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.
Read MoreThe 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.
Read MoreArticle 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.
Read MoreEvery 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.
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 MoreScott 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.
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 MoreKassandra 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.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreTony Palumbo began his career in the Anoka County Attorney’s Office in 1977 as a clerk. when he passed the bar two years later, Tony became the Assistant County Attorney. He held this position until his election to County Attorney in 2010, retiring in 2022. In this episode, Tony reflects on his journey to become a lawyer, his 45 years in the County Attorney’s office, and the emotional toll that comes with the job.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreJim Kordiak served as Anoka County Commissioner for 32 years and was often seen walking the streets of his constituency in Fridley and Columbia Heights. Days after the first election his name wasn’t on the ballot since 1986, Kordiak reflected on his time in office, how he decided to run for the first place, and his motivation to start a new chapter of his life.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreSam Hermanstorfer enlisted in the Army in 1968, after three years working to raise his status from 4F to 1A. A year later he was in Vietnam assigned to the 1st Division 26th Infantry Company B in the motor pool. Sam describes his journey to Vietnam, and his day-to-day life as a soldier from arriving in Vietnam and building their own hooch, to his strategy of “acquiring” better food than the C Rations provided.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreAndy Risvold from Forgotten Star Brew Co. in Fridley shares the history (new & old) about the brewery. Located in the last remaining building from Northern Pump where over 10,000 employees made weapons during WWII, the brewery honors that legacy with a new life.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director
Read MoreLinda Lee Rodgers grew up in the close-knit community of Cedar, MN (located within the south east portion of Oak Grove today). Once a small town in its own right with a Main Street, railroad depot, creamery, and grocery stores, Cedar’s “modest grandeur” has faded over time. Linda shares her love of her hometown, and its history she is working to preserve.
Host Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator
Read MoreAlbert Kordiak served as Anoka County commissioner for 32 years, beginning a family legacy that lasted a total of 64 years when his son retired. During his lifetime, Kordiak built a legacy based on supporting causes he firmly believed in, including the anti-communist movement in the 1950’s, advocating for his hometown of Columbia Heights, and remembering his Czechoslovakian roots. In 2009, Kordiak took time to record an oral history for ACHS that detailed many of his experiences.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreBefore photographing an accident or crime scene became a standard part of law enforcement in Anoka County, William Nelson took up his camera in 1961 to document the scenes as a volunteer. In 2010, Nelson donated his collection to the museum and recounted his time as unofficial photographer.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
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