Fireside Chats
Beginning each October the Hennepin History Museum sponsors a series of chats in our intimate Fireside Room.
We invite experts and authors to address our visitors and members on a wide range of historical and cultural topics and answer questions. When we host published authors, often signed book copies are available for purchase. We have brought speakers to discuss everything from the Dakota Uprising to the Eloise Butler Flower Garden to Hennepin County holiday traditions. Please join us for our next intriguing Chat in our lovely Fireside Room. 
"Peanuts, Popcorn, and Preemies"
April 28th, 2013 2 pm, Sunday Wonderland Park in South Minneapolis opened its gates to the public in May 1905 in what was one of the most highly anticipated entertainment events of the year. Visitors finally had a chance to ride on one of the world's finest carousels, "fly" in an airship, Shoot the Chutes, and see any number of amazing, death-defying acts (Dare Devil Dash doing his Dip of Death was a particular favorite). But the park had a serious side as well--the Infant Incubator Institute offered free medical care to prematurely born infants on display in "glass castles," as electrically-powered incubators were known. It was all part and parcel of Americans' love affair with electricity, and it was all happening on Lake Street. 
Fireside Chats: We invite experts and authors to address our visitors and members on a wide range of
historical and cultural topics and answer questions. When we host published authors, often
signed book copies are available for purchase.
Previous ChatsMarch 3rd, 2013
2 pm, Sunday "The League of Women Voters: A Look Back and Forward" Hear members of League of Women Voters Minneapolis tell about their activism on major public policy issues affecting our city. Today, as in the past, LWVMpls uses education and advocacy to inform citizens and influence policy on important local issues such as: livability and housing, city government, our schools, gun control, criminal justice and voting integrity. Joan Higinbotham, host of the issue focused MTN program We the People, will be the moderator for the discussion. February 10, 2013 2 pm, Sunday "The 19th Century Photographic History of Minnehaha Falls" Independant historian and HHM Board Member Karen Cooper will give a presentation on the fascinating history of Minnehaha Falls, featuring historical photos from her own collection. January 20th, 2013 6 pm, Sunday "Sisters In Crime" Local mystery writers spill their secrets. Murder can be messy...how do authors clean up their work? Members of local writer's group "Sisters in Crime" will talk about getting started, doing research, dealing with writer's block, group critique, revising a manuscript, and the journey to publication. 12/2/2012 2 pm, Sunday "The Museum in the Streets" Hear how community visionaries and intrepid researchers worked together to create three historic walking tours on Lake Street. This groundbreaking history project is truly accessible, bringing history to everyone via beautiful and sturdy placards in English and Spanish (open 24 hours a day, completely free, no smartphone required). The creators of the Lake Street historic markers project will discuss the project conception, how it came to fruition, the extensive research that went into the project, and surprising stories of various Lake Street sites. 10/21/2012 2 pm, Sunday "Bettye Olson" Artist Bettye Olson will talk about her long career, and discuss some of her works currently on exhibition at HHM. She has painted, printed, studied, taught, and exhibited both throughout the Metro area, and around the world. Ms. Olson was part of the Stillwater Art Colony, helped found the West Lake Gallery (Minneapolis), and has touched countless lives through her work as a educator, as well as through her own artistic work. Bettye Johnson Olson was born in Minneapolis, and is proud to be a lifelong Twin Cities resident. Ms Olson maintains a studio in St. Paul, and continues a tradition of creating beautiful art inspired by her own environment. 11/11/2012 2 pm, Sunday "HCMC" Guests from the The Hennepin Medical History Center talk about the history of HCMC, and their role in preserving and presenting that legacy via their work with the HCMC History Collection. This unique museum and collection is actually located at the Hennepin County Medical Center. Learn about the history of medicine and patient care in Minneapolis and Hennepin County, from St. Barnabas Hospital and The Swedish Hospital to Minneapolis General. Come early to see the exhibits!
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