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Event This Weekend In Jackson Will Celebrate The Region’s Past

August 25, 2023 Steve Schwaller

(Jackson, Mn.)– A special event this weekend in Jackson celebrates the region’s history. Fort Belmont’s Pioneer Days are this Saturday from 9 am to 4:30 pm, and Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. The event has free admission, though donations are accepted to help keep the doors open. Ken Kruse with Fort Belmont says that it’s a great event full of history and fun, including a new drug store exhibit…

“Yeah it’s really been fun putting that together, when Burt Joul died, the family donated a lot of the things that Burt had saved over the years, and Burt didn’t throw anything away and neither did the three other drugs that preceded him. And so we have artifacts that go all the way back to 1900 or maybe even a little before that. Very interesting, I’ve learned so much about the early drug industry.”

The event includes Abe Lincoln, the Minnesota Jack Sparrow, Author Steve Ulmen who has a new historical book, and learning events like an 1840s Buckskinner Camp, live music, blacksmithing demonstrations, black powder shooting, tomahawk and knife throwing, archery, spinning, food and beverages all around the grounds. Kruse says Fort Belmont couldn’t exist without donations…

“Been a little bit of a disadvantage to us, we do not get help from the historical society, the state historical society or any recognition on our buildings, even though you know we have 1873 farm house, we have a 1902 church, a 1900 summer kitchen but in Minnesota they don’t qualify unless they’re on the original land. So we don’t get any financial help or aid of any kind from any of those agencies so it’s mainly just donations and admissions and whatever we sell out of the store.”

The fort is celebrating 65 years this year, and all the events and donations go towards keeping the history of the fort alive.

Check out fortbelmontmn.com for more information.

(Courtesy Community First Broadcasting station KKOJ in Jackson, Mn.)

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