FIELD TRIPS

🌊 Park Point in Duluth, MN, is the world's longest freshwater sandbar, stretching for 7 miles. 🌅 The stretch of sand is a natural wonder that's been here for 5,000 years!  💧 Park Point is all about freshwater! This means the water you wade through comes from rain, snow, ice, and underground springs. There is no salt here! ❄️ From every drop of rain to every melting snowflake, the waters at Park Point have been shaped by nature. 🌉 In 1905, the iconic Aerial Lift Bridge reconnected Park Point to the mainland, making it easier than ever to visit this historic sandbar. 

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🌅 How long has Park Point been around?

💧Where does all that water come from?

🪵 Hidden treasures of Park Point! Under the rocks and logs, crayfish are lurking in their natural hideouts. With great eyesight and an appetite for the little things in life, like worms and snails, these critters are a fascinating find on your beachside walks. 🦞 These ancient creatures, dating back millions of years

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🪵 Where can you find crayfish hiding?

🦞 How long have crayfish been around? 

🎉 Celebrating the Smelt Parade in Canal Park, Duluth, MN! As we welcome the beginning of summer, this annual event brings attention to the smelt, a small 6-inch fish with a big impact. Although smelt are not native to our waters, they have become a significant part of the ecosystem since 🐟 their accidental introduction to the Great Lakes in 1912 when they escaped from an inland lake stock for bait—the fish originally from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. These nighttime swimmers, sensitive to light, are often caught with nets after dark. 🌊 Smelt play a role as predators of native fish eggs. Yet, their spawning marks the promise of spring in Duluth. Spawning is when a female lays her eggs in water, and the male comes and fertilizes them. And let's not forget the local delicacy—cooked smelt, humorously called "Fries with Eyes." 

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🐟 How did smelt fish end up in the Great Lakes if they're from the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans?

🌊 How does smelt affect other fish in the lake?

🏮 Discover the historical beacon of Duluth at the MN Point Lighthouse, also known as Zero Point Lighthouse. 🌊 Nestled at the end of Park Point —roughly 2 miles of scenic trails lead to the first lighthouse of the state, established in 1858. Though only remnants remain, they whisper tales of maritime history and stand as a testament to Duluth's rich past. Join the trail of history seekers. 🥾📜🔦

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🌳 Where was the first lighthouse of the state built?

🚢 Imagine a long time ago, ships had to be super careful while sailing, and they relied on special floating markers called buoys to help them navigate safely. ⚓ These buoys and other important sailing tools were sold right here at the Duluth Buoy Depot on Park Point. This special spot started helping ships in 1906 and continued until 1935. Now, it's an old landmark where history meets cool modern art. The landmark now bears the marks of time and art 🎨 marrying history with modern expression. 

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🚢 What are the special floating markers called that helped ships while sailing?

🚢 In 1871, the canal was dug in Duluth, MN, revolutionizing the maritime journey by making it easier for ships to enter the harbor. Before the Aerial Lift Bridge, a ferry was the only way to cross to Park Point! 🌎 Duluth's harbor is the largest inland port in the world.

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 🚢  How did digging the canal in Duluth, MN, in 1871 change the way ships entered the harbor?

 🌎 Where is the largest inland port in the world?

🔮✨ Step into the mystical realm at the store On Point in Duluth, MN, and discover your future with our enchanting Fortune Teller Machine! Just like the iconic Zoltar, made famous in the movie "Big," you'll receive a card that unveils the secrets of tomorrow. Uncover your destiny—one dollar at a time (no coins)!

The fortune teller machine is reminiscent of the local fairs in England in the late 1800s. The first electric coin-operated machine was in 1910 by the Roover Brothers of New York, a cat fortune teller who vended a card fortune.

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🌳 In what country were the first fortune teller machines?

🧦🐒 Discover the charming history of the sock monkey at the DeWitt-Seitz Building, 2nd floor Toy Store at J Skylark Company! The sock monkey originated in 1932, using the red-heeled socks from Nelson Knitting Company in Rockford, Illinois. The red heel became the monkey's bright red lips! 🌟 During the harsh times of the Great Depression, sock monkeys provided a spark of joy. During a period called the Great Depression, from 1929 to 1939, many banks in America had to shut down because they lost a lot of money in the stock market. 🌳 At the same time, there wasn't enough rain, which made it very hard for farmers. Many people didn't have jobs, and it was tough for families because some of them even lost their homes. 🍀 The sock monkeys were not just toys but symbols of resourcefulness and hope, handcrafted from worn-out socks. Each pair of Nelson’s socks even came with instructions for making these beloved figures. 🧵✂️ Though Nelson's socks are now a part of Fox River Mills, the legacy of sock monkeys continues. Often seen as good luck charms, they remind us of the power of creativity and resilience. ✨ Thinking of making your own piece of history?

Dive into the world of sock monkeys and keep the tradition alive! 🧦🐒

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🍀 How did sock monkeys bring joy to people during the Great Depression?

🌳 Why was the Great Depression a difficult time for farmers and families in America from 1929 to 1939?

🎮 Step into Grandma's Saloon and Grill in Canal Park, Duluth, MN, and try your hand at our "Winner Every Time" Claw Machine! 🍔 The claw machines have been capturing hearts since the 1920s, drawing inspiration from the mechanical machines used to build the Panama and Erie Canals by the Erie Manufacturing Company. 🎈Claw machine games became a carnival attraction during the Great Depression (1929-1939, with fewer jobs, less spending, and decreased production). 🧸

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🍔 What canals were built using the mechanical machines that inspired the claw machines from the 1920s?

🎈 Where did claw machine games become popular during the Great Depression?

🌉✨ Constructed between 1901 and 1905, this steel and cable marvel rises majestically, connecting the heart of Duluth to the serene Park Point sandbar. With the unique ability to lift its span 135 feet in just a minute, 🚢 The Duluth Aerial Bridge, also known as Old Lifty, stands as the only lift-span bridge design of its kind in the world. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge is a special kind of bridge that can move.  🏗️ The middle part of the bridge goes straight up without tilting, so boats can pass underneath. The Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge on Lake Avenue isn't just a bridge; it's also a special piece of history. It's a place where you can hear the loud sounds of ship horns. These sounds are part of an old tradition where ships say hello by blowing their horns, and the bridge answers back with its own horn sound. Witness the awe-inspiring dance of architecture and engineering — a true Duluth experience! 🎶

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 🏗️ What makes the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge unique compared to other bridges in the world?

🚢 What is the nickname of the Duluth Aerial Lift Bridge?

🌊Over the shores of Duluth, you'll often see seagulls flying around, and they're a big part of the view by the lake. Seagulls are smart birds that love to eat fish and know when to move to warmer places during different seasons. 

🐦 Pairs, loyal for life, reunite each year in the same nesting grounds to build their nests again; they come back when it's warm to the same spots near the lake. 👀 They make cozy nests on the ground using sand, grass, and logs. Seagulls are great swimmers thanks to their webbed feet, which help them whether they're looking for food or just floating on Lake Superior. Even though they mostly like fresh water, they can handle saltwater, too, because they have a special way to filter it out.

Seagulls often sit on rooftops, keeping watch over the cityscape. And when it comes to eating, seagulls don't have teeth. Instead, they swallow their food whole and have a strong stomach muscle called a gizzard that grinds up their food for them.  💧

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 🐦 Why do seagulls return to the same nesting grounds each year?

👀 How do seagulls build their nests, and what materials do they use?

🌊 Standing guard at the gateway to the Duluth Ship Canal, the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light is a 43-foot-tall beacon of history and hope.  In 1910, people built a special lighthouse called the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light. ⚓️ This is because in 1905, five years earlier, a big ship named SS Mataafa had a terrible accident right where the lighthouse stands today. During a bad storm, the ship crashed into the dark, concrete piers where the lighthouse is today.

Now, this lighthouse helps boats and ships stay safe by guiding them away from the piers where the accident happened. 🏮 The lighthouse looks really interesting, with a unique eight-sided octagonal base and a lantern room on the bottom half. It stands out beautifully against the big, wide Lake Superior. Under new stewardship since 2023, this small yet mighty lighthouse looks forward to welcoming the curious and the captivated for tours in the future. Keep an eye on this space for a chance to step into a piece of Duluth’s maritime legacy.  💡

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⚓️ Why was the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light built in 1910?

🏮 What features make the Duluth Harbor North Pier Light stand out against Lake Superior?

✨ Indulge in a taste of sweetness and history at Hepzibah's Sweet Shoppe in the DeWitt-Seitz Building, Canal Park, Duluth, MN. Known for their award-winning truffles,  🎁🏆 Truffles are a special kind of chocolate treat that has been around since the 1850s. The story goes that they were invented by accident by a helper named Auguste Escoffier. He was supposed to mix the cream with eggs and sugar but accidentally poured it over chocolate instead! When it cooled down, he rolled it into balls and covered them in cocoa powder. 🍫Some people think this yummy mistake happened in France, and others say it was in Switzerland.

Truffles are made with a creamy mixture called ganache, 🍬which is just chocolate and cream mixed together. They are then rolled in fine cocoa powder to make them even tastier.   Hepzibah's also has other candies like dairy-free options, Jelly Belly's, and Gummy Bears. It's like visiting a place full of delicious chocolate history!

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 🍫 What two countries take credit for inventing chocolate truffles?

🍬 What is in ganache?

🐎💰 Take a gallop back in time with the vintage coin-operated horse on the 2nd floor of the DeWitt-Seitz Building in Canal Park, Duluth, MN. The vintage coin-operated horse started way back in 1930 and was created by a man named James Otto Hahs from Missouri. 🎠 He first made it as a Christmas present for his own kids and called it the Hahs Gaited Mechanical Horse. It's a ride that looks like a mechanical horse and moves in a special way that makes it feel like you're riding a real horse! Whether you're reliving cherished memories or creating new ones, this nostalgic ride offers a whimsical experience for the young and young at heart. Saddle up for a piece of playful history! 🕰️✨

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🎠 For what holiday did James Otto Hahs make the mechanical horse for his children?