History in a Pint: Bicentennial Boom

The St. Louis County Historical Society is thrilled to announce the rescheduled date for the Bicentennial Boom presentation.

Hosted at the historic Lake Superior Railroad Museum inside the St. Louis County Depot (506 W Michigan St, Duluth, MN), this is the last of our three-part series — collectively themed “A Summer of Storytelling” — with an engaging blend of local triumph, humorous misadventures, and poignant wartime reflections.

Attendees can enjoy a vibrant atmosphere complete with a cash bar while diving deep into the history and narratives that shaped our region and nation.

Bicentennial Boom

6:00 pm on Thursday, September 3, 2026
“Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed the ‘Spirit of ’76”

While Duluth’s economic struggles of the early 1970s are well-documented, its incredible Bicentennial boom is a story waiting to be told. In 1975 and 1976, dozens of diverse ethnic festivals celebrated Northland heritage, sparking major community improvements — including the renovation of the St. Louis County Depot itself. Duluth civic and commercial leaders jumped on the bandwagon early, making Duluth the very first official Bicentennial Community in Minnesota.

Join Dr. Thomas Saylor, Professor of History Emeritus at Concordia University, St. Paul, for this “Star-Spangled” edition. Dr. Saylor is an accomplished author for the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) and is currently writing a commissioned series on the 1976 American Bicentennial. He will explore how local leaders embraced this unique cultural milestone to spark lasting regional success.

See our website for further information.