Brainerd History Week ramps up

Brainerd History Week starts with a couple events on Tuesday but really kicks off on Wednesday with a host of events in downtown Brainerd.

Mary Koep, one of the organizers, said she's happy the third iteration of Brainerd History Week has featured new faces and new events. Multiple groups have come forward and asked to get involved, she said, which is a sign of growing interest.

"There are people out there who really believe that it's something they want to get involved with," Koep said.

Wednesday night includes an event with members of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe and will feature a traditional dance, video and discussion of tribal issues. Koep said the event will be "extremely good," and also mentioned the inclusion of more events on Sunday as two highlights to look forward to.

"There's so much I'm just happy that everything seems to be going so well," Koep said. "We hope the weather cooperates."

Koep has been fielding questions from many people about what's included in this year's Brainerd History Week. People have also been asking her about what's happening next year, she said, which indicates people are looking at it as an annual event.

"Of course, that's the hope of our entire committee, that this is just the beginning," Koep said.

The focus of the week is on the city and its interesting, varied history, Koep said. The events that go over well are the history walks and the Evergreen Cemetery tours, she said, which shows people have an interest in the history.

One of Koep's goals for each history week is to have events for a wide variety of ages and to keep those events free of charge. It's important to her for families to be able to come to each event without worrying about paying for it.

"The events are there for them to enjoy and learn a little more about our city and our history and just enjoy it," Koep said.

The only scheduled event with a cost is the fundraiser for the Crow Wing County Historical Society Thursday night at the NP Event Space. The funds are very much needed for repairs and renovations, Koep said.

"I think our people value that museum very highly," Koep said. "They'll have a lot there for people to look at and talk about."

The schedule for the week is as follows:

Tuesday-Flag Day

• 4-4:45 p.m.-Elk's Lodge Flag Day ceremony at Crow Wing County All Veterans Memorial at the Crow Wing County Courthouse

• 6 p.m.-downtown Brainerd history walk, meet at the Brainerd Public Library

Wednesday-Downtown Brainerd Day

• 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.-Salvation Army celebrates 125 years in Brainerd-at Salvation Army.

• 2-3 p.m.-antique fire truck viewing at Salvation Army

• 10 a.m.-downtown Brainerd history walk, reservations requested, meet at Brainerd Public Library

• 10:30 a.m.-children's parade, staging at 10 a.m. in front of Fancy Pants Chocolates, 704 Laurel St.

• 11 a.m.-scavenger hunt, meet at Totally Kidz, 618 Front St.

• 1-2 p.m.-puppet show at 702 Laurel St.

• noon - 4 p.m.-tours of the old Brainerd Library at the Carnegie Building, 206 North Seventh St.

• 2 p.m.-Traveling Art Pub, meet at the business, 502 South Sixth St.

• 5-7 p.m.-Brainerd Housing and Redevelopment Authority: 50 years of history open house at Short Elliott Hendrickson building, 416 South Sixth St.

• noon-tours of historic Crow Wing County Courthouse

• 5 p.m.-downtown Brainerd history walk, meet at the Brainerd Public Library

• 6:30 - 8 p.m.-Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe dance, video and discussion of cultural issues at the auditorium in the Crow Wing County Land Services Building

Thursday-Northern Pacific Center Day

• 10 a.m. - noon-Franklin Art Center open house: guided tours and refreshments

• 2-5:30 p.m.-Northern Pacific Center tours, leaving every half-hour

• 2-9 p.m.-Roundhouse Brewery beer tasting

• 1 p.m.-Northland Arboretum tour, make reservations at the arboretum

• 3 p.m.-Northland Arboretum tour, make reservations at the arboretum

• 6-9 p.m.-Crow Wing County Historical Society fundraiser and a social event for members of Andy Walsh's Facebook page "Share History and Stories about Brainerd Lakes Area History," at NP Event Space. Tickets are $15 for adults, $7.50 for kids ages 5-12, children under 5 free with a max of $50 per family.

Friday

• 10:30 a.m.-"Oldest Rifle Artifact," Ray Nelson presentation at Crow Wing County Historical Society

• 2-5:30 p.m.-Exploring Danish history and culture at Crow Wing County Historical Society featuring crafts, Aebleskiver and other treats

• 3 p.m.-Storytime for children, session one at Crow Wing County Historical Society

• 4 p.m.-Storytime for children, session two at Crow Wing County Historical Society

• 11:59 a.m. - 7 p.m.-194th Regiment open house at Brainerd National Guard Armory featuring the 194th Regiment history display and Camp Ripley Military Museum display

• 6 p.m.-Strong Towns presentation by Chuck Marohn at Brainerd City Hall followed by a walk through downtown Brainerd to illustrate the presentation

Saturday-Northeast Brainerd Day

• 10 a.m. - noon-bike event, from Kiwanis Park to the Brainerd Industrial Center

• 10:30 a.m.-Evergreen Cemetery history walk

• noon - 5 p.m.-Brainerd Industrial Center and hydro dam

• noon-doors open at Brainerd Industrial Center, with subs or pizza available

• noon-Northeast Brainerd historical bus tour #1, reservations required, tour starts at BIC

• noon - 1 p.m.-paper machine open house and tours at BIC

• 1-2:30 p.m.-presentations and historical slideshow at Brainerd Industrial Center: Welcome to BIC, honoring veterans and former paper mill employees

• 3 p.m.-guided tour of the hydro dam

• 3:30 p.m.-Northeast Brainerd historical bus tour #2, reservations required

• 2-4 p.m.-hydro dam open house

• 4:30 p.m.-doors close

Sunday-Lum Park Day

• 1-2 p.m.-Children's events

• 2-3 p.m.-Church event-interdom church service.

• 3:30 p.m.-Ski Loons will be giving a demonstration

• 3:30-5 p.m.-Disc golf

• 6-7:30 p.m.-Minnesota Adult and Teen Challenge concert

SPENSER BICKETT may be reached at 218-855-5859 or spenser.bickett@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/spenserbickett .