Friends of the Mississippi River Gorge Stewards and the National Park Service offers this richly illustrated history of the Mississippi River in the Twin Cities metropolitan area. Dr. John O. Anfinson, a historian with the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area, a unit of the National Park Service, will give the presentation from 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. at the Hillcrest Recreation Center, 1978 Ford Parkway in St. Paul.

Anfinson will focus on the stretch of the Mississippi known as the gorge. The gorge runs through the heart of the Twin Cities, from the mouth of the Minnesota River to St. Anthony Falls. Anfinson will examine how we have transformed the gorge from a free flowing rapids into a series of reservoirs for navigation and hydropower. Given the potential sale of the Ford Hydroelectric Plant, he will talk about the first debate over capturing the hydroelectric power at Lock and Dam No. 1. This debate led the Corps of Engineers to abandon the Meeker Island Lock and Dam upstream and revamp its design for Lock and Dam No. 1 (the Ford Dam).

Anfinson is the author of a history of the metro area Mississippi River entitled A River of History. As an independent scholar, he wrote The River We Have Wrought: A History of the Upper Mississippi River, published by the University of Minnesota Press.

In addition to the presentation, event-goers will have the opportunity to learn about the Gorge Stewards program and hands-on opportunities for involvement this spring.

Learn more about the Gorge Stewards program.

If you are interested in attending this presentation, please sign up in advance with sue rich at Friends of the Mississippi River, 651-222-2193 x14 or through our contact form.