WBLAHS GROUP PRESENTATIONS
The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society offers a wide variety of local history programs that can be adapted to any group large or small. Join us for one of our monthly presentations, or have us come to you for an on-site presentation.
- Presentations are about one hour long.
- Presentations can be presented at your location, or let us make the arrangements for you.
- Please contact us for current residential community pricing.
To learn more about our programs or to schedule one for your group, please complete the Group Presentations Request Form.
Group Presentations
1918: A Year in Stories
From the Great War overseas to Influenza at home along with the rise of the Temperance Movement and Women’s Suffrage, 1918 was a monumental year whose impact is still felt a century later. Join us for an overview of the year according to The White Bear Press.
Bald Eagle On Record
We will explore the many different types of resources that the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society preserves for our communities. Bald Eagle functions as a wonderful example of a community within a community that is on record through photos, ledgers, minutes and other documents.
Birchwood Village Turns 100
Birchwood Village was incorporated in September of 1921 and would eventually evolve into the City of Birchwood Village. Join us to hear about the people and events that make this area unique including Al Bloomquist, school bus driver and police officer for the village and Lucy Tighe, our area’s first woman mayor.
Cass Gilbert's White Bear Cottages
Well-known Minnesota architect Cass Gilbert spent much of his early career designing homes and other buildings around White Bear Lake. This illustrated program will showcase designs for some of his early cottages and other buildings in our area – some of which still stand today, while others have not survived or were never built.
Clubbin' It! The Tale of Two Women's Clubs
The White Bear and Bald Eagle Women’s Clubs have deep roots in our area providing a social outlet and culture of service that has greatly impacted our community over the past century. Join us to hear about their legacies.
Dellwood: 100 Years and Counting
Dellwood, Minnesota, a small hamlet on the north shore of White Bear Lake, has been the summer playground for many of St. Paul’s social elite for more than a century. The summer cottages eventually turned to year-round homes designed by some of Minnesota’s most esteemed architects of the early twentieth century including Cass Gilbert, Clarence Johnston and Emanuel Masqueray. The lore of Dellwood drew famous visitors such as F. Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald. It seems no one was immune to the lake community’s charms. Join us to see images of grand homes and hear stories of those golden days.
Digital Scrapbooking 101
Learn some tips and tricks to creating a family heritage scrapbook that can be ordered at an online retailer. Discussion includes a comparison of available websites and formats as well as design ideas and enhancements.
Family Heritage Scrapbooking
Scrapbooks are a great way to share your family history with future generations. Join us to learn about techniques to preserve and organize your family history and put it in a traditional scrapbook to share your family stories.
From Roger's Field to Benson Airport
World War II soldier Roger Benson left an aviation legacy on his family’s farm that was carried on by his brother John and is today an important part of the story of White Bear Township. Join us to learn the history behind this interesting organization.
Hattie Long: Teacher, Writer, Inspiration
Hattie Long spent much of her career teaching at White Bear’s Washington School. As a pioneer of Special Education Hattie touched many lives. As a writer, an active geologist and a dedicated member of her church, Hattie had many sides people rarely saw. Join us to hear the story of this remarkable woman.
Helen Fillebrown's Gift of Music
Helen Fillebrown devoted her life to music from the time she was a young woman studying her craft in Berlin to sharing her talents with piano students in her White Bear Lake home which became something of a musical Mecca. Join us to hear the story of her gift.
How Did the White Bear Town Hall Get Here?
Learn the story of White Bear’s oldest municipal building through this illustrated program highlighting how the structure has evolved to meet the needs of its changing community and what the future has in store.
Mahtomedi: More Than Streetcars and Amusement Parks
The City of Mahtomedi describes itself as “Small Town City”. Join us to hear about the community’s deep roots and modern accomplishments.
Meet Arthur Fillebrown
Recent research has uncovered more of the story of Arthur Fillebrown, the quieter of the two siblings who donated their lakeside cottage to the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society in the 1970s. Join us to hear his story illustrated through family photos and clippings.
Schools Around the Lake
The communities around White Bear Lake have a long history of quality education. Through an illustrated program we will explore the early days of education in the White Bear and Mahtomedi School Districts, the innovative buildings and programs as well as several notable and influential leaders such as early special education teacher, Hattie Long.
Summer Fun at White Bear
Throughout the decades the White Bear Area has been the place to relax and enjoy all that a Minnesota summer has to offer. The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society explores the recreational history of our community through illustrated stories of the Bald Eagle Water Club, Tally’s Dockside, Wildwood Amusement Park and much more.
The Story of the White Bear Fire Department
Since 1888 the White Bear Fire Department has provided fire protection to the residents of our area. Join us to hear how things have changed over the decades and how some things have stayed the same as we celebrate over 125 years of the White Bear Lake Fire Department.
The Story of the Geist Gazebo
The Geist Gazebo was built as a wedding gift by Thomas Erd for his daughter Anna in 1883 on the south shore of White Bear Lake. A century later it had been moved to Matoska Park and has become a much loved community landmark. Join us as we share the story of this iconic structure’s past and what is happening to ensure it’s future.
The Story of the White Bear Armory
Join us to hear the story of the White Bear Armory building that has served our area in a variety of ways since it opened in 1922. From sending our soldiers off to World War II to local coronations and dances the armory has been at the heart of community for decades.
The Story of the White Bear Library
White Bear has had a library in some form since the 1880s. Explore the evolution from community reading room to county library as we embark upon a new era of the library system in our community.
Then and Now: Downtown White Bear Lake, Part I
Explore the buildings and scenes of downtown White Bear Lake that have changed and be surprised by so much that has remained the same! This illustrated program highlights many of White Bear’s popular businesses along Clark Avenue, Washington Avenue and a portion of Third Street.
Then and Now: Downtown White Bear Lake, Part II
Explore the buildings and scenes of downtown White Bear Lake that have changed and be surprised by so much that has remained the same! This illustrated program highlights many of White Bear’s popular businesses along Fourth Street, Banning Avenue and Third Street.
Washington Avenue Then and Now
Washington Avenue, originally known as Railroad Avenue, is one of our area’s most historic streets. Join us to learn more about its buildings and businesses.
WBLAHS Collections Sampler
Ever wonder what objects, photos and documents the WBLAHS has in their various collections? Join us as we show and tell a little about a sampling of the interesting items that have been gathered over the decades and are being preserved to share our history for generations to come.
We Save History - Why?
Why? Sample our most popular programs and see how we’re preserving White Bear history for generations to come.
Wet or Dry? How Liquor Helped Shape White Bear
The pubs, taverns, speakeasies and sample rooms around White Bear Lake were popular places before during and after the Prohibition Era. Join us as we explore the history of our local establishments, the legislation of Prohibition and the impact liquor has had on the formation of our community.
What's In a Name, Part I
Join us for Part I of a series where we explore many of the streets and parks around White Bear Lake and investigate how they got their names through the years. From Murray to Banning and West to Matoska, what’s in a name?
What's In a Name, Part II
Join us for Part II of a series where we explore many of the streets and parks around White Bear Lake and investigate how they got their names through the years. From McKnight to Florence and Peggy to Randy, what’s in a name?
Where Exactly Was Wildwood Amusement Park?
Wildwood Park boomed on the southern shore of White Bear Lake during the first part of the twentieth century. Join us as we set the scene with images and stories from the park’s heyday. You can almost feel the streetcars rattling along the tracks!
White Bear: A Village is Born!
In February of 1881 the Village of White Bear was officially incorporated. Join us to learn why, what the community looked like at that time and who was involved in setting the foundation of what would eventually become the City of White Bear Lake.
White Bear and the Civil War
The “War Between the States” was felt across our young country and the White Bear area was no exception. Hear the tales of several veterans from our area and learn about our soldiers’ monument on Clark Avenue.
White Bear During World War II
Hear the stories of life during the war both at home and on the front. Did rationing affect day-to-day life at home? Did we lose any boys in the fight? Join us to learn what it was like during this significant time in our history.
White Bear Lake
All America City – Look Magazine named White Bear Lake an “All-America” City for 1964 and a year of celebrations began. The summer of 1965 was filled with events and activities honoring area organizations and accomplishments. Join us to learn about what was being celebrated 50 years ago, what has changed and what has remained the same.
White Bear Lake
Land of Lakes and Legends: The community of White Bear Lake is known as the “Land of Lakes and Legends”. The lakes are obvious, but what are those many legends? Join us to hear more about the legends that make our area unique – some real and some more imaginative.
White Bear on the Go!
Join us to explore the many modes of transportation that made White Bear such a popular place to visit and stay including the railroad, street cars, bicycles, steamers on the lake and even a hot air balloon or two!
White Bear - What a Winter Wonderland!
Travel with us through time as we explore the ways White Bear has celebrated winter from ice palaces to fishing contests to hot air balloons.
White Bear Women's Club
Join us to hear the stories of more than 100 years of the White Bear Women’s Club and see how this organization has influenced life in our community through the decades.
White Bear, Minnesota: A Railroad Town
Take a journey with the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society through the evolution of rail transportation in our community and the importance of White Bear to the railroads.
White Bear's Hockey History
White Bear has produced hockey greats throughout the decades. Names such as Moose Goheen, Doc Romnes, Brian Bonin and Ryan Carter have been rostered on NHL teams over the years. Join us to hear how they got their start in White Bear and other local hockey trivia including the origins of the Hippodrome and the start of the Minnesota State High School Hockey Tournament
White Bear's Commitment to Service
From the Civil War to current service members our area has had a tradition of providing and supporting troops. Join us to learn about our many veterans and their contributions and sacrifices throughout the decades.
White Bear's Native American Heritage
Join us as we explore the history and impact of Native Americans on the area around White Bear Lake.
White Bear's Notorious Gangsters
The White Bear area was a haven for the 1920s and ‘30s era gangsters. Join us to hear the tales of infamous visitors such as Ma Barker, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis and Baby Face Nelson.
White Bear's Notorious Gangsters, the Sequel
The White Bear area was a haven for the 1920s and ‘30s era gangsters who wanted to get away from it all. Join us to learn some gangster lingo while you hear the tales of infamous visitors such as Ma Barker, Alvin “Creepy” Karpis and Baby Face Nelson. Program updated with stories shared by local residents since the first edition was offered.
White Bear's Resort Era
The arrival of the railroad also meant the beginning of White Bear’s Golden Resort Era. Through this illustrated program we will explore the grandest of the resorts and recreation sites around the lake.
White Bear's Winter Carnival Connection
White Bear and the Winter Carnival have been connected for decades from ice for the palaces to carnival royalty and events. Join us to learn more about the ties between the two.
White Bear Township and the Battle for Independence
Over the past century and a half, the original 36 square mile White Bear Township gave birth to the cities of Gem Lake, North Oaks, Vadnais Heights and White Bear Lake. Join us to hear how the story unfolds through a series of hot legal disputes and emotional exchanges.
Who Were the Fillebrowns?
Join us to hear the story of the Fillebrown House, its residents and its many uses, as well as how it came to be a community landmark.
Women Won the Right to Vote - Now What?
The passage of the 19th amendment won the right to vote for many women across the United States. How did that change things in Minnesota and our area? Join us as well look at the local impact women have made on the political scene.
World War I: White Bear in the Great War
World War I affected many communities and White Bear was no exception. Join us to hear the stories of two White Bear soldiers with very different experiences./span>