From budget-friendly family activities to hidden waterfalls to recommendations from locals, check out our blog for trip ideas and to learn more about what makes Duluth so special.
What happens when millions of people are suddenly uprooted by war and sent thousands of miles from home? Join historian Dr. Natalie Belsky (UMD) as she uncovers the extraordinary, little-known story of Soviet civilians evacuated during World War II. From Central Asia to Siberia, discover how evacuees and local communities navigated survival, culture shock, and resilience on the home front of a global war.
The Art of Soldiering: Servicemembers, Satire, & Cartoons Soldiers and Marines have long used art to process the chaos of military life. Whether fueled by boredom, anxiety, or camaraderie, service members have channeled their experiences into poetry, portraits, and — most prolifically — cartoons. Classic characters like “Willie and Joe” and “Sad Sack” flourished because they were easy to draw in the field and delivered quick, sharp jabs at military authority. Join Wayne Gannaway, Executive Director of the St. Louis County Historical Society, as he explores the history of soldier-cartoonists. From professional illustrators to those who doodled in letters home, you’ll discover how art captured the universal trials of enlisted life: the “mail call blues,” the struggle to stay dry, and the timeless friction with the MPs. Come see the presentation of historical cartoons Wayne discovered in his research at area archives, including those of two service members from Virginia….
Bring your antique/collectible item for a free appraisal to the St. Louis County Depot at 506 West Michigan Street, Duluth, Minnesota. The St. Louis County Historical Society has arranged for Denny Mager of Northern Specialty, an expert in antique appraisal, to be at your service beginning at noon in the Union Lounge (outside of the Board Room), which is on street level. Follow event signage. Registration is in person only and cut-off at 2:30PM, so the appraiser can finish appraisals by 3PM. Guests are called up in the order that they are registered. You may bring up to two items per person for an informal oral identification and evaluation of each antique. If the piece is too large or fragile to be hand-carried, clear photographs with a description of any marks and labels will be sufficient. Past participants have thoroughly enjoyed the appraiser’s comments on what is always an interesting…
Virginia Wright Peterson will be sharing information from her book, “A Woman’s War, Too: Women at Work During WWII.” This book reveals vivid stories of contribution and sacrifice, including women serving in every branch of the military and working in vital roles in factories, shipyards, mines, homes, and communities.
Gathering & March Time: 10:00 – 11:45 AM (CST) Location: Gather at Family Freedom Center (Washington Center Gymnasium) – Entrance between 3rd and 4th Street on 1st Ave West; Will begin on Lake Street between 3rd and 4th Avenue. MLK Rally Time: 12:00 – 1:30 PM (CST) Location: DECC-Symphony Hall Complimentary Parking If you’re interested in joining the NAACP or the planning team for the MLK celebrations, click here.
Write the Light is a free, family-friendly, sober-friendly, sensory-aware creative gathering held in partnership with the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Duluth. Join us on January 3, 2026, from 3:00–7:00 p.m. at 902 East 1st Street, Duluth, MN, as we celebrate the closing of the museum’s current exhibit and the featured artist in their gallery. This evening invites artists, families, dreamers, and community members of all ages into the historic halls of the Karpeles for an experience rooted in art, intention, and connection. The event features a Craft & Vendor Market showcasing local makers and holistic-healing services, along with several interactive stations open to all ages. Guests can write their own “manuscript” with quill and parchment, contribute to a large community art mural, or sculpt a small clay artifact inspired by their hopes for the coming year. Attendees are also welcome to explore the museum’s rotating exhibits and historical manuscripts,…