The Road to 1776

This August the Lac qui Parle County Historical Society and the Madison Library are planning on hosting a special program covering the lead up to the signing of the Declaration of Independence 250 years ago.

In 1763, the British Empire and its American colonies were enjoying their victory in the Seven Years War against France and its allies. Britain was the dominant nation in the world and their American colonies were one of the brightest jewels in its crown. Both nations shared history, identity, and strong bonds. Thirteen years later, the colonies had declared their independence forming the United States and putting the newborn country on the path to full-blown war with its former ally.

What happened in those thirteen years to sour the relationship between Britain and the US? How did a bond forged by common history and war crumble apart so quickly? When and how were the seeds of discontent and independence planted within the American colonies? These questions and more will be answered in a special program by Dr. Anita Gaul at the Lac qui Parle County Museum on August 8^th, 2026.

Dr. Gaul currently works as a professor at Minnesota West Community & Technical College and as an independent historian specializing in local and regional history. She has given many presentations at various museums throughout the state including a few here at the LqP Historical Society. Dr. Gaul was also recently awarded the 2026 Minnesota Educator of the Year award. We at the museum, along with the folks at the Madison Library, are very excited to host Dr. Gaul for another program.

The program will take place at the Lac qui Parle County Museum on Saturday August 8^th at 10:30 AM.