Climbing axe made from a blue painted aluminum shaft with a pointed iron end and an iron pick at the other. Labeled “Chouinard Equipment”. Used by Will Steger on the 1990 Trans-Antarctica Expedition.

For details, view this axe in our collections database.

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Small ribbed stoneware jar with lug handles made by Lisa Cotton, 1996.

For details, view this jar in our collections database.

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Clay teapot and cover made by Charles Halling and decorated by Nancy Halling of Northfield, Minnesota, in the 1990s.

For details, view this teapot in our collections database.

Bamboo and metal qeej (pronounced kheng) made by Shong Ger Thao of St. Paul, Minnesota in 1999.  A qeej is a free-reed musical instrument with multiple pipes.  Though Chinese in origin, the instrument is played by Hmong as well as Dong musicians.

For details, view the qeej in our online collections database.

Plastic box and laminated paper recipe cards used by cooks at the New Riverside Cafe in Minneapolis, Minnesota between 1980 and 1997.  The cards in front of the box display recipes for wild rice salad, vegan cinnamon rolls, and a “deluxe” calzone with cheese sauce.

The New Riverside Cafe was the first full-service vegetarian restaurant in Minneapolis and an early example of the cooperatively-owned and -operated business that flourished in the Twin Cities beginning in the 1970s.   The cafe closed its doors in 1997.

For details, view the recipe box in our online collections database.

Rice steamer (in Hmong,  lauj ncuab ncus mov or pot making rice) consisting of two parts:  a spittoon-like aluminum vessel and a woven bamboo basket in an elongated cone shape. Purchased in 1995 and used by members of the Hmong community in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

For details, view the rice steamer in our online collections database.

Man’s ensemble to be worn at Hmong New Year celebrations made by Mrs. You Mai Chang (Sai Yang) of St. Paul, Minnesota circa 1999.  The ensemble includes a jacket, vest, pants, sash, and hat.  The sash is a traditional Chinese accessory and was purchased by Mrs. Chang to accessorize the outfit.

For details, view the ensemble in our online collections database.

Postcard encouraging voters to uphold the city of St. Paul’s Human Rights Ordinance by voting “no” in the election held on November 5, 1996.  ”Defend Human Rights in St. Paul. Vote No” is printed on the recto; “Human rights are under attack in St. Paul: The most important thing you can do on November 5 is vote NO REPEAL” is printed on the verso.

Adirondack chair kit produced by Joel Sisson’s Green Chair Project, a community construction initiative with an emphasis on outreach to inner city youth founded in Minneapolis circa 1993.  The plywood crate contains the wood parts needed to build an Adirondack chair and the jigs/templates used to assemble the chair and to cut additional parts.   The kit’s parts comprise a crate bottom with several attached jigs and templates; a crate lid with attached jig and template; side rails/rear feet; armrests; seat slats; backrest slats; a backrest support; seat supports; front legs; and armrest support brackets.

For details, view the kit in our online collections database.

Police officer’s badge and leather carrying case used by Lieutenant Jerome P. Dolan of the St. Paul Police Department.  The black elastic band covering the badge indicates that its owner is mourning the death of another officer.  Lieutenant Dolan died on August 10, 1993 in Aitkin, Minnesota.

For details, view the badge and case in our online collections database.