Schedule of Events

Heritage Open House & Reception

Kick off event for the 2025 Twin Ports Festival of History! A chance to explore the history and heritage organizations in Duluth.

Location: Lake Superior Railroad Museum, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN

The Twin Ports Rail-to-Sail Connection

Zenith City Press and the Lake Superior Railroad Museum present “The Twin Ports Rail-to-Sail Connection,” an illustrated history presentation featuring Duluth author Tony Dierckins. Adapted from “Twin Ports Trains: The Historic Railroads of Duluth and Superior,” this talk traces the rise and decline of the “Head of the Lakes” as a vital commercial shipping center and illustrates the socioeconomic, cultural, and environmental impact that railroads, Great Lakes freighters, and the industries they served had on the region.

Location: Lake Superior Railroad Museum (Duluth Depot), 506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN

"He Made Himself a Full Blood": Anishinaabe Resistance to Racialization in the 1910s 

Jill Doerfler will explore the various ways in which White Earth Anishinaabe/Ojibwe people described identity and resisted US racialization efforts in the 1910s. She will share the legal US definitions of "mixed-blood" and "full-blood" and compare and contrast with Anishinaabe understandings of these terms as well as discuss both the historic and contemporary significance. Presented by Dr. Jill Doerfler, Professor and Department Head of the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Minnesota - Duluth

Location: The Rotunda at the Kathryn A. Martin Library, 416 Library Drive, Duluth, MN

Bringing the Truth To Light; The Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial with James Curry

In October 2003 the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial was unveiled in Duluth, MN – a collaboration between sculptor Carla J. Stetson and writer Anthony Peyton Porter that has been described by one art historian as “the first substantial public lynching memorial” in the United States.  This illustrated lecture will discuss the memorial and offer perspectives on how it strives to “bring the truth to light” about a shocking event in twentieth century Duluth history.

Presented by the Clayton Jackson McGhie Memorial

Location:  Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Rivers of Lake Superior's North Shore: An Ojibwe Perspective

Prior to the land changing hands, David Dale Owen conducted a geological survey of Illinois, Iowa, Wisconsin, and the Minnesota territory that was published in 1852. He captured the Indigenous worldview that reference more than two dozen short scenic rivers that descend down the rugged landscape of the North Shore to Gichi Gami. Join the 1854 Treaty Authority to explore the Ojibwe languages names for these iconic waterways and discuss the historical context -- it reveals a much richer understanding of the region. Speaker: Erik Redix, PhD, Grand Portage Ojibwe Language Coordinator

Location: 1854 Treaty Authority Office, 4428 Haines Rd., Duluth, MN

"Historia"

Dive into the content and production of the Emmy Award winning web series "Historia." 

Location:  Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Food (In)security in Ancient Rome with Elijah Fleming

Modern Americans may be familiar with the phrase “bread and circuses", the shorthand description of ancient Rome’s political use of “snacks and games” to bribe its population into complacency. The ancient Romans are well known for their excess, and their striking socio-economic inequality–calling into question why many modern politicians strive to compare the United States to the Roman imperial past. As trivial as “snacks and games” sounds, food is still political today. The question of who gets to survive and who gets to thrive is part of a perennial negotiation between the haves and the have nots, and modern Minnesota is no exception. With the need for emergency food assistance in the state growing, experts, scholars, and community leaders are looking to various sources for inspiration and solutions. This talk will explore the connection between the modern experience of hunger, and the origins of politicizing who gets to eat using ancient Rome as a conduit.

Location: The Rotunda at the Kathryn A. Martin Library, 416 Library Drive, Duluth, MN

Richard I Bong VHC The Mission Marge Project

More info to come!

Location: Richard I. Bong Veterans Historical Center, 305 E. 2nd St., Superior, WI

Hillside Oral Histories: Celebrating Remarkable Contributions from Hillsiders

The Hillside neighborhood is the heart of Duluth in more than just geography. Home to decades of grassroots organizing, racial justice, and community care, the Hillside holds a rich history that all can learn from and celebrate. Zeitgeist's Hillside Oral Histories were gathered in spring 2024 with Hillsiders who have made remarkable contributions to the neighborhood over the last 50+ years. These interviews aim to lift up the Hillside's strength and resilience; create an invaluable record of one of the region’s oldest, most diverse neighborhoods; and point a way forward to a thriving, connected community. Presented by Thomlin Swan

Location: Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Newspaper Comics: An American Tradition

From The Yellow Kid to Calvin and Hobbes, newspaper comic strips reflect American culture and history. Discover how Gawboy and Monroe fit into this uniquely American invention.

Location: Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Hometown Heroes: Carl Gawboy and Chris Monroe Talk Comics

Join local artists Carl Gawboy and Chris Monroe as they talk about their comic strips, their long-standing admiration of one another, and the challenges and inspirations of their years working as newspaper cartoonists. 

Location: Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

From Captains to Corporations: A History of Great Lakes Fleets and Owners

Park Ranger Scott Bjorklund will be presenting this program at 2pm on Saturday and we will have our Discovery Cart out all day as well.   

Location: Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, 525 S Lake Ave, Duluth, MN

The History of Horror

Kelly Florence, co-author of seven books in The Science of Horror series and co-author of Travels of Terror will delve into the legends and lore of Northern Minnesota.

Location: Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Birchbark: A Dcoumentary Film showing with Q&A

Augustin Ganley and Elena Fomina Directors. As political tension between the U.S. and Russia continues to intensify, Duluth Sister Cities International and its partners in Petrozavodsk, Russia, remain committed to peace. In a project funded by the US State Department, the Russians and Americans created "Birchbark," a movie which focuses on the commonalities between the Ojibwe people in northeastern Minnesota and the indigenous Karelian people in northwestern Russia. 

The film was created by Russian filmmaker Elena Fomina and Minnesota filmmaker Augustin Ganley.  "Birchbark" provides the central theme around which the stories of two peoples, separated by 4,300 miles and opposing political ideologies, are told. 

The U.S. version of this story follows the journey of Duluth resident, Savannah Williams. Savannah’s father was a member of Bois Forte Band of Chippewa.  But Savannah was never enrolled in the tribe.  Through turbulent events in her life, Savannah found her way to Life House in Duluth, which provides comprehensive support services to meet the needs of young people who are unstably housed. 

At Life House, Savannah met filmmaker Gus Ganley, who was teaching aspiring filmmakers to use film equipment. Upon hearing Savannah’s story, Gus made her the subject of his portion of the film. 

Interwoven into the stories of two countries, we discover the surprisingly touching true story of a young woman from northern Minnesota who is re-discovering her ancestral roots.

Location: Zinema/Teatro, Zeitgeist, 222 East Superior St., Duluth, MN

Mina Carney and The Truth in Duluth with James Curry

After traveling to America from Ireland in the aftermath of the 1916 Easter Rising, the radical journalist and activist Jack Carney settled in Duluth within two years and would serve as editor of the weekly Truth newspaper from 1918-20 for Scandinavian socialists based in the city. This lecture will highlight the important role that Carney’s wife Mina, an aspiring artist from Chicago, played in the production of Truth, and will provide a potted biography of a fascinating and neglected sculptor who has four sculptures in the permanent collection of Dublin’s renowned Hugh Lane Gallery.

This lecture is dedicated to the memory of Richard “Dick” Hudelson (d. April 18, 2024), who wrote an article entitled “Jack Carney and The 'Truth' in Duluth” during the 1990s.

Location: The Rotunda at the Kathryn A. Martin Library, 416 Library Drive, Duluth, MN

Douglas County Historical Society Open House and Tours 

More info to come!

Location: Douglas County Historical Society, 1101 John Ave., Superior, WI

St. Louis County Historical Society Meet & Greet 

St. Louis County Historical Society, Depot - Grand Opening and Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for Veteran’s Memorial Hall 

Location: The Depot Heritage Center, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN

WPA Art "Heck of a New Deal"

St. Louis County Historical Society presents WPA Art "Heck of a New Deal."  Depot Great Hall - Incorporating humor and history, Duluth artists Brian and Sue Matuszak tell the story of MN artists and the public artworks they created throughout the Arrowhead Region during the Federal Art Project sponsored by the Works Progress Administration of President Roosevelt in 1935.

Location: The Depot in the Great Hall, 506 W. Michigan St., Duluth, MN

Step into History: A Free Evening at the Glensheen Estate

• Self-Guided Classic Tours – Enjoy a free, one-way walkthrough of the mansion (no full mansion tours)  

•  Mini Programs & Interactive Activities– Discover history through engaging experiences across the estate  

• Exclusive Access to the Grounds & Museum Shop – Open until 9:00 PM for a full evening of exploration  

• Live historical interpretations & guided storytelling

• Photography & social media engagement throughout the event

•  Educational & membership opportunities  

Location: Glensheen Mansion, 3300 London Rd., Duluth, MN

Two Harbors Public Library Archives Open House

Celebrate our shared history and enjoy an open house in the library’s Archives Room. Staff will be present to assist with research. All ages welcome.

Location: Two Harbors Public Library, 320 Waterfront Drive, Two Harbors, MN 

Holocaust Memorial event: Americans Who Rescued Refugees from the Nazis 

Join the Baeumler-Kaplan Holocaust Commemoration Committee for a virtual event featuring Deborah Dwork as she discusses her book, Saints and Liars, and engages with the community in a Q&A session.

Location: Solon Campus Center 120, 1117 University Drive, Duluth, MN

History in a Pint

Hosted by the Lake County Historical Society & Superior National Forest

Location: Tipsy Mosquito, 623 1st Ave., Two Harbors, MN