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Teddy Comes to Town

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Historical reenact or brings Roosevelt to life at Blue Mounds State Park
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By
Mavis Fodness

Theodore Roosevelt was right at home at Blue Mounds State Park north of Luverne Saturday.
Amid the prairie grasses and bison that make the state park their home, living history reenactor Adam Lindquist told visitors to his hunting camp display about the 26th president of the United States while acting and dressing like Teddy Roosevelt.
Lindquist’s performance was like stepping back into time and speaking to the actual person.
For six hours on Saturday, Lindquist played host at the replicated hunting camp Roosevelt would have stayed in while on expedition from 1903-1912.
Inside the tent were firearms and other commemorative or authentic items Roosevelt would have had with him on his travels through the Dakotas including the traveling boxes and the displaying of the American flag.
“He didn’t travel without a flag,” Lindquist said to guests to the camp.
Several items prompted visitors to ask questions or would give Lindquist ways to start stories he told while impersonating Roosevelt.
“I let people see what it was like at the turn of the last century and learn things they didn’t know,” Lindquist said.
Lindquist has won several national contests for his historical portrayal of Roosevelt.
He began impersonating Roosevelt ten years ago after he saw a picture of himself and noted his resemblance to the former president and naturalist in body size as well as eye and hair coloring.
“It’s scary how much I look like him,” he said.
Roosevelt is credited for his efforts in conservation — reserving land for public use through the national park system and conservation reserves. The park system is celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2016.
The Minnesota park system is celebrating its 125th anniversary.
Lindquist’s camp presentation and Saturday evening performance at the state park’s amphitheater were sponsored through funds from Minnesota Clean Water and Land Legacy Amendment.
The event was part of Arts on the Prairie coordinated through the Luverne Area Chamber, Blue Mounds State Park, Luverne Initiatives For Tomorrow and the Luverne Convention and Visitors Bureau.

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