An additional program in April has been added to our calendar. Please join us to hear: Dr James McNaughton, Author of  NISEI LINGUISTS, will present a Program on the contribution of the Japanese-Americans to the Intelligence Missions in the European and Pacific Theaters during World War II. 

This program is of local importance because the training of the personnel occurred at Savage, MN and Fort Snelling.

Marker dedication (1940-2025) at the MN History Center.

Tuesday, December 9, 2025 6:00pm

From the MN Historical Society regarding Covid-19:

MNHS is excited to welcome you to our historic sites and museums.  Our top priority is to maintain a safe environment for visitors, staff, and volunteers.  We continue to regularly clean high-touch surfaces and provide hand-sanitizing stations for visitors.  We respect each individuals decision regarding face masks. While masks are not required, we welcome staff and visitors who choose to wear them.

If you are feeling sick or have flu-like symptoms, please visit us another time.  Please check the MNHS Covid page for updates.  

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

The Minnesota History Center and the Minnesota WWII Roundtable are very proud to announce a unique and special program on Tuesday, April 22, 2025. We are pleased to announce an evening with 103-year old, Major John H. “Lucky” Luckadoo, the last surviving original cadre pilot of the 100th Bomb Group in World War II.

John “Lucky” Luckadoo survived 28 combat missions flying the Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress with the “Bloody Hundredth.” His story is vividly told in the highly acclaimed and award-winning book, “Damn Lucky” by Kevin Mauer and John “Lucky” Luckadoo. Copies of this sensational book will be available for purchase at the event.

The feature program will be held at the Minnesota History Center on Tuesday, April 22nd in the 3M Auditorium at 7:00pm. John will share stories of flying combat missions over the deadly skies of Hitler’s Fortress Europe against the German Luftwaffe.

Prior to the main feature event, there will be a Student Outreach Program that will feature Minnesota WWII Roundtable historians. This program will begin at 5:45pm.

Over 26,000 Eighth Air Force airmen were killed in action during World War II and now, there are just a handful of these veterans left. Additionally, we will feature other WWII Eighth Air Force airmen during the program. Don’t miss this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet and listen to a these true American patriots. Admission is free to the public. Parking is $6.00 at the Minnesota History Center. Seats are limited, so please arrive early.

(See the official news release here.)

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

For one historian’s perspective on our Roundtable (frequent guest Flint Whitlock) , see this Fall 2010 article from WW2 Quarterly magazine here.

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

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.