Museum Collections Up Close : MNHS.ORG

Andersonville and Civil War Prisoners

Lori Williamson — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 22:17:06 +0000

Prisoner of war camps during the Civil War were often more dangerous than the battlefield. Watch to learn more about the system of prisoner exchanges and how circumstances deteriorated as the war dragged on. Andersonville is particularly noted, as many Minnesota soldiers spent time there.

Learn More:

Believe Me True: Victorian Valentines, 1840 – 1900

Lori Williamson — Thu, 07 Feb 2013 14:52:10 +0000

This episode features Victorian valentines from the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections, dating from 1840 to 1900. While the designs are vintage, the feelings expressed are timeless.

Produced by Lizzie Ehrenhalt

For more valentines, see Collections Online.

Weather or Not: Winter in Minnesota

Lori Williamson — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 23:11:59 +0000

As Minnesotans, we love to talk about the weather. Talk about it, obsess over it, live in it, love it. Or love hating it, at least. Since the Saint Paul Winter Carnival and Crashed Ice start soon, we thought this a good time to look at a variety of winter weather from images and film in our Collection, including an Easter snowball fight, winter swimming, -20 degrees, and blizzards. Enjoy the misery of others and maybe watch it again come July!

Produced by Sondra Reierson

Season’s Greetings!

Lori Williamson — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 15:53:19 +0000

View a selection of holiday greeting cards from the Minnesota Historical Society’s extensive collection. These are dated between 1878 – 1967. Enjoy!

Walter Mondale and the Public Affairs Collection

Lori Williamson — Wed, 21 Nov 2012 21:11:19 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society holds the Walter F. Mondale Papers and has one of the nation’s premier collections of government, politics, and public affairs materials. Watch to learn more about the collections and how to use these fabulous materials.

Learn More:

Shoes on Parade: Highlights from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Footwear Collection

Lori Williamson — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 17:11:22 +0000

View footwear highlights from the Minnesota Historical Society’s Collection featuring styles from the 18th century, through the 1920s, into the 1960s, and beyond.

Created by Lizzie Ehrenhalt

Learn More:

More shoes! in Collections Online
Materials about shoes in the Library Collection

Firefighting in Minnesota: A Salute to the Fallen

Lori Williamson — Fri, 28 Sep 2012 04:21:58 +0000

On September 30, 2012 a memorial for Minnesota’s fallen firefighters will be dedicated on the State Capitol grounds. This podcast highlights both the memorial and the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections related to firefighting in Minnesota.

Sondra Reierson, Collections Assistant

Learn More:

See Collections Online to view photographs and artifacts related to firefighting in Minnesota
See History Center Library website to search for books and manuscript collections
Visit the History Center Library, where staff can show you how to request materials and view film footage
For details about the memorial and the dedication ceremony, visit http://www.mnfireservicefoundation.org/ or http://www.facebook.com/MinnesotaFireServiceFoundation

The Road to Prohibition

Lori Williamson — Wed, 29 Aug 2012 15:31:41 +0000

In 1919 the Eighteenth Amendment was passed, banning the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol in the United States. Just a year before the law went into effect, Minnesota could boast 37 breweries producing over a million barrels of fermented liquors and distributing them to over 3,000 retail liquor dealers. In Minnesota, as in the nation as a whole, Prohibition was hardly established through consensus.

At the turn of the 20^th Century, about 70% of Minnesota’s population was either first or second generation American, so ethnic attitudes toward alcohol were very influential. Much of the state’s population favored moderation rather than total abstinence, but each group had some kind of temperance tradition.

The national temperance movement had been gaining steam in the United States since the 1870s, spurred by the growth of temperance organizations such as the Women’s Christian Temperance Union, or WCTU, the Anti-Saloon League, and the Prohibition Party.

The Minnesota Prohibition Party first entered a State gubernatorial race in 1869 and saw a surge in popularity in the 1880s, when Minnesota began enacting licensing fees for saloons as a way to encourage temperance. The Party began gaining real momentum after the turn of the twentieth century, winning its first seats in the Minnesota House in 1906. By 1915 a “county option” bill was passed by the Minnesota legislature, allowing entire counties to vote themselves dry.

World War I also facilitated prohibitionists’ goals. Wartime rationing led to the Food and Fuel Control Act, passed in August, 1917, which prohibited the use of foodstuffs in the manufacture of liquor across the country. And anti-German hysteria fueled by the Great War was channeled against German brewers, including Minnesota’s own Schell’s, Hamm’s, Yoerg, and Schmidt. The Anti-Saloon league went so far as to declare that “German brewers [...] have rendered thousands of men inefficient and are thus crippling the Republic in its war against Prussian militarism.”

The War Time Prohibition Act was passed in 1918 in order to save grain for the war effort. Meanwhile, in December 1917, a constitutional amendment resolution was passed and sent to the States for ratification. Minnesota’s 1918 referendum on the amendment failed narrowly but on January 17^th, 1919, the Minnesota Legislature ratified the federal Prohibition Amendment, making Minnesota the 39^th State to ratify the Eighteenth Amendment, which went into effect on January 17, 1920.

Congress passed the National Prohibition Act to enforce the 18^th Amendment. The law was sponsored by Minnesota’s Republican Congressman from Granite Falls, Andrew Volstead. Volstead was not a radical prohibitionist but sponsored the Act because, as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, he was expected to do so. The Volstead Act, while established the legal definition of intoxicating liquor and the penalties for producing it, was poorly enforced.

The ban on alcohol not only lacked popular consensus, but was difficult to enforce because of the public demand for illegal alcohol, which made criminals of producers and consumers. The nation would soon face the unintended consequences of prohibition: bootlegging, gambling, prostitution, organized crime, and corruption. While prohibition was in effect, Minnesota’s capitol city became a haven for gangsters such as John Dillinger, Babyface Nelson, Alvin Karpis, and the Barker gang. See the podcast “St. Paul: Gangster Haven” for details.

By 1933, widespread disrespect for the law led to the passage of the 21^st Amendment, which remains the only constitutional amendment approved for the explicit purpose of repealing another amendment. Prohibition officially ended December 15, 1933, to the delight of many Minnesotans, who waited in long lines at local breweries to enjoy their first legal beer in thirteen years.

Sondra Reierson, Collections Assistant

Learn More:

Inventions of Champions: How Minnesota Changed Breakfast

Lori Williamson — Wed, 18 Jul 2012 20:35:42 +0000

For many Americans, the word “breakfast” conjures up images of hearty bowls of cereal and toasters popping out slices of golden-brown bread. But it hasn’t always been this way. Explore how breakfast has changed over time and learn about Minnesotans’ impact on this most important and delicious meal of the day!

Have Sticker, Will Travel: Minnesota State Park Stickers

Lori Williamson — Wed, 20 Jun 2012 19:40:33 +0000

A recent acquisition of the State Archives came from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Included in this was a complete set of State Park Entrance Stickers. This podcast provides a brief history of use of Minnesota State Parks entrance stickers. State Archives collections are available through the Minnesota Historical Society’s Library.

Music Credit: Jason Shaw, Travel Light, at http://audionautix.com/(CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Learn More:

More information on the State Archive’s recent DNR acquisition
More information about Minnesota State Parks

Two Constitutions?

Lori Williamson — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:12:32 +0000

Minnesota is governed by two constitutions – why? Watch this short video to learn more. Hint: politicians not getting along is nothing new.

Learn More:

We the People: The First Official Printing of the U.S. Constitution is on view at the History Center through July 4, 2012
See full scans of the two Minnesota State Constitutions

Music credit:

“Indiana Polka” By Edmund Jaeger, arranged by J. Schatzman, originally published 1856. From the Library of Congress, Civil War Band Music site.

Photographing Minnehaha Falls

Lori Williamson — Thu, 10 May 2012 21:19:01 +0000

With summer just around the corner and prime picnicking season already upon us, we present a century’s worth of images of that perennial warm-weather sightseeing destination: Minnehaha Falls. Tourists and naturalists alike have long appreciated the falls and surrounding parkland for their dramatic views, shady woods and abundant wildlife. Luckily for future generations, they documented their trips in photographs, many of which are preserved in the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Music credit: Cian Nugent, “Grass Above My Head,” recorded live at WFMU on The Long Rally with Scott McDowell, December 16, 2011 (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0)

Release of the 1940 Federal Census

Lori Williamson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 19:26:02 +0000

This short video addresses the release of the 1940 Federal Census, including what kind of information it contains and how to access it. It also mentions the resources the Minnesota Historical Society has to help find people in it, as indexing will not be complete for another six months or so.

Moving the Sessions Laws

Lori Williamson — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 15:44:05 +0000

The Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie, recently requested the transfer of the state’s Session Laws to the State Archives of the Minnesota Historical Society. This podcast describes these important historical records, shows the moving process, and explains how they will be preserved for future generations.

Introducing Collections Online

Lori Williamson — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 22:33:13 +0000

Have you been wondering how to use our fabulous new search tool, Collections Online? Take a look at this video for helpful hints to get started finding photographs, objects, artwork, oral histories, moving images, maps, and more! You control the search; you have the power to make it as wide or narrow as need be, so have fun searching!

Music credit: Sometimes (Michael Chapman) / CCBY 3.0

Learn More:

Collections Online

What a Picture is Worth: The Sadie and Emma Ray Photography Collection

Lori Williamson — Mon, 27 Feb 2012 20:59:15 +0000

When genealogists set out to piece together the lives of their research subjects, they often concentrate on text-based sources like letters, city directories and vital records. But photographs also provide a wealth of information about the lives of the people they capture, and can be used to fill in gaps in written histories. The Sadie and Emma Ray Photography Collection takes viewers on a tour through 25 years of one Minnesota family’s life at the beginning of the twentieth century, its images offering an emotional depth that can be hard to find in a birth certificate or census form.

Becoming a Citizen: Naturalization Records, 1850 – 1930

Lori Williamson — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:16:34 +0000

In a nation of immigrants, becoming a citizen — being “naturalized” — has been an important part of our personal and national history. The naturalization process, and the records that document that process, have changed over time. Learn about these changes and about related resources available at the Minnesota Historical Society Library.

Learn More:

Family History Immigration Resources in the Library

History on Ice!

Lizzie Ehrenhalt — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:04:07 +0000

Ice skating has long been part of Minnesota’s identity and winter traditions. In this podcast we examine the beginnings of the sport in the state as well as some early innovators who had national and worldwide impact. Enjoy the history, and then get out there – the ice is perfect!
Sondra Reierson

Music credit: Chabrier – España ft. NE Iowa high school musicians (Jason Weinberger & the WCFSO) / CC BY 3.0

The Hill House Servants: Life Downstairs

Lori Williamson — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 23:06:29 +0000

Not unlike the divided household of Downton Abbey, we have a dramatic example of upstairs/downstairs life right here in Minnesota. The “Empire Builder” James J. Hill and his family were the primary occupants of 240 Summit Avenue but another, less familiar group of people lived there as well: the 10 to 12 live-in domestic servants who did the cleaning, cooking, laundry, and maintenance work at the house. In piecing together the stories of these servants, information is culled from a variety of sources that can be found in the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

Beyond the Doughboy: Minnesota Mascots

Lori Williamson — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 22:55:38 +0000

Explore the curious, cute, weird, and wonderful world of mascots who represent the Great State of Minnesota. From a lumberjack and Twins to a gopher and a duck, the mascots are a recognizable part of life in Minnesota and often our ambassadors to the world beyond.

Primary vs. Secondary Sources

Lori Williamson — Wed, 16 Nov 2011 22:40:04 +0000

Often students come in to the Library with assignments to do research in primary source materials, but find that they’re not quite sure what a primary source is. This video provides a brief discussion of primary and secondary sources with examples from the Society’s collections.

A Brief History of Bow Ties

Lori Williamson — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 14:20:45 +0000

This informative piece on the history of bow ties focuses on those in the Minnesota Historical Society’s Collection. Consider updating your look using tried and true retro fashion! Part of the ‘Things Used to be Cooler’ series. Watch for more fashion and living tips from the past coming soon!

The 1968 Exhibit

Lori Williamson — Tue, 11 Oct 2011 14:13:37 +0000

The events, politics, movements, music and television of the late Sixties return in The 1968 Exhibit. Objects Curator Matt Anderson takes a look at some of the exhibit’s artifacts drawn from the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection.

Music credit: “Slow Burn,” performed by Kevin MacLeod (CC BY 3.0).

Learn More:

The Kensington Runestone: a Minnesota Mystery

Lori Williamson — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 21:04:10 +0000

The Kensington Runestone has been a point of controversy, contention, pride, and interest since it was discovered in 1898 by Swedish immigrant farmer Olof Ohman. Reference Specialist Debbie Miller discusses the story behind this important piece of Minnesota history and some of the resources the Minnesota Historical Society has relating to it. Uppsala University Professor Henrik Williams also gives a brief introduction to what runes are and what they are not.

Spectacular Fair: the Minnesota State Fair

Lori Williamson — Mon, 22 Aug 2011 15:00:52 +0000

The Minnesota State Fair is nothing if not full of spectacle. Collections Assistant Christopher Welter shares a few of the thousands of State Fair photos in the Society’s collection, with a special emphasis on the fair’s more spectacular offerings over the years.

Learn More:

See more State Fair images
Minnesota State Fair Walking Tour
Watch Minnesota State Fair in Archival Footage
Purchase book about the State Fair from the MHS Press

Railroad Collections at the Minnesota Historical Society

Lori Williamson — Tue, 09 Aug 2011 20:17:31 +0000

Minnesota has a vast railroad history, both as a gateway to the Pacific Northwest and as home to several major railroad companies. The Society’s collections document this legacy through artifacts used on the railroads and through the corporate papers of the Great Northern, the Northern Pacific, the Soo Line and others. Curator Matt Anderson and Reference Librarian Hamp Smith take a closer look at these collections.

Learn More:

Political Landscape: Jerome Liebling’s Minnesota Capitol Photographs, 1956 – 1969

Lori Williamson — Thu, 28 Jul 2011 15:45:20 +0000

Jerome Liebling began his career as a photographer in New York in the 1940s. In 1949, his move to Minnesota shifted his work to a more rural landscape. His art, however, maintained its focus on people and the spaces that they occupy. During the late 1950s, a time when Minnesota was becoming nationally known for its politics, Liebling began photographing Minnesotan politicians. Recently, Jerome Liebling donated to the Minnesota Historical Society nearly 200 black and white photographs of these images, the majority of which are documenting activities of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. During his years in Minnesota, he trained countless artist photographers in the Fine Arts department at the University of Minnesota. In this way, as did the politicians in his photographs, Jerome Liebling has left his own legacy in our state. He passed away on July 27, 2011.

Learn More:

Photos by Jerome Liebling in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection

More photos by Jerome Liebling

The 1968 Exhibit Blog: Wallace Visits MN, Liebling is there

Item of the Day

Michael J. Dowling Silent Film

Adam Harris — Fri, 24 Jun 2011 17:04:05 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to make available a silent film clip featuring Michael J. Dowling (1866-1921). Dowling, a Minnesota politician, newspaper publisher, businessmen, and spokesperson for those with physical disabilities lost both legs, most of one arm and part of another to frostbite when he was young. During and after World War I Dowling crusaded for the rehabilitation of veterans disabled during the war. This film clip, first shown at a meeting of the American Medical Association in 1918, graphically demonstrates how Mr. Dowling was able to function very successfully in spite of his handicap. He is shown driving a car, traveling, and conducting regular business operations. This film when fully cataloged will become part of the Dowling family papers and available for research use in the MHS Library.

A quote from Mr. Dowling after the film premiere: “Now, an arm being gone is a mere bagatelle, two arms don’t amount to anything, and I can assure you from personal experience that it doesn’t mean anything to have both legs and both hands gone. There is just as much fun in living. What the so-called cripple needs is not charity but a chance.”

Duane Swanson
Manuscripts Curator

Don’t Say Underwear, Say Munsingwear

Adam Harris — Thu, 05 May 2011 16:05:12 +0000

For nearly 100 years after its founding in 1886, the Munsingwear Company was known for its innovations in both style and manufacturing techniques and materials. The largest producer of branded underwear in the U.S., it was also the largest employer of women in Minnesota. Curator Linda McShannock explores the company’s numerous “firsts” over the course of its 100 year history, embodied by the slogan “Don’t say underwear – say Munsingwear”

War for the West: Minnesota regiments in the Civil War

Adam Harris — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 17:17:05 +0000

While the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry is well known for its service at Gettysburg, the state sent 21 other military units to the Civil War. In this episode, Brian Pease shares the stories of three of Minnesota’s lesser known units, each of which made important contributions in the war’s Western Theater.

The return of four of Minnesota’s recently-conserved battle flags to the State Capitol will be celebrated with Civil War Flag Day at the Capitol on Saturday, April 9. The event is free and open to the public.

Learn more:

March of the Doughboys

Adam Harris — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 18:56:40 +0000

We celebrate the Pillsbury Doughboy, arguably Minnesota’s best-known advertising icon, with a look at some of the nearly 600 objects in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection that feature Poppin’ Fresh. Many of these items are drawn from the Richard Ferrell Flour Milling Industry History Collection.

Bringing your class to the library

Adam Harris — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 16:13:38 +0000

Did you know that as a teacher you can bring your class to visit the library? Once here, your students can use our books, audio-visual materials, newspapers, maps, manuscript collections, and public records to research local historical events and topics in Minnesota’s history.

For more information, visit the library’s class visits page.

Donation Decisions: An Inside Look

Adam Harris — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 17:48:56 +0000

Bringing a new donation into the collection isn’t a simple matter. Curators evaluate each offer based on its physical condition, its unique story, and its potential exhibit and research uses. In this episode, we take a behind-the-scenes look at the Minnesota Historical Society’s thorough and thoughtful donation process.

St. Paul Winter Carnival

Matt Anderson — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 22:00:38 +0000

It’s time once again for the St. Paul Winter Carnival, and Reference Librarian Hamp Smith celebrates with a look at Winter Carnival materials in the Society’s collections. Highlights include photographs, personal diaries, marching uniforms, and film footage of the 1916 and 1942 parades.

St. Paul’s Trailblazing Policewoman

Adam Harris — Mon, 10 Jan 2011 13:12:21 +0000

Carolen Bailey was a pioneer for women in law enforcement across the country and especially in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where she spent her career proving a woman’s ability to perform the same duties as her male counterparts. Working her way up from the Juvenile Division, Bailey became the first female homicide investigator in Saint Paul in 1969. Collections Assistant Sondra Reierson shares the story of Mrs. Bailey and highlights some of the objects and papers she donated to the Minnesota Historical Society in 1991.

Learn More:

Finding aid for materials relating to Carolen Bailey

Victorian Wire Wrap Ornaments

Adam Harris — Thu, 16 Dec 2010 15:15:01 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society holds many Christmas-related objects, including a number of elaborate, hand-made ornaments from the Victorian era. Volunteer Kelly Ryan explains the materials and techniques commonly used in making these ornaments and highlights several examples from the Collection.

St. Paul: Gangster Haven

Adam Harris — Tue, 07 Dec 2010 20:42:00 +0000

St. Paul had a widespread – if inglorious – reputation as a criminal safe haven during the Gangster Era of the 1930s. In this episode, Government Records Specialist Charles Rodgers shares several items from the Society’s collection associated with that colorful age.

Learn More:

1963 Andersen – Rolvaag Election Recount

John Fulton — Mon, 29 Nov 2010 22:33:03 +0000

Reposted from November 19, 2008

Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman explains the complicated events that led to the 1963 recount. A variety of film from the KSTP-TV Archive shows us the players in this newly relevant drama including Elmer Andersen, Karl Rolvaag, the voters, the judges and vote-counters, and even JFK.

For Minnesota news outlets to rebroadcast any of this footage, the Minnesota Historical Society must be credited as well as an on-screen synchronous credit reading ‘KSTP-TV ARCHIVE’. This credit must appear on-screen, at the same time as the news film for a minimum of five seconds and be of such font style and size that it is easily legible to a reasonable viewer of the news film.

To learn more, see Patrick Coleman’s article “No, this isn’t an opportunity to steal an election,” Saint Paul Pioneer Press, November 19, 2008.

See also the Governors of Minnesota homepage.

Armistice Day Blizzard of 1940

Adam Harris — Wed, 10 Nov 2010 17:00:39 +0000

On November 11th of each year, Americans celebrate Veteran’s Day, acknowledging the services and sacrifices of the men and women of the American military. But in the minds of many Minnesotans the day evokes an additional memory: that of a powerful winter storm that exploded over Minnesota in 1940 and is remembered today as the Armistice Day Blizzard. Collections Assistant Tony Krosschell discusses this tragic event that took over 150 lives and its impact on the National Weather Service’s forecasting practices.

Women’s Suffrage: 90th Anniversary

Adam Harris — Mon, 01 Nov 2010 19:45:13 +0000

This year, 2010, is the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote. Linda McShannock, Object Curator at the Minnesota Historical Society, shows objects from the Collection relating to the important Women’s Suffrage Movement. We also learn that pink was not the first color to be associated with a cause!

Immigrant Oral Histories

Adam Harris — Mon, 25 Oct 2010 15:10:20 +0000

Since 1948 the Minnesota Historical Society has used oral history to collect stories of our state’s past. Project Assistant Jillian Odland shares oral history interviews conducted with new immigrants and refugees, which have recently been digitized and are now available in two web resources: Becoming Minnesotan and Immigrant Oral Histories.

Military Records

Adam Harris — Thu, 14 Oct 2010 20:53:49 +0000

Military service has been an important event in the lives of many Minnesotans since the state’s earliest years. The Minnesota State Archives, part of the Minnesota Historical Society Collections, is a rich resource for documenting Minnesotans’ service in the state’s National Guard as well as overseas. The collection is particularly strong for the period from the Civil War through World War I, with less complete documentation through the Vietnam War.

Folding Reed Organ

Matt Anderson — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 16:17:02 +0000

Curator Matt Anderson shares the story behind a World War II-era folding reed organ used at the Fort Snelling post hospital. Organist Sally Reynolds performs the hymn “Rock of Ages” on the recently-conserved instrument.

Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage

Lori Williamson — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:30:35 +0000

Is it cheating to declare something we made as a Favorite Thing? Perhaps, but we’ve all got that Minnesota State Fair excitement around here and would like to share these great clips again. Take a look!

Artifact and Rare Book Handling: To Glove or Not to Glove?

Lori Williamson — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 14:11:12 +0000

When handling rare and often valuable historic objects and books, are gloves always necessary? Object Curator Matt Anderson and Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman discuss when gloves are helpful versus when they do more harm than good; several specific examples are shown.

Minnesota’s Connection to Glacier National Park

Jillian Odland — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 14:51:22 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society is home to a large variety of documents, books, and photographs related to Glacier National Park in Northwestern Montana. In this podcast Collections Assistant Jillian Odland explains Minnesota’s connection to the foundation and history this spectacular park.

Hearing History: Sounds of the Collection

Matt Anderson — Mon, 21 Jun 2010 09:31:01 +0000

Seeing historic objects is a wonderful experience, but some things are meant to be heard. In this episode, Objects Curator Matt Anderson listens to a few items from the collection that are either pleasant-sounding, melodic, or just plain noisy.

Death From Above: Minnesota Paratroopers in World War II

Matt Anderson — Fri, 28 May 2010 10:30:34 +0000

Paratroopers jumped into danger during the D-Day invasion of Normandy and in campaigns across the globe during World War II. To mark Memorial Day and the anniversary of D-Day, curator Matt Anderson introduces a few of Minnesota’s own airborne soldiers while looking at their personal artifacts found within the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

New Sculptures from the Collection

Lori Williamson — Mon, 10 May 2010 16:26:48 +0000

Art Curator Brian Szott shows three new additions to the Minnesota Historical Society’s Art Collection, including two modernist sculptures of Mother and Child.

Stillwater Prison Industries

Matt Anderson — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 17:30:43 +0000

Charles Rodgers, Government Records Specialist, takes a look at Stillwater Prison Industries. Since the 1890s, inmates have manufactured everything from twine to office furniture. The Society’s collections include records, reports, photographs, and sample products that illuminate this unique enterprise.

150 Year-Old Civil War Hardtack!

Lori Williamson — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:55:29 +0000

Curator Matt Anderson shows a very old piece of food from the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection: an original piece of hardtack from the Civil War. It’s one of the more bizarre items in the collection, and an edible that was made to last.

Photographs from the Hill Family Collection

Jillian Odland — Tue, 02 Feb 2010 21:40:06 +0000

The Hill Family Collection, which includes the papers of St. Paul tycoon James J. Hill and other Hill family members, contains over 8,000 individual photographs and graphic images. In this podcast project cataloger Jillian Odland shares just a few examples of the many photos, drawings, paintings, and posters found in the collection.

Fine Press and Artists’ Books

Pat Coleman — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 21:11:22 +0000

Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman explains what fine press and artists’ books are, why we collect them, and their importance to the culture of Minnesota. Several examples of these important works are shown; all are available in the Minnesota Historical Society Library.

Minnesotans and the Space Program

Matt Anderson — Wed, 02 Dec 2009 20:50:11 +0000

This year marks the 40th anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. We commemorate this milestone with a look at some of the Minnesotans who have contributed their talents to NASA over the years, along with some of the space-related objects in the Society’s collection. The space program endures as another legacy of Minnesota’s Greatest Generation.

How Your Library Book Gets to You

Pat Coleman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 23:17:31 +0000

Patrons of the Society’s library know that it has “closed stacks.” Reference Assistants retrieve your requested books and bring them to you. In this episode, Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman takes us behind the scenes to see where the books are stored, and how they make their way to the reading room.

Conserving Minnesota’s Battle Flags

Matt Anderson — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 23:37:55 +0000

The Minnesota Historical Society recently began a project to conserve several Civil War and Spanish American War battle flags. Doug Bekke, Assistant to the Textile Conservator, explains the painstaking process of examining and treating each of these historic banners.

Preserving Death: Funerary Objects

Matt Anderson — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:17:20 +0000

We get into the Halloween spirit with a podcast on death-related objects in the Society’s collection. Curator Matt Anderson provides an overview of changing funeral customs, and then shares a look at a casket, a hearse, tombstones, and more.

Good Government through Digital Infrastructure and Preservation

Lori Williamson — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 17:54:08 +0000

Through the Library of Congress’ National Digital Information Infrastructure and Preservation Program (NDIIPP) the Minnesota Historical Society and its partners are developing a way to preserve and provide access to the digital records of state legislatures. Margaret Anderson Kelliher, Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Robert Horton, Minnesota Historical Society’s Director of Library, Publications and Collections, discuss the importance of creating a digital trail that documents, records, and preserves the records of today’s electronic legislature.

The Ferrell Collection: Cataloging and Photography

Matt Anderson — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 22:09:32 +0000

Collections Assistants Jane Wong and John Fulton discuss their efforts to catalog and photograph more than 3,000 different objects in the Richard Ferrell Flour Milling Industry History Collection. The size of the collection, together with some of the unusual items it contained, presented special challenges. You can learn more about the collection from Mr. Ferrell himself in an earlier podcast.

The Biggest Thing in the Collection

Matt Anderson — Thu, 06 Aug 2009 16:16:39 +0000

One of our most frequently asked questions is, What is the biggest thing in the Society’s collection? Objects Curator Matt Anderson provides the answer in this podcast. It certainly stands out – even among the various cars, boats and wagons in the collection.

Highlights from the Hill Family Collection

Jillian Odland — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 19:26:21 +0000

Hill project cataloger Jillian Odland shares some fun and quirky objects, photos and letters she’s found while working on the papers of St. Paul railroad baron James J. Hill, his son Louis W. Hill, and other Hill family members.

Flour Power: The Richard Ferrell Collection

John Fulton — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 20:31:04 +0000

Avid collector and donor Richard Ferrell describes how he got into collecting and the lessons he learned on the way to amassing the Richard Ferrell Flour Milling Industry History Collection, now a part of the Historical Society’s collections.

In Search of Lorenzo Lawrence

Ellen Miller — Tue, 26 May 2009 19:24:05 +0000

In Search of Lorenzo Lawrence is a story about identity lost and found. Dr. Elden Lawrence (Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota) is a Dakota scholar and writer. For the past several years, Elden has been doing research in the MHS collections, trying to find out more about his ancestor Lorenzo Lawrence, who played a key role in the 1862 U.S.-Dakota War. Lorenzo Lawrence is an enigmatic and controversial figure. Well-known in the 1860s, by the late 1880s he disappears into the mists of time. Elden is slowly piecing together the puzzle of Lorenzo’s life. His biggest thrill came in September 2008 when, through a chance meeting with a stranger, he found a photograph of Lorenzo Lawrence. Directed and produced by Ellen Miller and John Fulton.

1955 Ford Sedan: Vehicle for Family History

Matt Anderson — Mon, 04 May 2009 15:45:57 +0000

Collections Curator Matt Anderson presents the story of a 1955 Ford Sedan MHS acquired for the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation exhibit. The car was purchased new, and then driven by three generations of the Bergan-Carr family before arriving in our collection. Oral history, family photos, and film of the St. Paul Ford plant add to the story.

Read more about the car’s technical specifications in a separate post under “Our Favorite Things.”

The Ramsey Piano

Matt Anderson — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:21:50 +0000

Cindy Olsen, Acting Site Manager at the Alexander Ramsey House, discusses conservation work recently done to the house’s 1872 Steinway grand piano, and the unusual circumstances involved in the preservation of a musical instrument. Pianist Jeremy Roth accompanies her comments with Bach’s “Prelude in C Major.”

Preserving Digital Content in the 21st Century

Matt Anderson — Thu, 26 Mar 2009 17:20:22 +0000

Bob Horton, Director of Library, Publications & Collections, takes a look at the considerable challenges involved in preserving digital content. While content keeps growing and storage media keep changing, historical organizations struggle to keep up.

Delisle globe, 1765 – Quicktime VR

Lori Williamson — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:15:51 +0000

Take a spin!

The Delisle Globe is a spectacular and important recent addition to our collection and is currently on view in the Minnesota on the Map exhibit.

We can now offer you the chance to move and manipulate this amazing and fragile 1765 French globe yourself in ways one never could in real life. Take your mouse, click and move the globe around. See it from different viewpoints, zoom in and visit the Northwest Passage, Lake Superior, or the mysterious cities in the lower Mississippi Valley.

Delisle globe, 1765

Pat Coleman — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 14:56:33 +0000

Map Curator Pat Coleman gives us an introduction to ‘Minnesota on the Map:’ Four Centuries of Maps from the Minnesota Historical Society Collection: an exhibit he has curated that opens on February 28. The exhibit includes 100 maps from the MHS collection of over 22,000. Pat also shares his insights to a recently acquired globe from 1765.

View 3-D version of the Delisle globe

Click on picture to read caption

1765

Guillaume Delisle

Globe Terrestre: Revu et Corrige sur les Dernieres Observations et les Meilleurs Carties… Paris: Desnos.

As beautiful and as informational as maps can be, globes literally add a third dimension. They are fabulous artifacts that allow a user to interact with maps in a way that a two dimensional map cannot. Mid 18^th -century French globes are considered to be among the finest examples of the art of globe making. This globe, based on the cartographic work of Guillaume Delisle, is interesting in the extreme.

To begin with, Delisle was a cartographic “rock star”. He was born in Paris in 1675, the son of Claude Delisle, a famous geographer and historian. Trained in mathematics and astronomy, Guillaume was perfectly suited to make scientific corrections on earlier Dutch cartography. Delisle made giant leaps forward in mapmaking. For his work he was appointed “Premier Geographe du Roi” in 1718.

This globe is not representative of Delisle’s most accurate cartography, however. There are many inaccuracies on the North American continent alone. Notice the two North West passages, which are clearly based on wishful thinking, and the Mer de l’Ouest, (Sea of the West), is shockingly incorrect. Since Delisle had been dead for 40 years when this globe was made, and since Delisle was know for excluding hearsay on his maps, it seems safe to conclude that his successors- his younger brother, Joseph-Nicholas Delisle and his nephew Philippe Buache – were responsible for the “Mer de l’Ouest,” based on the supposed voyage of an Admiral de Fonte who claimed to have found a river that flowed through North America. Ten years later Cook’s voyage would disprove the existence of both these inaccuracies. California is still attached to the mainland on this globe, but the shape of the Great Lakes are poorly rendered for the time period and the Missouri and Rio Grande (Rio del Norte) have nearly identical headwaters. The Mississippi River takes an exaggerated eastward bend but the location of the head of the river is a fairly accurate guess. All of these strange features add to the fascination of the globe.

There are two cartouches (think of a cartouche as the title page and copyright page of a book) and an advertisement printed on the globe. The main cartouche promises that the globe is “revised and corrected on the latest observations and the best maps” and, of course, is dedicated to the king of France. The other main cartouche mentions “Delisle, the astronomer…” as the cartographer behind this terrestrial globe that was “Monte par l’Auteur” or “mounted” by Desnos the publisher. The globe also shows the routes of the explorers via dotted lines suggesting the inclusion of information gathered from those excursions.

Globes dating from the 18^th century are extremely rare, which might lead one to assume that they were not widely used in their day. This is not the case at all. Globes were common educational tools used in classrooms, libraries, and even as navigational instruments on ships. It is their inherent fragility that has led to their scarcity.

Help us preserve and display the Delisle Globe.

Day in the Life of Dan Cagley, Collections Manager

John Fulton — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 17:22:28 +0000

How do the Historical Society’s objects move into exhibits, or in and out of the building? To find out, we throw the spotlight on one of the solid citizens of the Society, our unheralded Collections Manager Dan Cagley. He keeps over 250,000 3–D objects safe and available. We follow Dan over the course of a typical busy day as he processes new acquisitions, creates a mount, and pulls and returns objects in storage.

Cased Images – Daguerreotypes and Tintypes

John Fulton — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:00:05 +0000

Just what is the difference between a daguerreotype and a tintype? Photo curator Diane Adams-Graf explains what distinguishes these two early photographic processes. Actual daguerreotypes and tintypes are pulled apart and viewed in detail. (3 min. 8 sec.)

View Daguerreotypes and Tintypes in the Society’s Visual Resources Database
Explore the history of photography further in the Directory of Minnesota Photographers

The Hill Family Collection

Jillian Odland — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 20:30:19 +0000

Early in 2008 the papers of legendary Minnesota businessman James J. Hill and several of his family members were transferred from the James J. Hill Reference Library in St. Paul to the Minnesota History Center, just a few blocks away. In this podcast, learn about the history and contents of the collection and the reasons for the move, and catch a behind-the-scenes glimpse of the incredible process of relocating almost 2500 boxes of valuable historical documents, photographs, books and artifacts.

A Selection of Minnesota Quilts

Jillian Odland — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 20:00:03 +0000

A quilt can be something to keep you toasty warm on a chilly night, but it can also be a work of art. Quilts today are often created as serious artistic expression, but quilters of earlier centuries also could focus their work on artistry as much as utility. Textile curator Linda McShannock shows us some of her favorite examples of these artistic quilts from the Society’s collection, ranging in date from the 18th Century to the present.

Clem Haupers: Minnesota Artist

John Fulton — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 18:08:44 +0000

Art Curator Brian Szott discusses the life and work of St. Paul artist Clem Haupers. From his birth in St. Paul, his time in Paris, his stint as Minnesota director of the Federal Art Project to his art and teaching career afterwards, Szott combines the timeline of Haupers’s life with a critical appreciation of his paintings and prints. Highlights include many examples of the art itself along with archival interviews with the artist.

View photos of Clement Haupers, Clara Gardner Mairs, and their artwork. Learn more about the Federal Arts Project in Minnesota. You can also explore Haupers’s and Mairs’s papers, and read and hear interviews with Haupers, in the History Center Library.

The Younger Brothers: After the Attempted Robbery

Lori Williamson — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 22:38:49 +0000

Everyone knows the story of the attempted bank robbery in Northfield by the James-Younger gang, when the townspeople rose up to defend their bank and thwarted the infamous would-be robbers. The gang fled the scene and split up; however, the Younger Brothers were captured later near Madelia, Minnesota. Government Records Specialist Charlie Rodgers tells the story of what happened to the brothers after their capture in this podcast.

Learn More:

Minnesota State Fair in Archival Film Footage

John Fulton — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:52:03 +0000

In our tribute to the MN State Fair, Collections Assistant John Fulton digs into the KSTP-TV news film Archive to find some stories that recall Fairs gone by. A taste of the large amount of film in the society’s collection.

View posters and photos on the Fair in the Visual Resources Database
Order the books State Fair, Blue Ribbon or The Great Dan Patch and the Remarkable Mr. Savage in the online store
Share your own story about the Minnesota State Fair

1892 Republican National Convention in Minneapolis

Pat Coleman — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 13:51:16 +0000

As a prelude to this year’s Republican National Convention in Saint Paul, Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman takes a look back at the last time the Twin Cities hosted a national convention, the 1892 Republican Convention in Minneapolis. Then as now, the metro area took center stage with a huge influx of delegates, supporters, and of course, media. However, the conditions and the possibility of a surprise outcome were rather different. Take a listen!

1950s Tourist Cabins

Matt Anderson — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 19:40:01 +0000

Curator Matt Anderson celebrates the summer road trip season with a look at an early predecessor to the modern motel: the tourist cabin. One cabin from the Star Harbor Resort near Two Harbors, complete with its furnishings and appliances, is highlighted. The cabin is now in the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society.

View photos of tourist cabins in general, and of the Star Harbor Resort in particular, in the Visual Resources Database. Purchase copies of Cabins of Minnesota and Minnesota Vacation Days in the online store. Learn more about one segment of the “hot pillow trade” in Minnesota under “History Topics.”

Suburban Richfield

Matt Anderson — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 16:07:02 +0000

In recognition of the “Suburban World” exhibit now showing at the History Center, we take a look at Richfield, a classic Minnesota postwar suburb. Excerpts from oral histories with long-time Richfield residents are featured, along with historic photos and documents from the community. (5 min. 8 sec. / 3.91 MB)

See additional photos of suburban Richfield in the Visual Resources Database. Read about the postwar boom at the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation “In Their Words” website. Order the book Richfield: Minnesota’s Oldest Suburb from the online store. Learn more at the Richfield Historical Society.

RetroRama – A Celebration of ’50s Suburbia

Lori Williamson — Mon, 12 May 2008 20:16:15 +0000

Although RetroRama is over, you can still appreciate our trip into the basement at the History Center to examine and pull items from the MHS Collection that speak to the culture and fashion of the 1950s. We documented what we found and thought we’d share it with you…enjoy!

Learn More:

Streetcars in St. Paul and Minneapolis

Matt Anderson — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 20:59:10 +0000

Matt Anderson, Objects Curator, looks at the history of streetcars in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Trolley-related artifacts, photos and film footage in the Society’s collection are featured. (4 min. 41 sec. / 12.2 MB)

Learn more about the Minnesota Historical Society’s trolley resources at the streetcars History Topics page. Read about streetcars in the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation Share Your Story page. See trolley photos in the Visual Resources Database. Learn about streetcars on the Selby-Lake line at the Right on Lake Street exhibit page. Purchase a copy of Twin Cities by Trolley in the online store.

1950s Fashion in the MHS Collection

Matt Anderson — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 14:02:58 +0000

Curator Linda McShannock explores 1950s fashion through dresses, hats, shoes and accessories in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection.

Fashion was the focus of the first in the Society’s popular series of RetroRama programs. The next RetroRama event takes place on May 15, 2008.

Civilian Conservation Corps

Matt Anderson — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 16:25:51 +0000

This month marks the 75th anniversary of the Civilian Conservation Corps, established March 31, 1933. Curator Matt Anderson commemorates the occasion with a look at CCC pieces in the Minnesota Historical Society’s collection. (4 min. 32 sec. / 11.7 MB)

The CCC is a focus of the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation project. Visit MGG’s In Their Words site to read accounts from CCC participants. Explore John Buskowiak’s trunk through a virtual presentation. Add your CCC story (or that of a friend or relative) to MGG’s Share Your Story site. Visit the State Historic Preservation Office site to search for surviving Minnesota CCC structures, including Camp Rabideau in Beltrami County. Purchase a copy of Hard Work and a Good Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps in Minnesota in the Online Store.

Bishop Whipple Collection of American Indian Art

Lori Williamson — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 22:57:46 +0000

Senior Curator Marcia Anderson gives a brief overview of the new exhibit Selections from the Bishop Whipple Collection of American Indian Art, now on view at the Minnesota History Center. This podcast includes biographical information about Bishop Whipple as well as a closer look at a few pieces from his fabulous collection. (6 min. / 3.64 MB)

Picturing Fort Snelling

Matt Anderson — Fri, 25 Jan 2008 01:33:29 +0000

Brian Szott, Curator of Art, looks at changing views of Fort Snelling seen through artwork and photography of the 19th and 20th Centuries. (6 min. 46 sec. / 17.5 MB)

Additional images of Fort Snelling can be seen in the Visual Resources Database. More about Fort Snelling artist Seth Eastman can be found under History Topics, and at the exhibit page for Seth Eastman: Artist on the Frontier.

Camera Ojibwe – The Photos

Matt Anderson — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 20:32:35 +0000

Diane Adams-Graf, Curator of Sound & Visual Collections, and Marcia Anderson, Senior Curator, discuss photographs featured in the 2007 exhibit “Camera Ojibwe.”

We Are at Home, the book by Bruce White that inspired “Camera Ojibwe,” is available in the Online Store.

28th Virginia Infantry Battle Flag Captured at Gettysburg

Matt Anderson — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 22:35:13 +0000

Objects Curator Matt Anderson takes a look at the Virginia battle flag captured by the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Infantry during Pickett’s Charge at Gettysburg on July 3, 1863. (3 min. 15 sec. / 8.42 MB)

Franzman Altar: 03 Installation

Matt Anderson — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 22:00:42 +0000

Watch Minnesota Historical Society staff members as they move the altar from the basement Conservation Lab and install it in the MN150 gallery. (2 min. 40 sec. / 13.1 MB)

Franzman Altar: 02 Object and Textile Treatments

admin — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:59:16 +0000

Watch Conservators Tom Braun and Ann Frisina clean and repair the altar to prepare it for display in MN150. (6 min. 5 sec. / 30.2 MB)

Franzman Altar: 01 Introduction and Unpacking

Matt Anderson — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:57:39 +0000

Senior Curator Marcia Anderson shares the story behind the church altar carved by John Franzman and now on display in the MN150 exhibit. Objects Conservator Tom Braun is seen unpacking the altar’s components as they arrive at the Minnesota Historical Society. (3 min. 10 sec. / 15.4 MB)

Looking Back/Moving Forward

Matt Anderson — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:52:53 +0000

Brian Szott, Curator of Art, shares five of his favorite new additions to the Minnesota Historical Society’s fine art collection. (3 min. 38 sec. / 2.08 MB)

I-35W Bridge Resources at the Minnesota Historical Society

Matt Anderson — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:50:20 +0000

Shawn Rounds, Government Records Specialist, describes plans, photographs and records from the Interstate 35W bridge across the Mississippi River that collapsed on August 1, 2007. (3 min. 33 sec. / 17.3 MB)

Find more on the bridge at the Minnesota Historical Society Library’s I-35W Bridge Resources page.

Pulp Fiction

Pat Coleman — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 21:47:04 +0000

Acquisitions Librarian Patrick Coleman takes a look at the seamy, steamy and entertaining world of Minnesota pulp fiction. (5 min. 12 sec. / 26 MB)

Explore more books from the 1930s through the 1950s with the Books of an Era timeline at the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation In Their Words web site.