Mcleod Historical Society http://www.mcleodhistory.org Just another WordPress weblog Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:13:29 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 The Life and Times of Martin McLeod: http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-life-and-times-of-martin-mcleod/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-life-and-times-of-martin-mcleod/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 18:13:19 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=492 History Part I:

Taken from the McLeod County Historical Society 2011 Newsletters:

The McLeod County Historical Society, as a part of its Mission to preserve, understand, and share the history of McLeod County, has researched and compiled the following information, presented as excerpts, from our 2011 theme history booklet.  The booklet explores the Life of Martin McLeod, for whom our county is named, and the area that would become and is now the State of Minnesota.

We are focusing our research on the years that McLeod lived, 1813 to 1860, and the social and political events that affected his decisions and shaped his life.  His involvement in the fur trade, territorial issues, and early statehood of Minnesota are covered, along with a deeper look into his interpersonal relationships with family, friends, and peers.  Through this research, we hope to gain a better understanding of our state and county’s early history, as well as the man for whom our County is named.

“The Life and Times of Martin McLeod, McLeod County from 1813-1860” history booklet can be purchased through the MCHS Gift Shop. Just call, e-mail, or stop by the Museum to pick one up.

Minnesota and McLeod County History from 1813-1860

In the years 1813 to 1860, the area that was to become Minnesota and McLeod County witnessed  some of most extreme social and cultural changes seen in the area to date.  The transformation from almost exclusively indigenous Native American cultures in the early 1800 to the massive influx of Anglo populations from the North, South and East rapidly transformed the state.  This dramatic change occurred so quickly that it could be witnessed within one lifetime.   Martin McLeod in his short life, compared to our standards not only witnessed these social and cultural shifts, but was an active participant in shaping the history of the state of Minnesota and McLeod County.  The following excerpts give an overview of the many different cultural influences that had an impact on the future state of Minnesota.  Native American, Spanish, English, French and American ownership and influences created the world that Martin McLeod decided to explore, work, and live in.  Along with this cultural diversity, another strong influence in the region and in McLeod’s life was the monstrous demand of the fur trade industry.  Another major factor in the life of Martin McLeod and in his exploration of Minnesota was his involvement with a little known military expedition that would fail in its mission to establish an “Indian Kingdom”, but managed to secure McLeod’s future in Minnesota and lead him to be the namesake of McLeod County.

Most of Minnesota is shown under the dominion of the United States, in 1803 France sold her vast American empire, which extended westward from the Mississippi River to the Rocky Mountains, to the United States through the Louisiana Purchase. After a brief period under military rule, all the Louisiana Purchase area, except that now occupied by the state of Louisiana, was established as the District of Louisiana.  It included, besides southwestern Minnesota, the present states of Iowa, Missouri, Arkansas, Nebraska, and the Dakotas, most of Oklahoma, Kansas, Wyoming, and Montana, and part of Colorado.  Its government was administered by Indiana Territory until 1805; thus, for a brief period, northeastern and southwestern Minnesota were united under one government. The eastern boundary of Indiana Territory, as this map indicates, was extended in 1803 to include all the present area of Michigan.

Changes in the status in all parts of Minnesota are shown on this map.  Northeastern Minnesota became part of Illinois Territory in 1809, when Congress set off what is now Indiana with a view to statehood, and established Illinois Territory to include, besides northeastern Minnesota, the present states of Wisconsin and Illinois and a part of northern Michigan. In 1812 western Minnesota became part of Missouri Territory, when the latter name was given to the old Louisiana Territory. It will be noticed on this map that the name of England has disappeared from the Red River Valley. By the Convention of 1818 with England, the forty-ninth parallel of north latitude from the Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains was adopted as the boundary between Canada and the United States.  England thus relinquished her old claim to the Red River Valley, and all Minnesota was finally under the American flag.

Northeastern Minnesota is still a part of Michigan Territory.  The rest of the Minnesota country, however, has become a government orphan. In 1821, when Missouri was admitted to the Union with greatly reduced area, congress made no provision for the government of the remainder of the old Missouri Territory, which included the area now occupied by Iowa, North and South Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas, most of Oklahoma, Montana, and Wyoming, part of Colorado, and southern and western Minnesota; and so it remained, without organized government, for thirteen years.

Minnesota, although it is no longer a part of Michigan Territory in 1836, the area of the present state of Michigan was detached from Michigan Territory in preparation for its admission to the Union.  The remainder of the old Michigan Territory was reorganized as Wisconsin Territory, which included the area now occupied by the states of Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota and the eastern parts of North and South Dakota.

The plight of the Minnesota country, without organized government, during the three years preceding the organization of Minnesota Territory in 1846,  Iowa was made a state with its present boundaries, and western Minnesota, as well as the eastern part of the Dakotas, was left a no-man’s land, without government or law. The same thing happened to northeastern Minnesota two years later, when Wisconsin was admitted to the Union with reduced area. It was fortunate for the future state of Minnesota that Congress did not adopt a proposed boundary for Iowa which would have extended its area north to include the Falls of St. Anthony, now within Minneapolis, and one proposed for Wisconsin which would have included in that state a generous slice of eastern Minnesota.

The name “Minnesota” at last emerges after long debate, on March 3, 1849, congress passed the act creating Minnesota Territory, to include the area west of Wisconsin and north of Iowa as far west as the Missouri and White Earth rivers.  Thus Minnesota Territory included the area now occupied by eastern North and South Dakota, as well as that of the present state of Minnesota.

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-life-and-times-of-martin-mcleod/feed/ 0 The US & Dakota War of 1862 “Causes of the War & the Aftermath” http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-us-dakota-war-of-1862-%e2%80%9ccauses-of-the-war-the-aftermath%e2%80%9d/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-us-dakota-war-of-1862-%e2%80%9ccauses-of-the-war-the-aftermath%e2%80%9d/#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 17:59:42 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=488 The US & Dakota War of 1862

 “Causes of the War & the Aftermath”

with Author Mark Diedrich

 

Sunday, May 6th, 2-4 PM   Museum Meeting Room

 $5 for adults-Kids under 12 years are free

This year marks the tragic anniversary of one of the bloodiest conflicts the US has ever seen on our soil, but even 150 years later, many still do not fully comprehend how this tragedy occurred and why it is still so controversial today.  Join us for a historic look into the “Causes of the a War and the Aftermath”, that changed the lives of both white settlers and Native Americans in Minnesota forever!

Mark Diedrich is an author, researcher, lecturer, singer, publisher, and artist who began writing about Native Americans in the late 70s.  Since then he has published many books on that subject, “Little Crow and the Dakota War”, “Famous Dakota Chiefs”, “The Odyssey of Chief Standing Buffalo and the Northern Sisseton Sioux”, plus many, many more.

Mark has had many articles published in the Minnesota History Quarterly magazine as well as being asked to write bios of eight Dakota Leaders for the American National Biography Encyclopedia, published by Oxford University Press.  Diedrich was also an advisor for the KTCA documentary, “Dakota Exile”.   In this special program, Mark will discuss the historical circumstances leading up to the Conflict of 1862, and walk you through the sites of the War.  He will then go one step further and explore what happened in the aftermath of the war and how its effects can still be seen and felt today.

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/the-us-dakota-war-of-1862-%e2%80%9ccauses-of-the-war-the-aftermath%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Nostalgia Fundraiser Night “1950s” with Wally Pikal http://www.mcleodhistory.org/nostalgia-fundraiser-night-%e2%80%9c1950s%e2%80%9d-with-wally-pikal/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/nostalgia-fundraiser-night-%e2%80%9c1950s%e2%80%9d-with-wally-pikal/#comments Mon, 26 Mar 2012 19:59:40 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=484 Nostalgia Fundraiser

Night “1950s” with Wally Pikal

$10 per person in advance / $15 @ the door

Monday, April 16th

6-8 PM @ the Museum

The McLeod County Historical Museum would like to invite you to a fun night filled with the Nostalgia of the 1950s!  This event will feature special displays of unique Museum artifacts from McLeod County during the 1950s, along with historical trivia from that era.  Each special display will help give you clues to the trivia questions that will be specific to McLeod County History between 1950 and 1959.  Be sure to bring your thinking cap and your best 50’s outfit, because for every right answer to a trivia question and to one lucky guest wearing the best 50’s gear, the Museum will be giving away prizes!

As a special 1950’s treat, you can dance the night away in your saddle shoes to the iconic Wally Pikal and his one man band!  It was in 1950 that “Wally and the Dill Pickles” began their band and it continued for over thirty years entertaining audiences.  Tickets are just $10 per person and can be purchased at the Museum’s gift shop.  Hors d’oeuvres and refreshments will be served all evening, so be sure to purchase your tickets early, as the price will go up to $15 per person at the door.  All proceeds will go to support the preservation of McLeod County’s History, so join us for a little 1950’s Nostalgia and support a great cause!

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/nostalgia-fundraiser-night-%e2%80%9c1950s%e2%80%9d-with-wally-pikal/feed/ 0 Antique Appraisal Fundraiser: http://www.mcleodhistory.org/antique-appraisal-fundraiser-2/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/antique-appraisal-fundraiser-2/#comments Tue, 28 Feb 2012 16:44:09 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=479 Antique Appraisal Fundraiser:

Museum Meeting Room

380 School Road NW Hutchinson, MN

Sunday, March 18th – 2-4 PM 

Dust off your family treasures and flea market finds, its time  for our Annual McLeod County Historical Society Antique Appraisal Fundraiser.  Over the past five years the Museum has taken the show on the road.  It’s our own version of Antiques Road Show, visiting Glencoe, Winsted, Biscay, Silver Lake, and Stewart.  Over the next few years we hope to visit every town in McLeod County.  This year, we are bringing it back to the Museum’s facilities in Hutchinson.

The appraisal program is narrated by auctioneer Kathy Krone.  Kathy not only aids in appraising items, but picks out key items of value and/or  interest and explains what makes the item valuable, rare, or unique.  Kathy has many years of experience and has seen just about everything walk through her auction house doors.  Kathy will be joined by appraisers Lynn Buck, Guste Blad, and Glen Kashuba.  Lynn lives in Hutchinson, MN and specializes in quilts, textiles, china, glass, and flatware.  Guste, who resides in Hector, MN, focuses on antique toys, metal signs, agricultural tools and manufacturing implements.  Our newest appraiser, Glen Kashuba, currently runs Wild Prairie Coin and Collectibles in Hutchinson, MN.  Glen’s expertise covers U.S. and foreign coins and tokens, sports memorabilia, movie posters, and vintage military items.  Although our appraisers deal in antiques, auctions, and collectibles, not all items can always be evaluated the day of the auction, as they are not experts in all areas.  If your items do not fit into one of the categories listed above, just give us a call or send us an e-mail and we will let you know if your item or items can be appraised at the event.

An appraisal costs just $7 per item.  You can choose to have the item shown as a part of the program, or evaluated privately.  If you have more than one item, you can save money with three items costing just $15.  Even if you don’t have an item, this program is a fun and educational way to learn more about antiques.  Admission is just $2 for adults; children under the age of 12 are free.  Admission is free if you pay for an item or items to be appraised.  We hope you will join us!

 

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/antique-appraisal-fundraiser-2/feed/ 0 World War II and the Holocaust http://www.mcleodhistory.org/world-war-ii-and-the-holocaust/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/world-war-ii-and-the-holocaust/#comments Wed, 15 Feb 2012 16:26:58 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=469 World War II and the Holocaust

Eyewitness to the Nuremburg Trials:

By Larry Tillemans

Sunday, February 26th 2-4 P M

Larry Tillemans has a unique perspective on World War II.  As a servicemen sixty five years ago, he served as a typewriter clerk for the  U.S. Army at the war crime trials in Dachau and Nuremberg.  Larry gained a perspective of the War that most of us can not imagine.  Known as the “Trials of the Century”, Tillemans was an eyewitness to these proceedings and the horrors of War that were revealed. Museum Meeting Room

Now in his late 80’s, Mr. Tillemans is determined to never let people forget the Holocaust and how, because of hate, over 10 million people lost their lives.  Currently, Larry is the last living typist who worked at the trials and he is using his voice to educate people about the War and the consequences of hatred.  We hope you will join us for this 30-45 minute presentation.  The Museum will be open for tours before and after the program, with coffee and refreshments to be served during the event.

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/world-war-ii-and-the-holocaust/feed/ 0 Singing Valentine Fundraiser http://www.mcleodhistory.org/singing-valentine-fundraiser-2/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/singing-valentine-fundraiser-2/#comments Fri, 10 Feb 2012 16:16:31 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=466 Singing Valentine Fundraiser

Send your Sweetie a Song & a Rose on Valentine’s day

with your $50 donation to the Historical Society!

Tuesday, February 14th

9 AM to 5 PM

The McLeod County Historical Society has teamed up with Crow River Floral & Gifts to create the perfect Valentine’s Day for your loved one or friend!  With your $50 donation to the Museum, you can send a Singing Valentine and a long stemmed red rose to anyone in Hutchinson.  If your sweetie lives outside of Hutchinson, but still in McLeod County, no worries, just add an extra $10.  Choose from three songs that express your love:  “Let Me Call You Sweetheart”, “You Are My Sunshine”, and “Side by Side”.  If one rose is not enough, Crow River Floral can upgrade your Singing Valentine with their Tender Trio for $19.50 or a half dozen bouquet for $32.50 plus $50 Singing Valentine delivery.  Have your Valentine gift hand delivered with a song by Crow River Floral and Gifts and the McLeod County Historical Society!

If you book a Singing Valentine with the Museum, between February 1st-14th, you will also be entered into Crow River Floral & Gifts’ “Flowers for a Year Contest”!   (Contact Crow River Floral for full contest details.)  

Crow River Floral & Gifts

A more personal touch to your floral needs.

Contact Jeanne Schealler

www.crowriverfloral.com

136 Hassan Street Hutchinson, MN

Call toll Free:  1 -888 -831 -3110

 

 

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/singing-valentine-fundraiser-2/feed/ 0 “Every Hill Has a Story” http://www.mcleodhistory.org/every-hill-has-a-story/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/every-hill-has-a-story/#comments Thu, 02 Feb 2012 16:16:24 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=463 “Every Hill Has a Story” Found Artifacts of Minnesota

Sunday, February 12th -2 to 4 PM

Museum Meeting Room

Please bring your own artifacts

and discoveries found in Minnesota!

 

The McLeod County Historical Society will feature a special program and display highlighting early Native American artifacts found in Minnesota.  The program will be led by Lynn and feature a display of the many varied items she and her friends have found throughout her walks and exploration of different sites in the area.  Lynn has compiled a book,  shown above, “Every Hill has a Story”, in which she uses beautiful photos to show just some of the unique and still little known and understood artifacts that she and others have found.  Although not a trained archaeologist, Lynn has had many of her pieces evaluated by experts in the field and has learned a great deal about dating and placing these finds into their proper historical context.

Lynn’s personal collection of items she has found on numerous walks and site tours will be on display at the Museum throughout the month of February.  Lynn will talk about her collection of pieces at her program on the 12th, and she and the Museum staff encourage guests to bring in unique stones, bones, or other pieces they have found or have in their family collections to share with the group.  “Its always great to see what people are finding out there”, says Lynn and, “what can be learned about Minnesota’s earliest people.”  We hope you will join us for this look at found artifacts of Minnesota.

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/every-hill-has-a-story/feed/ 1 Dean Urdahl-Author Book Signing & Program for “Pursuit”: http://www.mcleodhistory.org/dean-urdahl-author-book-signing-program-for-pursuit/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/dean-urdahl-author-book-signing-program-for-pursuit/#comments Tue, 27 Dec 2011 00:36:04 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=458 Author Book Signing & Program:  “Pursuit”  by Dean Urdahl

Sunday, January 15th,  2-4 PM

Museum Meeting Room

Dean L. Urdahl is a Minnesota politician and a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives representing District 18 B, which includes portions of Meeker and Wright counties.    Urdahl graduated from Litchfield High School in Litchfield. His roots run deep in the area, as his ancestors helped to settle Litchfield Township in 1856.  He attended St. Cloud State University in St. Cloud, earning a B.S. in Social Studies. 

Urdahl was an American History teacher and coach for the New London-Spicer School District from 1971-2006. In July 2008, he was appointed as the Minnesota representative to the Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission.

Also an author, Urdahl has written many books, three of which are historical fiction books set in Minnesota during the Dakota War of 1862.  Urdahl has done a vast amount of research and taught classes on this portion of Minnesota’s history.

As a part of the Museum’s 2012 theme, “Understanding the Conflict of 1862”, Dean will be giving a program on his third book in a series, “Pursuit”.  From his first fictional telling of the tragic Minnesota War, “Uprising”, to “Retribution” and now “Pursuit”, Dean will share his vast research knowledge of this sad chapter in our State and Country’s history. 

Mr. Urdahl will be signing books after the program and all three books will be available for purchase in our gift shop.  The Museum will have coffee and cookies for guests, as well as our two gallery spaces open for tours from 1 to 4 P M.

 

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/dean-urdahl-author-book-signing-program-for-pursuit/feed/ 0 Christmas Auction Fundraiser & Potluck Dinner http://www.mcleodhistory.org/christmas-auction-fundraiser-potluck-dinner-2/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/christmas-auction-fundraiser-potluck-dinner-2/#comments Fri, 09 Dec 2011 17:55:58 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=453 Christmas Auction Fundraiser & Potluck Dinner

Silent Auction-

Monday, December 12th thru Monday,

December 19th-ends at 7 P M

Live Auction & Potluck Dinner-

Monday, December 19th –5-7 P M

It’s time again for some holiday cheer here at the McLeod County Historical Society.  We are continuing our Society Christmas Potluck and gift auction, as members, volunteers, and the public have great fun bidding on all the great gifts that local businesses so generously donate and the wacky white elephant gifts brought by the guests!  If you have not been to our  Christmas Potluck and Auction dinner, here’s how it works.  Everyone brings a dish to pass and a gift to be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to support the Museum’s mission, preserving McLeod County History!  The gifts must be wrapped, that’s part of the fun, and can be a white elephant, something old or new, or a re-gift that did not suit you, we won’t tell anyone.  It’s great fun seeing who ends up with what gift, and we all take turns watching as the lucky, or maybe not so lucky, bidders open their gifts.  We will also be continuing our Silent Auction Fundraiser.  Last year we were lucky enough to have many items donated by local area businesses, and this year’s generosity has been even greater.  The Silent Auction Items will be on display and ready for bidding, starting on Monday, December 12th and open to the public for bids through Monday, December 19th.  All bidding ends at 7 P M on the final day, with winners being contacted via phone to collect and pay for their prizes!

Below  is a list of all the businesses that contributed to our Silent Auction Christmas Fundraiser, and we thank them for all their help this holiday season!

Crow River Winery       Hutchinson Ace Hardware      Lang’s Meat Market      Genesis Salon & Enso Spa       Country Kitchen

Hutchinson Café      Custom Comfort Beds      Clay Coyote Pottery      Hutch Sport Shop      The Village Shop

Dundee Florist of Hutchinson      Lillian’s      PURSE-a-nalities      Zella’s      Hutchinson State Theatre      Hutch Liquor

Best Buy      Vintage Glam (The Boutique

]]> http://www.mcleodhistory.org/christmas-auction-fundraiser-potluck-dinner-2/feed/ 0 Spirit of Christmas, Historic Hutchinson Home Tour http://www.mcleodhistory.org/spirit-of-christmas-historic-hutchinson-home-tour/ http://www.mcleodhistory.org/spirit-of-christmas-historic-hutchinson-home-tour/#comments Fri, 04 Nov 2011 17:38:53 +0000 Lori http://www.mcleodhistory.org/?p=441 Spirit of Christmas, Historic Hutchinson Home Tour Fundraiser:

Saturday, December 3rd    1-4 P M

Tickets $15 in advance, $20 day of event

Includes history booklet, access to each of the homes on the tour and coffee and Christmas treats at the Museum and Art Center!

The McLeod County Historical Society along with the Hutchinson Center for the Arts would like to bring the Spirit of Christmas and the gift of history home to you and your family this holiday season. 

Local Hutchinson residents will be opening their homes for this Holiday Fundraiser.  Each one will be decorated for the season and open for guests to tour on December 3rd from 1-4 P M.  Tickets are just $15 per person and include a history booklet detailing the history of the home and the residents who built and or lived in them. 

The idea of  a Christmas Home Tour is a great way to fulfill the Museum’s mission to preserve and share the history of McLeod County, its houses and the residents who make them their homes.  The Art Center will help to highlight the unique artistic architecture and decorative styling of each of the homes, and bring art and history together. 

The Hutchinson Center for the Arts and the McLeod County Historical Museum will both be open for free tours the day of the home tour, with coffee, treats, and last minute ticket sales available.  The Museum and Art Center will also be giving out free goodie bags filled with Christmas coupons, and gift ideas from local Hutchinson business sponsors!  We hope you will catch the Spirit of Christmas and join us on our Historic Christmas Home Tour!

Historic Hutchinson Homes: 

Schiro Log Cabin Home       Heirloom Tea House        Lynn  and Jim Lauer Home         Joel and Roxann Schwarze      
380 School Rd NW                325 Hassan Street              17202 Underwood Ave.               19266 Sioux Hills Road

 

 

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