HOW DO YOU DEFINE heritage? I ask that question because this week my southern Minnesota community celebrates Heritage Days.
I would define heritage as a cultural or ethnic background. I am, for example, of German heritage.
So one would likely assume then that Heritage Days focuses on heritage. It did. Once. But no more. Not primarily. Rather, this multi-day event in Faribault seems more a June get together with the usual food, music, parade, craft fair and such of any summer community gathering.
It’s not that my city of some 24,000 lacks in cultural and ethnic diversity to theme Heritage Days. We are a bit of a melting pot with our newest residents arriving from Somalia and Sudan. Early on, the French, Irish, Germans and others settled here to shape and grow Faribault. Latinos also define a sizable part of our population. Many others have come from multiple countries to this place along the Cannon and Straight Rivers. Most are generations removed from the homeland. Some, though, are first-generation immigrants.
But back to Heritage Days. Looking through the long list of events, I see several opportunities to learn about local heritage and history. The first happens at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 11, at the Cathedral of Our Merciful Saviour. Regional artist and historian Jeff Jarvis will talk about “The Wakpekute Dakota & Early Faribault History.” I’ve previously heard Jarvis speak on the Dakota, original inhabitants of the land. He’s done his research. I highly recommend attending his presentation. I’m always surprised by how little long-time residents seem to know about the Dakota and their long ago presence in what would become Faribault. Jarvis presents an informative lesson in local Native heritage.
Likewise, the Rice County Historical Society Museum will be open, free of charge, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday. It’s a good place to see Native American and other artifacts, learn about our early fur trading and additional local history, learn about notable people like Chief Taopi and Bishop Henry Whipple, and more. Bishop Whipple founded and served the Cathedral where Jarvis is speaking.
The historic Cathedral will be open for tours at 11:30 a.m. Sunday, June 15, following a 10 a.m. Ecumenical Service including bluegrass music. This massive cathedral—and, yes, it really is a cathedral—is important in local Dakota history as the bishop worked closely with Native Americans, some of whom worshipped here.
Fur trader and town founder Alexander Faribault, who was of Dakota and French Canadian heritage, also worked closely with the Dakota. His wood-frame house will be open for free tours from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 14.
The Rice County Historical Society will also offer a guided Downtown Walking Tour on Friday and Saturday with two time slots of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. The $5 tour, led by RCHS Program and Outreach Coordinator Kiran Loewenstein, begins at Central Park. Anticipated to take 1-1 ½ hours, the tour route follows Central Avenue with a focus on the historic district and buildings and early general Faribault history. I expect that will offer ample opportunity to not only learn about early history and heritage, but also to see the heritage of our newest residents in downtown core ethnic businesses.
Two more opportunities to embrace local history (although not officially part of Heritage Days) are inside the State Bank of Faribault along Central Avenue. Local streetscapes and landscapes by Father Jim Zotalis, spiritual leader of the Cathedral, are displayed in a pop-up exhibit in the bank lobby. And for those interested in Faribault’s brewing history, the bank holds an extensive collection of Fleck’s beer memorabilia form long ago Fleckenstein Brewery. Both are accessible during business hours only.
There’s lots happening during Heritage Days, activities that mostly aren’t about heritage. But some are. To see a complete listing of events, click here.
© Copyright 2025 Audrey Kletscher Helbling
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Lover of history, especially discovering who came before us and forged a path to the next generations. I have to say the architecture in downtown is such a pretty cool sight to see. The cathedral is gorgeous and one reason we chose a historic site of the Fort Snelling Chapel to get married in. The church in Vesli was a sight to see growing up in that area too. I have to say the public high school I went to did a good job on the Indian history of MN and the surrounding areas. Also, learned about Greek and Roman history. I did not really learn about the world war histories until I was in college and adulthood. Sounds like a great way to gather and learn and explore with Heritage Days. Take Care – Enjoy your day 🙂
I’ve been inside the Veseli church for a polka mass during the Veseli Ho-Down. It’s beautiful and the chicken dinner was pretty darned good, too.
I’m glad you learned about Native history in high school. Hopefully more is taught these days about these original inhabitants of the land.
Faribault has definitely preserved its historic architecture. Love that about my community.
Thanks for the info…there is a lot going on in your town this weekend!
Yup, busy next several days in Faribault.
wow, it sounds like so much is happening in your community this weekend, and nice that there is a good selection of opportunities for people to experience and learn from. it would be so hard to choose –
Yes, lots happening along with protests in neighboring towns.
Lucky to have so many choices – full of life
It is interesting how sometimes events morph over the years into something else, isn’t it? But it appears there are still plenty of of opportunities in your town to get the history and culture so that’s a good thing.
Things change, but heritage and history remain.