Students in the Special Topics art class at the University of Minnesota did five-minute sketches at the Hinckley Fire Museum. Art instructor David Feinberg urged them to make a connection with what they were seeing. He said sketching helps an artist make more of a commitment to observation than taking a photograph. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

When viewing the gravel pit, which saved the lives of over 100 people and animals during the Great Hinckley Fire, students did five-minute sketches to use as a resource and inspiration for creating pieces of art to depict understandings about the fire. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Steve Johnson of the Hinckley Fire Museum gave an introduction and welcome to visitors from the University of Minnesota Art Department during a course focusing on the Hinckley Fire of 1894. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

The railroad helped to save the lives of many people during the 1894 Hinckley Fire. This bridge, now reconstructed, burned and fell into the Kettle River two minutes after the life-saving train crossed it to safety and took passengers to Duluth. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

University of Minnesota students step out of the life-saving root cellar built in 1885. The cellar had been a forgotten part of the Great Hinckley Fire story until one of the U of M classes pressed local historians to see if it could be found. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

When Mr. Troolin carved and built his root cellar in 1885, little did he imagine that it would preserve human lives during the Great Hinckley Fire of 1894. He probably had the idea that potatoes, carrots and dairy products would be stored in this cool place. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

Students participating in the U of M class focused on Hinckley Fire of 1894, visited the root cellar carved and created by Mr. E. Troolin in 1885. A wedding party from a nearby farm were saved inside the cellar when they poured milk over the door and themselves. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

Class members recorded two of their peers coming out of the root cellar, just north of Hinckley. It is covered by a mound and the roomy interior could hold about 25 people standing under its domed roof. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

A room in the Hinckley Fire Museum is arranged to reflect the lifestyle of the depot agent and his family. A large floor loom is ready for use in the corner of the living room. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Before returning to campus, members of the Great Hinckley Fire art class observed and sketched at the Brook Park Historic Marker and cemetery. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

U of M students and their instructor David Feinberg viewed the 2014 art exhibit inspired by the Hinckley Fire. Ever since 2004, student artwork has been on display, being replaced by the next year’s course work. On the back wall is an artist’s interpretation of a milk can used by the wedding party in the root cellar. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

Swedish artifacts were on display at the Hinckley Fire Museum when University of Minnesota students toured it as part of a course. A hand woven table cloth graced the wooden kitchen table. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith. ENLARGE IMAGE »

The railroad helped to save the lives of many people during the 1894 Hinckley Fire. This bridge, now reconstructed, burned and fell into the Kettle River two minutes after the life-saving train crossed it to safety and took passengers to Duluth. Photo by V. S. Arrowsmith ENLARGE IMAGE »

Art students focused on the Hinckley Fire and visited the Kettle River and railroad bridge in Sandstone. Photo by Kimchee. ENLARGE IMAGE »