In the 1790’s, Pierre BONGA, on record as the earliest person of African descent in Minnesota, worked for the Northwest Fur Company in Grand Portage, MN, a few miles south of the Canadian Border, and in the Red River Valley. He married an Ojibwe woman. Their son George BONGA was born in 1802 at present-day Duluth, MN. George worked for the American Fur Company. He, like his father, spoke several Indian languages, as well as English and French, and acted as an interpreter. Pierre’s eldest child, Marguerete BONGA, married Jacob Fahlstrom of Stockholm, Sweden in 1823. Jacob is considered one of Minnesota’s first Swedish residents.
Join historical reenactor Joel Brown on March 19th, 2022 at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum at 11:00 AM as he presents the thrilling saga of BONGA, a fur trade family of mixed heritage.
This event is free, but registration is required. Please email staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org or call (320)632-4007 to register by March 18th.
Masks are required for this event.
BONGA: A Fur Trade Family Saga
March 19, 2022, 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum, 2151 Lindbergh Dr S, Little Falls MN, 56345.
Free but registration is required. Call (320)632-4007 or email staff@morrisoncountyhistory.org to register.
Masks required at this event.