Summer Teacher Institute 2025
This year’s free Summer Teacher Institute workshop, “Frontier to Frontlines: North Dakota's Military Legacy,” will take place in Cooperstown July 21-24. Cooperstown, home to the Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site, played a significant role in the Cold War. The workshop, a collaboration of the State Historical Society of North Dakota, Griggs County Historical Society, and Griggs County Central Schools, aims to highlight North Dakota’s contributions to preserving the nation’s freedom. Educators will explore North Dakota’s contributions to the U.S. military and national defense from the 1870s to the 1990s. While the focus is on North Dakota Studies standards, all teachers are welcome to apply.
Graduate credits are available for a fee through the University of North Dakota, Minot State University, and North Dakota State University.
For more information, contact Madison Milbrath, education outreach supervisor, mrmilbrath@nd.gov.
Capacity is limited. Register through July 14, 2025 at nd-military-legacy.eventbrite.com.
OBJECTIVES
- Teachers will understand the important role North Dakotans have played in U.S. military history since the establishment of Dakota Territory.
- Teachers will understand the important role the state of North Dakota has played in the defense of the nation.
- Teachers will come away with knowledge and activities to bring to their classrooms.
INSTITUTE DIRECTORS
- Madison Milbrath, education outreach supervisor, State Historical Society of North Dakota
INVITED SPEAKERS
- Rob Branting, site supervisor, Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site, State Historical Society
- Shirley J. Olgeirson, North Dakota National Guard Historian
- Daniel Sauerwein, North Dakota State Archives, State Historical Society
RECOMMENDED/REQUIRED MATERIALS
- Bring your own device (tablet or laptop).
COST
- Workshop attendance is free.
- Application deadline is July 14, 2025.
- Two credits are available for a $100 fee through the University of North Dakota, Minot State University, and North Dakota State University.
WHERE TO STAY
- West Side Motel
- Coachman Inn
- Park Avenue Bed and Breakfast
- There are also several Airbnb rentals in and around Cooperstown.
WHERE TO EAT
We will provide light snacks and drinks during breaks. There are a few places to eat or grab food around Cooperstown, but you can also bring a sack lunch.
- Pizza Ranch, 815 Burrel Ave. SW
- Nana's Cafe & Coffee Shop, 811 Burrel Ave. SW
- Miller's Fresh Foods, 806 Roberts Ave. NW
- Town & County Co-op, Hwy 200 & 45 Jct.
- Grumpy’s, 1103 Rollin Ave. SE
AGENDA
Monday, July 21
| Time | Topic: How They Served | Location | Leader/Staff/Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9 a.m. | Introduction to the Workshop | Griggs County Central High School (GCCHS) | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 10 a.m. | Timeline and Eras of History Outline Today’s Theme |
GCCHS | Chris Dorfschmidt, State Historical Society |
| Noon | Lunch | ||
| 1 p.m. | Recruitment to Military During the Frontier Era | GCCHS | Daniel Sauerwein, State Historical Society |
| 3 p.m. | Recruitment: WWI & WWII Posters Activity | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 5 p.m. | Dismiss |
Tuesday, July 22
| Time | Topic: Boredom to Terror | Location | Leader/Staff/Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Opening; Housekeeping | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 8:30 a.m. | Overview of Boredom and Terror Through Time | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 9:30 a.m. | Analyzing Letters Home | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 11:30 a.m. | Introduction to Minuteman Missile Sites and Life | GCCHS | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch | ||
| 1:30 p.m. | Missileer Life Tours: Oscar-Zero and November-33 | Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile State Historic Site (RRMMSHS) | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 3:30 p.m. | Teach It Tomorrow Lessons | Griggs County Museum | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 4:30 p.m. | Missileer Talk | Griggs County Museum | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 6 p.m. | Dismiss |
Wednesday, July 23
| Time | Topic: Citizens at War | Location | Leader/Staff/Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Opening; Housekeeping | Griggs County Museum | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 8:30 a.m. | Civil Defense | Griggs County Museum | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 10:30 a.m. | Civil Air Patrol: History and Resources | GCCHS | Daniel Sauerwein, State Historical Society |
| 11:30 a.m. | Frontier: Laundresses | GCCHS | Chris Dorfschmidt, State Historical Society |
| 12:30 p.m. | Lunch | ||
| 1:30 p.m. | National Guard: Home Guard and State Guard | GCCHS | Shirley J. Olgeirson, North Dakota National Guard |
| 2:30 p.m. | Citizens at Home: Pro- and Anti-war | GCCHS | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 3:30 p.m. | 164th Regiment at Guadalcanal | GCCHS | Shirley J. Olgeirson, North Dakota National Guard |
| 4:30 p.m. | Medal of Honor Recipient Woodrow Wilson Keeble (Korean War) | GCCHS | |
| 5 p.m. | Dismiss |
Thursday, July 24
| Time | Topic: Technological Advances | Location | Leader/Staff/Expert |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 a.m. | Opening; Housekeeping | RRMMSHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 8:30 a.m. | View the Huey Helicopter Up Close | RRMMSHS | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 9 a.m. | Rocketry Activity | RRMMSHS | Rob Branting, State Historical Society |
| 10 a.m. | Weapons at War | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 11:30 a.m. | Lunch | ||
| 12:30 p.m. | Escape Room: Introduction of Key Concepts Needed to Solve | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 1 p.m. | Escape Room: Communications Activity and Debrief | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 2 p.m. | State Historical Society Resources and Where to Find Them | GCCHS | Madison Milbrath, State Historical Society |
| 3 p.m. | Dismiss |