The Dakota County Historical So – ciety will begin the LeDuc Historic Estate's "Coffee with the General" program with a presentation on “The History Brown's Chapel," by James Curry on Sat., April 2, 2022. The event will take place at the LeDuc Historic Estate from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. Ad mission to the event is $12 per person, or $8 for DCHS members.

The LeDuc Historic Estate is located at 1629 Vermillion Street in Hastings, Minn. Registration is limited, so con- tact the LeDuc Estate at 651-438-8480 to reserve a spot. For more information, or to reserve online, please visit www. dakotahistory.org.

In late 1891, an opportunity arose for the Black churchgoers in Hastings

to purchase a twenty-four by thirty-six foot white frame church at the corner of Fifth and Sibley Streets for five-hundred dollars. This was an incredible moment for a congregation that had felt persecution from their white congregation members in others churches throughout town. The triumph was short-lived when 15-years later, the church was burned.

James Curry will provide a descen dant’s view of the founding, and de- struction, of Hastings' Black church / Congregation. Curry is a filmmaker and descendant of the Curry family from Hastings’ early history. He is also a member of Building Remember for Reconciliation (BR4R).

Founded in 1939, The Dakota Coun –

ty Historical Society, preserves, inter- prets and promotes the history of Dako – ta County, Minn. DCHS operates three historic sites — Lawshe Memorial Museum at 130 3rd Avenue North in South St. Paul, Minn.; the LeDuc Historic Es tate at 1629 Vermillion Street in Hastings, Minn.; and the Sibley Historic Site at 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway in Mendota, Minn. — as well as a research library and research Web site. DCHS memberships range from $25 to $60 for individuals and households. Corporate memberships also are available, start- ing at $100. Call 651-552-7548 or visit www.dakotahistory.org for more information.