Revelers ring in the new year (1936) at a New Year’s Eve party in Minneapolis.

For more details, view the photograph in our Visual Resources Database.

Diary entry by Matthew Marvin, Private in the 1st Minnesota Regiment,  from Camp Stone in Virginia.

“On drill once and dress parade. Weather cool.”

Citation:  December 30, 1861 Diary entry by Matthew Marvin, Diary notes and memos, July 25 – December 31, 1861. Matthew Marvin Papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

Weather balloon used by the Winds of Freedom campaign in 1951 to send messages of hope into communist countries.  Former Minnesota governor Harold Stassen was present at the ceremonial launching of the first of the balloons.

For more details, view the balloon in our online collections catalog.

Folding chair used at the 2008 Republican National Convention held in St. Paul at the Xcel Energy Center.  The chair has a steel frame and a padded red seat and back. An adhesive label affixed to its top back reads “Kentucky.”

Food sealer and packaging machine used to seal individual servings delivered by the Meals on Wheels program in Minneapolis, Minnesota during the late twentieth century.  The machine consists of a rectangular steel base with a vertical lever-operated mechanism to place and seal a clear plastic lid onto a rectangular aluminum dish.

Letter from C. S. Beatty of Wisconsin to Governor Alexander Ramsey regarding the plight of 23 Minnesota men being mustered into Missouri regiments.

“La Crosse [WI] Dec 27th 1861 His Excellency Alex Ramsey Governor etc, Minnesota
Dear Sir, I recruited for the 16th Missouri regiment some 23 Minnesota boys.  They were mustered into the United States service. The balance of the Regiment was comprised principaly of Illinois men who were enlisted previous to the proclamation issued against recruiting for outside regiments by Gov [Richard] Yates of that state.  They were also mustered into the U.S. service and legaly the Governor had no control over them.  But by influencing Gen’l [David] Hunter (then in command) received an order for them, our men were promised protection as a company by accompanying the balance of the Regiment to Springfield Illinois. and as soon as they arrived were disbanded and consolodated with other companies with out a voice as to their officers or even a choice of the Regiment in that state.
The transaction was a fraud, used to aid Illinois regiments.  The boys were and are greatly dissatisfied.  They were induced to join this Missouri regiment by me with the expectation of receiving benefits that the state of Minnesota could not grant.  They are patriotic, worthy fellows.  I regret their position, they are not in the fault I claim in being led into the position they are in, and should not be alowed to suffer.  They are loyal citizens and claim the protection of the Governor of their state, and I in their behalf would most respectfully urge the Governor to act to their interests and not alow the Governor of Illinois to thus impose upon men who stand ready to retain the good name acquired by the brave boys of the Minnesota First. […]“

Citation: December 27, 1861 Letter from C.S. Beatty (?), Letters Received–2nd Regiment. Minnesota: Governor: Ramsey. Records. Minnesota Historical Society. State Archives.

Firefighter’s helmet worn by Oscar J. Pederson, assistant chief of the St. Paul Fire Department, circa 1940.

For more details, view the helmet in our online collections catalog.