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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

Add to Calendar 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

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, May 11 Closed
Tue, May 12 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Wed, May 13 12:00PM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 14 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Fri, May 15 10:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 16 Closed
Sun, May 17 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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Wed, May 13, 1:00pm - 3:00pm
Revisit color theory and create your own color chart, then join us for a free painting session.

Thu, May 14, 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, May 15, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is owls!

Tue, May 19, 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, May 20, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Join the Resolute Readers Book Club to discuss Kate Quinn's "The Briar Club."

Fri, May 22, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is counting!

Tue, May 26, 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.

Fri, May 29, 10:30am - 11:15am
Help your child develop exceptional reading skills by bringing them to Storytime. This week's theme is weather & rain!

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

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

Tue, Jun 02, 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.

Tue, Jun 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Join us to discover the invention that forever changed how humans share stories. Offered in partnership with the Minnesota Center for Book Arts.

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

Wed, Jun 03, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
"Fly" into the library to choose your favorite kite style and get crafting! All supplies are provided by the library until they are gone. Space is limited and registration is required.
Registration opens Wednesday, May 27 2026 at 1:00pm

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

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

Fri, Jun 05, 10:00am - 11:00am
Ever wonder how people sent messages before texting, or how music sounded before streaming? Step into our "technology time machine" at the Fertile Public Library!

Fri, Jun 05, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Hear about Jeff's latest book 'Lost River; and the evolution of the Kim Norby series & characters. Jeff will also share why he is doing more short form writing this year.

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

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

Mon, Jun 08, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Jun 09, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Tue, Jun 09, 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, Jun 10, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Wed, Jun 10, 5:00pm - 8:00pm
Fertile Public Library
Join your library for a free workshop to create your very own 1'x1' Barn Quilt with Mary Jo!
This event is full

Thu, Jun 11, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Thu, Jun 11, 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, Jun 12, All day
Trails
Enjoy the Agassiz Environmental Learning Center trails while reading our "Reading is Timeless"-themed books.

Fri, Jun 12, 10:00am - 11:00am
Join the Center for Rural Education in Science & Technology to discover the timeless history and mystery of our Earth!