MNHS Press Newsletter

MNHS Press Newsletter: November 18, 2025

Written by Jaired Johnson | Nov 18, 2025 5:00:00 PM

Publisher's Note

Stephanie Hansen and Jason Matheson at the American Swedish Institute

Stephanie Hansen entertained a full house at the book launch of True North Cabin Cookbook, Volume Two: Seasonal Recipes from a Cozy Kitchen on September 21 at the American Swedish Institute. This ticketed event featured the author in conversation with Jason Matheson, host of The Jason Show. A sequel to Stephanie's bestselling first volume, this new book rounds out the year, featuring holidays from October through April. Perfect for gift giving, volume two is both suitable for those familiar with Stephanie's first book as well as the perfect introduction to the host of Taste Buds with Stephanie, the winner of multiple Regional Emmy Awards, and her signature brand of home cooking. Check out Stephanie's calendar of events and make plans now to attend one or more!

 

 

New Releases

Becoming the Twin Cities: Swindles, Schemes, and Enduring Rivalries

Drew M. Ross

Whether motivated by visionary ideals or commercial gain or political ambition, many have tried to unite Minneapolis and St. Paul into one city, and all have failed. Award-winning writer Drew M. Ross uncovers the nineteenth-century history of scheming and self-dealing, social rivalries and political grudges, and utopian idealism and personal ambition that explain how Minneapolis and St. Paul became and stayed the separate cities we know today. 

Beginning with the story of Fort Snelling’s founding and Joseph Plympton’s expansion of a reserve around it, Ross follows up with the land-grabbing and moneymaking schemes of Henry Rice and Franklin Steele, explores the rivalries between local Republicans and Democrats (and their partisan newspapers), and details the battles over the locations and significance of the capitol, the state fair, and the Midway neighborhood. 

Becoming the Twin Cities examines the historical underpinnings of a beloved American metropolitan region’s unique identity.

Events

Twin Cities Metro

11/18/2025, 7:30 PM, Ben Schierer, Lori Sturdevant, and Marlene M. Johnson, Perpich, Martin Sabo, and Rise to the Challenge, Readings by Writers Series, University Club, St. Paul

11/25/2025, 7:00 PM, Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two, Magers & Quinn Booksellers, Minneapolis

11/29/2025, 1:00 PM, Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two, Next Chapter Booksellers, St. Paul

12/4/2025, 5:00 PM, Dara Moskowitz Grumdahl, The Essential Dear DaraMill City Museum, Minneapolis

12/5/2025, 10:00 AM, Karen Cooper, When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey, Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

12/6/2025, 1:00 PM, Drew M. Ross and Tom Weber, Becoming the Twin Cities  and Minneapolis: An Urban Biography, Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul

 

Greater Minnesota

11/18/2025, 5:00 PM, Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two, Duluth Kitchen Company, Duluth, MN

12/4/2025, 5:30 PM, Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope, Grant County Collaborative, Herman Community Center, Herman, MN

12/6/2025, 1:00 PM, Travis Zimmerman and Sam Zimmerman, How the Birds Got Their Songs, Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, MN

In the Media


Thomas Peacock and Allison Horner, The Naming of Aki, "These 12 beautiful new picture books for children have Minnesota ties," Minnesota Star Tribune.

Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two, "Try these 2 recipes from Stephanie Hansen's new cookbook," Minnesota Star Tribune.

Travis Zimmerman and Sam Zimmerman, How The Birds Got Their Songs, "Celebrating Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota," Minnesota Public Radio.

Travis Zimmerman, How the Birds Got Their Songs, "Indies Gather in Indy for Heartland Fall Forum," Publishers Weekly.

Ben Schierer, Perpich, "Crookston and Mahnomen Libraries to host historical presentation on former Governor Rudy Perpich," KROX-AM Radio.

Anton Treuer, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask, "Come Together: Learning and Teaching Ojibwe Language Through Partnership," Native Circles Podcast.

Kari Lie Dorer, Muus vs. Muus, "UMC to host events focused on Norwegian history, culture Monday," Grand Forks Herald.

David LaRochelle and Colleen Muske, How to Draw a Tree, "October 12, 2025," Mr. Brian's Picture Book Picks.

Stephanie Hansen, True North Cabin Cookbook Volume Two, "Dr. Zorba Paster visits Larry, “True North Cabin Cookbook,” Secretary of Wisconsin Department of Tourism on what to do this fall," Wisconsin Public Radio.

Patty Wetterling and Joy Baker, Dear Jacob, "In Alexandria, Patty Wetterling recounts abduction of her son, Jacob," Alexandria Echo Press.

Drew M. Ross, Becoming the Twin Cities, "Literary pick for week of Nov. 9," Pioneer Press.

Drew M. Ross, Becoming the Twin Cities, "Five books we can't wait to read in November," Minnesota Star Tribune.

Christopher P. Lehman, It Took Courage,  "Museum exhibit about enslaved woman’s freedom fight inspires," Minnesota Star Tribune.

MNHS Press authors Frank Bures, Molly Beth Griffin, Stephanie Hansen, Colleen Muske, David LaRochelle, Patrick Strait, "Literary pick for week of Nov. 2: Twin Cities Book Festival comes to Union Depot," Pioneer Press.

Noteworthy


As winter approaches, we look forward to a new series launching at the Minnesota History Center in February, Booked on Thursdays, which will include two MNHS Press titles. MNHS’s Inclusion and Community Engagement team invites readers to gather on the museum's free admission nights to share reflections on a curated list of books by Minnesota authors. The organizers add, "Narratives featured will emphasize themes of community resilience, resistance, and joy. Each session will be an informal space to connect with people with shared interests and to learn about resources related to the history of communities and themes featured in the selected book." Mark your calendars for discussions of A Darker Wilderness: Black Nature Writing from Soil to Stars on February 26 and March 26; What We Hunger For: Refugee and Immigrant Stories about Food and Family on April 30 and May 21; Queer Voices: Poetry, Prose, and Pride on July 30 and August 27; and An Eye for an I: Growing up with Blindness, Bigotry, and Family Mental Illness on  September 24. Stay tuned for more information as the dates near!

New in MNopedia

Burger, Warren Earl (1907–1995)

Warren Burger was the second of three St. Paul lawyers to serve on the US Supreme Court, and the only one to serve as chief justice. Appointed by President Richard Nixon in 1969, he presided over controversial decisions involving abortion, the death penalty, school busing, the Pentagon Papers, and executive privilege during the Watergate scandal. He retired from the court in 1986.

 

Stewart, Jacob Henry (1829–1884)

After he moved to Minnesota at the age of twenty-six, Jacob Henry Stewart accumulated many titles: doctor, mayor, postmaster, state senator, state surgeon general, US congressman, and state surveyor general. But he remained known later in life for his service during the Civil War, when he earned praise for his work as a surgeon assigned to the First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment.

 

Forthcoming Releases

Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart

Sarah Peterson
Dish and Tell highlights treasured dishes from Sarah Peterson’s family recipe box—and collects stories from other passionate home cooks who opened their kitchens to share their own tried-and-true recipes. Peterson takes readers along as she visits, cooks, and bakes with friends old and new to present a smorgasbord of family favorites. Discover for yourself why these vintage recipes deserve a spot at the table. 

“How often do we struggle to replicate beloved family dishes, only to discover that the secret to Grandma’s baked beans is lost forever? Sarah Peterson’s Dish and Tell celebrates and documents the unsung heroes of the Midwestern table so the home cook knows every dash of mustard, splash of orange juice, and yes, packet of Jell-O needed to revive those moments of sweet sensory pleasure.” —Mary K. Tennis, author of Smoke on the Waterfront: The Northern Waters Smokehaus Cookbook

Pub date: February 17, 2026

New exhibition in St. Paul

Season 2  of our podcast begins now!

Bestselling Backlist

Rings of Heartwood

by Molly Beth Griffin, illustrations by Claudia McGehee

 

Pushing the River

by Frank Bures

 

Home Club

by Patrick Strait