History 21: The Podcast‪!‬ Anoka County Historical Society

Historical research doesn’t always go smoothly. Sara reveals the three biggest research fails she experienced while creating a new tour for St. Genevieve’s cemetery in Centerville.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

Before 1968, contractors and landowners deliberately wrote racial covenants and clauses into some property deeds to keep anyone "other than the caucasian race" from buying or occupying homes. Rebecca Gillette talks about the history of these racial covenants and their work at Mapping Prejudice to find and identify them among millions of pages of documents, including in Anoka County.

This is a portion of a program given at the ACHS Annual Meeting, May 19, 2024.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

In 2005, ACHS produced an award-winning exhibit focusing on the veterans of the Vietnam War. One of these veterans, Bruce Sommer, created a piece of art titled “Anguish” as part of his healing process. In this episode, Collections Manager Kassandra Mackenthun visits with Gather Committee member Jo Rhoady to hear more about the art, Jo’s connection, and how ACHS plans to revisit the exhibit material.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

In this episode, MSgt USAF (retired) Troy Woodruff reminisces with ACHS Board Member Steve Florman about his time in service, including flying AWAC (Airborne Warning and Control System) planes with NATO forces. During his 20-plus year career, Troy participated in Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, the Cold War, the Yugoslavian conflict in the 1990s, the drug war, and missions over South Korea. To hear the entire conversation, become a History 21: The Vault member or visit the history center and request the interview recording.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director, Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Steve Florman, ACHS Vice President

It’s a busy spring at the Anoka Count Historical Society! Our Executive Director Rebecca, along with Board Member Orville, break down all the upcoming events that you don’t want to miss including a Murder Mystery fundraiser.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.

The Anoka County Sheriff's department history dates back to 1857 with the 1st Sheriff James C. Frost. Who someone complained was speeding his horse down Main St. in 1868. In this episode, listen to a portion of the program about the department given March 9 at the Anoka County History Center.

Host Rebecca Desens, ACHS Director and Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator.