Date: Friday, May 15, 2026
Time: 6:00pm – 8:00pm
Fees/RSVP: $20 per person, $15 for DCHS, MNHS & Friends of Sibley Site members
Location: Sibley Historic Site - Please note that Sibley Site programs are in the DuPuis House at the top of the hill!
Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders presents an exploration of African America life in Minnesota during its early years from the 1850’s through the 1880’s. This presentation highlights the stories of the individuals and communities that played a significant role in Minnesota's early development, including homesteaders, barbers, shopkeepers, and Civil War veterans.
Mica Anders is the founder of Anders Genealogical Services. With a focus on African American and Midwestern U.S. genealogy, she has worked with clients and organizations in the U.S., Canada, Jamaica, and the UK, bringing underrepresented stories to light. As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists, the first ever history fellow at the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum, and recipient of the 2023 Minnesota Genealogical Society Pioneer Award, she upholds the highest standards in her research.
*Photo image of Rosa Belle (Jenkins) Simmons (left) and her children May, Calvin, Jr. William, and Adeline Simmons (right). The photo was taken in South Dakota where they settled after Rosa’s husband, Calvin Simmons, left Minnesota to homestead in the Dakotas.
*In commemoration of America’s 250th birthday, the Dakota County Historical Society is proud to offer programming that celebrates the diverse people of the past who contributed to the American story of liberty and prosperity.
Find more information at: https://dakotahistory.org/events/1101-may-15-mendota-after-hours-tracing-early-african-american-legacies-in-minnesota-at-sibley