HISTORICAL EXPERIENCES | Minnesota Answers the Call to Arms!
Even though it was the newest state in America, Minnesota would be the first to volunteer a regiment of young men to fight to preserve the Union. Historical Experiences will bring this story to life through interactive, hands-on, living-history experiences that will make history come alive!
The presenter is Mr. Arn Kind, a teacher of over 47 years experience , who will come in military uniform to teach your students about the American Civil War and the role that we Minnesotans played in that conflict.
Less that three years had passed since Minnesota became the 32nd star sewn onto the United States Flag. Statehood had a very rocky beginning for the fledgling state. The country was breaking apart as the southern states seceded, one after another. Minnesotan would be called upon to fight to preserve this glorious Union and fight they did. Even though Minnesota was one of the youngest states in the nation, it became to the first state in the Union to offer troops to President Lincoln to put down the rebellion. These first troops would form the First Minnesota Volunteer Regiment of Infantry. They would train at Fort Snelling under the able leadership of Colonel Willis Gorman before they marched off to the bloody battlefields and everlasting fame. Minnesota would send 11 infantry regiments, 4 cavalry regiments, 3 batteries of light artillery, 1 regiment of heavy artillery and 2 companies of sharpshooters to fight in the wars. Why wars in the plural? Because a year and a half into the war, Minnesotans found themselves in a second bloody civil war within the boundaries of their own state. The Dakota Indians, after years of neglect, abuse and broken promises rose up in a violent attempt to regain their tribal lands. Learn all about Minnesotans struggle in the survival of the country and of their state as Arn Kind presents MINNESOTA IN THE CIVIL WAR.
Through drama, role-playing and living history experiences, Mr. Kind’s presentation will give participants an understanding of this turbulent time and make history come alive for our students.
One of the reasons Mr. Kind’s presentation really makes this history come alive for his audiences is because of his realistic and colorful portrayal of the people who participated in these events. Another reason is because of all the maps, posters, clothing and artifacts he brings and displays for his audience to see. In order to display and use these artifacts in his presentation, he makes sure that everything he brings in has been made safe. To portray a soldier in the Civil War, Mr. Kind will display some of the uniforms, weapons,, equipment that the soldiers would have used during the war. None of these weapons can be fired and are perfectly safe to display. Mr. Kind, of course, does not bring any gunpowder or any other combustibles into the schools or libraries where he presents.
Mr. Kind’s presentation is a wonderful and unique way of learning about this event in the history of our nation and the world Your students will get excited about what they have learned through this LIVING HISTORY EXPERIENCE.
Schedule your in-house history field trip today.
