Experience the rich history and culture of North Dakota’s Germans from Russia at events scheduled as part of NDSU’s 201l Dakota Memories Heritage Tour, Sept. 15-18. The three-day tour through south central North Dakota will feature a variety of activities from a choir recital of traditional German songs to tastings of homemade German-Russian cuisine, in addition to a variety of presentations prepared for tour participants and the general public. The tour will make stops in Jamestown, Streeter, Napoleon, Lehr, Wishek, Zeeland, Hague, Strasburg and Ashley.
Prior to departure, Thursday, Sept.15, the Dakota Memories Heritage Tour will kick off with a welcome reception from 4 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the NDSU Main Library (1201 Albrecht Blvd. on NDSU’s main campus). Attendees will hear opening remarks by Clifford Canku of NDSU’s North Dakota Studies Program, and presentations on the NDSU Libraries’ Germans from Russia Heritage Collection and on the Institute for Regional Studies and University Archives. Refreshments will be served.
On Friday, Sept. 16, at 10:45 a.m., Donald Schwert, NDSU professor of geology, will present “A Heritage of Landscapes: The Geologic Setting of Settlement” at the National Buffalo Museum in Jamestown, N.D. (http://buffalomuseum.com). At 6:45 p.m. that evening, Homer Rudolf will present “The German-Russian Brauche (Faith Healing) Tradition: History and Practice” at Rueben’s Restaurant in Napoleon.
On Saturday, Sept. 17, the public also is welcome to attend the “History – Heritage – Culture” event at Wishek’s historic Civic Center (www.wishek-nd.com/cityinfo/civic-center.html). A German-Russian meal, including strudels, will be served at 6:30 p.m. Wishek High School students will provide musical entertainment, and Ronald Vossler will present “All in One Sack: Humor and Tragedy of the Germans from Russia.” The presentation is sponsored by the North Dakota Humanities Council. A silent auction will be held, with proceeds going to Tri-County Tourism Alliance. The entertainment and presentation are included in the cost of the tour, but dinner – available for $15 – must be purchased separately by Sept. 1 from Acacia Stuckle.
For more information about the Dakota Memories Heritage Tour or related events, visit library.ndsu.edu/grhc/dakotamemories/heritage/index.html or contact Stuckle at (701) 231-6596 or acacia.stuckle@ndsu.edu.
In addition to the NDSU Libraries, tour sponsors include the NDSU Extension Services’ Center for Community Vitality and Prairie Public Broadcasting.
