White paper placemat with scalloped edge advertising Hamm’s beer.

For more details, view the placemat in our collections catalog.

Black ash and cherry basket with hinged cover made by Minneapolis artist Dennis Chilcote in 2004.

For more details, view the basket in our online catalog.

Anyone that knows anything about Prince’s Purple Rain (1984 film) or the First Avenue & 7^th Street Entry music club knows that the latter features prominently in the former.  Here we find an interesting piece of correspondence documenting the genesis of how these two famous Minnesota institutions became forever linked in the minds of pop culture enthusiasts everywhere.  This letter from Purple Rain’s production company to the club’s manager outlines arrangements made for filming to be done at the venue.  Among other details, the letter includes an agreement to close First Avenue from “Friday, November 26th to Tuesday, December 20th [1983] for dressing, filming and strike during our filming of ‘Purple Rain’” in return for a $100,000 location and rental fee.  The letter can be found among the 22 boxes of First Avenue & 7^th Street Entry Band Files and Related Records, 1977-2004, held in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections.  Those interested in viewing the collection may wish to look at its electronic inventory before visiting the MHS Library.

Please click on image of letter below to enlarge it.

The Society holds a number of related items, including concert ephemera and publicity materials such as this Purple Rain movie brochure (below).

Prince’s original Purple Rain costume is also part of the Society’s collection.  The costume, like Prince’s music, is a synthesis of various periods and styles.  Learn more about the costume at our PunkFunkRockPop webpage.  The outfit also can be viewed in the MN150 exhibit at the Minnesota History Center, which is open through the end of December, 2011.

John Knauss, Reference Associate

Arts and Crafts-style copper table lamp. The coach-type lantern has frosted green glass and is suspended at an angle by a rod over a heavily weighted base. There are a pull chain, cord and socket inside the lantern. Made by hand circa 1920-1929.

For more details, view the lamp in our collections catalog.

* Please remember to click twice to make it larger and easier to read! Thanks! *

Saxhorn used by the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Civil War.   The saxhorn is a valved brass instrument developed during the 1830s.  The backward-facing bell version became the most common brass instrument in Civil War bands because troops marching behind the band could hear the music.

View the saxhorn in our online collections database here.

Learn more:

• Civil War Daybook
• Civil War programs
• Civil War collections