
When: Saturday, April 13
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MHS members

Explore local history through food in this baking demonstration in the museum's Baking Lab. Learn how Minneapolis millers perfected a way to make white flour on an industrial scale, how white flour became popularized in the 19th century, what effects this had on nutrition and why flour today is frequently enriched. Guests will also learn why Sylvester Graham developed a whole wheat cracker "to improve health and morality" and the pros and cons of each type of flour. Visitors will get to sample baked goods and take home recipes after the presentation.

What: Neal Karlen Author of "Augie's Secrets: The Minneapolis Mob and the King of the Hennepin Strip"
When: Thursday, April 18
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free

Join author Neal Karlen, as he discusses his recently published book "Augie's Secrets: The Minneapolis Mob and the King of the Hennepin Strip." Augie Ratner, proprietor of Augie's Theater Lounge and Bar on Hennepin Avenue, was the unofficial mayor of Minneapolis' downtown strip in the 1940's and 50's. Mixing research with family and community stories, Neal Karlen, Augie's great-nephew, tells the real story of the seedy underside of Minneapolis, where mobsters, celebrities, comedians and politicians mingled. A cash bar will open at 6 p.m. Karlen will also be signing copies of his book which will be available for purchase in the Mill City Museum store.

What: Southdale: A Building that Changed America
When: Thursday, April 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Cost: Free

As the world's first totally enclosed regional shopping mall, Southdale, built in 1956, has had an enormous influence on how we shop and live over the past five decades. It is featured in the new documentary "10 Buildings That Changed America," from WTTW in Chicago, which will be broadcast nationally on PBS May 12, 2013.

Thomas Fisher, Dean of the University of Minnesota College of Design will give an illustrated presentation about the origins of the indoor shopping mall, Sourthdale architect Victor Gruen, and the legacy of Southdale in America.

What: Tunnel of Fudge Cake, the Bake-Off and the Bundt Pan
When: Sunday, April 28
Time: 2 p.m.
Cost: Cost: Programs included with museum admission of $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for MHS members

See how history is revealed through food as Mill City Museum staff lead a demonstration in the Baking Lab. Learn about the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off Second-place winning recipe, the Tunnel of Fudge Cake, it's connection to local company Nordic Ware, makers of the Bundt Pan and the fascination bakers today hold for replicating the recipe.

Visitors can learn local and baking history, sample the Tunnel of Fudge Cake, get baking tips and take home new recipes.

About the Mill City Museum

Built within the ruins of the Washburn A Mill, a National Historic Landmark, the award-winning Mill City Museum chronicles the flour milling industry that fueled the growth of Minneapolis. The story comes to life through the eight-story Flour Tower, Water Lab, Baking Lab and other hands-on exhibits.

The museum is located at 704 S. Second St. in Minneapolis. Hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. Sundays. The site is also open Mondays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in July and August. For more information, call 612-341-7555 or visit www.millcitymuseum.org.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Society’s calendar of events is posted online at www.mnhs.org/calendar. The website also has information about all of the Society’s programs, museums and historic sites.

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history.

The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.