Ramsey County Historical Society Presents

John Anfinson, Fountains of Life and Death: The Origins of the Twin Cities Water Supply System

History Revealed Series
September 21, 2017
Thursday, noon
Landmark Center Gallery

Free and open to all.

Join RCHS for a new series, History Revealed, featuring the best of local history authors talking about a wide range of topics drawn from the heritage and traditions of Ramsey County.

In this presentation, John Anfinson examines the origins of the Minneapolis and St. Paul water supply systems. Unknowingly, the two cities became a human experiment about the consequences of taking our drinking water for granted and of ignoring obvious solutions. Anfinson sets the Twin Cities in the context of water supply development in the nation. At a time when water supplies around the country are of great concern, his talk reminds us of how far we have come but that we should not forget where our water comes from and what might be in it.

Dr. John Anfinson is the Superintendent of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, the Twin Cities National Park. Prior to his appointment, he was Chief Resource Manager, and the Historian and Cultural Resources Specialist. He was the District Historian, St. Paul District, Corps of Engineers, 1980-2000, and was the Chief of the District Cultural Resources Staff. Dr. Anfinson has degrees in History, an M.A. in Anthropology, and a Ph.D. in History from the University of Minnesota. He is the author of The River We Have Wrought: A History of the Upper Mississippi (University of Minnesota Press, 2005) and an author of River of History: A Historic Resources Study of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (2003), as well as numerous articles in Ramsey County History magazine and other publications.

History Revealed Program Series

Please note that topics and speakers may change. Check the website and our Facebook page for updates. Click on the dates for links to more information.
Please also note presentation location and times.

February 23, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Brian McMahon, The Ford Century in Minnesota
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

March 13, 2017, Monday, 7:00 pm – Jeremy Nienow, Archaeology at Lake Vadnais
Shoreview Library, 4560 Victoria St N, Shoreview, MN 55126

March 16, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Paul D. Nelson, The Golden Couple, William T. & Nellie Francis
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

April 20, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Stephen Osman, Fort Snelling and the Civil War
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

May 16, 2017, Tuesday, 7:00 pm – Jeremy Nienow, Archaeological Leads and Mysteries of Ramsey County
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

June 15, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Steve Trimble, Ethel Stewart & Gibbs Farm: A Unique Adventure
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

July 27, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – David Page, Aha Moments in Writing F. Scott Fitzgerald in Minnesota
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

August 24, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Eileen McCormack, James J. Hill & Family: Early Saint Paul, Early Railroads, Lasting Legacy
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

September 21, 2017, Thursday, Noon – John Anfinson, Fountains of Life and Death: The Origins of the Twin Cities Water Supply
Landmark Center Main Gallery, 75 W Fifth St, Saint Paul, MN 55102

September 28, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm– Krista Finstad Hanson, Minnesota’s Historic House Museums
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

October 26, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Paul D. Nelson, Melvin Maas, Saint Paul’s Flying Congressman
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113

November 30, 2017, Thursday, 7:00 pm – John Watson Milton, For the Good of the Order: Nick Coleman
Roseville Library, 2173 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113