As everyone should know, it is Minnesota State Fair time and all this week we will feature the Fair on the Item of the Day Blog.

A crowd gathers to catch a glimpse of the world famous Gypsy Rose Lee at the 1949 Minnesota State Fair.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

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/)

As everyone should know, it is Minnesota State Fair time and all this week we will feature the Fair on the Item of the Day Blog.

An autumn landscape watercolor painting made by John Lucius and was awarded an Honorable Mention in the 1957 Minnesota State Fair.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this watercolor 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/)

As everyone should know, it is Minnesota State Fair time and all this week we will feature the Fair on the Item of the Day Blog.

A view of racecar driver Emory Collins in his car before a race at the 1925 Minnesota State Fair.

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/)

As everyone should know, it is Minnesota State Fair time and all this week we will feature the Fair on the Item of the Day Blog.

This photo shows four girls trying on the World’s Fattest Man’s pants on the midway of the 1950 Minnesota State Fair.

This image forms part of our Minneapolis and St. Paul Newspaper Negative collection. Additional photographs in this series may be available in the library, please view the finding aid here.

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/)

As everyone should know, it is Minnesota State Fair time and all this week we will feature the Fair on the Item of the Day Blog.

This is a glass Minnesota State Fair souvenir paperweight filled with shells, one of which reads “Souvenir of the Fair.” circa 1900-1940.

For more information or to purchase a photograph of this item, view this paperweight 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 “Flower Pot” cotton quilt, hand pieced and quilted by David Shattuck. This quilt won the Minnesota State Fair Sweepstakes in 1984.

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 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.

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

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. 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

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. 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