Ramsey County Historical Society Presents

Steve Werle, The Political Rise, Demise & Redemption of Harold E. Stassen (1907-2001)

History Revealed Series
February 15, 2018
Thursday, 7:00 pm
Ramsey County Roseville Library

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. See our History Revealed page here for more programs, past and future.

In ten unsuccessful runs at the U.S. Presidency, Harold Stassen became infamous as a perennial candidate. But his lifetime of achievements, as Minnesota’s “boy governor,” as a war hero, as a founder of the United Nations, as a nationally prominent Republican – are now mostly forgotten. Steve Werle will re-introduce us to Harold Stassen, his life, and his legacy in this presentation. Copies of Steve’s book on Harold Stassen, “Stassen Again” will be available for purchase and for signing.

During a lifetime devoted to public service, Governor Harold Stassen left an indelible mark upon American politics. He first gained national prominence in the 1930s by revitalizing Minnesota’s Republican Party and establishing a progressive, cooperative approach to state government. Although his numerous achievements are often obscured by his seemingly relentless quest to become president, Stassen contributed greatly to the cause of international peace following World War II. Mr. Werle will lead participants in an engaging and entertaining walk down memory lane as he explores Stassen’s political journey with candid, comic, and original insights.

Steve Werle was born and raised in Rochester, Minnesota and teaches Advanced Placement United States History in the Twin Cities. He graduated from the University of Minnesota-Duluth in 1994 with a B.A.A. in Teaching Secondary Social Studies and earned a master’s degree from the same institution in 1999. He has taught a variety of high school history courses for over twenty years and also serves (pun totally intended) as a varsity tennis coach. Each summer Werle bakes thousands of Sweet Martha’s Cookies at the Minnesota State Fair.

Mr. Werle is the author of An American Gothic: The Life & Times & Legacy of William Gates LeDuc. His most recent book, Stassen Again, was published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press in 2015 and is available wherever books are sold. Werle lives in Minneapolis with his wife Colleen and their three sons.

Image of Harold Stassen from The Ladies Home Journal, c. 1948. Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons. Caption on photo reads in part: “Stassen doffs his size 77s hat and wades into the Presidential campaign with a smile at least as big.”

Thank you to the Ramsey County Roseville Library for their support of this program.

History Revealed Presentations

Scheduled 2018 History Revealed Programs
Check back for updates!

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

February 15, 2018, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Steve Werle, The Political Rise, Demise, and Redemption of Harold E. Stassen
Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. Free and open to all.

February 21, 2018, Wednesday, noon – North Star: Civil War Stories Event
Film screening & discussion. Free & open to all.
Landmark Center Weyerhauser Auditorium, 75 W Fifth St., Saint Paul MN 55102.

March 14, 2018, Wednesday, noon – Mollie Spillman, How to Research Your House
Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St W, Saint Paul MN 55102. Free and open to all.

March 22, 2018, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Kim Heikkila, To Bear the Mark: Unwed Motherhood at the Salvation Army’s Booth Memorial Hospital, 1913-1973 (or, History, My Mother, and Me)
Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. Free and open to all.

April 18, 2018, Wednesday, noon – James Marrinan & Bonnie Lindberg, Value: It’s Not Always in the Money! A Look at YOUR Treasured Antiques
Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St W, Saint Paul MN 55102
Registration required.

April 26, 2018, Thursday, 7:00 pm – John Diers, 1,100 Streetcars: The Rise and Fall of the Twin City Rapid Transit Company
Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. Free and open to all.

May 16, 2018, Wednesday, noon – Paul Nelson, Rocky Roots: Walking Tour of the Geology of Downtown Saint Paul
Landmark Center, 75 Fifth St W, Saint Paul MN 55102
Meet at the Landmark Center. Reservations required, limit 20.

May 24, 2018, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Terry Swanson, Elaine Goodale Eastman: Sister to the Sioux in Her Own Words
Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville, MN 55113. Free and open to all.

June 6, 2018, Wednesday, 10:30 am-noon – Mark Haidet, Walking Tour of the MN State Fair
Minnesota State Fairgrounds, 1265 Snelling Ave N, Saint Paul, MN 55108
Meet at the History & Heritage Center. Reservations required, limit 30.

July 26, 2018, Thursday, 7:00 pm – Mark Haidet, The Minnesota State Fair During World War I
Roseville Library, 2180 Hamline Ave N, Roseville MN 55113. Free and open to all.