HeenBook is dedicated to preserving, protecting, and sharing the local history and vintage photographs of rural Norwegian American communities in west central Minnesota.
Heenbook Mission
HeenBook Founding Members
Linda grew up in rural west central Minnesota. She holds a B. S. Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Minnesota Metropolitan University and attended the Master’s Degree Program at Augsburg College in Minneapolis. Her professional career included years in financial services, and her last job was Director of Equity Trading Operations for a large brokerage firm.In 2005, Linda left the the financial services sector to devote more time to the operations of Heen Century Farms, LLC. Heen Century Farms owns and operates land and rental properties in west central Minnesota. Building upon the efforts of previous generations, Linda became involved with historic preservation of buildings, artifacts, and photographs. In 2010, preservation efforts extended to digitizing the old photographs and documents of area from Norwegian-American descendants. To date her impressive collection has captured 70,000 photos.
Carol Heen holds MA and Ph.D. Degrees in music history and American Studies from the University of Minnesota. Her career has been in academic, arts and non-profit settings. Carol has worked for the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the American Composers Forum, colleges and universities and has been a frequent public speaker. She has served on and chaired numerous state and national boards. Dr. Heen and her late husband, Charlie Boone, were active in the commissioning of new music for ten years. A partner in Heen Century Farms she has a deep commitment to local rural history, genealogy, photograph preservation, and in sharing the results in many community settings. Recently, she edited a nearly-lost manuscript written by the late Carl T. Narvestad, published in 2023 by Nodin Press: Archie Bush, From Prairie to Philanthrophy.
Our Other Projects
Linda and Carol are involved in their community in many ways. Outside of their own extensive research, they facilitate projects with others, including:
The Dr.Kathleen Jordan Project
The Dr. Kathleen Jordan project is a public tribute honoring Dr. Jordan’s dedicated human rights and humanitarian services including her medical testing of children throughout Minnesota to eradicate Tuberculosis.
The Members of HeenBook are working with fellow community members to produce an exhibit across the Granite Falls area educating everyone on the work of Dr. Kathleen Jordan. It is estimated that Dr. Jordan administered about 2 million Mantoux tests to school children in Minnesota.
If you’d like to learn more about The Dr. Kathleen Jordan Project please see their website linked below.
Vestre Sogn
Vestre Sogn parish was the first organized church within Wang Township. Organized in 1871 as the western parish of Our Savior’s Lutheran Church of Sacred Heart, the original church building burned in 1913. The parish disbanded at that time but a small chapel was built and the church cemetery is still maintained.
Beginning in 2022, a new phase of preservation and restoration was begun. Old trees were removed, additional landscaping was undertaken and a cemetery stone cleaning program was started. As of the summer of 2023, monies have been raised for two-thirds of the replacement trees. Additional monies were donated for painting the interior of the chapel.
If you would like to contribute to these efforts, checks can be mailed to Vestre Sogn Chapel and Cemetery, 86163 County Road 60, Sacred Heart, MN 56285.
Heen Century Farms, LLC
Heen Century Farms, LLC is owned by siblings Carol, Linda and Les Heen. They are the fifth generation of Heens to operate the farm since it was settled in the 1870’s. The Heens manage the cropland and farm sites. They have preserved and restored the buildings and been involved in local township history activities.
In addition to his work at Heen Century Farms, LLC, since 2020 Les Heen has worked in Government Relations for the Libby Law Office in St. Paul, Minnesota. Prior to that he worked in public and commercial television, the Minnesota State Senate, the University of Minnesota Alumni Association and Minnesota Farmers Union. Les recently served as Board Chair for the Minnesota Humanities Center and as an officer of the Valdres Samband.
Our Research
HeenBook history begins with an oral and written history tradition that goes back generations.
Rural history is an absent narrative. However, rural history can still be discovered, often in people’s attics. Because of long-term land ownership, family photos and records can be found, often undisturbed, on original farms and homesteads. By working closely with extended family and neighbors we compile these stories and histories.
The multi-generational storytelling tradition still exists within the rural communities. It is through these stories that the narrative is enriched with details of events and personalities. These details are captured with audio and video recordings. We plan to catalog and transcribe these recordings when time allows.
As we pursue these activities, we seek other records and print materials to help interpret activities and events. All of these elements are combined to produce a more complex, genuine rural narrative.
Thank you
Frequently Asked Questions
We gathered the answers to some popular questions below. If you can’t find your question below feel free to contact us.
How are you different from museums and local historical societies?
Museums often maintain multiple buildings, historical sites and collections of objects. Their collections and exhibits are geared to the general public and on-site visits.
Our work is limited to researching, writing and digitizing local history and photographs among rural Scandinavian American communities in west central Minnesota.
Have you published any books about local history?
In 2023 Nodin Press published a biography on Archie Bush, entitled Archie Bush: From Prairie to Philanthopy. This book was based upon an unfinished manuscript by Carl Narvestad and was edited by Dr. Carol Heen.
Can I get a copy of your photographs? Are your photographs for sale or commercial use?
We are currently working with a non-profit organization to have our digitized photographs available on the internet. Access to the photographs will be determined by their policy.
Are you a private museum? Can we come and visit you?
Although we welcome queries from individual scholars, Heen Farms and Heen Book is not open to the general public. We do not have displays or collections that are available for public viewing.
I have ancestors from Norway/Sweden/Denmark? Can you research my family history?
The Minnesota Genealogical Society has professional genealogists, several of whom specialize in Scandinavian American research.
My family lived in west-central Minnesota. How do I know if you have any information on them?
Our research efforts are focused upon Swedes Forest Township in Redwood County, Sioux Agency Township in Yellow Medicine County and Wang Township in Renville County with limited information on adjacent townships. If your family spent time in these areas, you can look for details within this website, or contact us.
I have a bunch of old family photos/genealogies/histories? Can I donate them to you?
Our efforts are limited to the families who have a connection to the geographic areas listed above. If your histories and photos connect with these areas and time periods, please contact us.
Why are you focusing on rural history?
During the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, the American population was of predominantly rural. The community built and gathered around rural churches and schools, many of which no longer exist. However the history still exists.
Today most museums and historical societies are located within cities and towns and may have limited experience with rural history. Hence, the rural story is often under-represented or lacks interpretation.
Do you have podcasts or videos ?
Not yet, but we hope to start soon. Please stay tuned!
Are you available for public speaking and events?
We accept a limited number of speaking engagements on our approach to saving and identifying old family photos.
How can we support your work? Is your organization a non-profit?
HeenBook is privately funded. However, if you wish to support our efforts, we will accept donations to our efforts to digitize and share family histories.
Thank you to our friends, families, and neighbors who saved and shared photos and local history.
If you are looking to do reseach with us or access more of our collection please reach out to us at Contact@Heenbook.org
Designed by Mickey Reed