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Raise money online for Supporting Our Volunteers - A New Kitchen for LeDuc

		2013 Tour Season May 30 through October 27 Thursday - Sunday 10 am to 5 pm Tours start at 10 am, 11:30 am, 1 pm, 2:30 pm, and 4 pm Major Events Listed Here
		Youth Summer Camps at the LeDuc Historic Estate Three opportunities are available for children to learn history, be creative, and have fun. "Life with the LeDucs" for children ages 8-10 years old will be offered June 25-27 and July 9-11. "Music & Art of the 1800s" for children ages 11-13 years old will be offered July 16-18. These day camps run each day from 8 a.m. to noon. The registration fee for each camp is $45 for members of Dakota County Historical Society and $60 for non-members. Download and send in the registration form. LIFE WITH THE LEDUCS Can you imagine a time when there were no TV sets, computers, cars, or telephones? How did people live, and what did kids do for fun? Experience life as it was lived by the LeDuc children, who grew up in their marvelous home in Hastings during the 1860s. Campers immerse themselves in the 19th Century as they dress in period costumes, make projects to take home, and have fun with old-fashioned games. Hands-on activities include: * Learning about the LeDuc house and family * Participate in activities of daily life: gardening & feeding chickens * Playing outdoor games & sports: croquet & fencing * Making projects to take home - stilts * Learning about the Civil War * Journaling & writing letters * Much, much more!! MUSIC & ART OF THE 1800s Not being distracted by the technology of today, there were many creative options available to the LeDuc children. Being a family of genteel poverty, the children had the leisure time to pursue many artistic endeavors. Of all the LeDuc children, Alice was the most creative and campers will become familiar with her history. In addition, activities will include: * Learning about the LeDuc house and family * Making projects to take home * Stenciling with some of Alice''s original designs * Learning basic embroidery stitches * Practice the beautiful penmanship so prized in the 19th Century
		Employment Opportunities! The Dakota County Historical Society is embarking on the search for its next Executive Director. Interested individuals can download the job description and email a cover letter, resume and references to dakotahistory@co.dakota.mn.us, using DIRECTOR SEARCH in the subject line. This position will remain open until filled.
		Modern Interpretations of Historic Design III: Patterns from the Hastings Needle Work Company Arts Challenge 2013-2014 Attention needleworkers and artists! The Dakota County Historical Society announces a juried arts competition based on original embroidery designs from the Hastings Needle Work Company. Founded by Alice and Florence LeDuc, Hastings Needle Work produced unique embroidery pieces for their clients from 1888 until the mid-1920s. Selected original patterns, from the collection of the Minnesota Historical Society, are made available for this event. You may use any artistic media to interpret the design of your choice. Patterns and full contest details will be available on the Dakota County Historical Society/LeDuc Historic Estate website starting in June, 2013. Download the application or call 651-437-7055. Submission deadline for entries is March 31, 2014.

		LeDuc Opens for the Season! 2013 Tour Season: May 30-October 27 New Hours! Thursday through Sunday, 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Join us as we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Carroll Simmons' gift to the state! Stay tuned for more details on special tours and programs in 2013.
		Seeing in Watercolor The Annual Ginnie Adams Watercolor Show Lawshe Memorial Museum Opening Reception, Saturday June 1, 11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Exhibition runs through Thursday, August 1 Join us for the annual Watercolor Exhibition as we feature new and familiar artists. Paintings in the exhibit will be available for sale as well as cards and prints in the museum store.








*Monthly Events & Programs*
		LeDuc Book Group LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE First Thursday of every month, 6:30 p.m. Offered through a partnership with Pleasant Hill Library, the LeDuc Book Group is led by Librarian Mary Scheide. June 6 - Then Everything Changed: Stunning Alternative Histories of American Politics by Jeff Greenfield July 11 - North River by Pete Hamill August 1 - Snow Storm in August: Washington City, Francis Scott Key, and the Forgotten Race Riot of 1835 by Jefferson Morley September 5 - Zeitoun by Dave Eggers October 3 - The Last Hunter: An American Family Album by Wil Weaver November 7 - The Jesse James Northfield Raid: Confessions of the Ninth Man by John Koblas December 5 - Nothing Daunted: The Unexpected Education of Two Society Girls in the West by Dorothy Wickenden January 4, 2014 - The Black Death: Natural and Human Disaster in Medieval Europe by Robert S. Gottfried Please check here for any date, time or book selection changes. For more information, call (651) 437-7055 or email leduc@co.dakota.mn.us.
		Heritage Harvest Communal Garden LeDuc Historic Estate - FREE Garden Work Days: Saturday mornings, around 9:30, LeDuc Historic Estate
Carroll Simmons		Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings Meetings Second Tuesday of Every Month, 7:00 p.m. LeDuc Historic Estate Join the Friends of LeDuc for these upcoming programs! June 11 - Carroll Simmons - The Man July 9 - Rod Van Vleet - "Rendezvous with Glory" August 13 - Richard Darsow - The Story of Prohibition September 3 - Planning for Civil War Weekend October 8 - Loren Flom - Research, Construction, and Demonstrating the Dulcimer November 12 - Dedication of Hazel's Kitchen - Launching of "Cooking with Hazel and Friends" cookbook December 10 - Holiday Social - "We Honor Our Volunteers"

*Rentals and Private Tours*
		LeDuc Available for Your Special Event Searching for a unique and memorable location for your wedding, groom's dinner, luncheon, shower or anniversary celebration? History, architecture and nature meet in harmony at the LeDuc Historic Estate. The grounds includes a strolling woods, heirloom apple orchard, grape arbor, peony garden, 200 year old oak trees and is near the scenic Vermillion Falls park. Conveniently located 20 minutes from the Twin Cities on Highway 61 in Hastings, the 1860s Gothic Revival stone mansion provides a memorable setting for up to 50 guests and the picturesque grounds and porches can accommodate much larger gatherings. Download rental information here and call (651) 437-7055 for more information
		Free School Tour Program Available Year-Round All Minnesota educators are encouraged to participate in this free program. Guides can provide standard tours or work with teachers to develop a tour or visit that meets the needs of any classroom. School tours may be scheduled any time of year by calling 651-437-7055 or by e-mail at leduc@co.dakota.mn.us. The Free School Tour program is sponsored in part by the Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings.