The Richfield Historical Society is proud to announce the publication of a new history book - Suburban Dawn: The Emergence of Richfield, Edina and Bloomington. The new book is by Fred Johnson, the author of our previous publication, Richfield: Minnesota's Oldest Suburb. Johnson's new book, completed with the capable assistance of Thomas U. Tuttle, is now available for purchase at the Richfield, Edina and Bloomington Historical Societies and soon from book retailers including Barnes and Noble.

HOW TO ORDER SUBURBAN DAWN - If you would like to order the book and have it sent to you, just fill out the PDF form and send it and your payment of $34.00 to the Richfield Historical Society, P.O. Box 23304, Richfield, MN 55423.

This new history traces the interlocking stories of three communities whose pasts and presents have much in common. The book, divided into five sections, uses carefully researched narratives that illustrate broader points about the development of these neighboring cities. The wide-ranging volume considers topics ranging from Cloud Man's Mdewakanton band of the 1820s to the "in" crowd that frequented the I-494 entertainment strip during the 1970s.

"Well researched and very readable, this book sets the standard for interpretive local history," notes reviewer Duane P. Swanson, Curator of Manuscripts for the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS). James E. Fogerty, Head of Documentary Programs at MHS adds, "By chronicling the intertwined histories of three important Twin Cities suburbs [Johnson] provides and excellent overview of the development of a defining aspect of the American landscape."

The book has hundreds of photographs, maps, and images that help bring its stories to life. When asked if he'd call it a "coffee table book," Johnson says its over-sized format and many illustrations qualify it as such. "Hopefully, people will find it an entertaining and informative read," he said.

The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) awarded Johnson's history of Richfield a 2009 Award of Merit as well as a special WOW award by its Leadership in History awards committee.

Bring your lawn chair and picnic basket and come enjoy a live music performance from the porch of the Bartholomew House. The third Wednesday of June, July and August. Free!.

To coincide with an upcoming exhibit at the Minnesota Historical Society, on May 18th at 6pm the Richfield Historical Society will open a new exhibit telling the stories of the Greatest Generation's experience in Richfield. After living through the trials of the Great Depression and World War II, and then contributing to the tremendous prosperity of the post-War years, this generation has correctly been deemed one of American's greatest. Locally, these men and women witnessed the tremendous change and growth that Richfield experieced during those decades, and helped build it into an "All-American City."

In order to make the exhibit the "greatest" it can be - we once again are asking for the help of our community. We are looking for photographs, newspapers, and and particularly dimensional objects to help us tell the story. So if you have ration books, a television purchased at a local store, a globe used in a local school, a menu from the Hidelberg or the TomTom Drive-In, a check book from a local bank, or a souvenir of the 1951 Tornado - we want to see it! These are just a few examples of the historic objects that we need to illustrate the story of the Greatest Generation, so if you think you have a memento that we might be interested in, please don't hesitate to contact us at 612-798-6140.

Today we share most of our experiences via the internet or on the phone, leaving no physical evidence behind in the way that letters or diaries did in the past. That is why it is so important to write down the stories that will help our families (and historical societies!) understand who we were and what special events and daily activities shaped our lives. Working with Jean Travis-Odefey, co-editor of Richfield: Minnesota's Oldest Suburb, you will discover the stories your descendents will love to read in 2050. The program cost is $3 - please call 612-798-6140 to sign up.

• Thursday, March 18th, 7pm
• Richfield History Center

As many of you know, the Society's collection include very few artifacts hat can be tied directly to the Bartholomew family or their descendts. The original furnishings of Riley and Fanny and their children have likely been dispursed within the family or thrown away as over the years they became worn and fragile. Luckily a few pieces have been donated to the Society, including the gun cabinet in the dining room and the velvet-and-horn chair in the parlor. We always hope the additional family pieces will come to light, and in February a Bartholomew descendent donated a new item to the collection.

Susan Cargill Brooks Quest is the granddaughter of Florence Wright Brooks, who was the great-grandaughter of Riley and Fanny Bartholomew. Her grandmother is shown in the photograph on the right as a young girl sitting on the lap her great-grandmother Fanny. Sitting beside them is Fanny's daughter, Virginia Bartholomew Nash, and standing at the back is Viriginia's daughter, and Florence's mother, Carrie Nash Wright. Mrs. Quest donated the cast-iron baby crib her grandmother used to raise her own children just after the turn of the century. Although we cannot document that the crib was used in the Bartholomew House, as a family piece it will provide an excellent way to tell the story of the Bartholomew family's continuous occupation of the house through many generations.

As an added bonus, Mrs. Quest also provided us with a copy of a photograph, shown on the right, showing her uncle Wright Brooks, standing outside the Bartholomew House, probably not long after it became a museum. The original sign advertising "Public Visits and School Tours" is visible in the image. As we continue to document the history of our organization as well as our community, these types of photographs are great additions to the collection. Our thanks to Susan Quest for her generous contribution to the collection.

The Richfield Historical Society has received word that it will be receiving a gift from the estate of the now deceased Thomas Elliott, a long time member of the Society and former editor of the Society newsletter. Ruthann Clay says of Thomas, "he was a very special person and a very dear friend. Tom and his wife Barbara were always willing to help with anything. They spent a great deal of time in producing a newsletter that was informative and fun to read. One of Tom's favorite articles was interviewing a member and telling their story. Tom loved to bring his guitar to events and play and sing for all of us. I will miss him".

The Society is in the process of establishing an endowment fund to which legacy gifts may be given. These gifts may include lifetime or after death gifts. If you want to learn more about this opportunity of helping the Historical Society through a Legacy gift, please get in touch with the director.