Massacre at Flour City

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.

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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.

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.

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.

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