Two days on the Iron Range

Itinerar y:Minnesota
Photos: Iron Range TB
Groups can go
underground
at the Soudan
Underground
Mine State Park.
5:15 p.m. — Depart from your hotel for dinner at one of the area’s
fine-dining establishments, or enjoy a special themed dinner at the hotel.
The Minnesota Iron Range, a font of mining
history, offers an array of tours.
Two days on
the Iron Range
Fall 2010 • GroupTour.com
Day One
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8 a.m. — In Eveleth, stand next to the World’s Largest Hockey Stick,
which measures 107 feet and weighs more than three tons. This Christian
Brothers stick is complete with a giant rubber puck.
8:30 a.m. — Experience the exciting world of hockey at the United States
Hockey Hall of Fame, also in Eveleth. Entertaining displays showcase all
levels of the sport.
9:40 a.m. — Enjoy a panoramic view of one of the area’s deepest mines
from a 20-story overlook at the Mineview in the Sky in Virginia. The focus
of this majestic view is an open pit, nearly three miles long, half a mile
wide, and 450 feet deep. Towering 21 feet high is the 240-ton oversized
mining truck, King of the Lode.
10:50 a.m. — Explore the depths of Minnesota’s first underground mine
at the Soudan Underground Mine State Park, where a caged elevator lowers
you a half a mile underground to the heart of the mine. A .75-mile electric
train ride brings you to the last and deepest area mined. Bring a sweater,
as the year-round temperature is a constant 52 degrees.
12:45 p.m. — Savor a tasty lunch at one the area’s fine-dining establishments or enjoy an ethnic lunch with sarmas, porketta, or pasties.
2:15 p.m. — Experience the spine-tingling sensation of howling wolves
at the International Wolf Center in Ely. Step into the shoes of trackers
as you search for wild wolves and observe them in the great outdoors.
Day Two
8 a.m. — Travel on a fascinating journey through time at the birthplace
of the bus industry in the United States. The story of transportation comes
alive at Greyhound Bus Museum in Hibbing through hundreds of artifacts
and memorabilia. Vintage buses displayed include a 1927 White, a 1936
Super Coach, a 1947 GMC Coach, the 1948 Silverside, a 1956 Scenic Cruiser,
and a 1982 MCI-9.
9:20 a.m. — Experience the heritage of Northeastern Minnesota at
the Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm. Tour exhibits that explore
the history, heritage, and future of the region and its people. The site
includes a theater, a restaurant, a trolley, a museum store, and galleries.
Lunch — Enjoy traditional or modern fare at the Minnesota Discovery
Center, such as a pasty in a pail like miners used to eat.
1 p.m. — Experience life of a miner as you take an exciting tour of a
modern-day active mine at Hibbing Taconite. Slip into steel-toe boots
and put on a hardhat as a knowledgeable guide narrates your adventure.
4 p.m. — Go down in history at Hill Annex Mine State Park. Interpreters
with mining backgrounds lead the tour that includes a trolley bus ride
of spectacular descent to the inner workings and buildings of the mine.
Groups also can experience a pontoon boat ride on the pit lake while
viewing 300-foot towering canyon walls from the water.
6 p.m. — Depart for an ethnic dinner at a local establishment or a
themed dinner back at the hotel.•
Iron Range Tourism Bureau
403 N. First St.
Virginia, MN 55792
1-800-777-8497
(218) 749-8161
www.ironrange.org
Minnesota
Cultural history
The Polish Museum of Winona preserves the
history of the area’s Polish immigrants
Winona was once a
bustling lumber town.
or Apple Day, which features not only
apples, but apple pie, ice cream, and crafts
made by local vendors. Smaczne Jabłka
will be held on Oct. 10, 2010. Opłatek Day
features unusual Christmas gifts and authentic cuisine, and is scheduled for Dec.
5, 2010. Opłateki are Christmas Eve wafers used in Central European Christian
celebrations.•
Polish Cultural Institute
102 Liberty St.
Winona, MN 55987
(507) 454-3431
www.polishmuseumwinona.org
August
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September
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October
When the Kashubians (an ethnic group
from North Central Poland) emigrated to
America in the mid- to late-1800s, many
stopped in Winona. At the time, the island
city was a bustling lumber town, so many
Poles stayed to work in the mills and at
other jobs, while others continued their
emigration to different regions.
The history of Winona’s Polish citizens
is preserved and interpreted through exhibits and displays at the Polish Museum
of Winona, which is located in the Polish
neighborhood known as the East End.
The historic structure, which was built in
1890 by the Laird-Norton Lumber Co.,
had served as both the lumberyard office
building and later a printing company.
Today, the building houses Kashubian artifacts, family heirlooms, religious articles,
and folk art.
The museum’s annex is a newer construction that is used for social and group
events. Its walls contain a photographic mural that outlines the history of the Kashubian
Polish people in the Winona area.
Groups can buy Polish items and other
souvenirs at the museum’s gift shop. A calendar of events includes Smaczne Jabłka,
Photo: Wikipedia/Kirs10
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Minnesota
Unfurl
the scrolls
The landmark Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit
debuted at the Science Museum of Minnesota in March, offering visitors an exclusive
chance to view the greatest archaeological
discovery of the 20th century — one that
has great historic and personal meaning
to people all over the world. The exhibition will continue through Oct. 24, 2010.
Fall 2010 • GroupTour.com
Above:
“Scroll” jar and lid dating
back to 100BCE-70CE
Photos: Courtesy of Craig Thiesen, Science Museum of Minnesota
Ponder the words that
changed the world at
the Science Museum
of Minnesota
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“The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibition is
one of the most important the Science
Museum has ever hosted,” said Mike Day,
senior vice president of museum enterprises. “In bringing the scrolls to Minnesota, we are offering a once-in-a-lifetime
opportunity for all visitors, regardless of
their religious faith, to witness something
Minnesota
Groups can discover the world once
home to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
Science Museum of Minnesota
1-800-221-9444
(651) 221-9426
www.smm.org
•
September
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October
When seeing the exhibit, visitors will
explore galleries devoted to putting the
Dead Sea Scrolls story into context. In addition, they will see ancient artifacts that
will give them a glimpse into life in Israel
during the famous Second Temple Period
— from everyday items like measuring
cups and cookware, to tools of the trade,
such as inkwells and stamps.
The special exhibit includes a gallery
devoted to The Saint John’s Bible, the
world’s newest hand-scribed illustrated
sacred text, and the first to be commissioned in 500 years. Commissioned by
Saint John’s Abbey and University in
Collegeville in Minnesota, the Bible was
created in the tradition of the medieval
manuscripts and is the first handwritten,
illuminated Bible to be commissioned by
a Benedictine monastery since the advent
of the printing press.
Tickets are for timed entry, and advance reservations are necessary. Groups
of 15 or more enjoy special discounted
rates to The Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit,
which includes an audio tour and general
museum admission. A show at the Omnitheater can be added for an additional fee.
Groups may hold tickets on consignment,
and museum spaces can be reserved for
Dead Sea Scrolls lectures and events for
groups up to 300.
Beyond the special engagement, the
downtown Saint Paul museum welcomes
1 million visitors each year with its handson exhibits, breathtaking giant-screen
films, special events, and unparalleled
education programs.•
August
truly remarkable. As the oldest known
hand-scribed Bible by 1,000 years, the
Dead Sea Scrolls represent a great archaeological story, as well as a story with
deep religious, historic, and cultural significance. We’re honored to share it with
Science Museum visitors.”
The scrolls, most of which are more
than 2,000 years old, were initially discovered by a shepherd in caves along the
western shores of the Dead Sea near the
ancient settlement of Qumran in Israel.
Archaeologists have excavated and pieced
together tens of thousands of scroll fragments into more than 900 separate documents. Including biblical manuscripts and
commentary to religious legal writings,
these ancient Hebrew writing fragments
are on rare occasions put on public display at world-class museums. They are
now archived and conserved by the Israel
Antiquities Authority.
In addition to being one of only a few
museums in the U.S. to host the scrolls
and related artifacts, the Science Museum
is the first museum to display three sets
of five scrolls each during the run, for a
grand total of 15.
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Minnesota
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Adventurous groups can follow the call to spend time outdoors.
Anytime adventures
Wilderness Inquiry accompanies groups
on outdoor excursions around the world
Fall 2010 • GroupTour.com
Groups of all ages and abilities enjoy
time in the great outdoors. With so many
options available, it’s helpful to have a
guide to lead the way. Minneapolis-based
Wilderness Inquiry can be that guide.
“We have trips that are open to the public, but we also cater to any individuals or
organizations that are looking to arrange a
trip to better suit their needs,” said Wilderness Inquiry’s Nicole Probotanojo. “We also
serve people with different backgrounds
and abilities, even people with disabilities.”
The Wilderness Inquiry website is filled
with information and itineraries about
upcoming trips in North America and
international destinations. Customized
itineraries also are available, designed to
match specific budgets and needs. The
trips, available for groups of five to 150,
include meals, gear, and accommodations,
as well as expert guides.
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Minnesota outdoors
Between Manitoba and the Iowa
border, groups will find many places to
explore with the guides of Wilderness
Inquiry. Many of the trips the outfitter
leads take place within this state that seems
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tailor-made for adventure, including time
at the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Itasca State Park, Lake Superior,
and overnights along the Mississippi River.
More to explore
Beyond Minnesota, Wilderness Inquiry
leads adventures across the United States,
from the Florida Everglades to the San
Juan Islands of Washington and many
places in between. Whether groups want to
climb one of the soaring Rocky Mountain
peaks, poke around Yellowstone National
Park, or soak up Hawaiian sunsets, this
outfitter can arrange a trip just for them.
The trips don’t stop at the U.S. border.
Wilderness Inquiry staffers can accompany groups to Costa Rica, the Bahamas,
and Belize. Far-away places like Patagonia,
Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Australia,
and New Zealand also provide amazing
settings for getaways.•
Wilderness Inquiry
1-800-728-0719
(612) 676-9400
www.wildernessinquiry.org
Minnesota
Real
stories
Museum in Perham
relates the experiences
of veterans
In Their Own Words, A Veterans Museum contains sophisticated audiovisual
technology to help tell the stories and experiences of veterans. The museum, which also
goes by the letters ITOW, is a division of the
History Museum of East Otter Tail County.
Lina Belar, executive director of ITOW,
designed its exhibits and said the idea behind the museum is to honor veterans
and preserve their legacy by presenting
their stories in their own words. “Some of
the people from the Veterans of Foreign
Wars came to me and said we would like
a veterans museum but we don’t want just
a row of guns and uniforms,” she said.
“These are real stories by real people; they
are unfiltered by the media or by editors.”
The VFW members sought out Belar
because they had seen the exhibits she
designed in the History Museum of East
Otter Tail and liked their emphasis on
telling stories. So Belar began recording
interviews with veterans.
Video documentaries and interviews and
audio commentaries are used in all exhibits
at ITOW. Each visitor is given a dog tag that
looks like a credit card and corresponds to a
veteran from World War II, Vietnam War, or
the first Gulf War. A visitor swipes the card at
an interactive identity kiosk to learn detailed
information about that veteran.
how that changed him,” she said.
Members of the VFW and VFW Auxiliary will greet visitors. Options include a
box lunch, lunch served in mess kits, and
lectures by visiting scholars.•
A veteran describes his POW
experience in a video at ITOW.
no local World War I veterans were still
alive to be interviewed, Falk’s diary was
available. “Falk did not see battle, but he
saw the aftereffects of war, and you see
In Their Own Words,
A Veterans Museum
805 W. Main
Perham, MN 56673
(218) 346-7678
www.itowmuseum.org
August
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September
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October
Engaging visitors
“Museums today have to be participatory,” Belar said. “When you enter ITOW,
A Veterans Museum it’s almost as if you
entered a crowd of people. You can turn
to your left and talk to a World War II
veteran and turn to your right and talk to
a Vietnam War veteran. You really get to
participate in the experience.”
In “Aftermath of War,” visitors enter
what looks like a World War I bunker and
encounter the figure of a soldier writing in
his diary. Belar explained the figure represents local veteran Arthur Falk. Although
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