Senior Connections SeniorConnections Oct 19

Stepping into a history book Christmas Reprinted with permission of McLeod Co-op Power. Article by Becky Sorenson, and photos by Sue Pawelk. If you loved reading the Laura Ingalls Wilder books about her life in the mid to late 19th centu- ry, what would you give to see those times literally played out before your very eyes? To walk through the pages of living history? Welcome to the Forest City Stockade. The Forest City Stockade was built to shelter pi- oneers from the Sioux Indian uprising in 1862. It protected settlers during a ten-day siege that was ﬁ - nally broken by the arrival of Company B of the 8th Minnesota Volunteer Regiment. In 1976, the United State’s Bicentennial, Meeker County undertook to rebuild the Stockade with the help of like-minded local individuals. In 1978, a few dedicated volunteers passionate about early American history began to painstaking- ly research that era and build a historic community that Laura Ingalls would have felt very comfortable in, since she was born just ﬁ ve years after the Sioux uprising and lived much of her young life in Min- nesota. Bob and Betty Hermann of Litchﬁ eld have been part of this devoted volunteer group and have dedi- cated untold hours, manpower and vision to creating a living history experience for anyone who wishes to experience a simpler life. A core group of local residents that have included the Hermanns, Chuck Fuller and Dale Root, have been instrumental, along with untold others over the years, in researching archives, visiting other historical monuments, and building authentic buildings, furnishing them with what would have ﬁ lled them all those years ago. About 35 years ago, the group opened the Stock- ade to the public in what has been called the Ren- dezvous, which takes place over two days in August. The Pioneer Christmas was established 23 years ago and allows visitors one Saturday every December. “It takes about 150 people to run each event,” Bob said. “They are all volunteers.” The volunteers; doctors, teachers, community administrators and many others all share a love of history and a passion for making every Stockade event a success. These events have become such a way of life for the volunteers that several families have volunteers across three or four generations of family members. “We are all differ- ent, but we all share the same vision,” Bob said. “That’s highly un- usual. Every year, we never have to wonder if our volunteers will be available. There’s a love for what we do. They just know what they have to do and there’s no question about whether they will be there or not. While many people express an interest in becom- ing a volunteer, they are not automatically accepted to be part of the group. “If someone wants to volunteer, we ﬁ rst put them to work at the two-day summer Rendezvous,” Bob said. “If you still have a smile on your face at the end of Sunday, then we will seriously consider you. But if you’ve had enough, then you just aren’t going to make it. It just isn’t going to be your cup of tea. The Stockade has 13 buildings, from a general store to a gunsmith; from a newspaper ofﬁ ce to a pottery and candle shop and school house, just to name a few. Each building has been researched and built by hand as it would have been in 1862. Chuck Fuller is in charge of the research and buildings. Within each building you will ﬁ nd activities that would have been carried out then, just the way it would have been done all those years ago. “In the woodworking shop, there is no electricity, no drills or electric saws; it’s done the way it was in 1862,” Betty said. That also goes for the blacksmith shop, the candle making shop, the General Store and more. There was no electricity and no electric equipment. “Items in the general store are items you would have found in the store in 1862,” Betty added. “When we make our home-made ice cream, it’s made by a hand crank, just as if would have been made.” “Many people have suggested we install a PA system or allow musicians with ampliﬁ ers, but we won’t allow it,” Bob said. “If we allow electrical items in, it will screw up peoples’ thinking about the time period. People have said our village is the More FOREST CITY on Pg 12 W ish it A w ay by C alling To day T Tell ell Your BLADDER Who’s BOSS . FIRST PAIR MONEY BACK GUARANTEE* SAVE $400/YEAR vs. DISPOSABLES 1-833-851-5405 Senior Connections HJ.COM • Hydro Jetting Call Genie Drain Cleaning today! Your drain and sewer specialists • Looks and feels like regular underwear * Restrictions apply. Call for details. • Maintenance Agreements • Commercial, Residential, & Farm • Environmentally Safe Products • Built-in, absorbent pad with odor-control • Washable, reusable over 200 times • Video Inspection & Location Leak-Control Panties FAST, EFFECTIVE, SERVICE �� (320) 587-4110 www.geniedrains.com Senior Connections October 2019 5

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