Lafayette Gilbert M. Fletcher Jr. was born in 1883 near Mankato, Minnesota. In 1908, he began attending the Minneapolis Art School and in the early 1920s he began using the printmaking processes of wood and linoleum block printing. This woodcut from 1915, Minnesota Frontier Fences: Log Rail, with its range of color and tranquil design, must surely have been influenced by earlier Japanese woodblock prints.

Letter from H. C. Simpson to Donnelly informing him of men raised in Lake City.

“A large number of the citizens of this town have organized themselves into an independent military company of infantry under the laws of this state, and a roll of sufficient number has been forwarded to the Col of this Regimental District as required by law.  We shall in a few days have a company of about one hundred, and shall hope to get into service if opportunity offers.  We want arms and accouterments for the company and you will oblige me personally if you will see that our company have proper arms as soon as possible.  We are anxious to be drilling and perfecting our selves as fast as possible. I enclose you a list of names, and the officers of the company recommended for commissions.  Will you please see that the officers elect have commissions forthwith?  We are ready to give ample bonds for the arms and accoutrements as soon as possible.”

Citation: May 31, 1861 Letter from H. C. Simpson to Ignatius Donnelly, Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, April – May 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

In the fall of 2008, Minnesota lost two of its most ardent art enthusiasts, Robert L. and Patricia Kennedy Crump. In memory of their life in art, the Crump family donated over 100 objects to the Minnesota Historical Society, including art, photographs and 3D objects. This audio slide show, narrated by Curator of Art Brian Szott, highlights this generous gift.

One hundred years ago today, Hubert H. Humphrey was born in Wallace, South Dakota. Discontented with working in his family’s pharmacy, Humphrey came to the University of Minnesota to pursue a doctorate in political science. He never finished the degree, and instead launched himself on a career that made him mayor of Minneapolis, U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Vice President of the United States, and, in 1968, the Democratic candidate for President.

The Minnesota Historical Society is home to the Hubert H. Humphrey papers, numerous photographs from all phases of his career, multiple books on his life and work,  and several artifacts from his various campaigns and offices. Additional Humphrey resources can be found on the History Topics page. A small sample of the Society’s collections is presented in this slideshow.

Letter from John K. Frear to Donnelly informing him of men organizing in Nininger City and some of the men leaving to start their own unit because of disatisfaction at the officer elections.

Transcription of post script:  “There is a little discontent with five or six because they could not elect there men they have seceded from the company and gone out the union  they talk of setting up a separat government of there own for we can not give them all an office but we will let them go we have more than our compliment with out them if they do secede it is not now as a fact yet.”

View the whole letter: 1861-05-27

Citation: May 27, 1861 Letter from John K. Frear to Ignatius Donnelly, Correspondence and Miscellaneous Papers, April – May 1861. Ignatius Donnelly and Family Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

Wooden cane made during the Civil War from wood at Libby Prison in Richmond, Virginia, by Corporal Frank B. Doran of the 52nd Illinois Regiment, Company I. Doran was taken prisoner while tending to his brother in a hospital in Oxford, North Carolina. He was incarcerated at Castle Thunder in March of 1863, sent to Libby Prison in May of 1863, and transferred to Salisbury, North Carolina by August of 1864. Doran would become Mayor of Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1898.