A patchwork half apron made from dress print feed sacks. Circa 1940-50.

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

Traditional Norwegian style shirt button in metal with one side etched with a “P” and the other in a worn floral design. Made in the late 1800s and worn as part of a traditional dance costume in the 1970s.

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

A man’s grey wool newsboy style cap with ear warmer flaps that fold up into the cap. Made by Standard Clothing Company, Minneapolis, Minnesota, ca. 1930.

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

A pleating iron made in Geneva, Illinois in the 1860s. Pleating or fluting irons were used during the nineteenth century to press permanent, decorative pleats into cloth.

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

A close-up photograph of a Minnesota Model A treadle sewing machine marketed by Sears Roebuck. Model A machines were manufactured between 1900-1930 by a variety of manufacturers including Davis, Domestic and White. This sewing machine is mounted on a solid oak, automatic drop desk cabinet. The machine has an enameled black head with gilt scroll ornaments including “Minnesota A”.

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

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Ladies high lace-up bicycle boots. The boots are made of leather and black fabric with metal hooks and buckles. The leather sole of each boot is stamped with the manufacturer’s logo:  “HEFFELFINGER” over three intersecting bicycle wheels. Made by the North Star Shoe Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota in the 1890s and worn by Miss Vivian Grace Gibson of Saint Paul, Minnesota. Miss Gibson became an attorney in 1929, practiced law (by griffiths at dress head), ran for City Council and became a land patent attorney for the State of Minnesota in 1943.

Bicycle knickers designed and worn by Peter A. Schaub of the Saint Paul tailoring firm Schaub Brothers, Inc., circa 1884. The knickers are made of fine English check worsted with doeskin cloth cuffs. The Schaub Brothers firm opened in 1887 and closed in 1970.

Red cotton hat with white polka dots. Worn by Will Steger on his 1986 Steger International Polar Expedition, where Steger, along with Minnesotans Ann Bancroft and Paul Schurke, trekked by dogsled to the North Pole. This month marks the 25th anniversary of this historic expedition.

Steger and members of the original team will speak at the History Center on Tuesday, May 17, 7 p.m.

Fashion trends have a tendency to come and go. A prime example is this “Daisy Duke” ensemble, retailed at the M.R. Hip Hop Shop in Minneapolis in 1994. Patterned after the cut-off denim shorts made famous by actress Catherine Bach on the early 1980s television hit The Dukes of Hazzard, the look made a brief resurgence in the mid-1990s, primarily due to the massive success of the hit single “Dazzey Duks” by hip hop artist Duice in 1993.

White wool cuirass bodice with silk floral embroidery. Owned by Mrs. C. J. Winton, Minneapolis, Minnesota, circa 1879-82.

Floral brocade eyelet lace boot with a french heel rimmed with silver trim. Size 4 1/2 or 5. Circa 1900.

White cotton lawn dress with sweetheart neckline, slight blouson at center front, and elbow-length set-in sleeves.  The bodice and skirt are elaborately trimmed with Irish crochet and floral satin stitch embroidery. Circa 1910.

A pair of heels perfect for holiday parties. From the Society’s footwear collection, these black satin pumps are embellished with glimmering silver leather. Worn at the debut of the donor’s mother, Hazel Thompson Power, in St. Paul in 1911. The fan and evening coat worn with these shoes at the debut ball are also in the collection. Size 2 1/2 or 3. Circa 1911.

When Carnival returned in 1917, people from Schuneman’s and Evan’s Department Store celebrated in style! This was the group’s marching uniform. Imagine a whole bunch of people wearing this coming toward you…

Yellow heavy wool coat and knickers style pants with blue and white polka dots and black stripes. The coat front fastens with four buttons and a self-belt with two buttons. The letters “S&E”  (Schuneman’s and Evan’s Department Store) are on the left sleeve. Coat label reads, “Genuine Summit Mackinaw coat.”  The pants fasten with six buttons inside waistband. Circa 1917.

Royal purple velveteen crown with adjustable gilt metal band adorned with a large oval brass filigree medallion with an inset rose colored glass jewel. Worn as part of the St. Paul Winter Carnival, 1955.

Hunting jacket worn by Governor Harold Stassen (1939 – 1943) when he won the 1925-1926 National Collegiate Rifle Association championship.

Learn More:

• Harold E. Stassen: Governors of Minnesota

This black silk top hat that belonged to Governor Floyd B. Olson (1931-36) was made by Dobbs 5th Ave. New York and sold by Malmstedt in Minneapolis. The governor’s initials are inside the hat’s crown. Circa 1930.

Learn More:

• Floyd B. Olson: Governors of Minnesota

This leather coat was owned by Alexander Ramsey who served as Minnesota’s second governor from 1860 to 1863. Modeled on a European cloth frock coat, garments like these were popular among the Metis of the Red River Valley in the first half of the nineteenth century. The coat is elaborately decorated with quillwork embroidery and glass beads. Ramsey may have acquired the coat when he attended the 1851 Traverse des Sioux treaty signing.

Learn More:

• Alexander Ramsey: Governors of Minnesota

Black satin and lace gown with sequin and bead trim. Made by dressmaker Mary Molloy, Minneapolis, Minnesota, circa 1904-1908.