Mill City Museum, Minneapolis, The postwar era of the late 1940s and 1950s ushered in a new era of kitchen conveniences. Many of the technologies that made this possible were developed by the American food industry during the Second World War. Did housewives want these easy-to-use products and appliances or were food companies creating a market for their goods by exaggerating the drudgery of home cooking? Using the example of the cake mix, this demonstration will answer this question, highlighting the dramatic changes in cooking habits during this era and how those innovations affect our lives today. Visitors will learn about food history, sample cakes made from scratch and from mix, and take home a copy of a recipe.

Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River, Oliver H. Kelley was from Boston and like many others he migrated west as soon as he turned twenty-one, settling in Minnesota in 1849. In 1863 Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the first day of Thanksgiving. Visit the Kelley Farm to explore what Thanksgiving was like on a "Yankee" farm in the 1860s. Visitors can hike the nature trails, explore the barn and root cellar, meet the animals and enjoy the aromas of a hearty Thanksgiving meal in the farmhouse. Be sure to dress for the weather. Warm refreshments will be provided.

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul, Experience the sights, sounds and tastes of a Victorian Christmas in 1875. During the tour, visitors can taste homemade cookies fresh from the wood burning stove, listen to popular holiday music of the era played on the familys Steinway piano and view original family ornaments and Christmas gifts. Discover how the Ramsey family and their friends, neighbors and servants prepared for and celebrated the Christmas season. Shop in the Carriage House gift store for replica Victorian ornaments and holiday items. Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, Listen to a bootlegger's saga, hear the heart-felt plea of a young flapper and witness the drink-denying passion of Minnesota's own Andrew Volstead. Cookbook author and food historian Rae Eighmey and the MHS Prohibition Players dig into the past and bring characters of this era to life. Special guest Dan Chouinard joins the razzmatazz with toe-tapping prohibition era music and song. The program is in conjunction with the History Centers opening of the traveling exhibit, American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition. Programs include a 10-percent discount at the History Center's Museum Stores. Cafe Minnesota will be open for lunch following each program. Funded in memory of Marney Brooks. For more information visit http://www.mnhs.org/seniorsinmind.

Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site, Little Falls, The Charles A. Lindbergh house hosts a FREE monthly Film Series featuring a historic film or documentary. More information will be forthcoming.

Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors, This popular annual event at Split Rock Lighthouse commemorates the 1975 sinking of the freighter "Edmund Fitzgerald." A film about the Fitzgerald will be shown in the Visitor Center theater continuously throughout the afternoon. The lighthouse and the fog signal building will be open from noon to 6 p.m. The lighthouse will close temporarily at 4:30 p.m. while the names of the 29 lost crew members are read to the tolling of a ships bell. Following the ceremony, the beacon will be lit and the tower once again opened for visitors to tour. This is the only opportunity each year when visitors can climb to the top of the tower and see the beacon lit and revolving.

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul, Visitors can cook their way through history in the "History Chef!" cooking series at the Alexander Ramsey House. Participants make foods of the past by using history-inspired techniques and Ramsey family recipes. Classes are offered for both adults and children and there are always delicious samples to taste! Specific program information will be forthcoming.

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis, See how history is revealed in food as Mill City Museum staff lead a demonstration in the Baking Lab. Explore the history of the 1966 Pillsbury Bake-Off Second-place winning recipe, The Tunnel of Fudge Cake, its connection to local company Nordic Ware, makers of the Bundt Pan, and the fascination bakers today hold for replicating the recipe. Visitors can learn about baking history, sample the cake, get baking tips and take home a copy of the recipe.

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia, In this two-day workshop learn basic beading styles and techniques by creating a project to take-home. Necklaces, bracelets, pen coverings and lighter cases are examples of items that can be created. A light lunch and refreshments will be provided both days. Ages 18 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Discounted hotel rooms are available for workshop participants on Saturday night at Grand Casino Mille Lacs. A minimum of 5 participants is required to host the workshop. Registration is required 3 days prior to workshop.

Minnesota State Capitol, St. Paul, Minnesota's first ladies have made many contributions to the state of Minnesota. This 90-minute guided tour of the State Capitol will focus primarily on the lives of 13 of the state's first ladies and of their contributions and achievements during their husbands' time in office. Guides will also examine important events and locations within the Capitol where first ladies have been influential, such as inaugurations, teas, military deployments, press conferences and State of the State addresses. The program will be followed by a coffee-and-dessert reception in the Capitol's beautifully restored Rathskeller restaurant.

Oliver H. Kelley Farm, Elk River, The Kelley Farm has hundreds of bird species that pass through on migration or that live there year round. The nature trails attract woodpeckers, orioles, blue birds and more. Participants will make a bird feeder to take home complete with directions for mounting. All materials and tools are provided.

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, Educators are invited to be among the first to view "American Spirits: The Rise and Fall of Prohibition" which opens Nov. 8 at the Minnesota History Center. Step back in time to a rollicking era of flappers, suffragettes, bootleggers and gangsters. View an impressive array of artifacts and primary sources on loan from the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia, including temperance medals, secret flasks and homemade stills. Teachers will get information on enhancing your students field trip experience as well as ideas to take back to the classroom. Participants will receive a goody bag, 10 percent discount in the museum stores and prize giveaways.

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia, Enjoy stories and light snacks from noon to 1 p.m., then from 1 to 3 p.m. children can learn how to weave a dream catcher to take home. The dream catcher is a woven web believed to protect the dream world of the person who sleeps beneath it. The cost for the dream catcher kit is $5 and includes materials and instructions. Please allow an hour to make the craft. This project is recommended for children ages 8 and up. Cost for the kit does not include admission to museum.

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul, Celebrate Halloween by having a drink with your friends at the Ramsey House and learning about the art of 19th century spirit photography. Photographer and instructor Nathan Lewis will share some of the most famous Victorian Era spirit photos, discuss the process by which they were made and the post-Civil War context in which they became popular. This program is for people 21 years and older. Price of admission includes 2 drink tickets, snacks and presentation at 6 p.m.

Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul, View works by local artist Jay Wittenberg, of members of the First Minnesota Regiment. The portraits of soldiers reflect the public service, personal sacrifice and Minnesotas pivotal role in the Civil War. This exhibit is being offered in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the Civil War and Minnesotas participation in it. The images will be hung in the Visitor Center exhibit gallery space. This exhibit is free.

Alexander Ramsey House, St. Paul, A family-friendly Halloween show that explores the things that bite and creep us out, from leeches to vampires, all in a medical context. Join us in the Ramsey House parlor for an unforgettable evening as Dr. Jon Hallberg, medical director of the University of Minnesota Physicians Mill City Clinic and founder of Hippocrates Caf, will be joined by local acting great Mark Nelson, actor-singer-accordionista Simone Perrin, and two members of the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra.

Mill City Museum, Minneapolis, See how history is revealed in food through a baking demonstration focusing on the story behind white and whole wheat flour. Discover how Minneapolis millers perfected a way to make white flour on an industrial scale, hear about the popularity of white flour in the 19th century, what effects this had on nutrition and why flour today is frequently enriched. Visitors will also learn why Sylvester Graham developed a whole wheat cracker "to improve health and morality," hear the pros and cons of each type of flour, sample baked goods and take home the recipes.

Minnesota History Center, St. Paul, The History Centers annual event, Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead), is a colorful and symbolic fiesta meant to be a community gathering to honor and remember friends and family who have died. For Mexican-Americans, this important holiday is a powerful way to retain a connection to ancestors and pass on a rich cultural heritage to future generations. Highlights include dancing, music, games, food demos and samples, puppetry, storytelling, crafts and Ofrenda displays designed by local students and a special commissioned altar created by local artists.

Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul, Visit during this special evening when the gates are opened for guests to explore the site at night. Learn about the less-than-savory side of the fort as costumed staff perform theatre pieces and fire the cannons. Guests may be selected to participate in a court martial to help decide a soldier's fate. Court martial selections will be made on a first-come first-served basis.

Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post, Onamia, Learn the art of making a coil sweetgrass basket in this two-day workshop. Sweetgrass is a fragrant sacred herb used in ceremonies and artwork by the Ojibwe. Children under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Refreshments and a light lunch provided on both days. Reservations and prepayment required 3 days prior to workshop. Discount hotel rooms are available at Grand Casino Mille Lacs on Saturday night for all workshop participants. A minimum of five participants required to host workshop.