June 2015
Events, Classes and Exhibits

Monday, June 1

Schubertiade Concert 
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul 
Hill House Chamber Players present a "Schubertiade" concert benefiting the James J. Hill House with guests soprano Maria Jette and actor Craig Johnson. Dessert reception will follow the concert. 
Phone: 651-297-2555 
Time: 7:30 p.m. 
Fee: $40

Adventures in Nature: Winter Count
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Learn how American Indians kept track of history by recording symbols representing memorable events in their lives on hides called winter counts. Create a winter count symbol to take home. While at the site, view the rock carvings and learn more about the people who created them on guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Tuesday, June 2

Tours for People with Memory Loss
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul 
Take a sensory-based tour designed for people with memory loss and their caregivers. Each themed tour highlights three rooms in the James J. Hill House and is followed by an optional social time with pastries and coffee. Tours are offered the first Tuesday of every month. Tours are made possible through funding by the Bader Foundation.
Phone: 651-297-2555 
Time: 10 to 11:30 a.m. 
Fee: Free 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also First Tuesday of every month.
Nooks and Crannies Tour
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul 
Get a behind-the-scenes look at the back staircases, dust chutes, silver vault and more on this 90-minute tour of the Hill House. Visitors will see the top-floor attic with original theater, take the back stairs to the basement, view storage areas not on the regular tour, and take a peek inside the gatehouse overlooking Summit Avenue. Guides will also discuss the technological innovations present in the house at the time of its construction in the late 19th century, and the difficulties of preserving such a building today. The 6 and 7:30 p.m. tours are led by a costumed interpreter portraying a construction worker or house servant. 
Phone: 651-297-2555 
Time: 6, 6:30 , 7 and 7:30 p.m. 
Fee: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 children ages 6-17; $2 discount for MNHS members. 
Reservations: recommended; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also Every Tuesday evening, June through August.

Minneapolis History Pub Crawl: Washington Avenue
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Discover Minneapolis' rich history and satisfy your thirst with a history pub crawl along Washington Avenue. Travel down this busy thoroughfare and hear about the importance of railroads, warehousing, flour milling, immigration, entertainment and vice to the story of Minneapolis. An air-conditioned bus will take participants through the neighborhoods along Washington Avenue from 35W to Plymouth Ave. N, with stops at a number of historic sites, including two watering holes housed in historic buildings. The tour includes two blocks of moderately-paced walking. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Tours are held rain or shine. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price. Drink specials will be made available at participating locations.  
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m. 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.
Also June 16 and 30 

Wednesday, June 3

Adventures in Nature: Travois
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Discover how American Indian families packed up a travois to move their belongings on the prairie. Reproduction items will be available for hands-on use. While at the site, view the rock carvings and learn more about the people who created them on guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 4-8 

History Pub Crawls: Working the West End
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
Take a tour of St. Paul’s oldest neighborhood and hear vibrant tales of the Yankees, Czechs, Germans and Italians who gave it life. Roll from beautiful Irvine Park to the German Brewery District and on to the lost world of the Upper Levee, enjoying stops at McGovern’s and Mancini’s Char-House and Lounge. An air-conditioned bus will take participants to historic stops and watering holes. The tour includes at least four blocks of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: 7 to 9:15 p.m. (Bus departs at 7 p.m.) 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also June 10, 17, and 24 

Saturday, June 6

Time Capsule for Families: The Trip to Europe, 1868
Alexander Ramsey House 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul 
1868 was an exciting year for the Ramsey family. Construction had started on their new home and they were planning a trip to Europe. Discover what other events happened in 1868 in this one hour children's program. Use a timeline map to explore the Ramsey House and collect time capsule tokens along the way. Learn why the Ramsey's new house would be so special and taste a popular food item of the time period. Children can create their own time capsule to take home. 
Phone: 651-296-8760 
Time: Noon, 12:30 and 1 p.m. 
Fee: $10 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $7 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Living History: Meet the Lindberghs
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site 1620 Lindbergh Dr. S., Little Falls 
Learn what life was like for Charles Lindbergh growing up on a farm during the First World War. Costumed characters portraying Lindbergh family members and neighbors will provide insights into young Charles’ interests in aviation, technology and nature. Hear inside stories about the Lindbergh family and have the chance to try some of the chores Charles did around the farm. Experience the life of this ordinary boy who grew up to do extraordinary things. 
Phone: 320-616-5421 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last tour leaves at 4 p.m. 
Fee: $8 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 20 

Company B Drill Weekend
Fort Ridgely 72404 County Road 30, Fairfax 
Join Company B for a drill weekend as soldiers demonstrate what life was like at the Fort during the 1860s. Bring the family and camp at the State Park or come for the day. The morning begins with a bugler calling reveille, then watch as soldiers drill on the parade ground and fire muskets, explore a recruitment tent, and watch as the New Ulm Battery demonstrates canon fire. Dan Cochran will demonstrate his handmade leather work including saddles and wallets. Items will be for sale. On Saturday, Vickie Wendel will tell incredible stories of Minnesota women during the Civil War. 
Phone: 507-934-2160 
Time: 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. State Park vehicle permit required. 
Also June 7 

Bread Making Day
Historic Forestville 21899 County Road #118, Preston 
Bread is the staff of life and is the most widely consumed food in the world. Step back into 1899 and observe costumed guides as they complete the weekly task of bread making. Nineteenth-century techniques of bread making will be showcased with opportunities for hands on participation. Bread-making process from start to finish is an all-day event with the mixing beginning at 10 a.m. and the finished product coming out of the oven around 3 p.m. 
Phone: 507-765-2785 
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. State park vehicle permit required. 
Also June 20 

Summit Avenue Walking Tours
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul 
Take a 90-minute tour of the Summit Avenue neighborhood, named one of America's "Great Streets" in 2008. The walking tours highlight the Gilded-Age mansions that line the elite avenue and the people who owned them and built them. Guides will talk about the architecture, social history and current preservation issues of the historic neighborhood. The tour covers 1.5 miles starting at the James J. Hill House, proceeding west on Summit Avenue, returning via side streets and alleyways, and concluding outside the Cathedral of St. Paul. All areas are handicapped accessible, but some side streets are cobblestone and have historic stone curbs.
Phone: 651-297-2555 
Time: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays 
Fee: $12 adults, $10 seniors and college students, $8 children ages 6-17; $2 discount for MNHS members. 
Reservations: recommended; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also Every Saturday and Sunday, May through September 

The American Indian Travois Family Day
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Discover the material culture and innovations that American Indians developed in order to survive on the prairie. Visitors will take part in a hands-on activity investigating reproductions of items that would have been used in daily life and packed on a travois. Plus, guests can compete to see who can hitch up and pack their travois the quickest and race to a finish line. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Washburn A Mill Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Take an in-depth look at the historic Washburn A Mill complex and the award-winning Mill City Museum building. A museum interpreter will take visitors into the building’s many nooks and crannies, highlighting the lives of the men and women who worked there, how the building functioned during its peak flour milling years and the many changes to the building over time. This is the only opportunity for a guided tour through the entire museum building and the only chance to see some of its non-public spaces. 
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Tour includes museum admission. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.
Also June 27 

Kids Crafts: God's Eye Activity
Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post 43411 Oodena Dr., Onamia 
Learn how to weave a "God’s Eye" to take home. The decorative designs are used on ceremonial shields of American Indian tribes of the southwestern United States. Participants will receive an instructional handout and materials to make the craft item. Please allow an hour for the activity. Recommended for children ages 8 and up. 
Phone: 320-532-3632 
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Fee: $4 per kit (museum admission not included).

History Architecture Crawls: Mid-Century Modern
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
Explore hallmarks of mid-century modern design by the likes of Ralph Rapson, Close Architects, Eliel Saarinen and more. The tour is on an air-conditioned bus and includes up to two blocks of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The bus departs from the Minnesota History Center. Guests are asked to arrive by 8:45 a.m.
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: 9 a.m. to noon 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

War of 1812 Family Day
North West Company Fur Post 12551 Voyageur Lane, Pine City 
It’s the War of 1812 and the Americans are attacking British territories. The North West Company is enlisting all able-bodied voyageurs to help defend the business of the fur trade. Join in musket drills, march in formation and make a militia hat to show your support. 
Phone: 320-629-6356 
Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 senior and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Farm Animal Weekend
Oliver H. Kelley Farm 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River 
The animals on a farm all have specific uses and require different kinds of care. June means time to shear the sheep. Encourage the Kelley farmers as they hand-shear the sheep to help them get out of their "winter coats." Toby and Coulter, the farm’s oxen, will be finishing up field work. Meet the spring newborns, and discover how farm animals have been used in the past and the different ways they are used today. Take time to explore the nature trails. 
Phone: 763-441-6896 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 7 

Sunday, June 7

Dollar Day
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site 1620 Lindbergh Dr. S., Little Falls 
The Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site shows its appreciation to the community for its support with $1 admission all afternoon. Tours of Lindbergh's boyhood home will be available every half hour with the last tour at 4 p.m. Learn how Lindbergh developed interests in aviation, technology and the natural environment while touring the historic home and the interactive exhibits in the visitors center, including the newly installed Spirit of St. Louis flight simulator. 
Phone: 320-616-5421 
Time: Noon to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $1, Free for children 5 and under and MNHS members.

Dairy Day
Harkin Store Nicollet County Highway 21, New Ulm 
The Harkin Store will honor the dairy industry with Sylvia Reinhardt's homemade ice cream and other dairy products to sample. Enjoy a cold treat while relaxing on the 1870s porch and watching the river. 
Phone: 507-354-8666 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Inside Summit Avenue with Historian Larry Millett
James J. Hill House 240 Summit Ave., St. Paul 
Take a walking tour of Summit Avenue followed by refreshments and a talk by historian Larry Millett on the history of one of America's "Great Streets." This tour begins at the Hill House and proceeds west along Summit Avenue, focusing on the architecture, original owners, social history and current preservation issues facing this nationally recognized historic district. The tour will end at Summit Manor Reception House for refreshments and an illustrated talk on the history of the street's homes by Larry Millett, author of Minnesota's Own: Preserving Our Grand Homes. The tour covers 1.5 miles and uses public sidewalks and parks. All areas are handicapped accessible, but some side streets are cobblestone and have stone curbs. 
Phone: 651-297-2555 
Time: 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. 
Fee: $65/$50 MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Railroad History Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Beginning with the arrival of Minnesota’s first rail line in 1862, Minneapolis boomed in population and flour milling, lumber production and warehousing took off. Take a guided tour railroad landmarks including the Stone Arch Bridge, Milwaukee Road Depot and the Minneapolis Eastern Railway engine house and trestle. Along the way find clues to the vanishing railroad landscape and learn about the future of Twin Cities rail. The tour includes 1.5 miles of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The tour will begin and end at Mill City Museum. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Includes museum admission. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Tuesday, June 9
History Film Series: North Star: Minnesota’s Black Pioneers
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site 1620 Lindbergh Dr. S., Little Falls 
"North Star: Minnesota's Black Pioneers" uses a powerful storytelling style and previously unseen historical material to uncover the "hidden history" of African Americans who helped shape the North Star state of Minnesota. From fur trader George Bonga to the state's first black woman lawyer, Lena Smith, the documentary provides a whole new perspective on Minnesota's diverse and fascinating past. Film starts at 7 p.m. The museum and gift shop will be open for a short time before and after the film screening. 
Phone: 320-616-5421 
Time: 7 p.m. 
Fee: Free

Minneapolis History Pub Crawl: Old Saint Anthony
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Discover Minneapolis' oldest neighborhood along the east bank of the Mississippi River. The town of St. Anthony began in 1849, several years before its neighbor Minneapolis across the river. Although annexed by Minneapolis in 1872, the area's unique character and history remained distinct. Hear about the people who lived and worked there and about the flour mills, churches, red light districts, Victorian homes, pubs, immigrant enclaves, commercial centers, breweries and more. The tour is on an air-conditioned bus and includes stops at a number of sights, including two watering holes housed in historic buildings. The tour includes three blocks of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Tours are held rain or shine. Ages 21 and up only. Drink purchases are not included in the tour price. Drink specials will be made available at participating locations. 
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 6:30 to 9 p.m. 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.
Also June 23 

Wednesday, June 10

Adventures in Nature: Hands Upon the Rock
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Enjoy a photographic journey through the petroglyphs as an interpreter shares "Hands Upon the Rock" a book containing stories and insights about the carvings. While at the site, view the rock carvings and learn more about the people who created them. Guided petroglyph tours are offered at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 11-15 

Old Man River Day Camp
Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site 1620 Lindbergh Dr. S., Little Falls 
Before he was a famous aviator, Charles Lindbergh spent summers as a boy on the banks of the Mississippi River fishing, learning to swim, building forts and playing with his dogs. This one-day camp will show Charles’ lifelong passion for the river and the environment through activities such as a scavenger hunt, composting projects, artwork and more. Space is limited to 15. Pre-registration and pre-payment is required. A minimum of 7 campers is necessary.
Phone: 320-616-5421 
Time: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 
Fee: $30/$25 for MNHS members.
Reservations: required, call 651-259-3015 or register online
Also: July 22

Thursday, June 11

Double Discount Shopping Weekend
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
The History Center, Mill City Museum, and selected historic sites statewide will host a four-day weekend summer sale to thank MNHS members for their support. Just in time for Father’s Day, graduations and weddings, enjoy savings of 20-percent on a wide array of uniquely Minnesotan books, jewelry and other items. Members also receive a discount at Cafe Minnesota and the Mill City Museum cafe. Purchases help support MNHS programs. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. Sunday 
Fee: Free 
Also June 12-14 

The Journey Jewelry Trunk Show
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
The Minnesota History Center stores carry locally-crafted items including unique hand-made jewelry. Meet jewelry designer Karen Journey, owner of For the Journey Jewelry in Circle Pines. Karen combines semi-precious stones, Swarovski crystals, freshwater pearls and other media in pieces that convey meaning and intent. Her jewelry showcases a creative use of color, graceful balance, and quality that lasts a life time. The event is presented in conjunction with Double Discount Shopping Weekend June 11-14. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: Thursday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 3 p.m. 
Fee: Free 
Also June 12-14 

Friday, June 12

Ramsey After Dark: Angels and Madams
Alexander Ramsey House 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul 
In 1881, residents of St. Paul's fashionable Irvine Park neighborhood formed a committee to rid their district of vice. St. Paul's not-so-hidden redlight district was a source of concern for residents, reformers and city officals alike. This 90-minute program uses newspaper accounts and court records to explore the secrets of the Capital City. Were madams like Nina Clifford and Maggie Morse simply running businesses or, as reformers claimed, ruining lives and the soul of a city? This program is intended for ages 18 and over. 
Phone: 651-296-8760 
Time: 7 and 8:30 p.m. 
Fee: $10 adults, $9 seniors and college students; $2 discount for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Mendota After Hours: First Lady of Historic Preservation, Sarah Jane Sibley
Sibley Historic Site 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota 
Have a drink with your friends at the Sibley House while learning about Sarah Jane Sibley, the First Lady of Historic Preservation. Award-winning biographer David Grabitske and former site guide at the Sibley Historic Site will present on how Minnesota's first First Lady operated the Sibley House and how she coordinated a statewide campaign to raise money to preserve George Washington's Mount Vernon. Cash bar provided by Lucky’s 13 Pub in Mendota. This program is for guests aged 21 years and older. 
Phone: 651-452-1596 
Time: 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. 
Fee: $15/$12 MNHS members or register online.

Saturday, June 13

The Telegraph with Daryl Hrdlicka
Fort Ridgely 72404 County Road 30, Fairfax 
Join Daryl Hrdlicka at Fort Ridgely for a talk about how the telegraph revolutionized long-distance communication. Watch as Hrdlicka uses Morse code to demonstrate how the telegraph transmits signals over wires. 
Phone: 507-934-2160 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. State Park vehicle permit required.

Butter Making Day
Historic Forestville 21899 County Road #118, Preston 
Butter has been used for more than 4,000 years. For many years, butter was only produced in the home. During the 19th century, many farm wives supplemented farm income by selling butter. They churned every day or so, or whenever enough cream had accumulated. Step back into 1899 and observe costumed guides as they complete the weekly task of butter churning. Nineteenth-century traditional techniques of churning will be showcased with opportunities for hands-on participation. 
Phone: 507-765-2785 
Time: 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. and 2 to 3 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. State park vehicle permit required. 
Also June 27 

Engineering the Falls Tour with History Player William de la Barre
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Take a walking tour of St. Anthony Falls led by costumed History Player William de la Barre, the Austrian engineer who spent half a century developing Minneapolis flour milling and waterpower. Participants will visit the Minneapolis Riverfront, the west-side milling district and the Stone Arch Bridge, and hear about the many ways the falls has changed over the years. The tour includes one mile of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The tour will begin and end at Mill City Museum. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Includes museum admission. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Saturday Brunch at the History Center
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
Get your weekend off to a great start with Saturday brunch at the Minnesota History Center. Using sustainable ingredients from local farmers and artisans, Executive Chef Christian Pieper features the best that Minnesota has to offer while highlighting the seasonal activities and exhibits at the History Center. Saturday brunch includes an extensive menu, gourmet coffees, teas and juices. Mimosas and Bloody Mary's will also be available. Tickets include admission to the museum galleries. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: May 9: 10 and 11:30 a.m.; June 13: 11:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Northern Spark at Mill City Museum
Mill City Museum, 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis  
Mill City Museum is proud to be a presenting sponsor and venue for the 2015 Northern Spark, an all-night art festival. Experience the dramatic historic spaces of the Washburn A Mill all night long with artist projects, performances and activities throughout the building. Watch silent films about the working class with live musical accompaniment by Dreamland Faces. Listen as the cast of Mill City Summer Opera’s 2015 production of Daughter of the Regiment perform famous arias and scenes, twisted into different musical genres and styles. Visit the eighth-floor offices for a spatial architectural experience and spectacular views of the Ruin Courtyard and the Minneapolis Riverfront. Enjoy performances by costumed History Players, storytelling and a history art project. View the new exhibit “Remembering the Bohemian Flats: One Place, Many Voices,” developed by University of Minnesota Students. Admission to the exhibit galleries is free and open from 9:00 pm to Midnight, including the Flour Tower multi-media show, Water Lab, Baking Lab and 9th floor Observation Deck. Relax and recharge with food and beverage by D’Amico (9:00 pm to midnight). Mill City Museum also will be hosting a number of artist projects throughout the building, and its evocative outdoor spaces—the Ruin Courtyard and the Train Shed. For a full schedule of events visit: www.millcitymuseum.org/northernspark and http://northernspark.org For more information visit http://www.millcitymuseum.org/northernspark.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 9 p.m. to 5:26 a.m.
Fee: Free

Henry Sibley: Minnesota's Controversial Founding Father
Sibley Historic Site 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway, Mendota 
In this 60-minute guided tour, visitors will explore the controversial life and career of Minnesota's first governor, Henry Hastings Sibley. Sibley was a national politician, a founder of the Minnesota Territory and leading architect of its constitution. He was also a newly-arrived fur trader in 1834. Join a walking tour of the Sibley Historic Site as guides lead a discussion about the many views of Sibley, including his reputation as a leader who bridged Dakota and European-American cultures, but also his role in controversial treaty negotiations, as well as in battles and trials against the Dakota, the exile of Dakota people and the punitive expeditions against them after the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. 
Phone: 651-452-1596 
Time: 11 a.m., noon, 1 and 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also June 27 

Split Rock Lighthouse Open House
Split Rock Lighthouse 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd., Two Harbors 
Enjoy the beauty and history of Minnesota's North Shore during an open house at Split Rock Lighthouse and State Park. Admission is FREE to both the Lighthouse and the State Park on this day only. Tour the light station, keepers house and fog signal building. Stop by the Visitor Center to see exhibits on the North Shore's tourism and commercial fishing industries, and view a film about the early shipping industry on Lake Superior. 
Phone: 218-226-6372 
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Fee: Free

Sunday, June 14

Flag Day
Harkin Store Nicollet County Highway 21, New Ulm 
Learn about our nation's flag, how it has evolved, what the design means and what the flag looked like in the 1870s. View a display of different American flags. The gift shop will have flag-related items for sale along with books, toys and handcrafts. 
Phone: 507-354-8666 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Historic Main Street Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Stroll through Minneapolis’ oldest neighborhood with a Mill City Museum guide, and learn about the rich past and exciting future of historic Main Street. The tour will highlight life in the village of St. Anthony, changes along Main Street throughout the years, and such landmarks as the 1855 Upton Block, 1858 Martin and Morrison Building, Our Lady of Lourdes Church, the Pillsbury A Mill and the Chalybeate Mineral Springs. This tour begins and ends at 125 Main Street SE (at the green awning between Pracna on Main and the Aster Café). The tour includes one mile of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Includes museum admission. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Tuesday, June 16

History HiJinx: Hmong Bag
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
Cloth bags with intricate hand-stitched patterns, colorful pom poms, beaded fringe, and silver coins are traditional and symbolic accessories worn by men and women, girls and boys for the Hmong New Year’s celebration. Design and color your own cloth bag. Discover what the symbols represent in Hmong culture and wear your finished creation with pride. This activity is free with museum admission. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday 
Fee: $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also Every Tuesday through Friday, through Aug. 14

Wednesday, June 17

Adventures in Nature: American Indian Games
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Play games popular among American Indians of the past including the bone and pin game, moccasin game, awl game and the double-ball game. While at the site, view the rock carvings and learn more about the people who created them on guided tours at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 18-22 

Saturday, June 20

Be A Lumberjack Family Day
Forest History Center 2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids 
Kids are invited to be a lumberjack for a day. At the logging camp, children can help saw wood, count beans, make nails, mix cookie dough, stamp a log, cross haul a sled and race "gray-backs." Then it's time for fun with games like "prune on a spoon" racing and raisin spitting and craft projects that bring out the creativity in kids. 
Phone: 218-327-4482 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6 to 17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Causes of the U.S.- Dakota War of 1862 and Battlefield Tour
Fort Ridgely 72404 County Road 30, Fairfax 
At 1 p.m. independent historian John LaBatte will examine the causes of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862, drawing on personal stories from his Dakota and settler ancestors. At 2:30 p.m. LaBatte will lead a tour of the parade grounds. 
Phone: 507-934-2160 
Time: 1 p.m. program, 2:30 p.m. tour 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. State Park vehicle permit required.

World War II Weekend
Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Avenue, St. Paul 
A USO show featuring the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry band, swing dance instruction and a recreated Allied encampment help bring the 1940s to life as visitors explore World War II and Minnesota’s role on battlefields and at home. Guests can visit with costumed staff, view period displays, and watch weapon firing demonstrations during this special weekend devoted to Minnesota's Greatest Generation. Thousands of Minnesotans joined the military at Fort Snelling during the war. 
Phone: 612-726-1171 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 21 

American Indian Handicrafts Family Day
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Create American Indian hand-crafted objects. From 1 to 3 p.m., learn how to use fibers from native plants to make cordage, also known as string. From 3 to 5 p.m. use clay to create pinch or coil pots while learning about traditional American Indian pottery. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 1 to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Riverfront Quest Family Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Try questing with a tour of the Minneapolis riverfront. A quest is a treasure hunt that guides people through, and teaches them to see, a unique part of their community. This quest includes solving rhyming riddles and searching for hidden boxes with pictures to place in a quest journal that participants can make before the tour. Journal materials and admission to Mill City Museum are included in the tour cost. The tour is designed for ages 6–11, but can be enjoyed by all ages. Adults and seniors must accompany a child. The tour includes one mile of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The tour will begin and end at Mill City Museum. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. (Bookmaking 1 to 1:30 p.m., Tour 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.) 
Fee: $11 adults, $9 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17; $7 MNHS members ages 6-17, free for adult MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Father's Day Weekend
Oliver H. Kelley Farm 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River 
This Father’s Day join the Kelley Farm staff as they work on typical 19th-century "fancy chores," such as building feed boxes, repairing equipment and fences, and caring for the livestock. Guests can also bake treats in the farm house and help water and weed in the garden. Fathers are admitted free when accompanied by a child. 
Phone: 763-441-6896 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 ages 6-17; free for ages 5 and under, fathers and MNHS members. 
Also June 21

St. Paul’s Brewing History Tour
Summit Brewing 910 Montreal Circle, St Paul 
Seek out a new go-to brew and learn about Saint Paul’s hoppy past. New breweries springing up around St. Paul are a powerful testament to today’s fascination with the sudsy stuff, but St. Paul’s first brewery dates back to 1849. Today, remnants of St. Paul’s historic brewing past include the imposing old Hamm’s and Schmidt breweries. This meandering three hour bus tour features samples, conversation and hidden gems along the way. The tour starts and ends at Summit Brewing, 910 Montreal Circle, St. Paul. It takes place on an air-conditioned bus and includes up to two blocks of moderately-paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. Ages 21 and up only. 
Phone: 651-259-3000
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $35/$30 MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Sunday, June 21

Father's Day
Harkin Store Nicollet County Highway 21, New Ulm 
Honor father with a trip to the Harkin Store. Visit with author Pell Johnson who will answer questions about his books on hunting at Swan Lake in Nicollet County. And join craftsman Dan Cochran who will discuss and display his leather work. Then relax under the shade of the 1870s porch while learning about the general store and the former bustling riverboat stop of West Newton. 
Phone: 507-354-8666 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Minneapolis Riverfront Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Walk the Minneapolis riverfront and learn about its dramatic past and bright future. Participants will visit the historic district at St. Anthony Falls, which was once the milling center of the world and is now a growing cultural, recreational and residential neighborhood. A guide from Mill City Museum will lead visitors onto the Stone Arch Bridge for a spectacular view of the falls, the historic buildings surrounding it and downtown Minneapolis, and tell stories of the people who have worked and lived in the area and how it has changed over the years. The tour includes one mile of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The tour will begin and end at Mill City Museum. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Includes museum admission. 
Reservations: required; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Monday, June 22

History Detective Camp
Alexander Ramsey House 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul 
Search for clues, sift through evidence, and solve mysteries of the past in this three day camp. Young sleuths will solve real and fictional mysteries (and even create their own) by exploring the historic Ramsey House and its unique collection of original artifacts. Activities include a mock investigation, historic games, and exploration of Victorian era forensics. For ages 11-13.
Session I: June 22-24
Session II: July 20-22
Phone: 651-296-8760 
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $220/$200 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also June 23 and 24 

Wednesday, June 24

Adventures in Nature: Prairie Tour
Jeffers Petroglyphs Historic Site 27160 County Road 2, Comfrey 
Take a guide tour to learn about the prairie ecosystem while searching for grasses and flowers. Prairie tours start at 2 p.m. each day. While at the site, view the rock carvings and learn more about the people who created them. Guided petroglyph tours are offered at 10:30 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. 
Phone: 507-628-5591 
Time: 2 p.m. 
Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 25-29
 
Kids Day: Clay Making
Lower Sioux Agency Morton 
Children will learn about clay pots and their importance to Dakota women. Then they can make their own pinch clay pot to take home. The program is free, but there is a $5 supply fee. 
Phone: 507-697-6321 
Time: 5 to 7 p.m. 
Fee: $5 supply fee.

Children's Day
Oliver H. Kelley Farm 15788 Kelley Farm Rd., Elk River 
Children of all ages can join in the chores that kids did on farms more than 100 years ago. Help load hay into a wagon pulled by Coulter and Toby, the farm’s oxen; help unload the hay into the barn; try to get the laundry clean using a scrub board without the calves eating the soap; haul baskets of weeds out of the garden; and play 19th-century games including Cat’s Cradle or Grandmother’s Footsteps. 
Phone: 763-441-6896 
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Thursday, June 25

History Happy Hour: Vintage Vacation
Alexander Ramsey House 265 S. Exchange St., St. Paul 
Have a drink with friends at the Ramsey House while learning about Victorian-era vacations. Join Jayne Becker of the Ramsey House for an up close look at vacations of the past, featuring vintage postcards, letters and travel guides from the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society. This program is for people 21 years and older. Admission includes 2 drinks, snacks, presentation and time to mingle in the mansion. 
Phone: 651-296-8760 
Time: 5:30 and 8:30 p.m. 
Fee: $25/$20 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Friday, June 26

Arrowheads and Stone Tools
North West Company Fur Post 12551 Voyageur Lane, Pine City 
By shaping stone into sharp tools and projectiles, ancient people were able to hunt animals as big as mastodons. Discover the craft of making spear points and arrowheads. Watch as modern flint knappers from around the country demonstrate their skills. Co-sponsored by the Minnesota Flint Knappers Guild. 
Phone: 320-629-6356 
Time: Noon to 4 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 senior and college students, $6 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members. 
Also June 27 

Saturday, June 27

Civilian Conservation Corps Tour
Fort Ridgely 72404 County Road 30, Fairfax 
The Civilian Conservation Corps was an essential part of the Great Depression. As a public work relief program, the CCC employed young men to work on projects that benefited conservation and natural resources. Projects included constructing the beautiful stone buildings in many of Minnesota's state parks, including Fort Ridgely State Park. Take a walking tour of the grounds to learn about the history of the CCC and what life was like for these young men. 
Phone: 507-934-2160 
Time: June 27: 6 p.m., Aug. 1 2 p.m. 
Fee: $3 per person.

Soldier One-Day Camp
Historic Fort Snelling 200 Tower Avenue, St. Paul 
Attention all recruits! Enlist in the 5th Regiment for an afternoon of fun at Historic Fort Snelling. "New recruits" will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling. Campers will learn to march and drill, watch musket and cannon firings, and much more. Space is limited to 12. For ages 8-12.
Phone: 612-726-1171 
Time: Noon to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $50/$45 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.

Birch Bark Basket Workshop
Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post 43411 Oodena Dr., Onamia 
Learn how to store and work with birch bark in this one-day workshop. Participants will make a large basket to take home. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided. A minimum of five participants required to host workshop. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required three days prior to workshop. 
Phone: 320-532-3632 
Time: Noon to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $25/$20 MNHS members; additional supply fee of $15. 
Reservations: required; call 320-532-3632

Children's Day
Split Rock Lighthouse 3713 Split Rock Lighthouse Rd., Two Harbors 
Tours geared for children highlight this popular annual event. Families can learn about the children who lived at the light station, join in special games and participate in a scavenger hunt. Free admission for ages 17 and under. 
Phone: 218-226-6372 
Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 
Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students; free for ages 17 and under and MNHS members.

Sunday, June 28

Carver Creek Bluegrass
Harkin Store Nicollet County Highway 21, New Ulm 
Join Carver Creek Bluegrass for an afternoon of music. The group is a family band of five siblings from Carver, Minn. They play bluegrass, old-time, gospel and Irish folk music on the banjo, guitar, bass, fiddle and some unusual pieces, like the bodhrán (an Irish frame drum) and the musical saw. 
Phone: 507-354-8666 
Time: 1 to 4 p.m. 
Fee: $6 adults, $5 seniors and college students, $4 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MNHS members.

Disasters of the Riverfront Tour
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
The rise and fall of the St. Anthony Falls milling district led to some of the most tragic disasters in Minnesota history. On this tour, hear the stories of fires, floods, explosions, collapses and other calamities; explore the consequences for the people involved; and learn what these tales reveal about Minneapolis history. Stories include the Eastman Tunnel Collapse in 1869, the Great Conflagration of 1893, bridge collapses in 1859 and 2007, numerous fires and massive landscape changes. The tour includes 1.5 miles of moderately paced walking on uneven surfaces. Please call ahead to make arrangements for guests with limited mobility. The tour begins and ends at Mill City Museum. Tours are held rain or shine.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 1 p.m. 
Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 children ages 6-17 and MNHS members. Includes museum admission. 
Reservations: recommended; call 612-341-7555 or register online.

Monday, June 29

Arts on the River Day Camp
Mill City Museum 704 South Second Street, Minneapolis 
Play music, get creative, bake bread and construct books while exploring the rich culture along the Minneapolis riverfront district. Children will explore a new experience each day at four arts centers, including Mill City Museum, the Guthrie Theater, Minnesota Center for Book Arts and MacPhail Center for Music. The Mississippi River and the wonders of water will inspire camp activities this year. Campers will start each day at Mill City Museum and will walk with camp leaders, less than three blocks, to each art organization. For ages 9-11.
Phone: 612-341-7555 
Time: 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. 
Fee: $250/$225 for MNHS members. 
Reservations: required; call 651-259-3015 or register online.
Also June 30 

Tuesday, June 30

9 Nights of Music: Pig's Eye Landing
Minnesota History Center 345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 
The History Center's popular outdoor music series kicks off with Pig's Eye Landing and the sounds of Minnesota's folk traditions. At 5:30 preshow activities begin with a unique outdoor installation. Families can climb aboard a rustic 1940s shantyboat and hear stories of the people who lived and worked on the river. Created by Wes Modes in partnership with the National Park Service and their River City Revue. Now in its 18th year, "9 Nights of Music" is offered every Tuesday in July and August. Tapestry Folkdance Center provides dance instruction at 6:30. Live music starts at 7 p.m. Bring a lawn chair and pack a picnic or purchase food from the Café Minnesota terrace grill. No outside alcoholic beverages allowed. Come early and take advantage of free admission to the museum galleries from 5 to 8 p.m. There is a nominal fee for parking. In case of rain, performances move indoors. Call 651-259-3000 for rain updates at 4 p.m. "9 Nights of Music" is presented by Xcel Energy. Additional support is provided by MPR and Tapestry Folkdance Center. 
Phone: 651-259-3000 
Time: 5:30 p.m. preshow, 6:30 p.m. dance instruction, 7 p.m. live music 
Fee: Free

Ongoing Exhibits
Minnesota History Center
345 Kellogg Blvd. W., St. Paul 

Through Aug. 16, 2015	Inspiring Beauty: 50 Years of Ebony Fashion Fair View 40 garments from the Ebony Fashion Fair including pieces from Valentino, Oscar de la Renta, Christian Dior, Stephen Burrows, Bill Blass, Patrick Kelly, Bob Mackie and others. “Inspiring Beauty” explores how a world-renowned traveling fashion show, with works from the icons of the fashion world, became a vehicle for African American empowerment, pride and achievement. This exhibit was organized by the Chicago History Museum in cooperation with Johnson Publishing Company. For more information visit www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/ebony	
Through Nov. 29, 2015	We Are Hmong Minnesota November 2015 marks the 40th anniversary of the Hmong migration to Minnesota following the war in Southeast Asia. Today, the Twin Cities metro area is home to 66,000 Hmong, the largest urban Hmong population in the United States. Developed in partnership with the Hmong community, the new exhibit "We Are Hmong Minnesota," will commemorate the anniversary and celebrate the significant political, social and economic contributions the Hmong have made to Minnesota and the nation. For more information visit www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/exhibits/we-are-hmong-minnesota.	
Ongoing	Then Now Wow Designed primarily for children, visitors of all ages will enjoy exploring Minnesota’s distinctive places from the prairies and forests to the cities. Along the way they'll meet the people who have made their homes here. Step inside a prairie sod house; board a Twin Cities streetcar; don a headlamp to venture underground in an Iron Range mine; hitch a ride on a boxcar; sit in a modern tipi; and encounter artifacts and images unique to Minnesota’s diverse people and historic events. “Then Now Wow” is made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008. For more information visit www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/thennowwow.	
Ongoing	Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: The Depression, The War, The Boom
Explore interactive displays and innovative multimedia experiences that reveal the lives and stories of the men and women who came of age during the Depression and World War II and went on to create the postwar “boom.” The exhibition relies substantially on first-person narratives drawn from oral history interviews, published memoirs, reminiscences and letters. For more information visit www.mngreatestgeneration.org.	
Ongoing	Open House: If These Walls Could Talk This interactive exhibit uses a single, existing house in the Railroad Island neighborhood on St. Paul’s East Side as a window into the daily lives of people of the past. Stories of families, from the German immigrants who built the home through the Italians, African Americans and Hmong who succeeded them, are told through rooms representing different eras of the house. For more information visit www.minnesotahistorycenter.org/openhouse.	
Ongoing	Weather Permitting Minnesotans learn to cope with extreme temperatures, watch for signs of storms and generally enjoy the outdoors, whether boating on a summer’s day, skiing down a hill or snowmobiling across snowdrifts. Visit the multi-media tornado exhibit, “Get to the Basement,” named the best museum exhibit in the Twin Cities by City Pages. For more information visit www.mnhs.org/weather. 	

James J. Hill House
240 Summit Ave., St. Paul
Through Nov. 29, 2015	Paj Ntaub: Hmong Textiles from the Permanent Collection View 60 highly colorful and intensely intricate pieces of Hmong textile art created by Hmong women who settled in St. Paul. The exhibit showcases appliqué, reverse appliqué, embroidery and cross stitch in traditional art forms, called Paj Ntaub or flower cloth, as well as commercial tourism items including pillowcases, tablecloths, coin purses and clothing. The exhibit draws on the collection of Corrine Pearson who operated the Hmong Handwork consignment store in St. Paul from 1981 to 1999. Labels will be in both Hmong and English. www.mnhs.org/hillhouse.	

Historic Fort Snelling
200 Tower Ave., St. Paul
Through July 5, 2015	Japanese Americans in the Military Intelligence Service During WWII This unique photo exhibit shares the stories of Japanese Americans who became "secret weapons" for the U.S. military during WWII by training to be intelligence workers at Fort Snelling. View a set of 30 photographs on display at the Historic Fort Snelling visitor center. A new set of 30 photographs will go on display when the exhibit returns in August.