Letter from Alexander Ramsey in response to Abner Lewis, a New York judge residing in Winona, Minnesota. Lewis was inquiring about appointments of commissioners to oversee the absentee votes of soldiers and Ramsey had recently resigned as Governor of Minnesota in order to take a seat in the U.S. Senate.

St. Paul Aug 31, 1863
My dear Judge
I am just in receipt of your note of the 29th inst.
As Gov Swift has gone to St. Peter and will not return before the close of the week I can not say who he has determined to appoint to receive the votes: though I understood him to say that these were my applications and that he had agreed upon certain news, but he did not mention who they were.
As I leave for the North I will [inclose] him your letter.
Very respectfully yours
Alex. Ramsey

Citation:  August 31, 1863, Letter from Alexander Ramsey to Abner Lewis. Letters received from Alexander Ramsey and Henry A. Swift, 1863. Minnesota Historical Society. [P2816]

A woman riding a motorcycle on rollers at the 1938 Minnesota State Fair.

Captured by a Minneapolis newspaper photographer on September 6, 1938.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database (via junior source).

Learn More about the Minnesota State Fair:

• Spectacular Fair: the Minnesota State Fair podcast
• Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage
• Other Collections Up Close posts featuring Fair items
• State Fair images on Collections Online

U. S. Genl. Hospital Broad & Cherry St
Philad Pa Aug 30th 1863.
Dear Mother
I have been anxously waiting for a few lines from you since I last wrote but I had no Idea you wer sick until Mrs Eaton came down here to see her son. She said you had been pretty sick, but you wer much better when she left. I was glad to hear that for you will likely soon recover.
I think I shall go to the Regiment in the course of a couple of weeks. I am sory to say that in all probability what boys are in the hospital from our Co without their descriptive list will not get any pay. I have been down stairs to see if Charley Ely’s & my lists were here but nary one and they clerks tell me we cannot get any pay without them. I thought one might get two months pay for we had been mustered for that in the Army but they say here No. I have no clothing nor can I get any until my descriptive comes and when will that be[?] To tell the truth I have to go to the Regt. for clothing. Our Regiment are on Governors Island N.Y. Harbor, how long they will remain their they are ignorant. Colonel Colvell [Colville] is now a Brigadier, making the 5 Brigadier the 1st Minnesota has made since they have been in the servise. One of the Lieutenants of our Regiment stepped off the boat at Alexandria and drowned. There is Nothing of importance to write more. With my respects to all the Friends and love to Brother Orren and yourself I remain your son C E Goddard

I am very much
obliged to you for
that silver half
dollar. I would
like very much
to send this coat
to you but I have
nothing els to ware.
Give my respects
To Cousin Hellen and
a kiss to little Franky

Citation: August 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]

Metal shield-shaped police badge. Has a depiction of an eagle with spread wings at the top and a circle at the center depicting trees and a man with a plow. “MINNESOTA/STATE FAIR/POLICE” is written in black lettering, with a black six-pointed star on either side (via junior source). Reverse has a large vertical pin. Manufacturer unknown. Owned by Jerome P. Dolan of the St. Paul Police; not used earlier than 1959 or later than 1993.

For details, view this badge in our collections database.

Learn More about the Minnesota State Fair:

• Spectacular Fair: the Minnesota State Fair podcast
• Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage
• Other Collections Up Close posts featuring Fair items
• State Fair images on Collections Online

50 years ago this day on August 28 1963, one of the largest rallies for human rights happened in Washington D.C., the “March on Washington for Jobs & Freedom.” It was during this rally that Martin Luther King gave his now famous “I have a dream” speech. This button from the Minnesota Historical Society collection was worn during that march.

For details, view this button in our collections database.

State fair souvenir of Saint Paul, Minnesota: the political, commercial, financial and social metropolis of the bright Northwest. Edited by J. H. Hanson. St. Paul: Graphic Co., 1886.

This souvenir booklet was distributed the year after the State Fair moved into its permanent home in St. Paul in 1885. It begins by describing the Fair itself and all its wonders, but quickly turns into a promotional piece for the City of St. Paul highlighting its place on the river, industries, and buildings (via junior source). It was recently acquired by the Minnesota Historical Society.

Learn More about the Minnesota State Fair:

• Spectacular Fair: the Minnesota State Fair podcast
• Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage
• Other Collections Up Close posts featuring Fair items
• State Fair images on Collections Online
  

1978 Minnesota State Fair button. Round pinback button, red with yellow script lettering reading “I/ Got it/ Together/ 1978 Minnesota State Fair.”

For details, view this button in our collections database.

Learn More about the Minnesota State Fair:

• Spectacular Fair: the Minnesota State Fair podcast
• Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage
• Other Collections Up Close posts featuring Fair items
• State Fair images on Collections Online