There will be a plaque ceremony commemorating the historic importance of the original Engineering Research Associates (ERA) plant in the Midway area of St. Paul. ERA was the forerunner of Univac, Control Data, Cray Research, and perhaps 100 other technology companies, and later the medical technology industry.  The building still stands.

Speakers will include Lowell Benson (Univac), Norb Berg (Control Data), Dean Laurance (who worked at the plant), John Rollwagen (Cray Research), and Manny Villafana (St. Jude Medical/medical device industry.).   Chad Roberts, president of the Ramsey County Historic Society, will unveil the plaque.  Don Hall, who wrote the book “Generation of Wealth” will provide some historic perspective.

Time:  Thursday, June 15, 2023, at 3:30 p.m.

Location:  1902 Minnehaha Avenue West ( two blocks north of University Avenue)

The public is welcome.

Questions?  Call or email Don Hall  (612) 823 – 5408,  donhall5025@comcast.net.

This year’s schedule has been posted and can be found here.

ALLIANCE FRANCAISE PRESENTS

Stephen Harding will present the true, yet unbelievable story of the bravery of the French Citizens and Resistance in the rescue of American bomber crews that were shot down in the preparation for the invasion on D-Day. It features the story of 4 B-17 bomber crews that were shot down on a mission on July 14, 1943, Bastille Day, while on a mission over Nazi-occupied France after rescue the Airmen were taken to Paris, which was occupied by thousands of German troops. The French took the crews to the Hotel des Invalides, near the Eiffel Tower, swarming with Nazi troops, and the site of the tomb of Napoleon. The book, “Escape from Paris” is based on interviews and documents based on the repatriation of crews and post-war life events. Mr. Harding is Editor in-chief of the quarterly magazine-MILITARY HISTORY

May 11, 2022 | 6PM
Location: Alliance Française
227 Colfax Ave N,
Minneapolis, MN 55405

(Flyer)

MNHS has instituted a mask mandate for activities on-site, including the HCD WW2 Roundtable. Please see the MNHS Covid-19 page for more information.

Here’s a link to our Facebook page which has some posts from the 7/24-25/2021 Airshow.

This year’s schedule has been posted, and can be found here.

THIS SEASON’S PROGRAMS ONLY VIEWABLE ONLINE AT THIS TIME.
Due to COVID19, the actual evening of the taping (program) is Invitation ONLY at this time.  This is necessary to control the number of people who take part in and help to produce the program.  The videos will be available online shortly after the taping of the program.

Watch video recordings at www.mn-ww2roundtable.org.

In-person presentations at the Minnesota History Center will resume when it is safe to do so

This year’s schedule has been posted, and can be found here.

The Minnesota Historical Society has temporarily closed their historic sites and museums, including the MN History Center where we hold our programs. The Roundtable will continue to follow MNHS’ lead on scheduling our programs. See here for the latest MNHS COVID-19 update.

A saga filled with grit and grace told by B-17 Bombardier & POW Charles Woehrle.

LANDMARK CENTER

75 Fifth Street West, St. Paul, MN 55102

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 29 2020 2:00 PM — 4:00 PM

Whirlygig Productions and JBird Entertainment present a Special Screening of the award-winning documentary film STALAG LUFT III – ONE MAN’S STORY at the Landmark Center F.K. Weyerhaeuser Auditorium on Saturday, February 29th at 2 p.m.

ABOUT

The central subject is St. Paul man Charles Woehrle. The film is directed and produced by his niece Louise Woehrle, whose father Richard ‘Fritz’ is Charles’ identical twin who served in the Pacific Theater in the Seabees as a Chief Petty Officer.

Stalag Luft III – One Man’s Story is a personal story told by WWII U.S. Eighth Air Force Bombardier Lt. Charles Woehrle, one of 10,000 prisoners of war in Stalag Luft III, made famous by the movie The Great Escape. At age 93, this remarkable man and gifted storyteller take us from Pine City, Minnesota to war-torn Europe as he relives his experiences with vivid detail, supported by reoccurring reenactment imagery, artifacts, and never before seen photos taken by Charles in prison camp. We see through his eyes his B-17 getting shot down, being captured by the Nazis, the 70-mile forced march in below zero weather, and letters from the home front. He survived two long years of uncertainty and tremendous hardship by his wits, courage, and compassion. A saga filled with grit and grace, Charles Woehrle of the ‘The Mighty Eighth’ is one of the countless heroes from the Greatest Generation who has much to teach us about war and about life.

SHOWTIME  2 p.m. (doors will open at 1:15 p.m.) The Auditorium is located on the lower level of the Landmark Center. There will be a Q & A after the screening with director Louise Woehrle.

TICKETS are General Admission – We advise you to purchase your tickets online to ensure a seat. Tickets will also be sold at the door in front of the Weyerhaeuser Auditorium.

To learn more about the film and director Louise Woehrle go to whirlygigproductions.com                            Questions ordering tickets: lawhirly@gmail.com

ADDRESS & LOCATION –  Landmark Center is located at 75 Fifth Street West, Saint Paul, MN 55102. Located on the north side of Rice Park in downtown St. Paul. Landmark Center is next to the St. Paul Hotel, the Ordway Center for Performing Arts, and the St. Paul Central Public Library.

PARKING – Street Parking with meters and parking ramps within 3 blocks

RiverCentre Ramp: Enter on Kellogg Blvd.
Lawson Ramp: Enter on 5th Street (one-way going east) between Wabasha and St. Peter Streets.
Science Museum of Minnesota ramp: Enter on Kellogg Blvd.
Treasure Island Center: Enter on Wabasha St. (one-way, north) between 6th and 7th Streets or you may enter on 6th Street between Cedar and Wabasha.

The Victory Ramp: Enter on Wabasha St. (one-way, north) between 4th & 5th Streets.
The Minnesota World Trade Center: Enter on Cedar St. (one-way, south) between 6th & 7th Streets.