Schedule of Events

Forts, Posts, and Axes: The Fur Trade Era in Northern Minnesota and the Duluth-Superior Area

Kick off event for the 2025 Twin Ports Festival of History! Forts, Posts, and Axes: The Fur Trade Era in Northern Minnesota and the Duluth-Superior Area presented by David H. Peterson and Jennifer E. Jones.

Location: University of Minnesota Duluth, A.B. Anderson Hall 225

Comparing the Minnesota and Wisconsin Commercial Fisheries presented by Dan Rau

Dan will talk about the kinds of boats used, the difference between the habitat and catches of lake trout, herring and whitefish, and the regulations in each state's fishery.  

Location: University of Minnesota Duluth, A.B. Anderson Hall 225

Mapping Historical Duluth: A Crazy Long-Term Project You Can Contribute To

A hands-on workshop with Laure Charleux. Open to anyone who can see a computer screen and move a mouse; attendees can drop in and are not required to stay the full two hours.

Location: University of Minnesota Duluth, Engineering Building 204

Thomas Jefferson, the Enlightenment, and Slavery presented by Gideon Mailer

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

Surfing through the American Century: How Surfing Helps Us Understand the Modern United States presented by Scott Laderman

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

Robber Barons on the Iron Range presented by Tony Dierkens

Location: Glensheen Historical Estate, 3300 London Rd, Duluth, MN

How to Research the History of Social Movements in Northeastern Minnesota

Hosted by the University of Minnesota Duluth Archives

Location: KAML 260, Kathryn A. Martin Library, 416 Library Drive, Duluth, MN

Cedar Crafts Demonstration hosted by the 1854 Treaty Authority

Weaving mats from the inner bark of Northern White Cedar is a unique Anishinaabeg cultural tradition that is being revived in Grand Portage. Historically utilitarian, they were used as floor coverings and rolled up, taken from camp to camp. Later, such wares were valued in tourist trade but contemporarily, these complex, geometric patterned mats are a highly valued art form that is rare to find today.

We welcome the Twin Ports Festival of History to witness the cultural revitalization in the making, as Grand Portage Anishinaabeg craftspeople share their story of learning cedar bark harvesting and weaving techniques through demonstration.

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

Two Harbors History Events

Six distinct historical events take place throughout the day: 

10 AM to 2 PM Knife River Cultural Heritage Center 

Knife River Depot Agent Paul von Goertz will share the lore of Knife River from Indigenous times to logging, railroading and commercial fishing

Tour the depot's exhibits and the restored fish tug CRUSADER II and the Viking ship LEIF ERIKSON

11 AM at the Two Harbors Depot

Executive Director of the Cook County Historical Society, Catherine Magi James, will explore the riveting tale “Witches of November: the Legend of Helmer Aakvik.”

11 AM Two Harbors Public Library at 320 Waterfront Drive

Micro Lesson on Microfilm where library staff will be on hand to give a primer on archival material for local research. Take a peek at local history and learn more about microfilm for future research rabbit holes.

2 PM Two Harbors Public Library at 320 Waterfront Drive

“Santa Visits Minnesota-A Reindeer Tale”, Marlene Wisuri, Duluth Researcher and longtime member of the North American Sami community. The history and lore of Santa and Reindeer visiting towns around Minnesota

3 PM at the Two Harbors Depot

Brian and Sue Matuszak, professional artists (and novice researchers) will combine humor and history telling the forgotten Northern Minnesota stories of artists and the artwork they created as part of the WPA’s Federal Art Project from 1935-1943.

6 PM Historic Harbor Theater at 616 2nd Avenue

Learn about the history of the iconic theater from Harbor Theater owner Matthew Unzeitig.

If you visit 2 other Two Harbors History Fest locations, receive one free movie pass for any Friday showing or the 6:30 PM Saturday showing.

Friday films kickoff at 12PM with Singing in the Rain (1952) with following screenings of 3PM Casablanca (1942), and 6:30 PM The Majestic (2001)

5-7 PM Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, 115 West Wisconsin Avenue in Grand Marais

Opening reception for exhibit “Line Shape Color” by artist Steve Dahlstrom.  This solo exhibition displays Dahlstrom’s moves toward working closely with three compositional elements: line, shape, and color. Light refreshments will be served.

Lost but Not Forgotten

A documentary screening on commercial fishing presented by Frederick Dudderar.

Location: Zeitgeist Theater, 222 E Superior St., Duluth, MN

Fairlawn Mansion Tours

Location: Fairlawn Mansion, 906 East 2nd St., Superior, WI

The Art of Soldiering: Servicemembers, Satire, and Cartoons

A participant open house with Wayne Ganaway.

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

History of the Duluth South Pier Outer Breakwater Light Station presented by Bjorklund

Location: Lake Superior Maritime Visitor Center, 525 S Lake Ave., Suite 209, Duluth, MN

Mission: Marge

Documentary screening followed by a Q&A session. 

Location: Zeitgeist Theater, 222 E Superior St., Duluth, MN

Estuaries in the Balance

Documentary screening. 

Location: Zeitgeist Theater, 222 E Superior St., Duluth, MN

Family Day at the Duluth Children’s Museum

A fantastic conclusion to the festival with interactive history activities for all ages.

Location: Duluth Children's Museum, 2125 W. Superior St., Duluth, MN