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Massacre at Flour City

The Deadly Battle over Labor Rights in the Streets of Seward, Summer of 1935. 

July 12 - 26, 2025

A dramatic retelling of events that took place in and around this building [the Ivy Arts building], 90 years ago, through a timeline of photos, newspaper clippings, and first-hand accounts.


Historical information and activities will accompany the exhibit.


Sponsored by the History Committee of the Seward Neighborhood Group and Smart Set Community Printing, with local labor union support.

MASSACRE AT FLOUR CITY!
The Deadly Battle over Labor Rights
In the Streets of Seward, in the Summer of 1935

 â€‹Vine Arts Center
2637–27th Avenue South
Saturdays July 12th, 19th, and 26th
11:00 to 8:00 on July 12th, 11:00 to 5:00 on July 19th, 11:00 to 8:00 on July 26th
Free and open to all.

 

On exhibit:
Five large display panels that tell the story of the causes and consequences of the labor battle
A collection of vintage photographs from 1930s Seward
Images and stories of the Ivy Arts/Flour City building from 1902 to 2025.

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Schedule of Events:

Saturday July 12th

  • 1:00: Seward History Q&A: Conversation with Seward History Committee members (SHC).

  • 3:00: Unearthing the Story of Flour City Victims. Mark Arneson and other SHC members. Maps and research tools reveal victim’s stories.

  • 5:00: Opening day party, wine, and cheese: Honor Dick Westby for his 50+ years of work preserving and sharing Seward neighborhood history.

  • 6:00 Solo concert: by Larry Long.

 

Saturday July 19th

  • 1:00: Are We Really Living in the Hub of Hell? Mark Arneson and other SHC members.

What led to the creation of this notorious district?

  • 3:00: Workers and Bosses: Railroad, industrial, populist history, and employer repression in Minnesota and Seward. Historians: Peter Rachleff, Anna Kurhajec, and union leader Phil Qualy.

 

Saturday July 26th

  • 1:00: From Pride of the City to Polluting Pariah to a Haven for Artists: Flour City Ornamental Iron Works, 1902 to 2025. Wendy Epstein and Marilyn Matheny, editors of “A People’s History of the Seward Neighborhood.”

  • 3:00: Minneapolis in the 1930s: Hard Times and Desperate Measures. The rise of industrial unions, left-wing organizations, and the Farmer-Labor movement. Historians Mary Lethert Wingerd, Tom O’Connell, and film-maker Randy Croce.

  • 5:00: Closing day party, beer, peanuts, and conversation.

  • 6:00: Performance: The Twin City Labor Chorus. Old and new labor songs.

 

Created by: Kevin Brown of Smart Set Community Printing and members of the Seward Neighborhood Group History Committee: Mark Arnesen, Tom Beer, Ethan Bleifuss, Pat Dahlen, Wendy Epstein, Marilyn Matheny, and Dick Westby.

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Support was provided by: Minneapolis Regional Labor Federation, Capitol City and Minneapolis Metal Workers Local 459 (IAM), Minnesota AFL-CIO State Retiree Council, Minneapolis Regional Retiree Council, AFL-CIO, Seward Neighborhood Group, Seward Civic & Commerce Association, and Dick Westby.

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This exhibit is a permanent asset for the Seward History Committee who will make it available to travel to other venues. If you have questions contact Tom Beer at: 1945tujb@gmail.com or Marilyn Matheny at: Marilyn.Matheny@gmail.com

Vine Arts Center is a non-profit, member-run organization supporting emerging and established artists, partnering with the community, and providing space and support for visiting shows and events.

Mission

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