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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThere 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreIn this episode learn a bit about the sausage making of being a small museum - including some of the behind the scenes considerations, upcoming murder mystery fundraising, and our plans to have as much fun as possible.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreGeorge Atwood moved to Anoka in 1912 where he helped construct Cottages at the Anoka State Hospital and spent winters as a lumberjack in Northern Minnesota. In this episode listen as he shares what it was like living in the lumber camps. Hear George’s voice from an oral history recorded in 1979, and a reading of the short memoir he penned describing the jobs, and even smells, at the Ball Club logging camp.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreIt’s a busy spring at the Anoka Count Historical Society! Our Executive Director Rebecca, along with Board Member Orville, break down all the upcoming events that you don’t want to miss including a Murder Mystery fundraiser.
Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MoreThe Anoka County Sheriff's department history dates back to 1857 with the 1st Sheriff James C. Frost. Who someone complained was speeding his horse down Main St. in 1868. In this episode, listen to a portion of the program about the department given March 9 at the Anoka County History Center.
Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MoreWhat is a typical day like at the Anoka County History Center? It’s not all working with artifacts, and definitely not quiet. Follow along with ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, Sara Given, for her first audio diary of everything that happened around the museum on Wednesday, March 13, 2024 - well, at least everything that happened until lunch time.
Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MorePearl Marea Schenk was born in 1911 on her family’s farm along the Mississippi River in Ramsey (city). Over 90 years later she sat down to share her memories of growing up on the Howling Hound Farm, the changes as highway 10 became busier and busier, and the transition from horses, to cars, and then greyhound bus on her school commute along the way.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MoreNo one expects disaster to hit - but a flood, fire, or severe storm can destroy priceless, one-of-a-kind artifacts faster than staff can react. Follow along with ACHS Collections Manager Kassy as she attends a Disaster Planning Workshop and begins the process of creating an official disaster plan for ACHS. And here’s a bonus thought: much of the information is applicable to your personal items and storm damage at home (as Rebecca has unfortunately found out!)
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
Read MoreWhat’s it like living in a haunted house? Jen Shoemaker and her family (along with a couple permanent, ghostly residents) lived at 403 Van Buren in Anoka for four years. Hear how they came to own this beautiful home, the surprise of finding that their new house was on the Ghosts of Anoka Tour, and all the supernatural occurrences they experienced along the way.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.
This episode is a reboot of episode 1.20.
Read MoreOn Friday afternoons at the Anoka County History Center, Jane LaMusga takes her place, ready to research family genealogies or the museum mystery of the day. Jane grew up in the city of Anoka and received a certificate in genealogical research from Boston University. In this episode, and across social media as “Genealogist Jane”, she shares how she started her genealogy journey, and her tips and tricks along the way.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreIn this episode, learn about the secret lives of those closest to ACHS! Don Johnson (ACHS Staff) and Allison Schmitt (ACHS Board Member) chat about their experiences in archaeology and geophysics while also dispelling the myth of being a real-life Indiana Jones. They share how their academic skills transfer to the museum, proving that indeed, no education is ever wasted.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreKassy and Rebecca (ACHS Archivist and Director) traveled to a conference overrun by other history nerds this past month, and brought the microphones along with them. Listen to what the museum folk got up to at the Minnesota Alliance of Local History (MAHLM) conference, how Kassy survived the SPAM museum, and conversations with museum friends all over MN from Otter Tail County to Richfield.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, Kassy Mackenthun, ACHS Collections Manager, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreThe Association of Midwest Museums, the largest network of museum professionals in the Midwest, invited ACHS staff to participate in their Essential Questions Series focusing on the challenges and triumphs we experienced during the pandemic. Rebecca, Kassy, and Sara discuss the unexpected opportunities that arose from slowing down as well as how we continue to carry those lessons into the future.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreThe ACHS Cemetery Tours are back by popular demand this spring! But what does it take to organize, research, and put on a tour? Go behind-the-scenes with Daryl Lawrence and Sara Given as they share the winding road that ends at Glen Cary Cemetery in Ham Lake and Forest Hills Cemetery in Anoka.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
Read MoreVickie Wendel returns from retirement to chat about her 30 years working at the Anoka County Historical Society. Vickie saw the museum through the introduction of computers and internet (at different times of course), and our move from Colonial Hall to the current building. During that transition when a contractor bid $20,000 to create the first exhibit, Vickie declared she would get it done!
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director.
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