Heritage Building

Building Hours:
Thursday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Sunday 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Learn about the history of Mille Lacs County and the area. Display by the Mille Lacs, Milaca, and Princeton historical societies.

Jay Grammond

Photographer

Local Princeton resident Jay Grammond is making a name for himself by documenting the history of Minnesota photographically and then presenting his findings. His photos include: ghost signs and grain bins, which focus on agriculture, Veterans’ memorials around the state, neon signs, and so much more

Performance Times:

Wednesday, August 5, Jay Grammond Programs (Heritage Building):
2:00 pm Minnesota’s Ties to Early American History
This captivating presentation sheds light on Minnesota’s ties to the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Indian Wars, the Mexican War, and the Civil War, showcasing how this northern state played a significant role in shaping America’s destiny.

4:00 pm Rails, Depots, and Small Towns of West Central Minnesota
All Aboard! Take a journey through time with Jay Grammond as we explore the rails, depots, and small towns that helped shape the heart of West Central Minnesota.

Thursday, August 6, Jay Grammond Programs (Heritage Building):
2:00 pm A Road Trip Around Minnesota: Barn Quilt Trails
Join Jay Grammond as he leads you around the state through eight Barn Quilt Trails to give you a sampling of what is out there in hopes that you will make your own road trip!

4:00 pm Ghost Signs & Grain Bins: A Look At Minnesota’s Farming Heritage
Step into the fading paint and rusted tin of Minnesota’s agricultural past in this visually rich and story-filled presentation, where we’ll explore historic Minnesota farms, honor a few trailblazing ag pioneers, and journey through the state’s most iconic grain elevators and farmstead bins.

Friday, August 7, Jay Grammond Programs (Heritage Building):
5:30 pm Roadside Americana: Minnesota’s Neon Glow, Fiberglass Giants, and Roadside Treasures
Buckle up and get ready to take a colorful road trip down Minnesota’s highways, where glowing neon, towering roadside giants, and quirky roadside treasures bring the state’s 1950s era past to life.

Saturday, August 8, Jay Grammond Programs (Heritage Building):
2:00 pm One Last Time: Veteran Stories Part 1
Photographer, Author, and Amateur Historian, Jay Grammond, spent 13 years planning and leading a WWII History Series in Elk River; today, Jay will honor the memory of those who participated in his series and are sadly no longer with us, allowing all of us to gain a unique and personal insight into the lives of these remarkable individuals.

4:00 pm One Last Time: Veteran Stories Part 2
Join Jay Grammond as he continues to share more powerful stories from WWII Veterans and civilians who experienced the war firsthand. Whether you have attended Part One or are joining us for the first time, this session stands on its own while offering a deeper look into the personal accounts of those who served, sacrificed, and endured during one of the most pivotal times in history.

Yvonne Cory

Fiber Artist

Every apron has a story. Every story reminisced brings back a memory of generations from the past. Yvonne Cory, “Joys & Tears in the Apron Strings”, storyteller and fiber artist from Easton, Minnesota, brings history to life through an extraordinary heirloom textile collection spanning from the 1800s to the present. Through her engaging presentations, she shares the stories woven into these everyday garments, stories of resilience, family, and culture. Using traditional fiber art, especially aprons, Cory blends artistic creativity with historical insight, offering audiences a unique look at American heritage, patriotism, and the lives behind the stitches

Performance Times:

Friday, August 7th – Yvonne Cory Programs (Heritage Building):

12:30 pm The “Feedsack” Story
Agricultural, business, and historical highlights are presented as sacks replaced barrels for commodity storage and transportation throughout the world. Feedsacks provided a variety of fabrics for family fashion and home décor. Both textile bags and apron styles are shared.

3:00 pm Half Apron Fun
The half apron was the first form to be worn in early history, but frequently homemakers remember the 50’s & 60’s when a variety of fabrics, designs, and embellishments were available. The 60 aprons in this program provide a full glass of fun and laughs.

“Community Art Fun”, “Yvonne Cory, Fiber Artist”, “Jay Grammond, Photographer”, “Sawyer’s Dream”, “Stifle: Band of Brothers”, “32 Below”, and “The Abiders” activities are all made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to legislative appropriations from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.