Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum
Speaker: Randal Dietrich, the executive director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum

Have you seen a new museum being built on Highway 371 and wondered what’s happening? Look no further! Randal Dietrich, the executive director of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum will present “The Making of the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists online on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Whitney Senior Center (1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud). The presentation will be available remotely and will be recorded for members of SCAG and registered guests. Attendees will learn about the journey to build the museum and some of the resources that will be available when the museum opens this September. Randal Dietrich is a lifelong Minnesota resident who has served as museum director for the last eight years.  During his tenure, he made a concerted effort to chronicle Minnesota's post-9/11 story and secured the property and funds necessary to open the new 40,000 square foot facility on 32 acres at the intersection of Highways 371 and 115.  He previously worked with Twin Cities Public Television and the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS).  His focus was special initiatives concerning the Civil War, the World Wars and Vietnam.  During his decade at MNHS, he worked closely with General John W. Vessey and other senior leaders.

Attend in person at Whitney Senior Center (1527 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303) or a Zoom link will be emailed to you to attend online. The event will be recorded to watch for two weeks after event.

Registration closes 2 days prior to event

The One-Word Key to Solving Most Brick Wall Problems
Speaker: owner of Backstory Bloodhound, LLC (www.backstorybloodhound.com), Rick Allen

Many genealogists have tried to solve some of the mysteries in their family history and come up against “brick walls.” Rick Allen will present “The One-Word Key to Solving Most Brick Wall Problems” for the St. Cloud Area Genealogists online on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6 p.m. at Whitney Senior Center (1527 Northway Drive, St. Cloud). The presentation will be available remotely and will be recorded for members of SCAG and registered guests. The owner of Backstory Bloodhound, LLC (www.backstorybloodhound.com), Rick Allen conducts on-site genealogical research at facilities in Southern Illinois, Western Kentucky and Southeast Missouri. He loves to bust through those brick walls and, though he is proficient with online resources, he still believes on-the-ground research in courthouses, archives and libraries is often the best way to make those breakthroughs. Retired from the health insurance industry, Rick taught history at the university level and was editor of the Saga of Southern Illinois for seven years. He is currently a director of the Illinois State Genealogical Society and treasurer for a local historical society. Rick has been researching his personal family history since he was a teenager and has published several family history and genealogical records books.

Attend in person at Whitney Senior Center (1527 Northway Drive St. Cloud, MN 56303) or a Zoom link will be emailed to you to attend online. The event will be recorded to watch for two weeks after event.

Registration closes 2 days prior to event