Brian Haines

Minnesota

Contributor at Hutchinson Leader

Articles

The 1960s

1 week ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

They called it the “swinging 60s,” and for many, it was the decade of decades. The 1960s were marked by significant social change, political movements, and cultural shifts through the civil rights movement, the Vietnam War, and the rise of counterculture. It was the decade of the Beatles, the height of the baby boom, flower power, and the space race. For the first time in the 20th century, the American public was confronted with widespread political disillusionment.
David and Julia Ells

2 weeks ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

David Ells was one of the earliest McLeod County settlers. Ells was born in Nova Scotia Aug. 5, 1823. He was the son of Benjamin and Mary Ells. Ells was reared in his home country and received his early education there. By 1850, however, the young man decided it was time to leave his home and strike out for the west. In May of 1850, he began the long trek to Wisconsin. Ells found a home in Walworth County, where he began farming.
Three crazy tales from the past

3 weeks ago | glencoenews.com | Brian Haines

History is filled with many bizarre moments that make us scratch our heads. Oftentimes, an old story is so unusual that it makes you wonder if it’s even true. Believe it or not, many of these stories are grounded in reality – they happened, and were just as crazy as they may sound. With that in mind, this week I’ve decided to share three of the most absurd tales I’ve ever come across.
It's Time To Ensure Your Workplace Management System Works For You

1 month ago | forbes.com | Brian Haines

Brian Haines, Chief Strategy Officer, FM:Systems. Finding the right integrated workplace management system (IWMS) takes time, patience and a collaborative approach. These platforms come in so many different shapes and sizes that finding the ideal one for your organization—now and in the future—is challenging. Procuring one can be so difficult that many organizations end up either picking the wrong one or trying to wring the last bit of use from an outdated system.
A hardy pioneer: Ellen Piper

1 month ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

Few among us today can make a claim that we are as tough as those sturdy pioneers who settled on the Minnesota frontier. With meager belongings and humble aspirations, the people who settled this part of the country were steadfast in their ability to overcome whatever the wilderness could throw at them. They survived sickness, war with the Indians, grasshopper plagues, prairie fires, pestilence, and more – all the while, never taking an eye off the future.
A photo worth a thousand words

1 month ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

It was a mild winter morning, sometime around the turn of the century. Somewhere in McLeod County, seven men pose in the snow for a picture. They are hunters and have returned from a successful hunt in the McLeod County countryside. The quarry for the day was rabbit, and the harvest came in at just about 40 of them – their legs are tied to a barbed wire fence. Two dogs are also present; they stand near their owner.
Weseloh wagon shop

1 month ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

In the Steffel wing of the museum is one of many relics from old McLeod County. It’s a workbench, and at first glance, it’s little more. For those who like to dig into history, however, that old workbench is a treasure from a time that’s long passed into the history books. The bench came from the old Weseloh wagon shop. It’s surface is stained with dirt, oil, and grime from decades of use.
The storm of 1880

1 month ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

Well, it’s finally happened – the frigid arctic air has relinquished its unwelcome stay. The air is warm, the snow is melting, and perhaps the coldest days of winter are behind us – fingers crossed!This winter has surely been a cold one, yet the snow seems to be held at bay. We’ve had a snowy day or two, but nothing yet to put in the history books. Minnesotans are well-acquainted with a good snowstorm.
The story of Lewis Harrington

2 months ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

What fun is a museum if things never change – if you’ve seen it once, why see it again? Now, I can say without a doubt that some items are meant to be on permanent display. At MCHS, we have our ancient dugout canoe, the Peruvian mummy, the fuel cell tractor, and several other large items that have never seen our storage facility. That said, a good museum will always offer something fresh in a permanent display. Not long-ago staff and volunteers began rearranging the Hutchinson display.
The story of Frances Clayton

2 months ago | herald-journal.com | Brian Haines

It was 1861, and war had broken out on American soil. With grievances over government representation, federal overreach, and slave ownership, several southern states seceded from the Union to form their own federal government that could run independently from the United States. A response came quickly, and the war began. From all over the US, young and old men alike began enlisting in the ranks of the Union Army.