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Brainerd History Week!

 

History of Brainerd History Week dates:

 

2014: June 16-22  Showcasing 3-100-year-old buildings. 

2015: June 15-21 Showcasing NORTH Brainerd!  (June 14 added! A week was not enough!!!)

2016: June 14-19  Showcasing NORTHEAST Brainerd!  Click on the poor man's version of the BOOKLET & Schedule.  You can sure print it out, but unless you have a double-sided printer you will see that doing the fold thing the first Sunday will follow Thursday...but you'll get the drift.  Or, get out the scissors and a staple gun!
2017: June 12-17
2018: Aug. 9-12
  -2019- 
Sept. 20- 22
 
Keep posted on the
 
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2020:  No date yet set!  Who can help set up a committee?  Don't forget, the water tower turns 100 this year! AND, the Sesquicentennial is in 2021!!!-2/10/2020

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2018 Press Release, 1/12/2018:

 

2018 BRAINERD HISTORY WEEK TO BE HELD AUG. 9-12

 

Brainerd, MN—Brainerd History Week will be held August 9-12 and this year’s events will focus on the Mississippi River and West Brainerd. A preliminary schedule of events includes a community paddle on the river, narrated river history tour and walking tours. “We’re very excited to focus on these areas of our community,” said Dave Borash, Brainerd History Week Steering Committee Chairperson. “We’re also looking for ways to partner with other community events and attractions that may have things going on that week, so please contact us by January 31,” said Borash.

 

Brainerd History Week was established in 2014 as a way to celebrate the rich history of the community. Events are organized by a volunteer-committee. If you are interested in learning more about the committee, would like to propose an event, or make a contribution, please email: brainerdhistoryweek@gmail.com.

 

Future themes for Brainerd History Week include Downtown and South Brainerd in 2019. In 2020 the focus will be on the 100th birthday of the Historic Concrete Water Tower, the 150th anniversary of the groundbreaking of the Northern Pacific Railroad, and the selection of the Mississippi River crossing site at the today’s railroad bridge location. In 2021 Brainerd will celebrate its sesquicentennial which is the 150th birthday of the City of Brainerd.

 

The Brainerd History Week (BHW) steering committee includes: David Borash, ISD 181 – committee chairperson, Holly Holm, Brainerd Community Action – committee treasurer, Jeremy Jackson, Brainerd Historian – committee fundraising & co-chair, Julie Jo Larson, CLC, CWCHS and freelance writer – committee secretary, Dave Badeaux, Brainerd City Council, Chris Dens, Brainerd Ski Loons and Brainerd Jaycees, Andrew Hook, VP of the Iron Range Heritage Network, Pam Nelson, Crow Wing County Historical Society Museum, Ashley Storm, Riverfront Committee, and John Van Essen, Evergreen Cemetery Association Board of Trustees.

 

Other volunteers include Mary Devine Johnson, Director, Visit Brainerd, - BHW marketing and communications, Carl Faust, Brainerd Historian & Brainerd history walks - BHW quality adviser, Ann Nelson, Brainerd Historian - BHW booklet author; and many other volunteers.  

 

Keep up on developments on the Facebook page!  

 

 

 

 

Also keep posted to the SCHEDULE of EVENTS tab, updated as things change.  As of April 8, the schedule is about 95 %set, but things like marker presentations may depend on logistics:  UPDATE, 7/30/2018, now set in concrete:

 

 

 

 

 

As usual, the Brainerd Dispatch is on top of things:

 

 

 

 

 

WJJY interview with Tess Taylor, 7/30/2018.  This includes a brief history of Brainerd History Week, and a bit on this year's event.  Thank you, local radio!  Please LMK if these links don't work.  Click:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
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2017:
Look how much fun we had LAST year!!!
 
 

Are you a South-easter?  Send in your stories!  What grocery store was "yours"?  What was your favorite business?

 

Pssssst!  I am hearing that on Thurs. the 15th there will be a "river ride" of sorts...canoes and kayaks!  The paddle will be from Cemetery Landing to Kiwanis  Park.

 

Keep posted on the BHW 2017 Facebook page:

 

Besides looking for info on SE Brained, the Committee is looking for anything on SE's BIG business that has been all but forgotten...Rosko Field, our first airport!  It was where Shipman Auto is now, and the main building was the original hangar. Rosko Field may have been named such first when it was a baseball field, so perhaps the name should be Rosko Airfield,  or Rosko Airport.  We will be placing a Historic Marker there on Sat., June 17, 2017 at 10:00 am.  Here is what I have so far on Rosko...see what you can add!  

 

NOTE:  The Tues. 10:00 am parade event has been canceled.

 

2017:  Date, June 12-17.  Theme announced, 2/2017.  Showcasing Southeast Brainerd history!  Click the 2017 links:

 

 

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Print out your own copy below.  Or, print a few extras and post at work!

 

 

 

 

 

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Find out what the past 4 years were like...Schedules of Events below:

2014: Wednesday afternoon was a wonderful drum corps and Honor Guard Indian Reconciliation.
2014: It was antique cars, descendants of ancestors and a great meal at the new (well, 1900's) NP Event Center!

The event was an acknowledgement of the 1872 lynching of 2 men of mixed European and Ojibwe descent.  There were representaives from 3 Indian Bands, and this was followed by a gathering at the college.  Blueberry cheesecake was served!

There were also tours of the old 1880's buildings including the Clock Tower building.  Entertainment was on hand, exhibits of neat old artifacts from the RR, and a band.

2015:  A grand day at the Dam, and former Paper Mill! Ray  Frisch leading the pack!
2016:  Andy Walsh was given a BIG thank you for his efforts!
Thanks, Andy!
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