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   The Cass County Historical Society is 75 years old this year. It all started with a few items displayed in the windows of the Walker Pilot by Clem Plattner. This spurred a small group of Cass County citizens to discuss forming a county historical society. In April 1949,  the society was organized with officers and directors Reoganization occurred in 1956. Twenty members revised the Constitution and officers were elected. The Cass County Museum was dedicated in June of 1982. Tim Andersen became director in 2018 and introduced the project of Free Admission for the entire season sponsored by county-wide businesses. The Society has proudly managed the Cass County Museum for 75 years collecting, preserving and disseminating the county’s rich heritage.

   To celebrate their 75 anniversary, the Cass County Museum is hosting two speakers giving presentation about relevant historical topics that relate to Cass County’s past on Friday, August 9 at the Museum. Beginning at 3 p.m., Fia Larsen will present her presentation, “Enemies in Our Fields: German POWs in Minnesota” on the German prisoner-of-war (POW) camps in Northern Minnesota. Cass County had three POW camps in the Walker area during World War II. These camps played a crucial role during the war, serving as both a housing facility and a source of labor for agricultural and forestry tasks. She will go through her research and shed light on how these camps were organized and operated and their impact on Minnesota’s agricultural landscape. Following Larsen’s presentation is one by Chad Lewis on, “Lumberjack Creatures of the Northwoods.” Hear interesting stories by this entertaining author. A current description reads: “Beware! The Northwoods of America are full of the most terrifying creatures that the lumberjacks could ever imagine. From the poisonous Hoop Snake to the monstrous Hodag, this book contains the folklore, tall-tales and fantastical yarns surrounding twenty of the most unbelievable animals that are said to inhabit the big woods.”

   Brats will be served to the audience courtesy of Laporte Grocery and Meats at the conclusion of Chad Lewis’ presentation at 5:15 p.m. Visitors are invited to stay and have a brat as long as they last. Beverages furnished by NEI Distributing.

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