Lake city is THE homeland of dakota people and the birthplace of waterskiing
Lake City is homeland of the Dakhóta (Dakota) people. For thousands of years, they have known and treasured this region for its beauty and sustenance. Exploration of the area by Europeans is believed to date to 1654, when French explorers Radisson and Grosseilliers came to the area. The French and British—and later Americans—followed, engaging in exploration, missionary work, and trade. Once settlement began, Lake City grew rapidly, thanks to the area’s lush soil, the natural beauty of Lake Pepin, and its location on the Mississippi River-the great transportation corridor of the Upper Midwest. The booming city was incorporated in 1872.
special program
November 16, 1 pm
Soldiers of the american revolution
Mr. Arn Kind, a teacher of over 40 years of experience, who come in the uniform of a Continental Soldier to share with us the experience of being a soldier in the war which gave birth to our great nation. The program is kid-friendly, free, and open to the public thanks to a grant from the Greater Lake City Community Foundation.
The AMERICAN REVOLUTION was America’s first civil war. It would split the country between Loyalists (Those who wanted to stay loyal to the king.) and Patriots (Those who wanted to separate from Great Britain to become an independent nation.). How could we, as a people, go from being proud members of the British empire; the greatest in the world, to wanting our independence from the mother country, in the span of just ten years?
Through drama, role-playing and living history experiences, Mr. Kind’s multi-media presentation will give participants an understanding of this turbulent time and make history come alive for us.
One of the reasons Mr. Kind's presentation really makes this history come alive for his audiences is because of his realistic and colorful portrayal of the people who participated in these events. Another reason is because of all the maps, posters, clothing and artifacts he brings and displays for his audience to see. In order to display and use these artifacts in his presentation, he makes sure that everything he brings in has been made safe. To portray a soldier in the Revolution, Mr. Kind will act out some of these events using non-firing replicas of the arms used by these historical personages. These replicas are reproductions of the originals and cannot be loaded or fired. Mr. Kind, of course, does not bring any gunpowder or any other combustibles into the schools or libraries where he presents.
Volunteers from the audience have the opportunity of taking on the role of soldiers in the Continental Army and will learn some of the rudiments of Von Steuben’s Drill Manual while handling wooden replicas of Revolutionary War muskets.
We are looking forward to Mr. Kind's presentation as a wonderful and unique way of learning about this dramatic time in the history of our nation. We are sure that all who attend will come away with a better understanding of the struggle and sacrifice that was necessary for our great nation to come into being.
The AMERICAN REVOLUTION was America’s first civil war. It would split the country between Loyalists (Those who wanted to stay loyal to the king.) and Patriots (Those who wanted to separate from Great Britain to become an independent nation.). How could we, as a people, go from being proud members of the British empire; the greatest in the world, to wanting our independence from the mother country, in the span of just ten years?
Through drama, role-playing and living history experiences, Mr. Kind’s multi-media presentation will give participants an understanding of this turbulent time and make history come alive for us.
One of the reasons Mr. Kind's presentation really makes this history come alive for his audiences is because of his realistic and colorful portrayal of the people who participated in these events. Another reason is because of all the maps, posters, clothing and artifacts he brings and displays for his audience to see. In order to display and use these artifacts in his presentation, he makes sure that everything he brings in has been made safe. To portray a soldier in the Revolution, Mr. Kind will act out some of these events using non-firing replicas of the arms used by these historical personages. These replicas are reproductions of the originals and cannot be loaded or fired. Mr. Kind, of course, does not bring any gunpowder or any other combustibles into the schools or libraries where he presents.
Volunteers from the audience have the opportunity of taking on the role of soldiers in the Continental Army and will learn some of the rudiments of Von Steuben’s Drill Manual while handling wooden replicas of Revolutionary War muskets.
We are looking forward to Mr. Kind's presentation as a wonderful and unique way of learning about this dramatic time in the history of our nation. We are sure that all who attend will come away with a better understanding of the struggle and sacrifice that was necessary for our great nation to come into being.
Lake City Connections
Some early European-American settlers of Lake City heard about the American Revolution directly from their fathers and grandfathers who served as soldiers. Here are the names of some of those soldiers and their relationship to Lake City residents:
Amos Fowler, Captain – grandfather of Andrew Fowler
Ebeneezer Burdett – grandfather of Frank Burdett, from New Hampshire
Henry Sherman, Captain – grandfather of Fitz Gerald Slocum
Ephraim Lee – grandfather of Van Ransalaer Lee
Robert Morris – ancestor of Mary Morris
Remembrance Philley – grandfather of David Philley
John Black – grandfather of Elam Black
Reuben Kendall – maternal grandfather of Stephen Gates
Abner Dwelle – father of Abner Dwelle
Abner Dwelle – grandfather of Abner Dwelle
Henry Nelson – maternal grandfather of Samuel Doughty (mother is Betsy) of Rockaway, NY
John Selover – grandfather of Alexander Selover (was a POW for 6 years)
John Stout – father of Elijah Stout
Ancestors on Clarence Hubbard’s father’s side of the family and both grandfathers of Rev. John W. Ray
Some early European-American settlers of Lake City heard about the American Revolution directly from their fathers and grandfathers who served as soldiers. Here are the names of some of those soldiers and their relationship to Lake City residents:
Amos Fowler, Captain – grandfather of Andrew Fowler
Ebeneezer Burdett – grandfather of Frank Burdett, from New Hampshire
Henry Sherman, Captain – grandfather of Fitz Gerald Slocum
Ephraim Lee – grandfather of Van Ransalaer Lee
Robert Morris – ancestor of Mary Morris
Remembrance Philley – grandfather of David Philley
John Black – grandfather of Elam Black
Reuben Kendall – maternal grandfather of Stephen Gates
Abner Dwelle – father of Abner Dwelle
Abner Dwelle – grandfather of Abner Dwelle
Henry Nelson – maternal grandfather of Samuel Doughty (mother is Betsy) of Rockaway, NY
John Selover – grandfather of Alexander Selover (was a POW for 6 years)
John Stout – father of Elijah Stout
Ancestors on Clarence Hubbard’s father’s side of the family and both grandfathers of Rev. John W. Ray
In 2023 the Lake City Historical Society was awarded a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant for the completion of a Long Term Collection Preservation Plan. Completed in 2024, the plan guides our work. The project was made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.