The Northfield Historical Society will kick off its third annual Northfield History Month — a series of 10 events that include speaker programs, happy hours, dog walks, exhibit opening, and Fourth of July fireworks — with a screening of two documentaries at St. Olaf College on June 3.

We’re pretty sure we’ve got something for everyone.

History Month Events:

Ytterboe the Dog and Across the Cannon Documentary Showings
June 3, 10:30 a.m., St. Olaf College, Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater
Watch two documentaries shown in conjunction with the college’s reunion weekend — one about the famous Ytterboe campus mascot and the other about the friendly rivalry between Carleton and St. Olaf.

The Ghosts of St. Olaf
June 7, Froggy Bottoms River Pub (happy hour at 6 p.m., bus leaves at 7 p.m.)
Greg Kneser, St. Olaf College Vice President for Student Life

Greg Kneser is the keeper of the unofficial “St. Olaf Ghost File” that he began compiling when he used to field students’ complaints about their rooms. Heaters clanked, roommates snored … and sometimes things happened that weren’t so easy to explain.

If you believe in ghosts, these are ghost stories. If you don’t believe, they are simply stories that make you scratch your head. If you are somewhere in between … then you can decide for yourself.

The Ghost Tour will introduce you to a little girl who plays the piano in a residence hall, to a librarian who simply likes a well-ordered library, and to the spot where a boy in a red cap likes to chill.

Ghosts … or just stories? You decide.

Get your tickets here!

 

The Sensational and Strange Story of Anna Dickie Olesen
June 9, 6:00 p.m., Northfield Historical Society
Susan Hvistendahl, Entertainment Guide Columnist

In 1922, just two years after women won the right to vote, Anna Dickie Olesen became the first woman ever endorsed by a major party for the U.S. Senate. Throughout Minnesota she gave fiery speeches about representing the common people. In 1929 she was considered a possible vice presidential candidate. She also had a strange second marriage to a Georgia man featured on the Investigation Discovery channel’s Crimes to Remember series. Hvistendahl will add intriguing details about this chapter of Olesen’s life.

Hvistendahl’s Historic Happenings books will be available for purchase.

History Happy Hour: “Minnesota’s Notorious Gangsters”
June 14, Loon Liquors (social at 5:30 p.m., program at 6 p.m.)
Sara Hanson, Executive Director of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society

Join us at Northfield’s Loon Liquors and learn about Minnesota’s connection to some of the nation’s most notorious gangsters. Sarah Hanson will discuss Al Capone, John Dillinger, Bugs Moran, “Ma” Barker and her boys, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis, “Baby Face” Nelson, “Machine Gun” Kelly, and “Pretty Boy” Floyd.

Malt-O-Meal Originals: An Exhibition of Firsts
June 23, 6:30 p.m., Northfield Historical Society
Nearly 100 years ago John S. Campbell formed the Campbell Cereal Company with one goal in mind: to create a delicious and easy-to-prepare hot wheat breakfast cereal. He called his cereal Malt-O-Meal, and it is still manufactured in Northfield’s historic Ames Mill. This exhibition will showcase the company’s historical achievements and industry firsts.

The generosity of Campbell’s descendants has ensured that the Northfield Historical Society will preserve and tell the Malt-O-Meal story for generations to come.

History Trivia Night
June 24, 7–9 p.m., Rueb N Stein
Join us for a great night of history and current event trivia that will feature teams of four competing for a variety of prizes. Questions will center on Northfield and general history questions, plus current events. Teams can register for $100 per team by June 20. Come to play or to watch.

Get your tickets here!

History Hound Walk
June 25, 8:30 a.m., Central Park
$20 per personThis combination animal walk and historic walking tour of 11 east side residences is a joint fundraiser for the Prairie’s Edge Humane Society and the Northfield Historical Society. Dogs not required.

Get your Tickets Here!

Books and Stars: Teddy Roosevelt Live (10 a.m.–4 p.m. camp, 7 p.m. program)
June 29, Central Park
In this election year what could be more appropriate than a visit from Theodore Roosevelt himself? We see Roosevelt’s legacy each day — from the labels on the food we eat to the National Parks we

visit on summer vacation. You’ll hear from three-time national champion living history performer and Roosevelt look-alike Adam Lindquist as he brings this American icon to life.

“Teddy’s” life was one of reinvention, with each adventure greater than the last. Meet Teddy at his day-long camp where he’ll answer your questions and then attend his evening program where you will learn all about his life.

Vintage Baseball Game: Northfield Silver Stars vs. St. Croix Base Ball Club
July 4, 1 p.m., St. Olaf College (below Old Main Hill)
See baseball the way it was meant to be played when the Northfield Silver Stars take on the St. Croix Base Ball Club. The rules of 1860 were different from today’s game, including: no gloves allowed, the batter is out if the ball is caught on the first bounce, no balls or strikes are called by an umpire (although a batter can still strike out if he swings and misses three times), foul balls are not considered strikes, and base runners can be tagged out if they overrun first base.

Fireworks
July 4, approximately 9:45 p.m.
This year’s Fourth of July display will be launched from Sechler Park (behind the Post cereal plant). Spectators are welcome to view the display from the comfort of their own blankets and lawn chairs on the green spaces of Babcock or Riverside Parks, or wherever you can catch a good view.

Sponsors!