Dutch Oven Cooking Class

Want to learn how the pioneers cooked their meals on the trail?
Come to the Dutch Oven Cooking Class on June 19th starting at 9:00 AM.
Come and observe for free. Enroll in the class: $45, call Steve Kelly at 952-475-0733 to sign up.
Sponsored by the Old West Society of Minnesota

Setting up the wagon

Cooking over the fire

Back of the chuckwagon

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2009 Annual Meeting

The WHCPA annual meeting was held on Saturday, August 15, 2009 at the Calvin Presbyterian Church in Long Lake, MN.  Bob Gasch made a presentation on 1950’s.

Calvin Presbyterian Church

 

President Steve Kelly addressing the meeting

Bob Gasch speaking on the 1950's

Walter Ernst and wife Edith. Walter celebrated his 101st birthday earlier this year.

Thompson Cottage Summer Social

A fundraiser for the preservation of archives and artifacts maintained by the Pioneer Association.

This event has been canceled.

The Thompson summer cottage stands on the north shore of Lafayette Bay in Minnetonka Beach and is one of the last surviving grand old summer houses on Lake Minnetonka. Built in 1887 by Charles Thompson, the restoration of the home was featured on the television show, “Hometime”.

Hill Hullabaloo

Hill Hullabaloo Event April 18, 2009, 7pm to 10pm
Hill School 2180 North Shore Drive, Wayzata, MN 55391
Come and support the current Hill School while learning about the history of Hill School.
Play an historical game of “Clue” and win a prize!
The WHCPA will have a display.

WHCPA board members Gary White and Mike Ellis will be at the school on April 7 to talk to the 5th – 9th grades about local history and current Kindergarten – 4th grade Hill School students will tour the WHCPA museum on the same day.

Pioneer Winter at Wolsfeld Cabin

Recent Event
March 20 – 22, 2009 Pioneer Winter in cooperation with the United States Christian Commission.
Come and visit with a pioneer family and their friends on March 20 – 22, 2009.
Join reenactors as they show you how people made do through the Minnesota winter in 1864.
Friday- Sunday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday is School/Kids Day
Sunday Morning Church Service @ 10 a.m.in Medina, Minnesota.

In Memory of Charlotte Benson

Charlotte Ann Benson, 1950 – 2008, passed away Sunday, November 16, 2008.  Charlotte was a member of the WHCPA Board and was in charge of WHCPA Archives and the website.  She will be sorely missed by the WHCPA. You can see her obituary here.

WHCPA at Medina Celebration

The Western Hennepin County Pioneer Association hosted a display and a panel discussion at Medina’s 150 year celebration on September 27th. 

Panel discussion: Walter Ernst, age 100, Mike Ellis, age 88, Pete Schmidt, age 80, Olive Eager, age 90, Bill Deziel, moderator Bob Gasch

Many items of local history were on display at the celebration.

Local historical artifacts on display at Medina

Photos courtesy of Laurie Hatcher Merz.

Medina Celebration Update

Local historians will be available at the Medina Community Celebration starting around 4:00 pm on Saturday, September 27th to discuss Medina’s early days.  Listen to discussions with residents who know the history of Medina.  WHCPA will have displays of industries that were part of Medina’s history.

Come with your questions and find out about Medina’s early days!  Stay for the Fireworks display!

Medina Sesquicentennial Celebration Day

Come to Medina’s celebration of 150 years of community!
WHCPA Pioneer Museum will have a display.
Saturday, September 27th, 3:30 pm to 8:30 pm.
Hamel Community Building and Hamel Legion Park at 3200 Mill Drive.

• Historical Display Contest (call for details)
• Bingo, put on by the Hamel Lions
• Medina Food Vendors
• Medina Business Expo & a Farmers’ Market
• Old Fashioned Lawn Games
• Pumpkin Painting, Games & Prizes
• Clown Creating Balloon Art
• Face Painting
• Hair Braiding
• Bonfire and S’mores

Grand Finale:  Fireworks display at 8:00 or dusk!
Information Website: click here
Questions? Call Linda or Jodi at City of Medina (763) 473-4643
or email: Linda.lane@ci.medina.mn.us

WHCPA Annual Meeting

The Western Hennepin Pioneer Association’s annual meeting was held on August 17, 2008 at Independence Town Hall.  The meeting featured local history discussions by Independence Mayor Marv Johnson and Independence Museum Curator Earl Taylor.  Bob Gasch led a discussion of local Independence Township history. After the meeting the Independence Museum in the old town hall was open for visiting.  The museum has a fine collection of local artifacts and publications.

Independence Mayor Marv Johnson addressing Annual Meeting

Flower Center Piece

Earl Taylor curator of Independence Museum