A mariner’s compass cotton pieced quilt top featuring 12 repeating blocks of compass pattern in red, tan, gold and faded tan on a white background. Red sashing and cone-shaped border in red and tan. Made by Katherine Hogan of Dawson, Minnesota, circa 1850.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this quilt in our collections database.

A 1/6th plate daguerreotype showing a young Thomas B. Walker and an unidentified man in 1852. Walker made his fortune in timber and went on to found the Minneapolis Public Library and the Walker Art Center.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this daguerreotype in our collections database.

A sterling silver cup with repousse ornamentation in shield and scrollery designs on sides. “MATTIE” engraved on side and “Tiffany and Co./G&W/14/1759″ engraved on base. Circa 1852-53.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this cup in our collections database.

A tanned deerskin coat, Cherokee, circa the mid-19th century. At the lower back is a tree, entwined with vines, in which two Eastern bluebirds and two Baltimore orioles are perched. In the center upper section of the cape is a bald eagle and on each sleeve above the cuff is a turkey. Embroidered over the decorative hem bands are: “J. M. Payne / Nancy Riley / 1854 / Polly Weber / Cherokee”.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this jacket in our collections database.

An 1858 daguerreotype portrait of George W. Northrup posing with his gold mining equipment. Northrup was famous in Minnesota for his frontiersman exploits.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)

A cotton patchwork quilt with a simple pinwheel pattern, made in the 1850s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this quilt in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)

A daguerreotype of St. Anthony Falls showing the houses and businesses along the river. Made in 1852.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)

A rare stereographic daguerreotype showing St. Anthony falls in Minneapolis in the 1850s.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)

A carved oak fragment of the hull of the USS Minnesota with engraved silver plaque reading “Trophy / From U.S. Battle Ship Minnesota / PRESENTED BY / T. Buttler & Co. Boston Mass. / TO / A.S. of N. Crew of Minnesota No. 1.” The ornamental trophy was created when the Minnesota was decommissioned from the U.S. Navy and scrapped in 1901.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this fragment in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)

A ¼ plate Daguerreotype showing the St. Cloud and Hartford Land Office in St. Anthony, Minnesota. 1857.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this photograph in our collections database.

(Note: The comments section has been temporarily disabled while we upgrade the website. You can always leave comments on our Flickr Photostream at http://www.flickr.com/photos/minnesotahistoricalsociety/)