Faribault’s Bruce Smith and the 1941 Minnesota Golden Gophers
Thursday, December 9, 2021; 6:30pm Book Signing, 7pm Program Held at the Rice County Historical Society
On December 9, 1941, just two days after the attack on Pearl Harbor, Faribault native and University of Minnesota football star Bruce Smith accepted the prestigious Heisman Trophy in front of millions of American radio listeners.
This December 9, on the 80th anniversary of Smith’s iconic speech, join Minnesota author and journalist Danny Spewak to relive this wonderful moment in Faribault history. Spewak will also discuss his new book, “From the Gridiron to the Battlefield: Minnesota’s March to a College Football Title and into World War II,” which tells the story of the undefeated 1941 Gopher football team and features Smith as the team captain.
Book signing at 6:30
Program at 7:00
$3.00 Admission
Free for RCHS Members
Historic Happenings with Susan Hvistendahl
Thursday, November 4, 2021; 7pm-8pm Held at the Rice County Historical Society
Local historian Susan Hvistendahl presents highlights from her new second edition of volume one of her “Historic Happenings” book series, including an update on Northfield’s Archer House and incidents with lions in 1915 and 1929. Her latest book, “Milestones and Memories of St. Olaf Band 1891-2018,” co-written with Jeffrey Sauve, will also be featured and all three “Historic Happenings” volumes about Northfield, St. Olaf and Carleton will be available for purchase.
This events costs $3 for non-members, and is free for members of the Rice County Historical Society. To Register please call 507-332-2121 to register for this program.
RCHS Fall Flea Market
Saturday, September 18, 2021
8am – 2pm
The Rice County Historical Society will be hosting its Fall Flea Market on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 8 am to 2 pm. Market vendors will bring a great variety of items to shop for including; antiques, collectibles, crafts, glassware, kitchen appliances, wood benches, and more.
It is exciting to offer this event once again at the Rice County Historical Society grounds. We are repeating the layout from the Spring Flea Market which will help with social distancing, supporting everyone as we continue to be COVID-19 aware – doing our part to ensure it the Flea Market is a safe and positive experience for both the vendors and the shoppers. Vendors for the Flea Market will be spaced out on the grounds of this event in awareness of Social Distancing (6’+). Face coverings will be strongly encouraged for both the vendors and shoppers during this six-hour event. Hand sanitizer stations will be set up throughout the grounds. Social distancing signs will be posted for kindly reminders to stay 6’ apart. The RCHS will monitor the CDC guidelines and will follow them if there is any changes for outside events. With the help of all, this can be a successful and safe event.
If you know of anyone wanting to sell their items at this Flea Market, please share this information with them. There will be a lot of foot traffic during the day.
All who are interesting in being a vendor (of any experience level) are encouraged to give us a call. Vendor spots available are 10’x20’ stalls and can be reserved for $20 prior to the day of the event. If there are any spaces remaining, they will be available for $25 on the day of the event. You are encouraged to bring a tarp or table, canopy, or whatever is necessary to display your items. First-time sellers are welcome! Vendors will be able to set up starting at 5:30 am.
The Flea Market will be in the Museum’s front parking lot as well as behind the RCHS Museum of History, at 1814 NW 2nd Avenue, Faribault, MN 55021. Vendors are invited to reserve a spot for the Flea Market by making a fee payment and completing a Vendor Agreement Form.
For more information or to sign up to be a vendor, please contact the Rice County Historical Society during regular business hours, Monday – Friday / 9am – 4pm, 507-332-2121 or send us an email at rchs@rchistory.org.
2nd Annual Cruising Rice County History
Saturday, August 21. 2021
10am – 2:30pm
Join the Rice County Historical Society for an outside tour of 6 historic sites around southwestern Rice County, MN. Volunteers will be at each site to share its history and answer questions. This is a family-friendly event. All vehicles (cars, vans, motorcycles, even busses) are welcome. $20/vehicle – no matter how many people are in the vehicle.
Whereas last year’s COVID-19 restrictions meant we could only visit the grounds for the sites, this year, participants will be able to go into the buildings for more information. Please note, any new COVID-19 restrictions as of the time of the event will be followed.
To make it fun, we’ve added a poker-run-like game but instead of a poker hand, we’re just counting the face value of the cards – highest hand wins. (Aces high). Each car will get one playing card when they stop at each site, and then participants will turn in their cards when they return to the museum at the end of the tour route. The top 5 hands will receive a prize.
Participants should start this 2.5-hour tour anytime between 10 am and noon. Playing Cards should be turned in no later than 2:30.
You can register for the event by calling the museum at 507-332-2121 or rchs@rchistory.org