Archive - Sep 2008

The leaves are starting to change and the air is getting that little bite to it.  Well, that means that it is time for Cemetery Stories!!

This years event will be held at the Oaklawn Cemetery (next to the golf course) on October 10th.  Tours are 5:30, 6:00, 6:15, 6:30, 7:00, 7:15 and 7:30 p.m.  Each tour last about an hour.  If you would like to reserve your spot today please call us at 507-645-9268!  I will post more information next week, when it is a little closer to the event.

This years event was made possible by the generous donations from By All Means Graphics, College City Beverage and the Northfield News

On Sunday, September 28th, the Dundas Historical Society will sponsor its first History, Music & Stories (HMS) Tour!  This event begins at the Memorial Park Pavilion on First Street in Dundas.  The first guided walking tour begins at noon followed by another tour at 12:30 p.m. and the last tour at 1:00 p.m. 

The tour includes seeing various historical sites throughout Dundas, as well as being able to walk in some of the structures such as: (1) the home of Mac and Jackie Gimse, who live in the former Methodist Church on Railway Street; (2) Schrader Photography Studio previously known as the Hummel Church on Hester Street, (3) and the 1873 stone home of Larry and Bonnie Fowler on First Street.

After viewing these sites, the tour then moves over to the cemetery at Holy Cross Church on Second Street, where tour members will meet two of the founders of Dundas, John and Katherine Archibald (played by Bob and Ann Gregory-Bjorklund).  The Archibald family moved to Minnesota from Dundas, Ontario, Canada to begin milling flour on the Cannon River.

From there the tour will move inside the Holy Cross Church where Randy Cox will provide tour members with the history of the Church and the Archibald Family as documented by Marge Neuhaus.  Also on display at the Church, ArtOrg will exhibit “The Twenty Views of Dundas” print making series which began during last year’s Sesquicentennial Celebration.  Boxed sets of the prints are available for sale. 

Ending this wonderful tour at 3:30 p.m. in the Church, will be an organ concert by George Hardgrove.  It promises to be a full, enjoyable and entertaining afternoon!

Tours depart the Memorial Park Pavilion at noon, 12:30 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. rain or shine!  Access to the sites is only via a guided tour group.  Tickets for the HMS Tour are $5.00 per person and may be purchased at the Memorial Park Pavilion before the start of each tour.  Tour members need to be sure to hang on to their admission ticket as there will be drawings at the Church featuring prizes from Cannon Valley Water, CarTime, Cartridge World, Dokmo Ford, Firehouse Liquor, Frandsen Bank & Trust, James Gang Coffeehouse, Jumping Around Fun Center, Pivatol Point, Polzin Glass, Sears, Sweet Lou’s Waffle Bar, Sweet Pea’s Loft, The Sketchy Artist and other local businesses!  Money raised from the HMS Tour will go towards supporting the mission of the Dundas Historical Society.

Below are the pictures from 2008 Outlaw Run.  It was a great success, there were 68 motorcycles registered!    Thank you to everyone that rode, all of the money raised will go to the Northfield Historical Society Youth Education programs. 

Tell everyone about the Run and we hope to see you again next year!

The Northfield Historical Society will be closed on September 8 and 9.  We will re-open on Wednesday September 10 at 10:00 a.m.

Tonight, Thursday September 4, the Northfield Historical Society is hosting a reception for Jesse James’ Great Granddaughter, Betty Barr, the reception starts at 5:30 p.m.  In addition we will once again welcome our friend from Germany Dietmar Kuegler, Author and Publisher from WYK Auf Foehr Germany.  This year Dietmar has brought a tour group with him from Germany!  R.L. Wilson was scheduled to be in Northfield but due to another commitment he will not be in attendance.

On Saturday authors, John J. Koblas and Victoria Kasten will be on hand to sign copies of their books.

John J. Koblas is one of the top experts on the James-Younger Gang and their travels through Minnesota and has published twelve books on that subject. One of Koblas' best known books on the James-Younger Gang is Faithful Unto Death, that chronicles the Gang's movements through Minnesota before and after their attempted robbery in Northfield, it is the most comprehensive book on the attempted raid to date. Some of John's other books include; Jesse James in Iowa, Jesse James Ate Here, Minnesota Grit and many more.

Victoria Kasten is the author of the widely popular children's books series, Mighty Stallion. The Mighty Stallion series looks at the American Wild West through the eyes of the wild horse. Right now there are 5 books in the series with more on the way.

Both authors will be on hand Saturday starting at 10:00 a.m. and Koblas and Kasten will return on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. to sign more copies of their books.

For more information on the Historical Society or DJJD please call us at 507-645-9268 or email us through our website by clicking here.