Two couples at the bar during a New Year’s party.

Photographed by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on January 1, 1937.

For details, view this photograph in our collections database.

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An oil on canvas painting of the Mississippi River in downtown St. Paul made by Ben Swanson in 1936.

For details, view this painting in our collections database.

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Partial transcription:
Camp 1st Minn Vols Culpeper Va
December 30th 1863
Dear Mother
Your Kind and interesting letter of the 20th of this month duly arrived today. I cannot help but think when I am reading yours of the 20th (for I do it often) that you are having a pretty hard time to get along and at the same time the money I sent you at Falmouth is still in the Bank or a greater portion of it. Now such proceedings are “[plaid]” and if you feel like quiting keeping boarders do so immediately and use all the money I have sent home, do not kill yourself working but try and get along until I get out of the army. [… page 3]
Now when the 1st Minnesota Volunteers go home in the Spring you wont think they are old vets for they are all getting new cloths and fixing up fine[.]
I heard today that General Hancock has returned but I do not know wheather to credit the report or not although it is not impossable[.] Well I hope you will overlook my mistakes for I have been scribeling some to day and I am tired[.]
Respects to all Friends,
Love to Brother Orren and a good share to your self
Chas. E. Goddard

See whole letter here: 1863-12-30_Smith_complete

Citation: December 30, 1863, Letter from Charles Goddard to his mother, Correspondence 1863-1929. Smith, Orrin Fruit and Family Papers, 1829-1932. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1434 box 1]

Partial transcription of the letter:

No 19
In Camp at Lamine Bridge,
Missouri, Tuesday Dec 29th, 1863.
My Dearest Wife,
I am on guard to day but will try and write you a few lines. [… page 2]
Four of our boys started home on furlough of 30 days. They only get half pay while they are gone and have to pay their own expenses so that it will be about the same as fifty or sixty Dollars out of their pockets. […] Oh how I wish I had the money to spare so that I could have come home and see you once more but I thought I could not afford it.  And I don’t suppose you would have wanted me to come or that is you would not have thought it was best for me to come would you love. […]
There is lots of the cavalry boys here who are reenlisting [.] they like the service better than I do or they would not be slaves any longer than what they had already enlisted for. [… page 4]
Well I must get this ready to send to the office[,] So good bye for this time Dearest love, From your ever true and affectionate husband,
James N. Woodbury

See whole letter here: 1863-12-29_Woodbury_complete

Citation:  December 29, 1863 Letter from James N. Woodbury to Amanda, letters to Amanda Woodbury, March 1863-May 1864. Diary and miscellaneous letters and papers, 1862-1908. Minnesota Historical Society. [P1091]

Diary entries by Matthew Marvin, Corporal in the 1st Minnesota Regiment who was wounded at Gettysburg and is convalescing at the US Marine Hospital in Chicago, Illinois. Marvin has had a tough week. On December 22nd, a fellow soldier jumped to his death from the third story of the hospital. Two days later Marvin receives “a Box from home with Christmas goodies”, but on the holiday itself he writes “Aside from haveing a tip top Christmas Dinner the day has been long & wearysome”.

After Christmas, winter weather and long, lonesome days take hold. On December 28, Marvin simply writes: “Weather Snow”.

Citation:  December 21-28, 1863 Diary entries by Matthew Marvin, Diary notes and memos. Matthew Marvin Papers. Minnesota Historical Society. [P2355 box 1]

Speed skater Ken Bartholomew showing off the silver medal he won in the 500m race at the 1948 Winter Olympic Games.

Photographed by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on February 8, 1948.

For details, view this photograph in our collections database.

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Two piece ‘Arcticwear’ snowmobile suit consists of (.1) overalls and (.2) long-sleeved jacket made from nylon and filled with polyolefin and polyester. Worn by Lee Busse on Minnesota to Moscow snowmobile expedition in 1990.

For details, view this suit in our collections database.

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