Not surprisingly, the Northfield Historical Society keeps digging up history.

The nonprofit last week launched its latest book, The Lyceum: Northfield's Oldest Building, and will host a book release event 6:30 p.m. Thursday at its museum.

Researched and written by Susan Hvistendahl, the book features the Lyceum Building at 109 Fourth St. E.

"The Lyceum Building, through good times and bad, has served Northfield well since its construction in 1857 and I am glad its story has finally been told," she said.

Once a cultural site, the Lyceum offered a reading room, circulating library and debating society for early settlers.

John North, Northfield's founder, provided the land and financial support for the building in April 1857. The Lyceum Society, a group formed Oct. 1, 1856, began regular meetings at the Lyceym in November 1857.

"The Lyceum was a place for culture and education," says Hayes Scriven, executive director of the historical society.

Scriven and Hvistendahl brainstormed the book after society meeting minutes from 1856-1863 were found at the Rice County Historical Society.

Hvistendahl said it's an honor to have written the second book and is glad more people will learn about the historic building.

The Lyceum: Northfield's Oldest Building is the second installment in a series published by the historical society and follows Pioneer Women: Voices from Northfield's Frontier, written by Jeff Sauve, associate archivist at St. Olaf College.

Last month, Pioneer Women won a Minnesota History Award from the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums.

The launch event features a presentation by Hvistendahl, whose mother, Marion Hvistendahl, will dress as Ann North and read from letters written by Ann and John North detailing early pioneer days.

Books can be purchased for $9.95 at the historical society. Hvistendahl will sign copies after the event.

Scriven and Hvistendahl said the book wouldn't have happened without the help of others.

Contributors include Sauve; Patrice Ciernia, who designed the book's cover; Ariel Emery Butler, who designed the book; and Nancy Ashmore, who helped edit the manuscript, as well as numerous others offering research assistance. The book is a memorial to Barbara A. Will, who served as a board member and president of the historical society.

IF YOU GO
WHAT: Book release event for The Lyceum: Northfield's Oldest Building
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. Thursday
WHERE: Northfield Historical Society, 408 Division St.
WHO: Open to the public