Enterprise Dispatch Blog

By Carolyn Holje, DAHS Museum Director

Programs and exhibits sponsored by the Dassel Area Historical Society will highlight Saturday, Aug. 30 of Red Rooster weekend at the Universal Laboratories (Ergot) building, home of the DAHS museum.

A traveling exhibit from the Landmark Center in St. Paul will arrive on the grounds at 9 a.m. John Carlsted, a 1953 graduate of Dassel High School, will speak at the annual program at 10 a.m., and a temporary exhibit, “On the Campaign Trail,” will open with a gallery talk at 11 a.m.

‘Held in the Heartland’ tells stories of WWII German POWs in the Midwest
“Held in the Heartland,” a traveling exhibit from TRACES Center for History and Culture at the Landmark Center in St. Paul, will be on the grounds at Universal Laboratories from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibit tells the story of tens of thousands of WWII German prisoners of war who came to the Midwest and were held in 250 POW camps. One such camp was in Howard Lake, and the German POWs worked in area fields for the Northland Canning Company of Cokato. Many local residents still remember their experiences or the stories their parents or grandparents have told them about the prisoners.

Some have already shared their memories. The DAHS invites people to bring stories, photos, letters, artwork or other “traces” of their family’s direct encounters with German POWs during WWII. The DAHS would like to document these experiences either in writing or by video. It would also be a great time to visit and share your recollections with others. POW experiences on all sides embody ageless and timely themes of war and peace, justice under arms, and issues regarding human rights, international reconciliation and future conflict avoidance.

“Held in the Heartland” comes to the Dassel Area Historical Society in a 40-foot school bus converted into a mobile classroom and museum.  The exhibit consists of 15 narrative display panels illustrated with photographs and documents, audio and DVD documentaries, artifacts and more.
Carlsted to speak about significant Dassel memories

John Carlsted, St. Cloud, will be the speaker at a 10 a.m. program. This is an annual event for the Society, as it invites former Dassel High School graduates or former residents to share memories of Dassel. This is also a wonderful gathering time and place to see your friends and have some coffee and treats.

Carlsted, a 1953 graduate of Dassel High School, will talk about some significant Dassel times and his search for family history.

A retired  junior high school principal, Carlsted and his wife Judy spend time at their lake home on Lake Minnewaska near Starbuck. They travel in September and October and spend the winter months in Texas.  And, “I am doing lots of research and writing about family history,”  Carlsted said.

The youngest of nine children,  Carlsted resided with his family on a farm 1 ½ miles northeast of Dassel. His parents were Edith and Alfred Carlsted. He served in the U.S. Army in Germany  from 1955 to 1957.

“My service experience followed that of four brothers and one sister who served during WWII and one brother during the Korean conflict,” he said.

Carlsted received his bachelor of science degree in agriculture education from the College of Education, University of Minnesota;  his master’s degree in education administration from the University of Minnesota graduate school, and specialist degree in education administration from St. Cloud State University. He has held various administrative positions in the St. Cloud Public School system from 1969 to 1995.

‘On the Campaign Trail’ exhibit opens; gallery talk by collector
“On the Campaign Trail,” Political Buttons and Memorabilia, 1932-2004, a temporary exhibit from the collection of David Broesder, will open Saturday. Meet the collector when Broesder gives a brief gallery talk introducing this exhibit at 11 a.m.

The display is just a portion of Broesder’s collection, and, as the title suggests, it includes buttons from the Presidential  campaigns as well as related posters and other memorabilia.
He has been collecting political artifacts since age 13 in 1964 when his sister brought an LBJ button home from college. While collecting a wide range of memorabilia, he focuses on Minnesota gubernatorial, senatorial, and congressional candidates, and on Presidential buttons with a Minnesota connection. His collection includes buttons, bumper stickers, posters, literature, magazines and newspapers.

Broesder is a registered architect and a principal with KKE architects, Inc. in Minneapolis. He and his wife Barb reside in Minneapolis and have a weekend home on Lake Jennie, south of Dassel.

Visit the museum Sunday and Monday
Universal Laboratories will also be open Sunday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Stop in and see the building and exhibits and the Red Rooster Fine Art Show.