Catalog
Ramsey County History – Spring 2022: “The Man and the Can: Patrick J. Towle and the St. Paul Origins of Log Cabin Syrup”
Matthew M. ThomasThe Man and the Can: Patrick J. Towle and the St. Paul Origins of Log Cabin Syrup Author: Mathew M. Thomas In 1888, after a grocery business failed in Chicago, Patrick J. Towle relocated to St. Paul with a new focus on packaging and selling a single product—maple-flavored syrup. Settling on…
Grasshoppers in My Bed: Lillie Belle Gibbs, Minnesota Farm Girl 1877
Terry Swanson, Author and Peggy Stern, IllustratorIt is 1876—Christmas day—which just happens to be the eleventh birthday of Lillie Belle Gibbs. Her mother and father present her with a new journal. Now she must decide how to fill the pages. Grasshoppers in her bed, a smudge pot to keep the mosquitos at bay, the one-room schoolhouse…
Ramsey County History – Summer 2021: “How It Started; How It’s Going: Land O’Lakes Celebrates Ten Decades of Innovation”
Karen Mellott-FosierHow It Started; How It’s Going: Land O’Lakes Celebrates Ten Decades of Innovation Author: Karen Mellott-Fosier Arden Hills-based Land O’Lakes, Inc. celebrates a milestone birthday in 2021. A century ago on June 7, 1921, representatives from 320 of the state’s co-op creameries gathered in the old state capitol…
Ramsey County History – Summer 2021: “Growing Up Hmong in the Twin Cities: Gatherings from Before”
Kao Kalia YangGrowing Up Hmong in the Twin Cities: Gatherings from Before Author: Kao Kalia Yang Large and extended family gatherings are a steadfast tradition for members of the Hmong community in the Twin Cities area. St. Paul writer Kao Kalia Yang reflects on these familial celebrations where aunties and…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2021: “Growing Up Along the Mighty Mississippi: The Great Depression Through the Eyes of a Young ‘River Rat'”
Harriette Peterson Koopman, with Connie Koopman PettersenGrowing Up Along the Mighty Mississippi: The Great Depression Through the Eyes of a Young “River Rat” Author: Harriette Peterson Koopman, with Connie Koopman Pettersen When Harriette Peterson Koopman was growing up during the Great Depression, she and her siblings were sometimes called “river rats” by classmates. The derogatory slur…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2021: “We Represent: Evolving Public Art at the Saint Paul City Hall – Ramsey County Courthouse”
Kristina YousoWe Represent: Evolving Public Art at the Saint Paul City Hall – Ramsey County Courthouse Author: Kristina Youso On August 19, 2020, the public got its first look at four new 16’ x 5’ murals now on display in the council chambers of the Saint Paul City…
Ramsey County History – Winter 2020: “#MinneAsianStories: Illustrated Living History”
Bert Lee, Yusanat Tway, and Zoua Vang#MinneAsianStories: Illustrated Living History Authors: Bert Lee, Yusanat Tway, and Zoua Vang There’s a common misperception that many young people aren’t necessarily interested in history. But over the last few years, the Coalition for Asian American Leaders (CAAL) has invited young Asian Minnesotans to not only think…
Ramsey County History – Fall 2019: “Growing Up in St. Paul: Reflections of Three Jewish Writers”
William Hoffman, Norman Katkov, and Max ShulmanGrowing Up in St. Paul: Reflections of Three Jewish Writers Authors: William Hoffman, Norman Katkov, and Max Shulman William Hoffman, Norman Katkov, and Max Shulman grew up in the West Side Flats and Selby-Dale neighborhoods. All three passed away years ago, and yet, through a bit of luck…
Swede Hollow: A Novel
Reviewer: Laurie MurphySwede Hollow: A Novel Author: Ola Larsmo; Translated by Tiina Nunnally Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota Press, Translation copyright 2019 312 pages; cloth/jacket; 1 b&w photo; $26.95 As a rule, Ramsey County Historical Society, does not review historical fiction. But we were curious about Ola Larsmo’s Swede Hollow…