by Travis Farrington | Jun 17, 2020 | Historical Findings, History Blog
While cleaning and putting the finishing touches on the bank prior to reopening last Thursday, Cathy and I discovered a big (and heavy) surprise in the vault; a cast iron sign with the words “DESIGNED AND BUILT BY HORACE E. HORTON ROCHESTER, MINN.” After a...
by Travis Farrington | May 13, 2020 | History Blog
I realize now that I have more in common with Jesse James than I thought I ever would; I’ve worked closely with my brother, traveled extensively through the American South, own a six-shooter, and came to Northfield, Minnesota to see the First National Bank. Having...
by Cathy Osterman | Nov 14, 2019 | History Blog
It’s wonderful having a museum in an historic building. The building adds to the ambiance of the story we’re telling. What’s not so great, though, is the amount of maintenance the building needs on a regular basis. Even worse, sometimes, are the repairs, and...
by Cathy Osterman | Sep 5, 2018 | History Blog
I’ve worked admissions at the museum during the Defeat of Jesse James Days for 6 years now and I often see eyes rolling and sneers of disgust during Defeat weekend when visitors see that NHS charges admission to enter the museum. I’ll admit, it’s confusing when there...
by Cathy Osterman | Aug 15, 2018 | Historical Findings, History Blog
Northfield started holding a fall festival in September 1946 to celebrate that year’s harvest. In 1948, for the third annual fall festival, local Northfielders Cass Johnson and Sam Haugen decided to recreate the famous bank raid for visitors. This first...
by Cathy Osterman | Oct 25, 2017 | History Blog
15 years after his death, Paul Wellstone remains unforgettable Those who knew and worked with the senator remember their first impressions of him. By Curt Brown The showers were cold at Carleton College 37 years ago. The bathrooms were dirty and the cafeteria was...
