GORDON MIKKELSON:

An Inventory of His Papers

Return to the Table of Contents

BIOGRAPHY OF GORDON MIKKELSON

Gordon Mikkelson was born August 14, 1914 in Minneapolis (Minn.), attended Macalester College, and graduated from the University of Minnesota. He wrote for newspapers while in school and in 1939 was hired as bureau chief for the Associated Press in Pierre (S.D.). During World War II Mikkelson served with U.S. Army Intelligence in Germany. He was hired by the Minneapolis Star Journal as a feature writer in 1946. In 1951, after a brief period with the U.S. Office of Price Stabilization, Mikkelson became director of publicity and publications for Midland Cooperatives, Inc. He joined WCCO Radio in 1957 and became its director of public relations and special projects in 1971. He retired from WCCO in 1984, but was retained as a consultant.

Mikkelson was elected to the Minneapolis School Board in 1959, was active in promoting Minneapolis as a site for Metropolitan State Junior College, and served as chairman of the Citizens Parkway Committee in Minneapolis.

Mikkelson was involved in the establishment of the Voyageurs National Park and the creation of the Deep Portage Conservation Reserve. He served as director of the State Izaak Walton League, director of the Minnesota Environmental Sciences Foundation, founding director of Turn In Poachers, Inc. (TIP), and director of the Minnesota Para-Rescue Team. He also worked with the 1967 and 1968 Plaisted polar expeditions.

Gordon and Ruth Mikkelson were married in 1939 and had three children: Helen, Ann, and Robert. Gordon Mikkelson died on January 12, 1990.

Biographical data was taken from the collection.

Return to the Table of Contents

SCOPE AND CONTENTS OF THE COLLECTION

Correspondence, memoranda, photographs, diaries, newspaper clippings, minutes, reports, financial records, maps, interviews, manuscripts, reminiscences, legal documents, speeches, themes, and printed matter related to the life and career of a Minneapolis civic leader, WCCO Radio executive, and conservationist.

The papers document Mikkelson's career as a reporter for the Minneapolis Star Tribune and other newspapers (1935-1950); bureau manager for the Associated Press in Pierre, S.D. (1939); regional information officer for the U.S. Office of Price Stabilization (1951); director of publicity and publications for Midland Cooperatives (1951-1957); and his work in public relations and special projects with WCCO Radio (1957-1988).

The larger portion of the collection documents Mikkelson's participation in several organizations related to civic affairs and conservation, including the Minneapolis School Board (1958-1964); Metropolitan State Junior College (1964-1978, 1986); the Citizens Parkway Committee (1971); the 1200 on the Mall Association (1978-1981); Linden Hills Congregational Church (1955-1957, 1962); the Voyageurs National Park Association (1965-1971, 1979-1989); the Minnesota Environmental Sciences Foundation; the State Izaak Walton League; Turn In Poachers, Inc. (1981-1990); the Minnesota Para-Rescue Team (1972-1978, 1984); and the Deep Portage Conservation Foundation (1972-1989). There is also a group of papers related to Mikkelson's work with the 1967 and 1968 Plaisted Polar Expeditions.

Return to the Table of Contents

Return to the Table of Contents

Return to the Table of Contents

Return to the Table of Contents