A 1918 Christmas with the Lindberghs

Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, Little Falls MN

Dates: Nov. 28, 2009, Dec. 5, 2009

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Fee: $7 adults, $6 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

After losing re-election to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1917, Charles Lindbergh Sr. and his family spent their first Christmas in their Little Falls home in 1918. In this special program, living history characters will portray family members and hired workers readying the house for Christmas. Learn about the political and social landscape of Minnesota at the time, why Lindbergh Sr. left politics, and discover how the Lindberghs viewed the war in Europe and their hopes for the new year of 1919. The program includes a 45-minute tour of the home and admission to the Visitor Center exhibits. Visitors receive a 10-percent discount on gift shop purchases. Hot apple cider and cookies will be available.

A Little Steinway Music

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 3, 2009, Dec. 4, 2009

Time: 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Fee: $17; $2 discount for MHS members

Reservations: required, call 651-296-8760

Enjoy a musical comedy performed in the Ramseys' elegant parlor decorated for the holidays. The play is an original short story produced by Walking Boxes theatre group and inspired by Victorian life, with dramatic readings and music played on the 1872 Steinway piano. A first floor tour of the house is included. Not recommended for children under 6.

A Radio Holiday: Songs, Stories, Singalong with Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 5, 2009

Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $15, $10 MHS members

Reservations: required, call 651-259-3015 or register online

Enjoy a concert of classic holiday standards with local tunesmiths, Prudence Johnson and Dan Chouinard. In support of the History Center's new exhibit, Minnesota’s Greatest Generation: The Depression, The War & The Boom, Johnson and Chouinard share holiday interpretations of timeless standards of the 30s and 40s in voice and piano. Join in the fun and sing along.

Victorian Santa Claus

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 12, 2009

Time: 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Fee: $9 adults, $7 seniors and college students, $6 children ages 6 to 17, $3 children ages 5 and under; $2 discount for MHS members

Head to the Carriage House to meet a Victorian-era Santa Claus. At the top of each hour from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. listen in as Santa Claus reads from the 1823 poem, "Twas the Night Before Christmas." Before and after the readings, children can make their own ornaments and tell Santa what they would like for Christmas. Parents are encouraged to bring a camera to take their own photos. Optional tour of the mansion included.

An 'Eventually' Christmas: Holidays at the Mill

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis MN

Dates: Dec. 18, 2009, Dec. 19, 2009, Dec. 20, 2009, Dec. 26, 2009, Dec. 27, 2009

Time: 4:30, 5:30 and 6:30 p.m.

Fee: $14 adults, $12 seniors and college students, $10 for children ages 6-17 and MHS members.

Reservations: required, call 612-341-7555

This unique theatrical event performed in the museum's Flour Tower elevator ride, features "The Ghost of Mill City Past" guiding an intimate look at the 1920 Washburn Crosby holiday party. The script is based on real stories taken from the pages of the company's employee newspaper. Scenes unfold on different floors of the mill and visitors will meet different characters along the way. Witness the rocky romance of Celia and Otto; meet marketing mastermind Benjamin S. Bull; experience the awesome sweeping power of Bill Smith; and learn the secret origin of the Washburn Crosby marketing slogan, "Eventually-Why Not Now?"

This piece is written by playwright Joseph Scrimshaw, directed by Laura Salveson, and stars a cast of professional Twin Cities' actors.

Victorian Christmas Stories

James J. Hill House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Dec. 20, 2009, Dec. 27, 2009

Time: 6 p.m.

Fee: $10 adult, $8 seniors and college students, $6 children age 17 and under; $2 discount for MHS members.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-297-2555

Costumed actors Craig Johnson and Kirby Bennett bring 19th-century Christmas traditions to life with warmth and humor in this readers theatre performance of holiday stories, including works by Mark Twain, Willa Cather, O. Henry’s "Gift of the Magi," and selections from Dickens' "A Christmas Carol." The performers will discuss the rapid development of Christmas traditions—including Christmas literature—during the nineteenth century. Admission to the one-hour program includes light refreshments and tours of the Hill House, decorated for the holidays.

Sorry, library passes are not valid for this program.

Global Hotdish Variety Show: T. Mychael Rambo Hosts

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Jan. 23, 2010

Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 to 17; $2 discount for MHS member adult ticket only. Tickets include museum gallery admission.

Reservations: required, register online

This whimsical 90-minute variety show features multi-cultural, multi-generational artists performing and leading the crowd in music, dancing and sing-a-long entertainment. Host T. Mychael Rambo is joined by yo yo master Dazzling Dave; Maryam Yusefzadeh and Tim O'Keefe singing Persian song poems; Bob Walser and family performing Appalachian flat foot clogging; the fur trade fashions and a capella harmonies of The Sons of the Voyaguer; pre-teen vocal sensation and Minnesota State Fair talent winner Julius Andrews IV; and Beth Gilleland's Geo Pop Quiz & Great State Trivia TidBits. Music provided by Los Jefes. Arrive early for pre-show entertainment in the History Center Rotunda at 1:30 p.m.

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Winter Carnival Weekend Puppet Show and History HiJinx Craft Activity

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Jan. 23, 2010, Jan. 24, 2010, Jan. 30, 2010, Jan. 31, 2010

Time: Noon to 4 p.m.

Fee: $10 adults, $8 seniors and college students, $5 children ages 6-17; free for children age 5 and under and MHS members.

Meet Minnesota legends King Boreas and Vulcanus Rex, performed by Z Puppets Rosenschnoz' Shari Aronson and Christopher Griffith, for a comic overview of their royal origins through puppets and storytelling in "Beyond Boreas! A Puppet Show of Frozen Follies and Mythical Meltdowns" at 1:30, 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. Families and children also can make a shimmering icicle crown and royal sceptor at a History HiJinx craft activity throughout the afternoon.

Hill House Parlor Concerts: 24th Season

James J. Hill House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Feb. 1, 2010, Feb. 8, 2010, May 3, 2010, May 10, 2010

Time: 7:30 p.m.

Fee: $17; $15 for MHS members or Schubert Club subscribers. Three concert series: $50, $45.

The Hill House Chamber Players begin their 24th season with concerts performed in the restored art gallery of the James J. Hill House. Complimentary refreshments are served during intermission and admission includes a tour of the Hill House following the performance. The Players are Rees Allison, piano; Julie Ayer, violin; Thomas Turner, viola; Tanya Remenikova, cello; and Jeffrey Van, guitar.

The November concerts will include Georg Phillipp Telemann, Don Quixote Suite, Overture No. 10 in G "Burlesque de Quixote"; Antonin Dvorak, Terzetto, in C major Opus 74, for two violins and viola; Michael Dougherty, Viola Zombie; and Brahms, Viola Quintet No. 2, Opus 111, in G major. Guest artists include Catherine Schubilske on violin, Nathalie Cruden on viola and Craig Johnson, narrator.

The February concerts will include G. Puccini, Crysanthemum; Turina, Fandanguillo; Franz Joseph Haydn, Piano Trio, Hob XV, No. 26; and Felix Mendelsohnn, Quartet No. 2, Opus 13, in A major. The Guest artist is Catherine Schubilske on violin.

The May concerts will include Astor Piazzolla, Tango Selections; Marcello, Sonata in E minor for Viola and Piano; Jeffrey Van, Fantasma de Falla for guitar and string trio; and Gabriel Faure, Quartet No. 1 in C minor, Opus 15.

The Schubert Club is a local classical music organization dating back to the 19th century that provides use of rare instruments in its collection for these concerts.

Sorry, library passes are not valid for this program.

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Victorian Poetry Slam

James J. Hill House, St. Paul MN

Dates: Feb. 14, 2010

Time: 6 p.m.

Fee: $10 adults; $2 discount for MHS members. MELSA passes not accepted for this special event.

Reservations: recommended, call 651-297-2555

Celebrate Valentine's Day with classic poems of the 19th-century in the elegant drawing room of the Hill House. Costumed actors Craig Johnson, Laura Salveson and Ann Daly will perform a wide range of beloved poems by Dickinson, Poe, Longfellow Browning and others dealing with love, romance, temperance, sports and war — even poems about James J. Hill. The one-hour program will be followed by light refreshments and tours of the home.

Global Hotdish Variety Show: Pop Wagner Hosts

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: Feb. 27, 2010

Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 to 17; $2 discount for MHS member adult ticket only. Tickets include museum gallery admission.

Reservations: required, register online

This whimsical 90-minute variety show features multi-cultural, multi-generational artists performing and leading the crowd in music, dancing and sing-a-long entertainment. Pop Wagner will host Mongolian foot juggling with Chimgee Haltarhuu and Anwar Hassouni; Ojibwe flute music with Darren Moose; faux French cooking with Z Puppets Rosenschnoz; African American step dancing with DelaSouljah Steppers and a Geo Pop Quiz and Great State Trivia TidBits with Beth Gilleland. Music provided by Dan Newton and the Café Accordion Orchestra.

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Global Hotdish Variety Show: Tou Ger Xiong Hosts

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul MN

Dates: March 27, 2010

Time: 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Fee: $12 adults, $5 children ages 6 to 17; $2 discount for MHS member adult ticket only. Tickets include museum gallery admission.

Reservations: required, register online

This whimsical 90-minute variety show features multi-cultural, multi-generational artists performing and leading the crowd in music, dancing and sing-a-long entertainment. Hmong comedian Tou Ger Xiong hosts Wacky Chickens with Lloyd Brandt and Rosie Cole; exquisite choreography with the School of India for Languages and Culture; Austrian Alphorn music with Steve Ecklund, Vicki Wheeler and Becky Jyrkas; high kicks with the Satin Dolls and a Geo Pop Quiz and Great State Trivia Tidbits with Beth Gilleland. Music provided by Cyril Paul and the Calypso Monarchs.

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