Why did Minnesotans love and admire Colonel William Colvill, Minnesota’s gigantic 6’5” Civil War hero---and why did Colvill have a homestead located just east of Grand Marais? 

The Cook County Historical Society is pleased to present Steve Hoffbeck, a Minnesota-born-and-raised author, who will explore these questions, which are answered in his newest book, Colvill Smiled:” The Legend of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Regiment at Gettysburg, at the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery in Grand Marais on Tuesday, August 19, 2025, 5:30-6:30 p.m., followed by a discussion and a book-signing opportunity. Colvill Smiled is now available at booksellers everywhere (and at the historical society’s bookshop).

Our speaker, Steve Hoffbeck, is a self-described old but lively Minnesotan who grew up as a farmer’s son near Morgan. His first book, The Haymakers, was a Minnesota Book Award winner. Hoffbeck, a recently retired professor (MSU Moorhead), and his wife, Dianne, live in Barnesville, Minn., and have four adult children and six grandchildren.

Hoffbeck has presented illustrated history programs for many years in every corner of Minnesota---including talks about baseball history, World War II, and legendary Minnesotans---at colleges, libraries, civic groups, and at historical societies -including Mill City Museum and Minnesota History Center.

This event is part of the Cook County Historical Society's Centennial Celebration in 2025. Other announced events are a presentation and pie social with local author Staci Drouillard at the Chippewa City Church on July 15, our Centennial Anniversary dinner, which will take place on September 23. The Centennial Planning Committee is busy finalizing details on additional events, so stay tuned! Follow us on social media or sign up for our email list to ensure you don’t miss a thing.