St. Louis County Historical Society

10/03/2026

The Tower Soudan Historical Society annual meeting last month featured a presentation on 143 miners killed in the Soudan Mine. "The miners ranged in age from 16 to 62, with most of the deaths occurring among men in their 20s and 30s. Forty-four percent were married, although some had wives and children who remained in Europe" according to the Timberjay article.

TOWER- They came to remember 143 men whose deaths had once been recorded largely as names on a list. By the time members of the Soudan Mine Miners Memorial Committee finished their presentation …

10/01/2026

14,000 artifacts collected over more than 100 years and each has a backstory (or provenance) the tells us a bit about who we are as a people. Now what can a bottle of sand possibly tell us?🤨 Watch Terry Johnson, SLCHS curator, and History Hailey to find out!

09/23/2026

100 Years of Hunter Pride! Maroon and Gold run deep as we celebrate the Denfeld High School Centennial Celebration on Friday, Sept. 25!
Whether you’re joining us in person or tuning in from afar, there are plenty of ways to be part of this unforgettable milestone:
✨ Event Highlights – Friday, Sept. 25
📍 3:00 PM – Unveiling of History: Watch the unearthing of the 100-year-old time capsule! Alumni and community members can gather inside the Denfeld Auditorium to view the live stream on the big screen! 📹
🌐 Can’t make it in person? Catch the live stream from anywhere: https://vimeo.com/event/6191359
🍰 4:00 PM – Centennial Social Hour: Connect with alumni, faculty, and friends in the Commons for light refreshments and great conversation.
📜 5:00 PM – Historical Presentation & Time Capsule Dedication: Enjoy a special presentation by the St. Louis County Historical Society in the Auditorium, followed by the sealing of a brand-new time capsule for future generations of Hunters!
🏛️ Guided Tours: Tours follow immediately after the presentation, with additional tours on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
👉 Please RSVP as soon as possible by visiting denfeld.isd709.org/history
We can't wait to celebrate a century of excellence with our amazing Denfeld community! 🏛️❤️

09/18/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/1CGdJ5toGL/

Applications can be downloaded from the Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship webpage.NOW OPEN CLOSES: OCT0BER 19, 2026 2026 Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship Veterans Memorial Hall (VMH), a program of the St. Louis County Historical Society, is connecting students, soldiers, and the pub...

09/17/2026

Not all objects of war relate to battle, as our Objects of War: A Storytelling Circle of Service, Memory, and Community program will show. R&R can evoke memories of relief and respite. Members of the USS Duluth spent months at a time supporting South Vietnamese troops in the waning days of that conflict, including Operation Song Thanh. This t-shirt represents a break from the conflict. Dan Streu, a Marine who participated in Song Thanh, recalls 3 to 4 days of liberty in Singapore, marveling at the architecture. When R&R ended, the feeling was "here we go again."

Join us for Objects of War: A Storytelling Circle of Service, Memory, and Community Thursday, September 24, 6-8:30 pm at the American Legion Post 71 (registration required).

09/16/2026

Every photo in our archives tells a story, but the best ones come from you.

When we recently shared a back-to-school feature on the historic Alango School, one of our e-newsletter subscribers reached out with a memory: her father, LeRoy Southworth, graduated from Alango High back in 1943. Another reader wrote in to say the building's rural design reminded him of attending the old Bloomingdale grade school in Duluth Township.

Built specifically for its rural setting, the Alango School was a marvel of its time—complete with its own electric plant, indoor plumbing, teacher housing, and twin louvered cupolas. It even closed annually for "Mud Week" when spring thaws turned unpaved roads impassable! Though it graduated its last high school class in 1963 and closed in 1988, its legacy lives on (including its spot on the National Register of Historic Places).

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09/13/2026

What object connects you to a story of war, service, or memory?

Whether it’s a drum, a bullet, a button, or a preserved family relic, everyday objects carry powerful memories of wartime experiences and community history. Join us for a unique, interactive gathering to share, listen, and honor these personal connections.

Event Details:
Event: Objects of War: A Storytelling Circle of Service, Memory, and Community
Date: September 24th
Location: American Legion Post 71 (Duluth)
Cost: FREE (Includes a light meal)
Space is limited! Reserve your spot today: https://www.mnhum.org/.../duluth-objects-of-war-a...

Albert Woolson, a Union Army veteran, was a drummer and bugler. The weight, dents and scratches, and the sharp report of his drummer summoned memories of his service. Remembering sound, Woolson said "first time the cannon went off, I was terrified." Woolson died in August 1956 as the last surviving veteran of the Union Army.

09/02/2026

Calling all educators 🍎 (including parents and grandparents): The SLCHS website offers downloadable pdf learning guides on Ojibwe culture and history, the mining and timber industries, and more. Find them at thehistorypeople.org/educational-resources (link in the comments). Topics include:
• Ojibwe Crafting Guide
• Homestead Program
• WWII and the Homefront Program
• Iron Mining and WWII

08/27/2026

Who's going to the Minnesota State Fair?🥔🥬🧅 St. Louis County showed up in the early days. According to A.B. Hostetter, district supervisor of agriculture "the exhibits of the northern counties are superior to those from other sections"💪 (DNT September 8, 1916). An interior view of the St. Louis county building exhibiting area produce and large jars of canned vegetables at the Minnesota State Fair, c. 1915. UMD Kathryn A. Martin Library