Odd Lovoll to speak at historical society – new book on Norwegian newspapers

Norwegian Newspapers Program at Museum

St. Olaf College professor emeritus of history, Odd Lovoll will present a program and book signing at the Otter Tail County Historical Society on Thursday, May 20, 2:00 p.m. at the Museum in Fergus Falls.
Professor Lovoll new book Norwegian Newspapers in America: Connecting Norway and the New Land, is a comprehensive look at the Norwegian-language press in the United States. From 1847 to the present, more than 280 Norwegian-language papers were launched in cities ranging from MInneapolis to Fargo and Boston to Seattle. Lovoll’s bookt celebrates the tireless writers, editors and publishers whose efforts helped guide Norwegian immigrants on their path to becoming Norwegian Americans including the Fergus Falls newspaper the Ugeblad.
Professor Lovoll will be signing copies of the book before and after the program. Admission is free.
For more information call the Otter Tail County Historical Society at 218-736-6038.

Military Roundtable Highlights Fort Snelling in World War II

The Otter Tail County Historical Society continues the Military Roundtable discussion with look at Fort Snelling in World War II. Historian and Minnesota Military History expert Stephen E. Osman will discuss and answer questions about Fort Snelling’s role in World War II on Monday, May 3, 2010 at noon. Osman, who is retired now, worked for the Minnesota Historical Society as the site manager at Fort Snelling. He has conducted research on every aspect of military life at Fort Snelling from details about uniforms to drill and training methods.

Nearly 300,000 soldiers and sailors were inducted for service there while others trained to operate railroads, serve as military police, or speak Japanese as Fort Snelling fought its last war. Mr. Osman will take us into the life of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation at Fort Snelling with photos and personal narratives. For more information, call (218)736-6038 or email mhermes@otchs.org.

Day of Remembrance

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Otter Tail County Historical Society ‘s Military Roundtable (OTC-MP) for April will commemorate the 65th Anniversary of the liberation of Nazi concentration camps by American military personnel. The program will take place on Monday, April 5 at noon at the county museum in Fergus Falls.

The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of Holocaust and established the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum. The museum located in Washington, D.C. has designated Stories of Freedom: What You Do Matters as the theme for the 2010 observance.

As Allied soldiers were closing in on Germany in the spring of 1945, they encountered dozens of concentration camps and were suddenly confronted with the reality of Nazi atrocities. For the soldiers, even the brutality of war did not prepare them for what they encountered. After visiting Buchenwald, General Eisenhower told his staff, “I want every American unit not actually in the front lines to see this place. We are told the American soldier does not know what he is fighting for. Now, at least he will know.”

The roundtable will include a dvd of actual footage shot by American military personnel in 1945. There is no charge to attend the program. For more information, email mhermes@otchs.org or call (218)736-6038.

Coffee Klatch – The Living Fence and Landscape Design

Part of Our Between Fences Series…

The Otter Tail County Historical Society’s Coffee Klatch continues on Friday, March 19, 10:00 a.m. at the museum. Master gardener, Jean Prochnow, will speak on “The Living Fence and Landscape Design.”

Instead of using manufactured fences to delineate property lines, she will demonstrate how hedges, grasses and other plants make effective, colorful and pleasing borders.

The Coffee Klatch is free, the coffee hot and the discussion stimulating. For more information call the Historical Society at 736-6038.

Coffee Klatch – “Growth Control and Its Ramifications

Part of our series on Fences in conjunction with the Smithsonian traveling exhibit: Between Fences. At the Historical Society through March 20, 2010.

The Otter Tail County Historical Society’s Coffee Klatch series continues on Friday, March 12, 10:00 a.m. at the Museum. Fergus Falls Community Development Director, Gordon Hydukovich, will speak on Growth Control and Its Ramifications.

While all communities seek to expand their business and population base, there are instances when growth can have a negative impact. How do cities determine when growth becomes a hindrance? That is the job that Hydukovich deals with in Fergus Falls.

Please join this fascinating discussion at the Otter Tail County Historical Museum. Admission to the Coffee Klatch is free. For more information call 218-736-6038.

Prairie and Fences – Coffee and Discussion – Friday, Feb. 26 at 10 a.m.

The Otter Tail County Historical Society Coffee Klatch continues on Friday, February 26, 10:00 a.m. at the museum. Molly Stoddard from the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center will speak on the topic of Prairie and Fences.

The first two speakers in the series spoke on the development of roads, fences and easements, all man-made notions. Ms. Stoddard, on the other hand, will talk about what the prairie was like before it was fenced. She will also discuss how fencing impacted the prairie and its wildlife. She will finish by explaining how people can eco-friendly fences.

The historical society Coffee Klatch is free and open to the public. Enjoy a cup of coffee and great conversation. For more information call the museum at 736-6038.

Business After Hours Tonight

Please join us for Business After Hours tonight February 11th from 5-7 at the OTC Historical Museum. This is a great opportunity to network and check out the new exhibit from the Smithsonian Institute called “Between Fences”. This exhibit will only appear in five cities in Minnesota, ours being one of them! The catering will be by the The Spot Panini & Wine. There is not a charge for this event. See you there and bring a friend!

Terree Hoffman
Chamber of Commerce
218-736-6951

Between Fences Coffee Klatch Series at Museum

The Otter Tail County Historical Society’s popular Coffee Klatch series begins on Friday, February 12, at 10:00 a.m. In conjunction with the Smithsonian Institution’s traveling exhibition Between Fences, the society is offering a series of Friday morning discussions related to the topics of borders, divisions and fences. The February 12 program features Gordon Cline, Otter Tail County Engineering Technologist, who will speak on Fences, Surveying and Easements. There will be ample time for questions and discussion following the presentation.
The Coffee Klatch series is free and open to the public. Come enjoy a cup of coffee and interesting conversation. For more information call the historical society at 736-6038.