For many people, coloring served as the first introduction to how art impacts our world. Whether on plain paper or in coloring books, children experiment with mixing, outlining and blending to create what they see in their mind’s eye. For some lucky ones, the colors of the rainbow follow them into adulthood and provide an opportunity to bring joy in times of need.
Read MoreI spoke with a black man today who said, “How can you help? Talk to white people. They won’t hear me.”
I spoke with a Hmong woman today who said, “I just need space to feel all of this right now. I’ll get over it, but not for a while.”
Read MoreBack in January when I thought about a new year full of experiences, this isn’t exactly what I was expecting. I envisioned my youngest child graduating from high school, parading across the stage while her dad and I cheered for her even though the administration said not to. I imagined adventures of summertime fun — the backyard bonfires, barbecues and outdoor excursions we all cherish. I imagined being an empty nester as my children went their separate ways, leaving JC and I to explore the new territory of being “just a couple” once more.
Read MoreWhen the Anoka County Historical Society sent out our initial survey for COVID-19 in March, we didn’t anticipate a Phase II, let alone rounding the corner on creating a Phase III survey. By the results we’re receiving, most of Anoka County didn’t either.
Read MoreBy its very nature as a global pandemic, the coronavirus has reached into every country and crevice of our earth, unilaterally changing the lives of those in its wake. For many residents in Anoka County, the inconvenience of sheltering in place, receiving unemployment, or wearing a mask causes stress. The routine has shifted, work has changed, lifestyles shaken. For some, however, it has brought about an unmatched level of instability and worry.
Read MoreThe debate surrounding the definition of “essential worker” continues as Minnesotans wrestle with how to balance the physical health of our community with the economic health of the state and its residents. One photographer from Blaine has taken the conversation into her own hands, documenting the essential workers she sees.
Read MoreI landed at MSP’s Terminal 2 at 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11. I had been keeping up with the news while out of town, reading articles and emails when I could get Wi-Fi. One stood out to me: “I’m scared. What are we going to do about COVID-19?”
Nothing has been the same for the last six weeks.
Read MoreSince the History Center remains physically closed to the curious, the Anoka County Historical Society continues to brainstorm ways of bringing the information out and about. To that end, we relocated the microfilm machine to the home of a staff member, who has spent time rolling through the reels to find some great content. Search #microfilmMadness on the internet to discover the video series.
Read MoreAs we entered the second installment of quarantine thanks to the COVID-19 virus, the Anoka County Historical Society also tackled the second half of the alphabet in our #MNMuseumAlphabet challenge. Joining other historical societies across the state, ACHS has posted daily, in alphabetical order, an item from our collection.
Read MoreAmerican culture loves its fast cars, its freedom and its food. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 quarantine has taken a swipe at all three lifestyle pinnacles. But, as tradition would have it, the Anoka County community has fought back with resilience and innovation.
Read MoreThey called it the Republic School – School District #59 in Columbus. Photographs of it in the ACHS collections indicate this school had two different buildings over the course of its history.
Read MoreCatherine Grimshaw began the quilt in the 1840s as a young Pennsylvanian woman we can infer had considerable talent in handiwork. The type of star pattern she created dates the item to about 1830 and may also be known as the rising sun, lone star (for the new lands called Texas), starburst and sunburst.
Read MoreHistory happens today. And yesterday. And tomorrow. Fortunately, in this day and age of technology, the constantly changing situation relating to the COVID-19 epidemic is probably the most thoroughly documented medical event in history. The Anoka County Historical Society recognizes the importance of using our resources now to gather and curate the perspectives and opinions of our community for future reference.
Read MoreAs the world continues to distance itself physically, we have come to rely on technology to provide a sense of community. From church services to happy hours, play dates to work meetings, Anoka County residents continue to find ways to function together. The museum world has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic in part by creating hashtags on social media that each of us can use to showcase portions of our collections daily.
Read MoreThe present is the past of the future.
Right now, these simple words carry the weight of a global experience each of us views differently.
Documenting this situation as we live it presents an extremely rare opportunity to make use of social media and technology, as well as traditional writing and photography, to create a body of work future historians can use.
Read MoreSara is taking time to explore the depths of ACHS's microfilm collection. First up is what the heck are Estray Records?
Read MoreMore microfilm finds! In the county's Farm Name Register we make a surprising find ... the North Pole!
Read MoreThe latest microfilm find - incorporation record for the Protection Hook & Ladder Company Number 1 of Anoka!
Read MoreThe newly married Flora (Southard) Aldrich (1859-1921) arrived in Anoka in 1884 as the 21-year-old bride of 28-year-old Dr. Alanson Aldrich, seemingly to all the world an educated woman from a privileged and proper East Coast family. It didn’t take long for the community to understand Flora’s ambitions for herself outside the traditional role of women at the time — working alongside her husband in his medical practice, as his equal in a partnership of service to the community. Alanson not only allowed it, but encouraged her to achieve a medical education at the University of Minnesota, where she graduated in 1887.
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