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Image for event: Never Forgotten: Col. William Colvill, MN's Civil War Hero

Never Forgotten: Col. William Colvill, MN's Civil War Hero

with Historian and Author Steve Hoffbeck

2026-04-09 14:00:00 2026-04-09 15:00:00 America/Chicago Never Forgotten: Col. William Colvill, MN's Civil War Hero Join your library for a presentation bringing the legendary deeds of the 1st Minnesota Regiment to life. Fertile Public Library - Fertile Public Library

Thursday, April 09
2:00pm - 3:00pm

Fertile Public Library

Fertile Public Library

Join your library for a presentation bringing the legendary deeds of the 1st Minnesota Regiment to life.

Why did Minnesotans so deeply admire Colonel William Colvill, the 6’5” Civil War hero? Join your library for a presentation by Minnesota author and historian Steve Hoffbeck bringing the legendary deeds of the 1st Minnesota Regiment to life.


In his latest book, “Colvill Smiled,” Hoffbeck weaves together the powerful recollections, speeches and writings of William Colvill and Martin Maginnis, two officers from Red Wing who led their men through the smoke and fire of Virginia, Maryland, and Pennsylvania. 


The program is offered free-of-charge thanks in part to funding from the Minnesota Legacy Arts & Cultural Heritage Fund. Books will be available for purchase with a book signing following the presentation.
About Author Steve Hoffbeck:
Our speaker, Steve Hoffbeck, is a self-described “old but lively” Minnesotan who grew up as a farmer’s son near Morgan. His first book, The Haymakers, was a Minnesota Book Award winner. Hoffbeck, a recently retired professor (Minnesota State University Moorhead), and his wife, Dianne, live in Barnesville, MN, and have four adult children and seven grandchildren.

Find "Colvill Smiled": The Legend of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Regiment at Gettysburg in the library collection here!

Fertile Public Library

Fertile@larl.org
Phone: 218-945-6137
Branch manager
Laura Gullickson

Hours
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Mon, Aug 17 Closed
Tue, Aug 18 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Wed, Aug 19 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Thu, Aug 20 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, Aug 21 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Aug 22 Closed
Sun, Aug 23 Closed

About the branch

The Fertile Public Library is tucked inside the Duane Knutson Community Center on Mill Street across the street from the Main Street Station & Deli. The Fertile Library is a large one-room library with access to a small meeting room and auditorium that can be reserved through the city office and 24-hour access to WiFi.

Upcoming Events

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Sat, Aug 22, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Sun, Aug 23, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Mon, Aug 24, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Aug 25, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Aug 25, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Join a group of fellow fiber artists for a dedicated crafting time. All are welcome to bring their projects. It's OK to be early the city usually has the building open.

Wed, Aug 26, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Thu, Aug 27, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Fri, Aug 28, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Fri, Aug 28, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is sharks!

Sat, Aug 29, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Sun, Aug 30, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Mon, Aug 31, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Sep 01, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Sep 01, 10:00am - 2:00pm
What fiber project will you create? The first Tuesday of the month the group has their long day. It's ok if you are early the city has the building open.

Wed, Sep 02, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Thu, Sep 03, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Fri, Sep 04, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Fri, Sep 04, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is unicorns!

Sat, Sep 05, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Sun, Sep 06, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Mon, Sep 07, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Sep 08, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Join a group of fellow fiber artists for a dedicated crafting time. All are welcome to bring their projects. It's OK to be early the city usually has the building open.

Wed, Sep 09, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Celebrate Library Card Sign Up Month by painting a library bookshelf. All supplies are provided but attendees are welcome to bring their own. Join us for a relaxing watercolor afternoon.

Thu, Sep 10, 10:00am - 5:00pm
Join us for a fun day of card-making! Each month we learn a new technique or have a challenge. Work, visit, or get new ideas.

Fri, Sep 11, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is ninjas!

Tue, Sep 15, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Join a group of fellow fiber artists for a dedicated crafting time. All are welcome to bring their projects. It's OK to be early the city usually has the building open.

Wed, Sep 16, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Join the Resolute Readers Book Club to discuss Nancy Johnson's 'The Kindest Lie.'

Wed, Sep 16, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Join historian and storyteller Doug Ohman for an engaging presentation celebrating 250 years of American history.

Fri, Sep 18, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is pirates!