David Marion and Susan Hvistendahl

Left to Right: David, Marion and Susan Hvistendahl

We are pleased to announced that we will hold our 37th Annual Meeting on Saturday, March 17, 2012, at the Great Hall on the campus of Carleton College.  Doors open at 6:00 p.m. for a social hour, program starts at 7:00 p.m. The meeting is open to all members of the Northfield Historical Society and attendees need only sign up for membership on the evening of the event if they are not currently a member.

We are hoping to have our best turnout ever as we have just launched our 1,000-member Campaign. We will also be honoring the Hvistendahl family at the event. We are delighted to be honoring Marion, David and Susan Hvistendahl. They have been long-time supporters of the historical society and they have really made it a family affair. I can’t think of a more deserving trio to be honored.

Marion retired to Northfield in 1990 with her husband, Jake, following rich and varied college teaching careers. She volunteered in the Museum Store and brought local historical figure Ann North to life as part of her Women in History presentations. Marion has also teamed with Brad Ness to present Ole and Lena Night, an NHS benefit.

Susan, a St. Olaf College graduate, has done extensive historical research since moving to Northfield in 2004. She chaired NHS’s Oral History Committee, edited a publication written by Alvin Houston on Lewiston, a local ghost town, and, in 2010, published a book on the Lyceum Building, the second publication of the NHS History Series. Susan is a regular contributor on local history to the Northfield Entertainment Guide.

David Hvistendahl, also a St. Olaf College graduate, has provided legal counsel to NHS since the early 1980s. He has served on the board of directors and as president. His Dr.Visty medicine man show was a fixture for many years during Defeat of Jesse James Days. David also appeared as one of the bank tellers in in the early video re-creations of the infamous James-Younger Bank Raid.

Two members of the Northfield High School Orchestra, Gordon Hayes (saxophone) and Daniel Caspers (piano)  will also be providing music during the social hour of the event and then offering a performance piece at the end of the evening. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a social hour and the meeting begins at 7 p.m.  There will be a cash bar other refreshments.

People wishing to join the Northfield Historical Society prior to the annual meeting may join in person, online or through the U.S. Mail. There are a variety of membership levels available, starting at just $30 a year. People interested in becoming a member can visit northfieldhistory.org or mail or deliver a check to: The Northfield Historical Society, 408 Division Street, Northfield, MN 55057.