The 1970s saw perhaps the largest organized protests in West Central Minnesota when
farmers came together to protest the proposed Cooperative Power Association/United Power
Association (CPA/UPC) high voltage power line that would cut across their farmland.

The power line was built and now fifty years later, the Grant County Historical Society is
going to revisit this tumultuous time in the county. On Thursday, July 30 th at 7:00 p.m., the
historical society will host the showing of a video followed by a round-table discussion about
the protests and the aftermath of the power line being built.

The video, entitled “Grassroots Energy: Power Line Resistance 1974-1978” was made by
Dr. Luther P. Gerlich, who was a Professor of Anthropology at the University of Minnesota, and
Paul Eide. The 38 minute video examines how ordinary rural Minnesotans mobilized to protest
the construction of the high voltage transmission line and even offer some alternatives.

Everyone is welcome to join us for the presentation and round-table discussion on
Thursday, July 30 th at 7:00 p.m. We especially invite those who were directly impacted by the
power line to attend and share their experiences of the protests and the aftermath. Call the
museum if you have questions, 218-685-4864.