Prelude to War - Civil War Weekend 2010
LeDuc Historic Estate - $3-$6, free for members
September 11-12, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

We are bringing back all your favorites with a big twist this year! The Society brings you engaging interpretation and reenactments of the Civil War years, including soldiers, weapons, the home fronts (North and South), and wartime politics. But what led to the war in the first place? 150 years ago the nation was in crisis, and in 2010 we are exploring the year leading up to our nation's bloodiest conflict. You'll meet the farmers, millers, politicians, husbands, wives, daughters and sons that were about to have their lives turned upside down. Press Release Complete Program Schedule

Individuals and groups participating this year include:

Missouri State Guard; First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment; Third Minnesota Volunteer Infantry - Co. C Provost and Medical; Battery I; Abraham Lincoln (Taber Akin); Stephen Douglas (Dave Woodard); Spencer Johnson's Quartermaster's Camp; Living History Society of Minnesota; Women's Temperance Union; St. Paul Volunteer Soldiers' Aid society; Authors Cindy Thury Smith and Shirley Dalaska ("Civil War Veterans: Hastings, MN"); Artist David Geister; Mrs. Bronson and her son Charlie (mother and brother of Mrs. LeDuc); Author and educator Steve Werle ("An American Gothic"); Century Brass Band; Author Pat Bauer ("B is for Battle Cry!"); Author Rae Katherine Eighmey ("Abraham Lincoln in New Orleans"); The New Pearl Button Players

Press Release Complete Program Schedule

Fun History Links

Clip from 1942 Film about Minnesota. Includes footage of Spiral Bridge in Hastings! Watch now!

Third Minnesota photgraphs from 2009 Civil War Weekend

Anoka County Historical Society

Carver County Historical Society

Friends of the Sibley House

Hennepin History Museum

Minneapolis Institute of Arts

Minnesota Children's Museum

Minnesota Genealogical Society

Minnesota Historical Society

Minnesota Museum of American Art

Northfield Historical Society

Preservation Alliance of Minnesota

Ramsey County Historical Society

Science Museum of Minnesota

Scott County Historical Society

Walker Art Center

Washington County Historical Society

Wayzata Historical Society

We Want You!
DCHS Seeking New Board Members

Love history? Enjoy helping non-profits grow and meet their full potential? Want to be a part of something fun and successful? Join the Dakota County Historical Society and achieve all this and more!

Apply today! DCHS Background Director Position Description Application Form

Announcing - 2010 Dakota County Quilt Contest!
Submissions due September 23 - FREE

The Dakota County Public Art Citizens Advisory Committee (PAC) invites quilters who are residents of Dakota County to participate in an exhibition at the Northern Service Center in West St. Paul. Interested quilters should download the guidelines here.

Historic Hastings Photo Competition Starts Now!
LeDuc Historic Estate
August 12 - September 30, 2010

Entries are now being accepted in a competition open to amateur and professional photographers. Winning photographs will be featured on postcards created for the Dakota County Historical Society for use and sale at the LeDuc Historic Estate and Lawshe Memorial Museum. The deadline for entries is Thursday, September 30, 2010.

There are five categories for the competition: 1) The exterior of the LeDuc House 2) A collage of the outbuildings at LeDuc that includes the chickens 3) The Vermillion Falls 4) A collage of Historic Hastings including City Hall, Second Street & some historic homes 5) Fasbender Clinic

For complete rules and information click here.

Modern Interpretations of Historic Designs II:
Late 19th Century Designs from Hastings Needle Work
LeDuc Historic Estate
Competition Opens: June 1, 2010; Entry Deadline: March 31, 2011
Exhibit Opens: June 25, 2011

The Dakota County Historical Society announces a juried art competition based on embroidery designs from the Hastings Needle Work Company. Started in 1888 by Alice and Florence LeDuc, Hastings Needle Work produced unique embroidery pieces for their clients from 1888 to the mid-1920s. The theme of this national competition is "Modern Interpretations of Historic Designs II". Entries will be evaluated on quality, creativity and interpretation of the pattern(s), aesthetics and workmanship, and quality of digital image.

Download the complete kit, including the rules, entry form and the available patterns.

Junior Needle Working Class at the LeDuc Historic Estate

Hastings Needle Work Company was a very profitable business for Florence and Alice LeDuc. They designed and made everything from lamp shades to place mats to pillow covers. In the interest of keeping needle working alive, the LeDuc Historic Estate, 1629 Vermillion Street, Hastings, is offering a Junior Needle Working Class on Saturday, October 2, 9 a.m. until noon. The class is open to children ages 9-12 and is limited to 12 students.

The class attendees will re-create one of the patterns from Hastings Needle Work Company on a dish towel, using two different stitches with beautifully colored threads.

Register for this class by calling the LeDuc Historic Estate at 651-437-7055. The registration fee of $18 can be paid by credit card or check upon registration and includes all class supplies. Deadline for registration is September 29, 2010. Download the press release for more information.

Blue Star Museums Program Launched at Both Museums

In partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts & Blue Star Families, DCHS is pleased to provide free admission to all active duty military personnel and their families from Memorial Day through Labor Day 2010. Families can visit www.dakotahistory.org for museum hours and locations. The complete list of participating Blue Star Museums is available at www.arts.gov.

Chad Roberts, Executive Director of the Society stated, "We have always recognized veterans and provide discounts already. The Blue Star Museum program aligns with the Society's vision for being a community resource so it was an easy choice to participate." Download the press release

Free School Tour Program Available Year-Round

All Minnesota educators are encouraged to participate in this free program. Guides can provide standard tours or work with teachers to develop a tour or visit that meets the needs of any classroom. School tours may be scheduled any time of year by calling 651-437-7055 or by e-mail at leduc@co.dakota.mn.us. The Free School Tour program is sponsored in part by the Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings.

LeDuc Available for Your Special Event

Searching for a unique and memorable location for your wedding, groom's dinner, luncheon, shower or anniversary celebration? History, architecture and nature meet in harmony at the LeDuc Historic Estate. The grounds includes a strolling woods, heirloom apple orchard, grape arbor, peony garden, 200 year old oak trees and is near the scenic Vermillion Falls park.

Conveniently located 20 minutes from the Twin Cities on Highway 61 in Hastings, the 1860s Gothic Revival stone mansion provides a memorable setting for up to 50 guests and the picturesque grounds and porches can accommodate much larger gatherings. Download rental information here and call (651) 437-7055 for more information.

LeDuc Book Group
LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE
First Thursday of every month, 6:30 p.m.

Offered through a partnership with Pleasant Hill Library in Hastings, the LeDuc Book Group is led by Librarian Allan Cotter.

Please check here for any date, time or book selection changes. For more information, call (651) 437.7055 or email leduc@co.dakota.mn.us.

2010 Book Selections (download)
September 2 - The Mississippi and the Making of a Nation: from the Louisiana Purchase to today by Stephen Ambrose
October 7 - Open Season by C.J. Box
November 4 - Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
December 2 - The Murder of King Tut: the plot to kill the child king by James Patterson

Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings Meetings
LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE
Second Tuesday of every month, 7 p.m.

Short business meetings are typically followed by history and arts programs. Please see the complete event calendar for more details.