Archive - Apr 2008

Let Them Eat Grass, The 1862 Sioux Uprising in Minnesota: Volume 1 Smoke
Author: John J. Koblas
Publish Date: 2006

Mr. Koblas presents a detailing of American Indian history from earliest times, carefully setting up the climate of inevitable confrontation with the arrival of white settlers in Minnesota. He explores the treaties made with the United Sates government and the Indian nations and explains why and how these treaties failed, how both sides failed to understand the fundamental differences in culture, and how the pressure put upon the politicians in Washington D. C., to open land for settlers enticed them to break treaties almost before the ink dried. The stage is set for the coming conflict, including the skirmishes that preceded the uprising that had to come. Volume I, SMOKE, is the first book in a three volume set focusing on the conflict.

The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Author: Ron Hansen
Publish Date: 1983

American history's most famous outlaw comes alive in Ron Hansen's imaginative recreation of the West. The charismatic Jesse James has a quick temper, an even faster draw, and holds sway over his ragged ganguntil the arrival of upstart Robert Ford. Torn between worship and jealousy, Ford makes a fateful decision that torments him for the rest of his lifeand becomes one of the most legendary events of the American frontier.

Northfield: A Western Story
Author: Johnny D. Boggs
Publish Date: 2007
Hardcover

Every wonder what conversations Frank and Jesse James had when planning the robbery here in Northfield? Well, this new historical fiction book by renowned western author Johnny D. Boggs gives you an insight into those conversations.

Follow the gang through their planning stages of the Northfield robbery to their escape in "their own words."

On May 1, the Northfield Historical Society will premier it's second student produced documentary on Northfield history. This years documentary will chronicle the events surrounding the shooting of Ytterboe the Dog. Ytterboe was the unofficial mascot of St. Olaf College in the late 1950s and was beloved by many in town. The documentary was produced by two St. Olaf interns.  The Northfield News ran a story about the video in the Saturday April 19 paper, click here to view.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at Viking Theater.  Viking Theater is located in Buntrock Commons on the St. Olaf College Campus.  The documentary will start at 7:00 p.m. Everyone is encouraged to stay after the showing to share their memories of Ytterboe.

First off, I have to apologize for not updating the site in so long.  We have been doing some updating to the site and I have been putting off writings posts.  Anyway, it is time everyone was updated on the Annual Meeting.

On March 15, we held our Annual Meeting at Great Hall on the Carleton College Campus.  We have to thank Carleton and the First National Bank of Northfield for their sponsorship.  It was a great meeting, everyone had a wonderful time dancing to Christine Rosholt's amazing music and eating some very good food.

The membership approved many items that night .  They approved new mission and vision statements and they are:

Mission

To serve as the primary stewards of the unique history of the Northfield area, fostering an awareness of its meaning and relevance through the discovery, documentation, preservation and interpretation of our collective stories.

Vision

To achieve a fiscally sound organization driven by a large, diverse and engaged membership, innovative educational exhibits and programming, and a successful presences downtown and throughout the Northfield area.

In addition to approving those statements we formally adopted new values for NHS.

Values

Integrity—Demonstrate integrity with our relationships with the community and in authenticating of our collected history.

Stewardship—To serve as dedicated guardians of our local history, maintaining the highest legal, ethical and professional standards.

Education—To teach Northfield history through creative, inclusive programs and exhibits, that help people learn the true, meaningful uses of the past.

Collaboration—To work effectively with culturally and ethnically diverse community, state, national, and international organizations in furthering our mission and outreach; to work together respectfully as internal team comprised of board, staff, volunteers.

Diversity—To embrace our community’s ethnic and cultural diversity, and ensure our programs, exhibits, and collections celebrate and reflect the differences and commonalities of our collective past.

Finally, the membership approved our new slate of board members.  Renewing for another term with NHS was Chip DeMann and Deanna Kuennen.  Coming onto the board we welcome; Heather Scott, Carol Donelan and Dan Jorgenson.  Since we had new members coming on we say goodbye to Scott Elmer, Chris Ellison and Eric Fure-Slocum.  We thank them for their service and wish them the best of luck.  I will update the Board and Staff page after our board meeting on April 21 with pictures of the new board members.