NEW ULM — The Brown County Historical Society (BCHS) and New Ulm Public Library are sponsoring a number of events to commemorate the 155th anniversary of the U.S.-Dakota War the week of Aug. 21. Confirm programs at 507-233-2620 or www.browncountyhistorymn.org.

Van tour of Leavenworth Rescue area

A luxury van tour of the historic Leavenworth Rescue area in rural Brown County is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 25 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The tour, which will be narrated by local historian Paul Severson, will depart from the BCHS (2 N. Broadway, New Ulm) and will include Sigel and Stark townships. A box lunch will be provided. Reservations are required; call 507-233-2620 for tickets ($55 each).

Van tour of the Minnesota River Valley and Fort Ridgely

A luxury van tour of the Minnesota River Valley and Fort Ridgely is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 26 from 9:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. The tour, which will be narrated by local historians Jerry Weldy and Amber Bentler, will depart from the BCHS. A box lunch will be provided. Reservations are required; call 507-233-2620 for tickets ($55 each).

Historical Presentations

On Monday, Aug. 21 at 5 p.m. at the BCHS Annex, Lower Sioux Agency staff will present Tipi Life and Dakota Culture and Buffalo Learning Trunk. Enjoy learning about tipi customs, construction and items found inside a tipi. Learn the vitality of the seasonal rounds and migration patterns followed by the Dakota people, and gain a broader view of the Dakota value system and representation. A tipi provided by the Lower Sioux will be on display outside of the BCHS museum throughout the week. The learning trunk offers hands-on identification of different parts of the buffalo and how important this food source was to the Dakota. Staff will interpret the Dakota philosophy about utilizing each part as well as describing the traditional buffalo hunt.

The Lunch and a Bite of History speaker series is Aug. 22 through Aug. 25. All programs are at the BCHS Annex unless otherwise noted. Attendees are welcome to bring their lunch to the presentations.

• Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 12 p.m.  Curt Dahlin: And More on the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862

• Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 12 p.m.  John LaBatte: Dakota-Settler Relations Prior to the Dakota War of 1862

• Thursday, Aug. 24 at 1 p.m. at Springfield Public Library (120 N. Cass Ave.)  Dave Martinka: The Dakota War in Pictures. Program partners: Springfield Public Library, Springfield Area Historical Society, and SouthPoint Financial Credit Union-Springfield.

• Friday, Aug. 25 at 12 p.m.  Corinne Marz: Three Vignettes: Remembering Clara Wilson, Susan White, and Otis White / President Lincoln’s 1861 Special Order and the 1862 Executions / Indian Agent Charles E. Flandrau’s Census and Accounting Records On Tuesday, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. at New Ulm Public Library (17 N. Broadway), the Daniel Hoisington Film Festival will include a screening and discussion of Stories of the Dakota War, including the premiere of Turner Hall 1862. Hoisington is a writer and historian who created the BCHS museum s third-floor Dakota War exhibit.

On Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Dyckman Free Library, Sleepy Eye (345 Main St. W), Lower Sioux Agency staff will present Traditional Dakota Gardening. Learn about Dakotaand European-style gardens, including the use of traditional tools and techniques, and explore the planting styles of both Dakota and Euro-American settlers. Program partner: Dyckman Free Library.

On Thursday, Aug. 24 at 7 p.m. at New Ulm Public Library, Glenn M. Wasicuna will present The Dakota People Then and Now, an overview of Dakota people through history, who they are today, and why it is important to share the Dakota story. Wasicuna was born on the Sioux Valley Dakota Nation reserve near Griswold, Manitoba. After a career as a journalist in Canada, he became an educator focusing on Dakota history and culture. All presentations are free and open to the public; seating is first come, first served.

New Ulm Tours

The Kiesling House at 220 N. Minnesota will be open for tours Friday, Aug. 25 through Sunday, Aug. 27 from 1-4 p.m. each day. The Kiesling House was constructed in 1861 by Friedrich Kiesling; it survived the U.S.-Dakota War and is the only wood-framed house from that era in its original location remaining in New Ulm. Admission is $3 per person with free admission for children ages 5 and under. Call 507-351-2636 or visit www.kieslinghouse.org for more information.

On Sunday, Aug. 27 at 2 p.m., there will be a free guided walking tour of the Pioneer Section of the New Ulm City Cemetery. Meet at the Maintenance Building.