Historic Fort Snelling
Upcoming Events
World War II History Roundtable: The Role of Bombers Against Germany The Role of Bombers Against Germany
Date: Feb. 11, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Author Williamson Murray will be joined by Army Air Forces Veterans for a lecture on the European Theater air war. The presentation will cover early struggles to the strategic developments that ensured the destruction of the Luftwaffe and Nazi war industry. Also, hear about the large numbers of Fort Snelling inductees who became trained flyers and crews.
World War II History Roundtable: The New Guinea Campaign
Date: March 11, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
The much overlooked campaign in the Southwest Pacific and New Guinea landing were part of the Allies’ successful island hopping strategy. Many of the troops who fought this war in the jungles were from the 32nd Infantry Division, a Wisconsin National Guard unit. Join James Campbell, author of Ghost Mountain Boys, with Southwest Pacific Campaign Veterans for a lecture about the campaign.
World War II History Roundtable: The Invasion of Anzio
Date: April 8, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Author, H. Paul Jeffers will be joined by Veterans for a presentation on the Invasion of Anzio. Despite early success of the surprise landing in late January 1944, savage fighting soon developed on the narrow 15-mile-long Anzio Beachhead south of Rome. By the breakout four months later, the Allies had lost nearly 30,000 men.
World War II History Roundtable: Normandy After the Battle
Date: April 22, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Normandy, the first area of Europe liberated in June 1944, paid a large price for its freedom. Rebuilt after the war, today it is one of the most visited areas in Europe. Still, many places show signs of the battle. In this special World War II Roundtable program noted French historian Dominique Francois will present an illustrated talk showing more than 50 then-and-now images of Normandy.
World War II History Roundtable: Air Operations in the CBI: The Hump, Air Commandos and Air Cargo
Date: May 13, 2010
Time: 7 p.m.
Air support in the CBI Theater was crucial to maintain ground
operations; rugged and inhospitable terrain often made supply otherwise
impossible. Cargo flights from India and over the Himalayas ("The Hump")
kept China in the war and brought men, equipment and supplies into Burma
to defeat the Japanese. This lecture is presented by author and historian Al Lathrop, with Veterans of the China Burma India Theater.
Historic Fort Snelling and Sibley House Historic Site Opening Weekend
Dates: May 29, 2010, May 30, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; noon to 5 p.m. Sunday
Spend a fun family weekend of programs and activities at Historic Fort Snelling and the Sibley House Historic Site's opening weekend. At the historic fort, try out the History Hunt program for kids and get a special Fort Kid’s button. Also featured this weekend are the Dred Scott Freedom Tours, which follow the history of slavery at the fort and culminate with the story of Dred and Harriet Scott and their bid for freedom. Visitors can also see cannon and musket firings, hearth cooking demonstrations and 19th-century games.
At the Sibley House Historic Site, tour some of the oldest buildings in Minnesota. See the restored Sibley and Faribault homes, learn about the fur trade and view exhibits on the history of Mendota and its connection to Minnesota’s first governor, Henry H. Sibley.
Military History Timeline
Date: May 31, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Explore a living timeline of military life through history during this special day honoring America’s soldiers. Costumed staff and reenactors will interpret different eras of military history through uniforms, accoutrements, artifacts and firing demonstrations. Veterans and current military families are admitted free of charge.
Blacksmith for a Day
Dates: June 5, 2010, June 20, 2010, Oct. 23, 2010
Time: 1 to 4 p.m.
Join the skilled tradesmen of the historic fort to try blacksmithing under the direction of the smith. You'll select a project, work the forge, pound out the hot metal, and shape the iron using hammer and tongs as it was done two centuries ago. Children ages 12-17 must be accompanied by an adult. Groups of up to eight people may make advance reservations on other days.
Bread Baking at Historic Fort Snellling
Date: June 5, 2010
Time: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Experience the process of making bread with the costumed staff at Historic Fort Snelling. Using a early 19th-century bread “receipt” (recipe), you'll learn the preparation and kneading of the dough, then take your bread to the bakeshop where it will go into the wall oven to bake. While you wait for your bread to come out of the oven, take a tour of the fort’s kitchens to learn more about what people ate and how they prepared foods during the 1820s. Space is limited so don’t miss the opportunity bake and take home a loaf of hot homemade bread.
World War II Weekend
Dates: June 12, 2010, June 13, 2010
Time: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Travel back to the World War II era to learn about Fort Snelling and Minnesota’s role on battlefields and at home. Costumed staff, displays, weapon firing demonstrations, authentic vehicles and reenactors from across the region occupy the historic fort during this special weekend devoted to Minnesota's Greatest Generation. Visitors can participate in many hands-on activities for families including crafts, games and obstacle course.
Field Music One-Day Camps
Dates: June 19, 2010, Sept. 18, 2010, Oct. 16, 2010
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Join up for an afternoon of music and fun. Campers will be issued instruments including tin whistles -- which they can take home -- and drums that they will use while learning to play military music from the 1800s. The afternoon ends with a special performance in the Historic Fort. No previous musical experience necessary. Designed for ages 10-14.
Little House in the Big Fort Day Camps
Dates: June 21, 2010, June 22, 2010, June 23, 2010, June 24, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Experience the life described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House" books. Based in the 1840s Officers Quarters of Historic Fort Snelling, campers will sing the songs, play the games, and make the food and crafts that Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier in the 19th century. Each camp will focus on specific books in the series and will include a food project, cooking, sewing, music, stories and games described in the books. Camps will also include a one-room schoolhouse experience. Historic Fort Snelling's summer camps were selected as "Best Camps for Kids" by Nickelodeon.com in 2008. Space is limited to 14 per camp, so make your reservations early for this unique experience. $10 discount for reservations made before Jan. 15, 2010. Camps schedule:
June 21-24 (ages 7-10) - focuses on the first four books in the series
July 5-8 (ages 7-10) - focuses on the first four books in the series
July 13-14 (ages 7-10) - activities from all eight books in the series
July 19-22 (ages 10-13) - focuses on the last four books in the series
Aug. 2-5 (ages 7-10) - focuses on the last four books in the series
Additional Dates: July 5, 2010, July 6, 2010, July 7, 2010, July 8, 2010, July 13, 2010, July 14, 2010, July 19, 2010, July 20, 2010, July 21, 2010, July 22, 2010, Aug. 2, 2010, Aug. 3, 2010, Aug. 4, 2010, Aug. 5, 2010
Soldier One-Day Camps
Dates: June 26, 2010, Aug. 14, 2010, Aug. 28, 2010, Sept. 25, 2010
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Enlist in the 5th Regiment for an afternoon of fun at Historic Fort Snelling. New recruits will learn about the lives of soldiers during the 1820s at Fort Snelling. Campers will have a soldier’s lunch, march and drill, practice loading a cannon, and watch musket and cannon firings. Designed for ages 8-13. Space is limited to 12. Reservations required.
Additional Dates: Oct. 9, 2010
Civil War Walking Tour
Dates: June 26, 2010, July 24, 2010, Aug. 28, 2010
Time: 10 a.m.
Fort Snelling played a pivotal role in the Civil War. The fort had been abandoned as a military post in 1858, but the need for a place to train Minnesota volunteers brought it back to prominence. More than 24,000 troops were trained at the fort, including the famous 1st Minnesota Regiment, which played a vital role in the victory at Gettysburg.
At the same time, Minnesota volunteers were called to fight the Dakota in the Minnesota River Valley. After five weeks of fighting the Dakota were defeated, resulting in the tragic internment of over 1,600 Dakota in the river flats below the historic fort. This special 90-minute walking tour will focus on Fort Snelling history from 1858-1865 and will include a walk to the memorial located where the Dakota were held over the winter of 1862-63. Reservations and prepayment required.
U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 Walking Tour
Dates: June 26, 2010, July 24, 2010, Aug. 28, 2010
Time: 1 p.m.
Examine one of the most important events in Minnesota history during this special 90-minute walking tour. The tour will focus on the role of the Indian Agency in working with the Dakota people after 1820, the 1851 treaties with the Dakota and their impact on the U.S.-Dakota war, and the outbreak of the war in August 1862. The tour will include a walk to the memorial at the site of the Dakota internment camp over the winter of 1862-3, located on the river flats below the historic fort, where over 150 people died before the Dakota were exiled from the state. This tour covers serious content and is intended for ages 14 and up. Reservations and prepayment required.
Fort Snelling Upper Post Walking Tour
Dates: June 27, 2010, July 25, 2010, Aug. 29, 2010
Time: Noon
Fort Snelling’s long history includes a major role as an induction and training center during World War II. More than 300,000 members of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation began their military life at Fort Snelling from 1941-1945. There, they learned about the rigors of military life, were tested and sent to training sections across the country. Several special groups, including military police, railroad engineers and Japanese translators at the Military Intelligence Language School, were also trained at Fort Snelling.
The tour will take a two-mile loop to the Upper Post, where many World War II-era buildings still stand. It will begin at the historic fort's Visitor Center, where participants will see the map of the World War II-era fort, which extended to the National Cemetery. Guests will then walk to the Upper Post to see the old barracks, headquarters and other structures that were a part of the biggest military base in Minnesota. Reservations are recommended; maximum 25 people.
Huck Finn Day Camp
Dates: June 28, 2010, June 29, 2010, June 30, 2010, July 1, 2010
Time: 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mark Twain's classic book, "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn," serves as the basis for this exciting camp. Participants will explore the book and its themes of adventure and boyhood fun through hands-on activities in the unique setting of Historic Fort Snelling. Campers will go fishing, cook outdoors, build a lodge, and explore the river and woods of the adjacent Fort Snelling State Park. Campers will also hike to the historic and culturally significant Coldwater Spring and learn about the importance of this place to the people of Minnesota. The camp offers the unique exploration of a classic of American literature while experiencing the life of the children who lived at the fort in the early 19th century. Historic Fort Snelling’s Summer Camps were selected as "Best Camps for Kids" by Nickelodeon.com in 2008. Each camp is limited to 15, so make reservations early for this unique experience. $10 discount for reservations made before Jan. 15, 2010. Two-day camp options are also available. Camps schedule:
June 28-July 1 (ages 9-13)
July 6-7 (ages 8-11)
July 12-15 (ages 9-13)
July 20-21 (ages 8-11)
July 26-29 (ages 9-13)
Additional Dates: July 6, 2010, July 7, 2010, July 12, 2010, July 13, 2010, July 14, 2010, July 15, 2010, July 20, 2010, July 21, 2010, July 26, 2010, July 27, 2010, July 28, 2010, July 29, 2010
Little House Sampler Day Program
Date: Oct. 9, 2010
Time: Noon to 4 p.m.
Experience the life described in Laura Ingalls Wilder’s "Little House" books in a special one-day program with activities from the historic site's popular Little House in the Big Fort Summer Camps. Campers will sing songs, play games, and make food and crafts that Wilder learned while growing up on the western frontier in the 19th century. Designed for ages 7-11. Space is limited to 14. Reservations required.
