Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux
2024-10-05 18:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Traverse des Sioux, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Step back in time with Shadows at the Crossing: Spirits of Old Traverse des Sioux, an immersive outdoor lantern-lit tour that brings the history of Minnesota Territory to life.
Traverse des Sioux has a rich and complex history. It once served as a crucial gathering spot along the Minnesota River. Following the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux, the area became a bustling town. However, its prosperity was short-lived, and today, little remains of the once-thriving community.
On this unique walking tour, you’ll encounter the spirits of those who lived during this pivotal era. Hear their stories of courage, resilience, conflict, and cooperation, and gain a deeper understanding of Minnesota’s heritage.
Tickets:

Adults: $10
Children (ages 8 and up): $5
Families: $20
Nicollet County and Minnesota Historical Society members: 20% discount

Embark on this unforgettable journey through Minnesota’s past. Get your tickets now.

Additional Information:

Check-in Details: Please arrive 10 minutes before your scheduled tour time to check-in.
What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes, warm clothing, water and snacks, a flashlight (optional), camera (optional).
Disclaimers: The event will take place outdoors, rain or shine. If inclement weather is anticipated, the tour may be moved indoors. Ticket holders will be notified of any changes. Please note that the weather in Minnesota can vary greatly in early October. Dress appropriately for the expected conditions. While we strive to provide a safe and enjoyable experience, we cannot be held responsible for any accidents or injuries that may occur during the tour.

Cancellation:

Customers will receive a full refund or credit with 24 hours’ notice of cancellation. Customers will also receive a full refund or credit in case of operator cancellation due to weather or other unforeseen circumstances. Contact us by phone to cancel or inquire about a cancellation. No-shows will be charged the full price.

Community Affairs on KNUJ Radio
2024-10-22 09:15 - 21:35, 2024-11-26 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-01-28 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-02-25 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-03-25 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-04-22 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-05-27 09:15 - 21:35, 2025-06-24 09:15 - 21:35 and 1 more date | KNUJ Radio
Make sure to mark your calendar to listen to KNUJ Radio on the fourth Tuesday of every month (except December) at 9:15 am for Community Affairs. During this segment, NCHS staff will provide insights into the latest happenings within the Society.
<<CLICK TO LISTEN>>

Trick-or-Treat at the Cox House
2024-10-31 17:00 - 19:00 | Cox House, 500 N. Washington Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Families are invited to come to trick-or-treat at the Cox House.

Film Series | A Squirrel's Guide to Success
2024-11-07 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The squirrel family, from tiny chipmunks to big prairie dogs, is one of the most widespread on Earth, so what is the secret to their success? There are almost 300 species of squirrels that can glide through the air, outwit rattlesnakes, and survive the coldest temperatures of any mammal. Uncover the extraordinary abilities of these cheeky nut lovers as a filmmaker puts their problem-solving to the test on a specially designed obstacle course. Join some of the world’s top squirrel scientists who are making groundbreaking discoveries – from the brainy fox squirrel who can remember the location of 9,000 nuts, to the acrobatic gray squirrel whose tree-top leaps are the basis of new designs in robotics. And see the world through the eyes of an orphan red squirrel called Billy, as he grows up and develops all the skills he will need to be released back to the wild.
Runtime is 60 minutes.

The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present a new season of documentary films! These documentaries inform, challenge ideas, and create conversation. Films are shown at the Nicollet County Historical Society and are free and open to the public.

Film Series | McCarthy
2024-11-07 14:00 - 16:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
McCarthy chronicles the rise and fall of Joseph McCarthy, the Wisconsin Senator who would test the limits of American decency and democracy. Free of restraint or oversight, he conducted a crusade against those he accused of being Communists and enemies of the state, a chilling campaign marked by groundless accusations, bullying intimidation, grandiose showmanship, and cruel victimization. Finally, after years in the headlines, he was brought down by his own excesses and overreach. He died a broken man, but his name lived on. For more than half a century, it has been linked to an all-too-familiar phenomenon, the modern-day witch hunt we call McCarthyism.
The film’s runtime is 120 minutes
Trailer: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/mccarthy/#part01
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our fall lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Treaty Site History Center.

CLOSED FOR FALL BREAK
2024-11-28 - 2024-11-30 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Plan your visit accordingly: our museums and offices will be closed for fall break from November 28-30. Regular hours resume on December 3 at 10:00 a.m.

Film Series | The First Silent Night
2024-12-05 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Join renowned actor Simon Callow as he uncovers the moving origins of Silent Night. Simon journeys to the Austrian village of Oberndorf as well as the city of Salzburg, where the story of the world’s favorite carol had its origins. The First Silent Night introduces us to two impoverished children – Joseph Mohr and Franz Gruber – who grew up in Austria’s cobbled streets and wooded villages. The hard years that shaped them would also destine them to meet one day in a poor country church to unite Gruber’s music and Mohr’s text into this classic carol about the birth of a third poor boy on a quiet night in ancient Palestine.
The film’s runtime is 60 minutes.
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our latest lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Treaty Site History Center.

Our Landscape as a Time Machine: St. Peter's Geologic Past
2024-12-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Most of the time, we walk or drive along our landscape without much thinking about the details. The familiar trees, hills, and rivers look ordinary to us. Perhaps we forget, or have never considered, that this landscape has a story to tell. This very place on Earth (and every other place) has experienced 4.6 billion years of time! To a geologist, the landscape and the material beneath it tell us about the ancient processes that formed it.
Eight thousand years ago, St. Peter was the site of a raging river, draining a giant lake near present-day Moorhead. Fifteen thousand years ago, our town was covered by a mile-thick ice sheet. One hundred million years ago, dinosaurs wandered through unfamiliar forests. And five hundred million years ago, St. Peter was a tropical paradise covered by a warm, clear ocean. How do we know? Each of these time intervals left behind geologic evidence – rocks that formed in the geologic past and that reflect the conditions of the time.
This presentation will introduce participants to St. Peter’s geologic history through the lens of geologic maps. You’ll learn how maps help us reconstruct the past and how they help us locate natural resources. Finally, you’ll learn about some places nearby that reveal the evidence of our geologic past.
About the presenter: Dr. Julie Bartley is a Professor and Co-chair in Environmental Geography and Earth sciences at Gustavus Adolphus College. She teaches Geology, Environmental Studies, and Geography. She holds an A.B. in Chemistry from Bryn Mawr College and an M.S. and Ph.D. in Geology from UCLA.

CLOSED FOR WINTER BREAK
2024-12-22 - 2025-01-06 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Our museums and offices are closed for winter break from December 22, 2024 – January 6, 2025. As a result, there will be a delay in responding to emails and phone calls. We apologize for any inconvenience.
Regular business hours resume on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.

Film Series | The Typist
2025-02-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The Typist follows the life and work of Larry Tillemans, believed to be the last living (at the time of filming) clerk-typist from the Nuremberg Trials. As a sergeant in the U.S. 3rd Army, it was Larry’s duty to document the testimonies of victims and perpetrators of the Holocaust– information that deeply affected the young Minnesotan. After years of carrying this emotional burden, Larry decided to share his experiences with as many people as possible, a tireless effort that brought his voice to a world that often struggles to remember the lessons of the past.
Film runtime is 57 minutes.
The Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education present our spring lineup of documentary films! The public is welcome to join us for these free films at the Nicollet County Historical Society.

Film Series | On Eagle's Wings: Minnesota's Sacred Music
2025-03-06 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
This one-hour documentary explores the dramatic shift in sacred music, beginning in the 1960s, when major Christian religions attempted to engage the congregation. Minnesota is home to a significant number of highly accomplished songwriters and musicians who have helped bring new music to many faiths. The film features Father Michael Joncas, composer of “On Eagle’s Wings.”

Runtime approx. 57 minutes. Appropriate for all audiences.

Film Series | Kitty to Cooperstown
2025-04-03 14:00 - 15:30 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
“Kitty to Cooperstown” chronicles the extraordinary journey of Jim “Kitty” Kaat, one of baseball’s most enduring legends. This documentary traces Kaat’s eight-decade-long career, from on the mound to in the booth. Hear inside stories of the 1965 World Series as Kaat faces off against the legendary Sandy Koufax in a pitching duel that captivated the nation just like the 1982 World Series victory with the St. Louis Cardinals, where his veteran leadership played a pivotal role in securing the championship. Through exclusive interviews with Hall of Fame players and reporters, “Kitty to Cooperstown” delves deep into Kaat’s life, showcasing his dedication, resilience, and passion for the game. The documentary culminates in the ultimate recognition of his legacy-Jim Kaat’s induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame, a fitting tribute to a career defined by excellence.
WATCH THE TRAILER
Rated TV-PG. 1 h 30 min.
The Films on First Thursdays documentary film series is presented in partnership with the Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education. The public is welcome to attend these free films at the Nicollet County History Center.

Annual Meeting
2025-04-07 17:00 - 19:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
The annual business meeting will be held on Monday, April 7, from 5:00-7:00 p.m.

5:00 p.m. – Doors open
5:30 p.m. – Business meeting
6:00 p.m. – Program

“Exploring Our History with Maps” with Bob Sandeen
Maps are more than just paper and ink—they’re a historian’s best friend! Former NCHS Research Coordinator and longtime volunteer Bob Sandeen will take us on a journey through time using some of our most valuable historical resources: maps.
From county atlases to plat books, these documents don’t just chart the land—they tell the stories of the people who lived and worked there. Since 1885, Nicollet County maps have helped historians trace farm boundaries, identify landowners, and uncover hidden connections between the past and present. Without them, our research would be far more challenging.

The meeting is open to the public. There is no cost to attend. Light refreshments will be provided.

Business Meeting Information

Free Day Friday
2025-04-18 10:00 - 16:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Whether you bring the whole family, your best friend, or prefer to explore on your own, the History Center is open at no cost on Friday, April 18!

Two Lights for Tomorrow
2025-04-18 20:00 - 2025-04-19 06:00 | MN
Two Lights for TomorrowOn the night of April 18, 1775, two lanterns were hung in the steeple of Boston’s Old North Church—a signal that British troops were approaching by sea. That quiet act of warning helped set the American Revolution in motion.
On April 18, 2025, 250 years later, the Nicollet County Historical Society will hang two lanterns in our window as part of Two Lights for Tomorrow, a national initiative marking the start of the United States’ 250th anniversary commemoration.
We hang these lanterns not just to remember the past, but to reflect on the values that brought this nation into being—ideals of liberty, community, and courage. In times of uncertainty, remembering where we come from can help light the way forward.
We invite you to join us. Place two lights in your window tonight—lanterns, candles, flashlights—any visible symbol of reflection and hope. Together, we can honor the past and recommit to building a better tomorrow.
Learn more at america250.org

Film Series | I Am DB Cooper
2025-05-01 14:00 - 16:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
In 1971, an unsuspecting criminal by the name of DB Cooper boarded a plane, stole $190,000, and jumped out. The legend of DB Cooper only continued to grow over the years, and the case was largely considered closed until a man came out of the woodwork to confess his crime.
Two bounty hunter brothers encounter an ailing old man named Rodney Bonnifield while coordinating his bail after a violent encounter on a dairy farm involving a machete. Close to his sentencing, he reveals to the bondsmen not only was he responsible for the notorious DB Cooper plane hijacking, but the ransom cash is still buried, and he needs their help digging it up. Up against the clock with Rodney’s prison sentence looming, the group set out on a modern-day treasure hunt to recover the money he buried on the Columbia River 50 years ago, uncovering bizarre truths about Rodney Bonnifield and his connection to the only unsolved hijacking in US history.
WATCH THE TRAILER
Rated TV-14. 1h 40 min.
The Films on First Thursdays documentary film series is presented in partnership with the Nicollet County Historical Society and Saint Peter Community and Family Education. The public can attend these free films at the Nicollet County History Center.

Stripped of Citizenship: American-born Women, Marriage, and Expatriation in Minnesota
2025-05-08 14:00 - 15:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
As a result of federal legislation in 1907, American-born women lost their citizenship when they married alien men. Derivative citizenship resulted in thousands of Minnesota women becoming aliens in their own country. Digital tools and databases make learning who these women were easier. Scholars to date have focused on American women who married German nationals because all enemy aliens—including American-born women married to alien men from Germany and some of its allies—had to register with the federal government. Thus, there is a clear paper trail for some states. Such a trail exists in Minnesota, too, because of a unique 1918 order that required all aliens (and not just enemy aliens) to register in the state.
In this presentation, “Stripped of Citizenship: American-born Women, Marriage, and Expatriation in Minnesota,” Lori Ann Lahlum explores the expatriation of American-born women in Minnesota who married aliens and the ways in which we can reclaim their stories.
Admission is $5.00 for non-members and free for NCHS members.

Cox House Self-guided Tours
2025-06-07 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-21 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-05 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-19 13:00 - 16:00 | Cox House, 500 N. Washington Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Cox House Self-Guided Tours Begin in June
Step inside the beautifully preserved 1871 E. St. Julien Cox House and explore at your own pace.

Tour Dates: June 7 & 21, July 5 & 19, August 2, 16 & 30
Hours: 1–4 p.m.
Admission: Free. No reservations required. Free-will donations appreciated.

Upon arrival, you’ll receive a short introduction and a printed guide to help you navigate the home. Wander from room to room and experience what life was like in Victorian-era St. Peter.
New this year: A temporary textile display features historic garments from the Nicollet County Historical Society collection, highlighting fashion, fabric, and finely stitched details from the past.
Admission: Free will donations are welcome to help us support this historic property
Location: In St. Peter, Minnesota, at the intersection of Washington Avenue and Skaro Street.
Accessibility: The Cox House is not fully accessible. There are steps and uneven grounds.

Log Cabin Workshop
2025-07-12 10:00 - 13:00 | Nicollet County Historical Society – Treaty Site History Center, 1851 N. Minnesota Avenue, Saint Peter, MN, 56082, United States
Mark Johnson of Artisan Restoration in Kasota will teach us how cabins were built and maintained in the past during this hands-on workshop. If you’re interested in participating, please wear appropriate clothing. This event is free, and no registration is required.
