Log in

Two Posts, Two Pasts: Preserving Forts Sisseton and Totten

Two Posts, Two Pasts: Preserving Forts Sisseton and Totten

“Two Posts, Two Pasts: Preserving Forts Sisseton and Totten” by Heather Mulliner examines the construction, use, and preservation of Forts Sisseton and Totten. Built in 1864 and 1867, respectively, these two posts initially served as bases of operations against the Dakota Sioux who fled from Minnesota in the aftermath of the United States-Dakota War of 1862. Fort Sisseton’s use as a hunting lodge and Fort Totten’s role as an Indian boarding school after their decommissioning influenced the level of preservation and the content of historical interpretation at the two forts. Mulliner works as a data and policy analyst and holds master’s degrees in American history from the University of Montana and in archival management and public history from New York University.