1860 Wedding at Minnesota History Center

The Living History Society of Minnesota, Inc., will reenact the 1860 Bishop/Bartholemew wedding during the Family Festival and Exhibit Opening: "Happily Ever After" which explores the romance, rituals, myths and realities of courtship, weddings and commitment ceremonies. Wedding cake designer Larry Fischer demonstrates his art, and visitors can sample it at the end of the day. Aleah Vinick reveals tasty historical tidbits about the origins of wedding cakes. Dress designer Jim Morehouse gives special tours of the exhibit, discussing the history, preservation and design of wedding dresses. DJs from Instant Request spin wedding tunes and get the crowd moving with popular wedding dances such as the twist, bunny hop and hokey pokey. The Highland Park High School Asian Club demonstrates a Hmong courtship ritual ball toss game played at New Year. "The Marrying Judge," Howard R. Albertson, who has performed more than 5,000 weddings, renews wedding vows throughout the day. Children can make a valentine, modeled after elaborate cards of the 1800s in a special History HiJinx program.

Wear your worst bridesmaid dress to the History Center to enter to win a deluxe weekend getaway at the St. Paul Hotel. Model the gown, and museum visitors will select the winner of the "Worst Bridesmaid's Dress."

Fee: $8 for adults, $6 for senior citizens, $4 for children ages 6-17; free for children under age 6 and MHS members.

Minnesota History Center
345 W. Kellogg Blvd.
St. Paul, MN 55102-1906
651-296-6126

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