Midwest Genealogy Libraries
Lawshe Memorial Museum - FREE
March 18, 7 p.m.

Darlene Joyce will discuss a wonderful array of genealogy resources in Minnesota and 11 bordering states. We will take a visual tour of some of the major repositories for genealogical and family history research in our region; discuss preparations for an important library visit; learn how to search many key data collections from your home computer; share tips on good ways to stay "current" on the constant changes affecting major genealogy libraries; discuss several ways to take advantage of inter-library loan and online downloading of Midwest data. Darlene (Cruikshank) Joyce, is a Certified Genealogist, former Director and Vice President of the MN Genealogical Society, and chair of the MGS Cemetery Project.

Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings Meeting & Program
LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE
April 13, 7 p.m.

Bill Wittenbreer presents 19th century Minnesota artists with a special focus on Alice LeDuc and other Hastings artists.

Left: Road with Telegraph Poles, Oil on canvas, ca. 1905
by Alice Sumner LeDuc (American, 1868-1962), From the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society

Authors' Day - The American Indian in Minnesota
LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE
April 18, 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.

Author Curtis Dahlin presents on the Dakota people and discusses his book, The Dakota Uprising: A Pictorial History. Author Bruce White will discuss the Ojibway people and his pictorial We are at Home, a dynamic collection of Ojibway images. Books available for sale and signing at the event.

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.

January 7
February 4
March 4
April 8
May 6
June 3

July 1

August 5
September 2

October 7
November 4
December 2

2010 Book Selections (download)
Skipping Christmas by John Grisham
The Zookeeper's Wife: a war story by Diane Ackerman
We Made it Through the Winter: a memoir of a Northern boyhood by Walter O'Meara
Mayflower: a story of courage, community, and war by Nathaniel Philbrook
The Growing Seasons: an American boyhood before the war by Samuel Hynes
The Worst Hard Time: the untold story of those who survived
the Great American Dustbowl by Timothy Egan
Shadow Divers: the true adventures of two Americans who risked everything
to solve one of the last mysteries of WWII by Robert Kurson
Founding Mothers: the women who raised our nation by Cokie Roberts
The Mississippi and the Making of a Nation: from the
Louisiana Purchase to today by Stephen Ambrose
Open Season by C.J. Box
Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer
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.