History 21 The Podcast - 6.14 Operation Relocation Part 7

Rebecca and Sara share the next installment of Operation Relocation with a candid look behind the scenes of what we have accomplished in the past month. From fire safety regulations, county licensing, events, and ongoing inventory, sometimes you just need to record the podcast while sprawling on the floor. With perfect timing, the Anoka County Library shares recommendations on meditation and stress relief in this episodes Library Minute.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.13 Ramsey School District 28

Students attended school at Ramsey’s District 28 schoolhouse for over 50 years before it started a new life as the Ramsey Town Hall. The yellow-brick building, built in 1892, stands strong as cars drive past along St. Francis Blvd. Learn about this National Register Property, and keep an eye out as the City of Ramsey begins to refresh the building in the near future.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.12 Operation Relocation Part 6

The biggest part of Operation Relocation is to prepare the ACHS museum’s collection for a safe move. In this episode go behind the scenes at the museum and hear the details of how we’re getting it all done. Sara and Raegan create the plans, and are joined by interns and friends from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.11 The Porter Kelsey House

In the 1880s, Porter Kelsey produced thousands and thousands of bricks out of the Kelsey Brick Yard near Round Lake. He used some of those bricks to build a 20 room family home, which is now on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about the Kelsey’s and the history behind this historic home in Andover, Minnesota.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.10 Operation Relocation Part 5

Celebrate with ACHS as the official new owners of Ticknor Hill! Listen in to Director Rebecca and ACHS President Steve at the closing along with Acumen Business Solutions and Village Bank and learn what the next steps in the process of Operation Relocation will be. Spoiler alert - there’s still a lot to do!

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.09 Ticknor Hill

On May 1, 2026 ACHS officially became the new owners of Ticknor Hill! In honor of the day, in this episode we dive into the history of this 160 year old home. Through four generations of Ticknor’s to it’s journey transforming into a Bed & Breakfast, learn about the history of this National Register Property.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.08 The Jackson Hotel

At over 140 years old, Anoka’s Jackson Hotel literally rose from the ashes of a devastating fire in 1884 to become a bustling hot spot for the city. Learn about this historic landmark (and rumored haunt), the multiple renovations and reinventions over the years, and its secrets hidden in plain sight.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.07 Operation Relocation Part 4

We’re one step closer to having the keys to our new museum location. Listen as Rebecca and Sara share what’s been going on with Operation Relocation since the last update, the funding we’ve secured, the catch-22 of insurance policies, and the fun we are planning for our spring murder mystery fundraiser (all should attend!). Easter eggs - how many times did Rebecca’s cat make an appearance?

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.06 Old Anoka Post Office

In the next installment of our National Register Series we head to Anoka’s Old Post Office, which served the area from 1917 to 1977. Learn about the saga of its construction, and the brick controversy as well as safe-blowing burglars, and a tornado that couldn’t bring the post office down.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.05 Operation Relocation Part 3

In the next update of Operation Relocation, Rebecca and Sara talk about the process of purchasing Ticknor Hill: zoning, inspections, and insurance, Oh My! Follow along as the museum works towards moving at the end of the year.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.04 Colonial Hall & The Masonic Lodge

The next installment of our National Register series tells the story of two buildings connected at a corner. Discover the history of Colonial Hall, the doctors who lived there, and the reasons the Anoka Masons chose to build their lodge right next door.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.03 Operation Relocation Part 2

There are just 11 months left before the museum needs to move out of it’s current location as the city is redeveloping our current location. Join us for Part 2 of this journey where Sara and Rebecca dive into the collection and discuss the monumental task of moving everything in the collection.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.02 Anoka County Court House

The first County Commissioner meeting in 1857 voted to “receive proposals for locating County Buildings.” It took 20 years before they broke ground - hear the story of Anoka County’s Courthouse.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 6.01 Operation Relocation Part 1

The City of Anoka has decided to redevelop the land and building we occupy at 2135 Third Ave N. For 25 years, we have enjoyed in-kind rent, a nearly 9,000 sq. ft. building, and a prime downtown location. This arrangement has enabled local history to thrive through events such as Ghost Tours, walk-in visitors, and other activities. Join us on this journey! We will keep you informed about the challenges and victories we experience throughout the upcoming year.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.24 The Anoka Library Story

The first reports of residents in Anoka borrowing books date back to 1859. Discover the story of the city’s evolving library system, including the women who led its establishment, the construction and eventual destruction of a Carnegie Library, and the final developments in its history.

Join hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, as they share this intriguing story.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.23 The Anoka Amphitheater

Along the banks of the Rum River just a stone’s throw from cars zipping along Ferry Street, hides Anoka’s Amphitheater. Hear about how this open-air theater came to be, its construction in 1914, and the years of concerts, plays and and community events that were performed there. The amphitheater is the next in our ongoing series on Anoka County National Register Properties.

Be sure to stay to the end to hear an update from ACHS about the museum.

Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.22 Ed Tomniczak

Ed Tomniczak flew 49 combat missions in the cockpit of a B-24 Liberator during WWII. Hear him tell the story of growing up in Columbia Heights and his journey to becoming a pilot in the Army Air Corps. This episode contains excerpts from an interview Ed gave to the Columbia Heights Community Television station in 2006.

Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Leo Elke, ACHS Collections Manager.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.21 The Oldest House in Anoka

Built in 1854 the Shaw-Hammons house has been home to Anoka families for over 170 years. Learn about this home and the people that lived there. This episode is part 4 of our Anoka County National Register Properties series.

Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.20 A Night of Ghost Tours

Listen in on a busy night of Ghost Tours in Anoka with ACHS. Learn about how the tour came to be, meet some of the guides, and hear new stories as we gather stories to update the tour.

Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

History 21 The Podcast - 5.19 Anoka's First Halloween Festival

As a response to shenanigans leading up to October 31, the City of Anoka came together for their first Halloween Festival in 1920. Hear what that first Halloween was like and how the city came together to celebrate the day.

Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.

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