VIDEO #saturdayshowcase
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In the mid-19th century Green Chambers (also known as Greenberry Chambers) lived as a slave in Barren County, Kentucky, with a wife, Charlotte, and five children who were apparently scattered among several slave owners. In 1864, Green was enlisted as a private in Company H of the 115th U.S. Colored Infantry in Bowling Green, Kentucky. His owner, Frank Chambers, received a certificate for the $100 bounty normally payable to an enlistee, as well as $300 in compensation for his value. In the fall of 1864 Green was severely injured while helping to erect a stockade at Fort Cynthiana, Kentucky — an injury that plagued him throughout his life.
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While it has been a great relief to work part-time at the Anoka County Historical Society’s museum again since the beginning of June, that is not the only place I’ve been working. With a hundred-year anniversary coming up quickly in 2022, Federal Premium Ammunition has partnered with the historical society to get their business archives organized, and I’ve been spending a couple days a week working to process those materials.
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Flashes of red, white and blue sparks soar through the dark sky, each one more spectacular than the last. Fireworks have always been symbolic of when America finalized its freedom from England, but the history of these loud, colorful sparks that always evoke some “oohs” and “aahs” reaches much further back, before the Declaration of Independence was signed.
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The news last week that Quaker decided to retire the Aunt Jemima syrup brand sparked a quick and heated conversation on social media. While many declared the move positive on face-value, others dug into the history of the models who portrayed her, and still others posed some version of the question, “If I was innocent to the meaning, then has that meaning changed enough for it not to matter?”
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For several years, the Anoka County Historical Society had an exhibit called, “Farms to Flamingos: Building a Mid-Century Modern County.” This display showcased the post-WWII housing boom that created what we know today as the suburbs, as well as that idyllic time in history when neighborhood baseball teams, washing machines and family trips in large cars became typical.
It also featured a companion display titled, “Shattering the Myth.” This exhibit called out the societal inequalities of the era, as well as blatant discrimination practices against people of color such as redlining and disproportionate combat casualties in Vietnam.
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For many people, coloring served as the first introduction to how art impacts our world. Whether on plain paper or in coloring books, children experiment with mixing, outlining and blending to create what they see in their mind’s eye. For some lucky ones, the colors of the rainbow follow them into adulthood and provide an opportunity to bring joy in times of need.
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I spoke with a black man today who said, “How can you help? Talk to white people. They won’t hear me.”
I spoke with a Hmong woman today who said, “I just need space to feel all of this right now. I’ll get over it, but not for a while.”
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Back in January when I thought about a new year full of experiences, this isn’t exactly what I was expecting. I envisioned my youngest child graduating from high school, parading across the stage while her dad and I cheered for her even though the administration said not to. I imagined adventures of summertime fun — the backyard bonfires, barbecues and outdoor excursions we all cherish. I imagined being an empty nester as my children went their separate ways, leaving JC and I to explore the new territory of being “just a couple” once more.
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When the Anoka County Historical Society sent out our initial survey for COVID-19 in March, we didn’t anticipate a Phase II, let alone rounding the corner on creating a Phase III survey. By the results we’re receiving, most of Anoka County didn’t either.
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By its very nature as a global pandemic, the coronavirus has reached into every country and crevice of our earth, unilaterally changing the lives of those in its wake. For many residents in Anoka County, the inconvenience of sheltering in place, receiving unemployment, or wearing a mask causes stress. The routine has shifted, work has changed, lifestyles shaken. For some, however, it has brought about an unmatched level of instability and worry.
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The debate surrounding the definition of “essential worker” continues as Minnesotans wrestle with how to balance the physical health of our community with the economic health of the state and its residents. One photographer from Blaine has taken the conversation into her own hands, documenting the essential workers she sees.
Read MoreI landed at MSP’s Terminal 2 at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. I had been keeping up with the news while out of town, reading articles and emails when I could get Wi-Fi. One stood out to me: “I’m scared. What are we going to do about COVID-19?”
Nothing has been the same for the last six weeks.
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Since the History Center remains physically closed to the curious, the Anoka County Historical Society continues to brainstorm ways of bringing the information out and about. To that end, we relocated the microfilm machine to the home of a staff member, who has spent time rolling through the reels to find some great content. Search #microfilmMadness on the internet to discover the video series.
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As we entered the second installment of quarantine thanks to the COVID-19 virus, the Anoka County Historical Society also tackled the second half of the alphabet in our #MNMuseumAlphabet challenge. Joining other historical societies across the state, ACHS has posted daily, in alphabetical order, an item from our collection.
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American culture loves its fast cars, its freedom and its food. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 quarantine has taken a swipe at all three lifestyle pinnacles. But, as tradition would have it, the Anoka County community has fought back with resilience and innovation.
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They called it the Republic School – School District #59 in Columbus. Photographs of it in the ACHS collections indicate this school had two different buildings over the course of its history.
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Catherine Grimshaw began the quilt in the 1840s as a young Pennsylvanian woman we can infer had considerable talent in handiwork. The type of star pattern she created dates the item to about 1830 and may also be known as the rising sun, lone star (for the new lands called Texas), starburst and sunburst.
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History happens today. And yesterday. And tomorrow. Fortunately, in this day and age of technology, the constantly changing situation relating to the COVID-19 epidemic is probably the most thoroughly documented medical event in history. The Anoka County Historical Society recognizes the importance of using our resources now to gather and curate the perspectives and opinions of our community for future reference.
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