History 21 The Podcast - 4.24 The Ponczek Murder Case

In June of 1935, Mrs Josephine Seeker went to the sheriff’s office in Minneapolis and asked them to begin a search. Where was her sister Mrs Clara Williams??

This act set off a chain of events that led deputies to a run-down farm in Anoka County and a shocking murder – Clara had been beaten, killed, and buried on the suspects farm underneath the remains of their dog in an attempt to confuse searchers. Hear the story of the Ponczek murder case.

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

History 21 The Podcast - 4.22 Anoka County Reactions to WWI

The United States officially entered World War I in 1917, three years after its start. Local historian and ACHS volunteer Brian Boldt explored those years and what Anoka County residents knew about the war. While some aided in the war effort with their dollars and aid packages, others looked to Canada and joined the Canadian Expeditionary Forces to join the fight.

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

History 21 The Podcast! - 4.18 The Great Depression in Anoka County

The Great Depression affected the lives of Americans for a decade in the 1930s. In this episode, we explore how the national economic collapse impacted the lives of the local people of Anoka County. Hear about local bank collapses, county relief programs, and WPA projects.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

History 21 The Podcast! - 4.17 The Electoral College with Mel Aanerud

Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution establishes the Electoral College as the method of electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Since the state began, Anoka County has had five such electors. Mel Aanerud of Ham Lake was one of the state electors in 2020.

In this episode Mel explains the history of the Electoral College, how it works, why it was established, and how the 2020 experience was different from others.This episode is part of a program given August 20, 2024 at the Anoka County History Center.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

History 21 The Podcast! - 4.14 Anoka County Fair Mini History

Every year, ACHS moves into the Farm House on the Anoka County Fair for a week in July. In celebration of the Fair starting on July 23, this mini-history episode of the podcast explores its history, and the surprising buildings that have been moved onto the grounds over the years.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

History 21 The Podcast - 4.07 History Anoka County Sheriff's Department

The 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.

History 21 The Podcast - 3.24 Scott LeDoux

Scott Ledoux served as an Anoka County Commissioner from 2004 to 2010. But years before his shift to politics, LeDoux, or “The Fighting Frenchman,” was a professional heavyweight boxer. In this episode, Scott describes his time as a boxer, as boxing commissioner for Minnesota, and how he decided to run for County Commissioner to serve Andover, Coon Rapids, and Fridley.

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

History 21 The Podcast - 3.16 Genealogist Jane LaMusga

On 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.

History 21 The Podcast - 3.02 Meet Kassandra Mackenthun

Kassandra Mackenthun joined the ACHS staff as their new Collections Manager at the end of 2022. In this episode she sat down with her new boss, Rebecca, and talked about how she thinks about history, what she wants to tackle first in the collection, and her joy in sharing history with family.