Helen Hoover: The Life of One of Minnesota's Beloved Nature Writers

Schedule

Sat Feb 14 2026 at 01:00 pm to 02:00 pm

UTC-06:00

Location

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744 | Grand Rapids, MN

Advertisement
Beloved nature writer Helen Hoover’s path to the north woods came following a successful career in Chicago as a metallurgist - an unlikely profession for a woman without a college degree in the 1940s and 50s. Through smarts and self-training, she solved a long-standing steel breakage problem for a farm implement company, receiving a patent for her work – and then walked away from corporate life in 1954 to live in a remote cabin on Gunflint Lake. Out of necessity to make a living, she began writing about the trees, plants and animals living in their immediate vicinity and developed a following for her prose through nature and conservation magazines. She started to write books for adults and children – many illustrated by her artist husband Adrian – with several becoming national bestsellers in the 1960s and 70s. This presentation will follow Helen’s life from Chicago to the north woods and beyond, and provide the backstory of a life that was not without its hardships and challenges. It will also consider why Hoover’s writing is still relevant and important today.
David Hakensen Bio:
David Hakensen is a public relations consultant and former board president of the Minnesota Historical Society (2018-2023). He has written for Minnesota History, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine, and Twin Cities Business.
This event is included in regular site admission.
Advertisement

Where is it happening?

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

Event Location & Nearby Stays:

Icon
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Forest History Center

Host or Publisher Forest History Center

Ask AI if this event suits you:

Discover More Events in Grand Rapids

Taking Care of Business & Pictures with Santa Serfling
Wed, 03 Dec at 04:00 pm Taking Care of Business & Pictures with Santa Serfling

Timberlake Lodge Hotel

PICTURES-WITH-SANTA ART
 Flock Around & Find Out- Creative Crow Club
Wed, 03 Dec at 06:00 pm Flock Around & Find Out- Creative Crow Club

Old Central School, Room 203, 10 NW 5th S, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

ART
First Friday Art Walk at Benders in Grand Rapids
Fri, 05 Dec at 04:00 pm First Friday Art Walk at Benders in Grand Rapids

409 NW 1st Ave, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

FIRST-FRIDAY ART
North In Bloom Pop-up @ Re-Thrift
Fri, 05 Dec at 04:00 pm North In Bloom Pop-up @ Re-Thrift

Old Central School

POP-UPS ART
Master Class: Writing Comedy for the Stage with Sandy Rustin
Mon, 08 Dec at 06:00 pm Master Class: Writing Comedy for the Stage with Sandy Rustin

720 NW Conifer Dr , Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

WORKSHOPS COMEDY
Reif Dance Presents: The Nutcracker
Fri, 12 Dec at 07:00 pm Reif Dance Presents: The Nutcracker

The Reif

ART THEATRE
Christmas In The Round: An Intimate Evening of Songs & Stories
Fri, 12 Dec at 07:00 pm Christmas In The Round: An Intimate Evening of Songs & Stories

Grace Bible Chapel - Grand Rapids MN

CHRISTMAS MEETUPS
Girl Scout Movie Screening: Zootopia 2 at Manns Theatre
Sat, 13 Dec at 09:30 am Girl Scout Movie Screening: Zootopia 2 at Manns Theatre

Mann Grand Rapids Cinema 8

ENTERTAINMENT ART
Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular at The Reif
Wed, 17 Dec at 07:00 pm Rock & Roll Xmas Spectacular at The Reif

The Reif

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Flock Around & Find Out- Paper in Fire
Wed, 24 Dec at 06:00 pm Flock Around & Find Out- Paper in Fire

Fire in the Village

ART LITERARY-ART
The History of Minnesota's Forests
Sat, 03 Jan at 01:00 pm The History of Minnesota's Forests

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

PERFORMANCES ART
Magic Carpet Ride @ The Reif
Sun, 11 Jan at 02:00 pm Magic Carpet Ride @ The Reif

The Reif

LIVE-MUSIC ART
Winter Lecture Series: Reclaiming Minnesota's Mined Lands
Sat, 17 Jan at 01:00 pm Winter Lecture Series: Reclaiming Minnesota's Mined Lands

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

ART TRIPS-ADVENTURES
Adam Bohanan @ The Reif
Sat, 17 Jan at 07:00 pm Adam Bohanan @ The Reif

The Reif

MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
Church Of Cash @ The Reif
Fri, 30 Jan at 07:00 pm Church Of Cash @ The Reif

720 NW Conifer Dr, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC
Helen Hoover: The Life of One of Minnesota's Beloved Nature Writers
Sat, 14 Feb at 01:00 pm Helen Hoover: The Life of One of Minnesota's Beloved Nature Writers

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

ART LITERARY-ART
Makoce kin Mitakuye: The Land is my Relative
Sat, 14 Mar at 01:00 pm Makoce kin Mitakuye: The Land is my Relative

2609 County Road 76, Grand Rapids, MN, United States, Minnesota 55744

ART LITERARY-ART
ISD 318 Jazz Festival 2026
Mon, 27 Apr at 07:00 pm ISD 318 Jazz Festival 2026

The Reif

ENTERTAINMENT MUSIC

What's Happening Next in Grand Rapids?

Discover Grand Rapids Events