Choose your own adventure with foremost river historian Dr. John O. Anfinson and dinner at Sioux Chef's Owamni restaurant

Dr. John O. Anfinson has been researching, writing and speaking about the upper Mississippi River for over 30 years. He spent the first half of his federal career with the St. Paul District, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, as a historian and cultural resources program manager. He joined the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, in 2000, where he served as Superintendent from 2014-2020. John is the author of The River We Have Wrought: A History of the Upper Mississippi (2003) and River of History (2003).

Dr. John Anfinson will lead you and 10 guests on a walking tour of our historic Mississippi waterfront. Choose your tour from one of these 4 options:

1. Downtown Minneapolis Riverfront & St. Anthony Falls Lock Tour: Saint Anthony Falls is a significant site to the indigenous Dakota community, and the falls powered the mills that grew Minneapolis into the city it is today. The downtown riverfront is teeming with fascinating stories and historic remnants. You'll learn the inextricable history of the river and our great city and hear important stories related to flour and timber milling, the Eastman Tunnel and cutoff wall, the future of the river corridor, any many more.
2. Tour of surrounding Lock & Dam 1 (Ford Dam): For over 100 years, locks and dams have controlled the Mississippi River's flow through the Twin Cities. But as shipping needs have shifted, some of the lock and dams' original functions may no longer be necessary. Since the closure of the Upper St. Anthony Falls Lock in 2015, commercial river traffic on the Mississippi upstream of downtown St. Paul has declined. This has raised questions about the future of Lock and Dam No. 1, often called the "Ford Dam." In addition to discussing Lock & Dam 1, hear stories about the history of Meeker Island, the unique character of the Mississippi River Gorge, the recent Lock & Dam Disposition Study and the future of the Mississippi River Gorge.
3. Downtown St. Paul Riverfront Tour: The Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (MNRRA) is the only unit of the National Park Service along the entire length of the Mississippi and is here in the Twin Cities, in great part due to the historic and cultural significance of the Saint Paul Valley. In addition to discussing the natural river and its transformation for navigation in Saint Paul's history, visit River Warren Falls, the Headhouse and Sackhouse (City House), and discuss the future of our beloved riverfront in the capital city.
4. Visit Crosby Farm Park: Nestled at the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers, this hidden St. Paul gem is home to 534 acres of floodplain forest and oak woodlands tucked under the bluffs of the Mississippi River. Wetlands surround Crosby Lake while limestone and sandstone outcroppings line the north side of the park. While on your tour, John will discuss the long history of this special site along the river. From farm to marina, you'll hear about the demise of a project for two 24-story tall condominiums on the site which in turn gave birth to a riverfront environmental ethic as well as the MNRRA Headquarters and River Learning Center.

Owamni gift certificate. After your tour, finish your day along the river with delicious dinner and drinks ($250 gift certificate) at the newly opened Sioux Chef's Owamni - a full service indigenous restaurant - located on the shores of Haha Wakpa (Mississippi River) in the Water Works Pavilion building at Mill Ruins Park in Minneapolis.

Grand Northwoods cabin vacation

Spend a long weekend (5 days and 4 nights) relaxing in the Northwoods with family and friends at this beautiful lakefront log cabin. Situated on 4.5 acres with 350 feet of shoreline, this secluded retreat is on Long Lake #2 in Backus, MN between Brainerd and Walker - just three hours north of the Twin Cities.

This 8 bedroom, 4-bath cabin sleeps 18+ and boasts a large fully-equipped kitchen, lakeside great room, living room, in-house sauna, several decks, lakeside fire pit, play set, play house, relaxing pond with waterfall, beautiful dock with easy access to the lake, and the use of a fishing boat, kayak, paddleboard, and a canoe.

Reservation details: FMR staff will assist you in working with the cabin owners to schedule your stay in 2022.

Breathe Deep and Sing: Signed and framed original work by MN Poet Laureate Dr. Gwen Westerman

Dr. Gwen Westerman is a Dakota educator, writer and artist, and is Minnesota's new poet laureate. Gwen's work is rooted in the landscape of her ancestors, and her latest work, Breathe Deep and Sing, is a powerful reminder of the interconnectedness of people and the river. The winning bidder will receive a beautiful framed and signed typed copy of this special poem, which was created in honor of the river for this FMR event.

Value: Priceless