Roseau County Historical Society and Museum -

In view of this being RCHS’ 75th anniversary year this column will continue with a few highlights of the past that the historical society has been involved in or sponsored. This week will be about a celebration held in Warroad.
On June 18 and 19, 1932 with the cooperation of the Warroad Lions Club, the Roseau County Old Settlers Reunion and the Roseau County Historical Society came together to provide what was probably the event of the year, They sponsored a celebration commemorating LaVerendrye’s bicentennial in Warroad. According to the Roseau Times-Region, June 23, 1932 newspaper approximately 3,000 people attended this event at the park in Warroad.

A cruise on Saturday to Fort St. Charles was hampered by strong winds and the break down of one of the boats. With only one boat substantial enough to make the trip safely it was suggested by Bert Hanson that the Warroad residents with tickets give their seats to those from out of town. With this accomplished, some 60 people were able to make the trip. Among those who took this tour was Minnesota Historical Society’s curator Willoughby Babcock and a Miss Swenson of the State Department of Education. On their way to the site of Fort St. Charles the cruise passed many islands included Massacre Island and Magnusson Island. At the Fort they enjoyed the lunches they had taken along.
The Sunday program had many dignitaries present. Father d’Eschambault of Winnipeg’s St. Boniface Historical Society gave an account of the early history of LaVerendrye’s experience as a voyager/explorer on Lake of the Woods and the establishment of the American Fur Company post in Warroad. Willoughby Babcock gave an interpretation of the part fur trader played in the establishment of the settlements on the frontiers.
A pageant written by Historical Society President Eddy E. Billberg with costumes of the LaVerendrye period was presented. The pageant was accomplished with the help of Father Phileppe, Bert Hanson, and P. O. Fryklund. In the forenoon the unveiling of the rock placed by the Warroad Odd Fellows with the commemoration plaque from RCHS took place.
RCHS Footnotes
The 1881 Canadian census is the latest addition to the research center. The center is open to the public during our daily hours for a nominal charge or through a membership. This digital CD census record is very easy to use and contains approximately three million records. We now have both the US 1880 census and this Canadian census for the genealogists in the area.
The 75th Anniversary Cookbooks are available at the museum. With the summer schedules making it possible for the 4-Her or teenager to try their hand cooking some wonderful recipes, you may come home from work to a surprise. And remember the summer weddings and showers; the anniversary cookbook makes a great gift!
We encourage the service men and women in our area to pick up a military history form at the museum, the Greenbush Library or from a local service club and then return it with photographs to the museum. The next generation will have the opportunity gain a greater understanding of the cost of freedom through your participation.

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