06/19/2026
🐜A Picnic by the River, Then and Now
Happy International Picnic Day!
This charming 1908 photograph captures Selma Holcombe and friends enjoying a picnic near the St. Croix River, reminding us that gathering outdoors with good company has long been one of life's simple pleasures. Whether packed in a basket or wrapped in paper, a shared meal has a way of creating lasting memories.
Selma, one of photographer Frederick Holcombe’s younger sisters, spent many years as a teacher and principal at Nelson School in Stillwater. But on this day, she's simply enjoying time by the river with friends, surrounded by the beauty of a Minnesota summer.
The image was taken by Frederick Holcombe, an award-winning amateur photographer and banker whose photographs documented everyday life in Stillwater from the late 1800s into the early 1900s. His work offers a remarkable glimpse into the people and places that shaped our community.
This photograph is part of the Frederick Holcombe Historical Photo Collection in the St. Croix Collection Room at Stillwater Public Library. You can explore this image and many others depicting life in Stillwater from the mid-1800s through today whenever the library is open. You can also view many of Frederick Holcombe's photos through the Minnesota Digital Library.
Whether you're spreading out a blanket in the park, gathering with family, or enjoying lunch by the water, we hope you find a moment to celebrate the timeless joy of a picnic.
Mainstreet Stillwater MN Discover Stillwater Minnesota Digital Library Carolyn Blocher
