Minnesota Prairie Roots

A horse-drawn wagon takes visitors through the prairie at Valley Grove with the Big Woods in the distance. When fall colors change, the treeline is spectacular.

I CONSIDER IT ONE of the most scenic spots in Rice County. A location that presents a sweeping vista of the countryside from atop a hill adjacent to Nerstrand Big Woods State Park. Autumn, especially, at Valley Grove offers a visual delight.

Folks gather in the restored 1862 stone church for cake, hot dogs, beverages and conversation.

On Sunday afternoon, in hot and humid temps that felt anything but autumn-like, I attended the annual Valley Grove Country Social hosted by the Valley Grove Preservation Society.

The beautiful and well-preserved historic churches of Valley Grove as photographed from the cemetery.

The group aims to preserve and maintain this place on the National Register of Historic Sites. Here, on this land claimed by early Norwegian immigrants, two churches (built in 1862 and 1894) stand next to a cemetery and next to the prairie.

An historic photo and flowers grace a window ledge inside the stone church.

These crosses, crafted from Valley Grove burr oaks, were on sale.

One of six sets of historic sconces to be installed in the stone church as preservation efforts continue.

To visit here is to feel a deep appreciation for the history of this place and those who chose this site to build houses of worship.

Hutenanny, a Northfield-based traditional Nordic music group, entertains those attending the Valley Grove Country Social.

Making music with Hutenanny.

A sing-along inside the wood-frame church.

To attend the country social is to experience history—through music,

Donna Johnson of the mother-daughter duo Nordic Arts demonstrates the Norwegian art of rosemaling.

These sisters try rosemaling using crayons rather than paint.

An example of Nordic Arts’ art.

art,

Hewing a log next to the wood-frame church.

demonstrations, historical talks,

Learning how to make a rope.

Rope-making up close.

Kids especially loved doing laundry the old-fashioned way.

hands-on activities and more.

The Valley Grove churches.

I always feel such a peace at Valley Grove. As if the world of today exists somewhere distant.

A simple floral still-life on a windowsill in the wood-frame church.

It’s good for the soul to take time on a sunny Sunday afternoon in September to step back in time. Not necessarily to idealize life then—because it was hard. But to gather with others in the countryside far from traffic and distractions and the noise of modern-day life.

I noticed these dolls lying on the ground behind the old stone church. So fitting for the day.

To appreciate simpler times

Such beauty in this floral bouquet adorning a window ledge in the wooden church.

and simple beauty.

Valley Grove wildflowers at prairie’s edge.

To gather under the burr oaks, to walk the prairie, to study tombstones, to sing in the same church where early settlers sang, to watch youngsters craft ropes and walk on stilts. And so much more.

Built in 1862.

I appreciate the preservationists who understand the personal and historic importance of Valley Grove, of not allowing these churches to fall into disrepair like too many other shuttered country churches. They clearly value the land, the efforts of their forefathers, the importance of this place. Still today.

© Copyright 2019 Audrey Kletscher Helbling