The East Side Freedom Library, Ramsey County Historical Society, and Roseville Public Library invite you to a special session of History Revealed: The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story. This event will include a screening and discussion of a new documentary film.

The Farmer-Labor movement founded the most successful third-party in U.S. political history. This progressive movement elected candidates and advanced political change in Minnesota from 1917 until its merger with the Democrats in 1944, to form the DFL, the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. The documentary portrays this history through the voices of Farmer-Labor leaders and their descendants, as well as contemporary historians and activists. Animated segments bring the personal stories of Farmer-Labor men and women to life, while songs from the period convey the spirit of the movement.

While the movement’s ideas and achievements still affect Minnesota’s political and social fabric, its history is largely unknown. The documentary addresses that awareness gap and points out how Farmer-Labor goals and the challenges still resonate today.

Please join filmmakers Randy Croce, Tom O’Connell, and Anna Kuharjec for a conversation after the screening.

Randy Croce has been a documentary photographer and video producer since 1976. His PBS broadcast shows include Clouded Land, If Stone Could Speak and Who built Our Capitol? He worked at the U of M Labor Education Service, where he produced shows with workers and their unions.

Tom O’Connell is a retired professor of Political Studies from Metropolitan State University and served as founding chairperson of ESFL’s Board of Directors. He has taught and written about social movements with a special focus on MInnesota’s Farmer-Labor and Progressive Populist History.

Anna Kuharjec has a Ph.D. in History from the University of Illinois and is teaching in the History program of the Dougherty Family College of the University of St. Thomas.

Free and open to all.