Heritage Speaker Series | January 29, 2009
7:00 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

Lutie Stearns and her Library Legacy:
The Traveling Libraries of Wisconsin
In 1895, Lutie Stearns became the driving force behind a unique
and powerful new public institution in Wisconsin - the traveling library.
Through sheer force of will and vision, she started over 1500 of these book outposts,
scattered throughout the state, so that people could have access to books
and information. With financial and political support from James Huff Stout,
Lutie began her experiments with these libraries in Dunn County,
which became the crucible from which a statewide system emerged.

Hear author Stuart Stotts tell about this amazing woman's lifework from its
humble beginnings here in the North. Lutie Stearns and James Huff Stout
have recently been elected inaugural members of the
Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame. The presentation will be followed
by a discussion period and book signing.

Heritage Speaker Series | February 15, 2009
1:30 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

The Road to Meridean
The Meridean Ferry road has been inaccessible for more than 40 years.
Join Brian Gabriel on a video journey down the road as it looks today.
You'll learn about the changing river, the people that once lived on the island,
and see some of the artifacts they left behind.

Heritage Speaker Series | March 15, 2009
1:30 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

A Pictorial History of Area Railroads
Local author and railroad enthusiast Arlyn Colby will present
images from his book "The Mondovi Line." He will also include images from
his forthcoming book "The Durand Line." The latter line ran from
Wabasha through Menomonie to Chippewa Falls.
Arlyn will also sign his current book after the presentation.

Heritage Speaker Series | April 19, 2009
1:30 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

Dunn County Pinery Rifles in the Civil War
Curator Emeritus John Russell follows this local company
of Union soldiers for three years -- from their enlistment
a few days after the first Bull Run, to witnessing
General Robert E. Lee surrender the Army of Northern Virginia
to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox.

Heritage Speaker Series | May 17, 2009
1:30 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

A Tale of Tyrone
Located along the southern banks of the Chippewa River,
Tyrone was platted to be a big city. At one time there was a school,
a post office, a steamboat landing a saw mill, a hotel and a stage coach stop.
In the early 1900s, the great-grandparents of speakerJohanna Sager Hocker
lived on a Tyrone farm that was probably the largest in Dunn County.

Fur Trade Rendezvous | August 15-16, 2009
at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

Downsville Day | August 22, 2009
visit us at the Empire in Pine Museum, Downsville

Heritage Speaker Series | October 18, 2009
1:30 p.m. at the Russell J. Rassbach Heritage Museum, Menomonie

Dime Novel Desparados
Author and historian John Hallwas presents
his account of two of the country's most notorious outlaws
including their crimes in western Wisconsin.

Is there a Dunn County historical topic you'd like to hear about,
or a speaker you can recommend for our Heritage Sunday
speaker series? Contact us at
715-232-8685 or dchs@dunnhistory.org.