Now online at the Northfield History Collaborative: Minutes from one of Northfield’s earliest organizations, the Lyceum Society.

To be exact, these are typewritten transcriptions of the original minutes, done decades ago by an unknown person. We hope to someday have scans of the originals to share, as well! Those reside at the Rice County Historical Society.

“Believing in the utility of societies for intellectual improvements — We, citizens of Northfield, agree to unite ourselves into an association for the purpose of establishing a Reading Room — Circulating Library, and Debating Society,” a group declared in their 1856 constitution. (That document and bylaws precede the meeting minutes.) The minutes here span to December 7, 1863. Enjoy!