The Northfield Historical Society will be hosting two events May 16. Beginning at 6 p.m. the society will honor its 2012 volunteers of the year: Ian Iverson and Barbara Rippley. During the two-hour event the public also will have the opportunity to tour the collection storage rooms of the newly named Joan Olson Research Center.

At the same time, patrons will be able to view the newest exhibit at the Northfield Historical Society, called “Northfield Eats.”

Rippley and her husband, LaVern, have been NHS members since its founding in 1975. In 2004 volunteer archivist Olson asked Rippley, a book preservation and repair librarian at St. Olaf College, to help repair bound copies of the Northfield News. After completing that project she helped with other jobs in the archives. When Olson retired, Barb stepped up her volunteer time by committing to four hours per week. Most recently Rippley has helped with the collection storage move, and she’s played an integral part in the major effort to reshelve the collection.

Iverson’s passion for history began at a young age as he listened to his grandfather’s stories about coming of age during World War II. He became acquainted with Northfield history as a middle school student taking Earl Weinmann’s social studies class, which prompted him to join the Junior Curator Program at NHS. The following year he became part of a select group of eighth graders, led by Weinmann, who spent the first two hours of each school day at the Scriver Building as a part of the Student Community Outreach Program Experience.

In addition, Iverson credits his two years as a tour guide in the Junior Posse Program for giving him a “thorough understanding of the Northfield Raid and significantly improving his public speaking abilities.” Iverson, hopes to continue spending time in the archives after he graduates.

As part of our volunteer appreciation night the society also will conduct tours of the newly named Joan Olson Research Center, named for the NHS volunteer archivist from 1998 to 2008. Olson worked with the collection three hours daily during her tenure, providing a professional service sorely needed by the society. Prior to her volunteer work, Olson was the first archivist at St. Olaf 1969–98. She also volunteered as archivist for St. John’s Lutheran Church in Northfield.

Dining history

“Northfield Eats” provides a glimpse of the long history of local restaurants. Using photos, artifacts, and stories, the exhibit features establishments still open, and those that

  have passed into history.

Northfield has had a long history of eating establishments run by determined and creative individuals. In addition to serving food, many of these places have served as gathering spots that only add to community character. Some have had short lives, while others have been in business for decades.

This month marks the 150^th anniversary for the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.  On August 22^nd the Northfield Historical Society (NHS) will open a new exhibit, 1862 Through Rice County’s Eyes.  Most Minnesotans know the overall story of the war, but the exhibit will highlight how certain residents of Rice County played important roles in this episode of our state’s history.

Taking advantage of the opportunity to partner with the Rice County Historical Society and other organizations allowed us to share the unique perspectives that include extremes of locals involved.  Rolin C. Olin, who lived in Northfield for ten years, led the trials of over 400 Dakota as Judge Advocate and signed over 300 death sentences. Bishop Henry Whipple, Minnesota’s first Episcopal Bishop, stood out as one of the only committed advocates for Dakota rights. In doing so, he received permission for the only safe-haven in Minnesota for Dakota during the eviction – on Alexander Faribault’s land here in Rice County. Those who moved to this haven (Faribault) included Dakota who worked for peace, like Snana who took in a white girl and protected her as her own child during the fighting.

As varied as these and other local perspectives may be, any exploration of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 suffers from the inevitable limitations facing every historical examination – limitations such as scope and biases, past and present, which impact the telling and perception of the stories and data. In presenting the exhibit 1862, Through Rice County’s Eyes this fall, NHS endeavors to draw visitors into thoughtful interest and discussion of this momentous event and its aftermath by sharing local connections. Come and critically examine this exhibit.

The exhibit opens on August 22 at 6:00 p.m. in the Northfield Historical Society.  We are located at 408 Division Street.

Last night we opened our newest exhibit, Northfield Girl Scouts then and now: Celebrating 100 years in Scouting.  The exhibit is a partnership between the Northfield Historical Society and Girls Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys.

The exhibit tells the 100 year history of the Girls Scouts of USA with a focus on the history of Girl Scouts in Northfield.

The exhibit is up until August 17.

Northfield Patch article and Photos

The Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin River Valleys in Northfield will host a centennial celebration of Girl Scouts of the USA on Thursday, June 28, from 5-9 p.m. at the Northfield Historical Society.

Dressed in vintage uniforms, local Girl Scouts will kick off the event at Bridge Square with songs, activities, and demonstrations starting at 5 p.m., followed by the opening of an exhibit entitled “Northfield Girl Scouts—Then and Now” at the Northfield Historical Society from 6-9 p.m.  Spectators can try their hand at tying a square knot or learn how to signal flags. The Community Band will play some of the Girl Scouts favorite songs, beginning at 7 p.m.

Save the Date: June 28th kicks-off a celebration of Northfield Girl Scouts – Then & Now at the Northfield Historical Society. The public is invited to both Bridge Square, where there will be songs, activities, and demonstrations, as well as touring the historical society’s exhibit on opening night 6-9 p.m. The exhibit will run until mid-August.

Those affiliated with Girl Scouts, at any point in their life, are encouraged to share favorite stories/memories to add to this historic event. Email rosen@stolaf.edu and please indicate the troop #, unit, and town you participated in while in Girl Scouts. This information will be used as part of the historical documentation for the Northfield Historical Society’s event and for use in its archives. We hope to gather a great collection of favorite troop stories and photos throughout the years. 

Last, we are interested in collecting memorabilia for the display. Items will be accepted up until May 23 at the Northfield Girl Scout Service Center located at 1025 North Hwy 3. If you have questions please  call Elaine Grisim at the Northfield Girl Scout Office at 507.645.6603 x1530. Please see the attachments for submission forms.

Northfield Historical Society Loan Agreement Form

Girl Scouts Donation Form

Wow, last week was an amazing week for NHS!

On Thursday we opened our newest exhibit, The History of Telephones in Northfield.  The exhibit is sponsored by the St. Olaf Telephone Office and will be up until late June!

On Sunday, over 200 people packed the Weitz Center for Creativity to hear Associate Professor of Cinema and Media Studies Professor Carol Donelan talk about here book, Electric Theater: The Emergence of Cinema in Northfield 1896-1971.  Sorry for the quality of the photo from Sunday, all I had was my cell phone camera.

The History of Telephones in Northfield, Exhibit Opening Photos

Last Thursday, February 16, we hosted former NHS and Rice County Historical Society Board President Jim Stark’s presentation Why the Civil War was Fought: The Antebellum Period.  There were 47 people in attendance.  Everyone in attendance got a very detailed account of the events that lead to the Civil War.

This Thursday, February 23. NHS will unveil our new exhibit, The History of Telephones. The exhibit opening is from 6-8.  This exhibit is a

We  will unveil our new exhibit, “The History of Telephones in Northfield,” Thursday, Feb. 23, with a reception from 6 to 8 p.m. at NHS, 408 Division Street, Northfield.

The exhibit, sponsored and provided by the St. Olaf College Telephone Company, will chronicle the history of telecommunications in Northfield and Dundas. The multi-media display will use photos, audio, movies and old equipment — including antique phones and switchboards — to tell this fascinating story. You will learn of the first phone hookup in 1880 between the Ames Mill in Northfield and the Dundas Mill. You will be able to use an actual crank telephone and manipulate the switchboard installed by the Archer House in 1960. You will be able to see and feel how telephone cable evolved into the supple, fiber optic connection that today transmits voices at the speed of light.

The exhibit gives us a comprehensive look at a utility that helped transform the community.  This is a truly fascinating story of how technology changed the commercial and social patterns of our community. It reminds us of how people continuously adapt to new inventions and changing times.”

The exhibit will run through June 22. The Northfield Historical Society is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 to 5 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m.

The exhibit was also sponsored by Northfield News and KYMN Radio.

This is your last chance to view the Celebrating 100 years of the St. Olaf Christmas Festival exhibit.  The exhibit will close on Wednesday February 15.  So if you have not had a chance to see it come into NHS this week!

We are excited to present “Hmong Textiles: A Culture on Cloth.” Graciously loaned to NHS by long-time Northfield residents Elvin and Corrine Heiberg, the exhibit tells the story behind traditional Hmong needlecraft. A Spotlight on Collections program, it is included in the admission to the bank raid exhibit.

Spotlight on Collections features collections from Northfield residents, as well as our archives. If you have a collection you would like to share with your neighbors and visitors to the museum, we encourage you to contact Bob Davies, Exhibits Committee at 645-2989, or Hayes Scriven, NHS Executive Director at 645-9268.