Bloomington History in the News and Media

2025

2025-11-25 - KSTP 11 - Minnesota Live
"Must See Museum: Bloomington Town Hall"
At one time, Bloomington was the sports capital of Minnesota as the home for the Twins, Vikings, and the North Stars. With so much history in the city to mention, Minnesota Live photojournalist Bill Middeke went to the Old Town Hall Museum for this week's must-see museum.
2025-11-19 - KARE 11 Extras
"The Teddy Bear Band celebrates 40 years of performing kids' concerts across Minnesota"
For many Minnesota kids who grew up in the 80s and 90s, there are fond memories of the Teddy Bear Band performing in their hometown. The beloved children's music band was formed in 1985 by original band members Ron Gustafson and Richard Erickson.
2025-10-17 - Minnesota Star Tribune
"Curious Minnesota: Bloomington's Queen Anne Kiddieland was once a birthday destination
Queen Anne Kiddieland was once located just southeast of where Interstate 494 meets Hwy. 100. Back then, the area had a wide open, out-in-the-country feel.
2025-04-02 - YouTube - City of Bloomington
"Bloomington Historical Society receives grant to digitize collection"
The Bloomington Historical Society received a grant in 2024 to create digital records of at least 1,000 objects in the museum. Volunteers share how they received the grant, the process for digitizing, and why they are excited about this project.

2024-11-24 - Star Tribune
"Curious Minnesota:What happened to Camp Snoopy at the Mall of America?"
2024-09-21 - YouTube - City of Bloomington
"The history of the McAfee Mill and dam along Nine Mile Creek"
The City of Bloomington produced this short film showing the site of the McAfee Mill over the past 150 years.
2024-04-01 - KSTP TV 5
"So Minnesota: Port Cargill"
A group of shipbuilders in Savage helped the United States win World War II. Several ships were christened along the shore of the Minnesota River at Port Cargill, but its past is largely forgotten.

2023-01-11 - YouTube - City of Bloomington
"Notable Neighbors: Ky and Buddy Michaelson"
Ky "Rocketman" Michaelson and his son Buddy's exciting lives have taken them around the world, but they've always called Bloomington home.

2022-08-31 - FOX TV 9
"A toast to the end of an era: David Fong's restaurant closes doors in Bloomington"

2021-10-10 - YouTube - City of Bloomington
Discover Bloomngton: Bloomington Old Town Hall/Bloomington Historical Society
2021-09-10 - Sun Current:
Bloomington Historical Society keeps memory of Flight 93 hero alive
2021-04-06 - Sun Current:
A simple job offer helped shape Bloomington's historical society

2014-01-19 - YouTube post by Shayne Hanson
"Downtown Bloomington"
A collection of pictures of downtown Bloomington MN. Music by Dale Menten. Locals have joked about the location of "Downtown Bloomington" and this song prods that memory.

2013-01-18 - YouTube
Bloomington MN Old Town Hall
2013-11-27 - YouTube post by City of Bloomington
"A Holiday Tradition Glowing Bright in Bloomington"
For 14 years, a glowing oak tree was visible from Highway 77 overlooking the Minnesota River Valley in east Bloomington. Homeowners Bob and Julie Little tell the story of how the famous holiday tradition came to be.

2013-01-18 - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Canoe takes its place of honor
For decades a locally discoverd dugout canoe sat in a bed of sand in the basement of Bloomington's Old Town Hall. This fall, the newly cleaned and restored canoe assumed a place of honor among the society's permanent displays upstairs in the recently renovated Old Town Hall.