Ramsey County Historical Society Presents

History Revealed: A Toast to History at Waldmann Series

Peter DeCarlo
Minnesota’s Columbus Memorial: Immigration, Colonialism, and Memory on the State Capitol Grounds

Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery

Free and open to all.

Join RCHS for History Revealed, our program series featuring presentations and tours from the best of local historians, authors and archaeologists, with a wide range of topics drawn from the heritage and traditions of Ramsey County.

On October 12, 1931 a crowd estimated at 25,000 gathered to celebrate the unveiling of a memorial to Christopher Columbus on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol. An association of Italian American Minnesotans led the creation of the monument and presented it as a gift to state. They used the monument to commemorate Columbus – who they argued was the “first American,” to assert their citizenship, and to claim their place as white people in the United States. In the white discourse surrounding the monument, Indigenous peoples and the genocide perpetrated by colonists against them were erased from history.

Today, statues of Columbus are seen by many as symbols of violence, white supremacy, and colonialism. The Columbus Memorial and its continued existence in a city and state that have proclaimed “Indigenous Peoples’ Day” reveal how particular histories and memories are established, disseminated, challenged, and revised. Should the Columbus Memorial continue to stand on the grounds of Minnesota’s State Capitol?

Join Peter DeCarlo, a research historian at the Minnesota Historical Society, for this discussion on the historical and contemporary contexts of the Columbus Memorial.

Registration is needed to attend presentations. Space is limited, first-come, first served.
Presentation is free.
Registration form available here.
Or call 651-222-0701 or email membership@rchs.com.

It’s RCHS Day at Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery!

On the second Thursday of each month, 10% of all sales to RCHS members and their guests will be donated to the Ramsey County Historical Society!

RCHS members and supporters are encouraged to come and enjoy a lunch/dinner/drink at Waldmann throughout the day, or time your dinner so that you can stay for the presentation immediately after. So come on in and raise a toast to history and support RCHS!

Mention that you are a member, supporter or friend of RCHS to your server, and they will make sure that your tab is counted toward Waldmann’s support.

History Revealed: A Toast to History at Waldmann Series
Waldmann Brewery & Wurstery

Upcoming Dates
Presentation Details & Times TBA
June 14, 2018
July 12, 2018
August 9, 2018
September 13, 2018
October 11, 2018
November 8, 2018
December 13, 2018

2018 History Revealed Programs

See the History Revealed information page for updates and programs.
Or check our Calendar for these and other programs at the Gibbs Farm, and more!