What’s it like running a county historical Society? Sam Klocksien, Executive Director of the Isanti County Historical Society, sits down with Rebecca to talk about the ins and outs of running a museum - from helping people with research to mowing the lawn yourself.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreJust in time to head out for the annual Nowthen Threshing Show, John Wetter and Anne Zimmerman, President and Director of the Nowthen Historic Power Association, talk about what exactly threshing is, everything you can find at the show in Nowthen, and why it’s important to preserve and showcase these skills for kids today.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreFCC established the Federal Cartridge Social Club in 1934 to maintain employee events and clubs as well as “promote closer relations among the employees”. This worker-controlled organization would receive reimbursement for things like bowling uniforms, ammunition, and refreshments. In total, the Club was responsible for a long list of things, including the archery club, bowling teams, chorus, Credit Union, Diamond Ball Team, and the Clubhouse.
Read MoreAll bound up and waiting for you! This brand new history of Blaine has come out to play with beloved tales as well as newly discovered gems about Anoka County’s largest city. Join Orville Lindquist from the Blaine Historical Society as he divulges some plot twists about Greenberry Chambers, relates how he discovered a slide showing the aquariums at Northtown, and the local connection to the Radisson empire.
Hosts Rebecca Ebnet-Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreAs ACHS works to discern how to gather the stories of all residents, regardless of geography, ethnicity, and economic status, we appreciate the people we meet at festivals such as the County Fair. We often hear, "I didn't know there was a history center!" which means we are indeed reaching new audiences through our outreach efforts--because now they DO know the building exists. Several old friends came by to see us as well, which warms our hearts and reminds us that the work we do each day matters, that relationships we build are nurtured and cherished. It takes both groups to propel ACHS forward as a nonprofit, the established as well as the new. Both groups have stories to share and information to preserve for future generations. It's interesting that a kitchen table with a puzzle on it feels like a safe place to start that conversation, regardless of whatever else life has in store for us all.
Read MoreServing as the most recent guardians of their 150 year old home on Ferry St. in Anoka, Dillon and Kristin Cords join a list of familiar names including Woodbury and Goodrich on their property abstract. In this episode of History 21, they share their joys and frustrations of living in an old home, their restoration journey, and some fun things they found inside the walls…along with a few surprise guest visitors who might just frequent the property still.
Hosts Rebecca Ebnet-Desens, ACHS Executive Director; Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator; and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreACHS goes on the road to create a new rotating display for area residents in Centerville. Both the City and ACHS welcome submissions for future exhibit content.
Read MoreThe Riverfest tradition is back, and organizers are expecting larger-than-usual crowds on July 10. The History Center will open its doors from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. to the public for games, treats and a sneak-peek into the framed objects included in the anniversary collection. Grab a selfie with a life-sized cutout of Charles Horn, the founder of Federal Cartridge Company, and see an original photo of the first staff he hired in 1925. You’ll also view other framed images on display include a parade float, Christmas celebration, advertising and aerial images of the plant.
Read MoreIt's an honor to present this podcast in memory of Lyle Bradley, who passed away on June 7, 2021 at the age of 96. One of two oral history interviews he gave the archives of ACHS (2003 and 1993), we invite you to share in the stories of this talented individual who served his community in a multitude of ways. In this episode, Lyle speaks of becoming a combat fighter pilot, including how being a bird watcher can get you in trouble during flight training.
Interview transcript available in the show notes.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreThe following is an excerpt from “Memories of Life …” by Arch G. Pease, pg. 45-51. Ellipses indicate text removed by ACHS for narrative purposes. Read his full memoir in History 21: The Vault and tune into History 21: The Podcast to hear an oral interview with Pease conducted in 1989.
Read MoreIn the museum world, summers mean activities, fairs, festivals and … interns.
The time after graduation or between years at the university provide the perfect space for newly minted history geeks to explore their career choice more in depth.
Read MoreFolklore held that a tornado would never strike where two rivers met. Residents of Anoka, located at the confluence of the Rum River and Mississippi River, believed their community safe until June 18, 1939, 3:17 p.m. In this episode, hear the voices of Anokans who experienced the tornado as they tell their stories of that day.
TW: severe weather, injuries, death.
Interview transcript, map of location and Peterson’s video of the aftermath available in the episode show notes.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreWhat stories would you tell about your parents? Charles L. Horn, Jr. took time in 1993 to remember his father and namesake Charles L Horn, Sr. He shared details on everything from Sr’s signature mustache and the first days of Federal, to President FDR’s secret visit to a Federal-run ammunition plant during World War II.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreThe world wars are incredibly popular historical topics.
They are recent enough to be well documented, even remembered by people still living today, and so influential that they have long-established fields of study. As someone who grew up in the United States — watched American movies, read American books and was educated by the American school system — I don’t remember a time when I didn’t know about World War I or World War II. It was an omnipresent force, something that had changed the shape of where I lived long before my parents were born (and in the case of WWI, my grandparents too).
Read MoreOn board the USS Alabama in 1942, Glen Lindstrom set up his sewing machine, fabric and thread. He sailed with the ship as the on-board tailor, skills he picked up helping his mother, in the pacific theater during WWII. In this oral history interview recorded April 7, 2005 ,Glen describes why he enlisted in the Navy, and his time aboard ship.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreOn April 29 the Anoka County Historical Society, or ACHS, received not one but two Minnesota History Awards from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums for work in 2019 and 2020.
Read MoreOn board the USS Alabama in 1942, Glen Lindstrom set up his sewing machine, fabric and thread. He sailed with the ship as the on-board tailor, skills he picked up helping his mother, in the pacific theater during WWII. In this oral history interview recorded April 7, 2005 ,Glen describes why he enlisted in the Navy, and his time aboard ship.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreOn board the USS Alabama in 1942, Glen Lindstrom set up his sewing machine, fabric and thread. He sailed with the ship as the on-board tailor, skills he picked up helping his mother, in the pacific theater during WWII. In this oral history interview recorded April 7, 2005 ,Glen describes why he enlisted in the Navy, and his time aboard ship.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreOn the first day of 2021 Terry Overacker died after over a month in the hospital battling Covid-19. In this episode, his wife and business partner, Gina, shares her deeply personal experience with this terrible disease, her grief after Terry’s death, and how sharing your story can bring healing.
Hosts Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator and Erin McBrien, ACHS Archivist.
Read MoreFederal Cartridge Corporation (now known as Federal Premium Ammunition, a subsidiary of Vista Outdoor) will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2022.
The Anoka County Historical Society is helping Federal prepare for this by organizing their historical material. This process started a year ago when our collections manager at the time, Audra, started spending time at Federal Cartridge sorting through potentially historical items.
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