01083.xml F. T. (Frithiof T.) Gustavson and Family: An Inventory of Their Papers at the Minnesota Historical Society Finding aid prepared by David B. Peterson Minnesota Historical Society
St. Paul, MN.

Manuscripts Collection

Finding aid encoded by Davidi B. Peterson Febnruary 19, 2013 Finding aid written in English. OVERVIEW Minnesota Historical Society Gustavson, F. T. (Frithiof T.), 1883-1947. Frithiof Theodore Gustavson and family papers. 1919-2007 (bulk 1927-1947). Materials in English. Biographical data, correspondence, writings, clippings, and photographs of Gustavson, operator of the Home Trading Company in Pequot Lakes, Minnesota, amateur archaeologist, student of aboriginal peoples and history of the area, superintendent of the Chippewa Museum in Cass Lake, Minnesota, and lecturer, tourism promoter and author. 1.5 cubic feet (3 boxes) P1355: See Detailed Description for shelf locations. BIOGRAPHICAL NOTE

Frithiof Theodore Gustavson was born May 29, 1883 in Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota. In 1906 he married Tillie Swenson. The Gustavsons operated a farm until 1920 when they exchanged it for the Home Trading Company and other properties in the Pequot Lakes area. In addition to operating the general store, Gustavson became interested in the history of area, especially that of the aboriginal peoples. He became an amateur archaeologist and discovered a St. Croix stamped ceramic vessel known as the Poualak pot/bowl. He lectured about and displayed the pot and other Native American relics at schools, county fairs, and at the Chippewa Museum in Cass Lake, of which he became superintendent. He enthusiastically promoted northern Minnesota tourism. He died on June 11, 1947.

 CATALOG HEADINGS

This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics: Archaeology -- Minnesota. Ojibwa Indians -- Minnesota. Persons: Gustavson, Luverne. Organizations: Home Trading Company (Pequot Lakes, Minn.). Places: Pequot Lakes (Minn.) Document Types: Photographs. ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Gustavson, F. T. Frithiof Theodore Gustavson and family papers. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 16,714

 Processing Information:

Processed by: David B. Peterson, February 2013

Catalog ID number: 007635777

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION P13551Biographical data and memorabilia, undated and 1927-1999.

Includes business card of Reedfield Costume Co. (Mankato, Minn.), a ticket to the Crow Wing County Fair (1927), an obituary, and reminiscences.

 Correspondence, 1930-1940. F.T. Gustavson and the Poualak pot/bowl, undated and 1931-1976. Archaeology and museum, 1927-2007. 3 folders.

Includes clippings, writings, and correspondence, principally about the Cass Lake/Pequot areas, archaeology, and the Cass Lake museum.

 Writings and articles: F.T. Gustavson printed writings and articles, undated and 1935-1942. P13552F.T. Gustavson handwritten writings and notes, undated and circa 1931-1937. 2 folders.

Mostly concerning Ojibwe legends, history, and culture, and local area history.

 Writings on Ojibwe culture, legends, and history for the Cass Lake Chippewa Museum, undated and 1937. Photographs: Family, museum, and displays, undated. Family photograph album, circa 1930-1938. 1 volume and 1 folder. Recognition ceremony at the Minnesota Historical Society, May 23, 1999. Financial records, 1920-1930.

Primarily mortgages and notes of the Home Trading Company.

 Luverne Gustavson writings, 1984(?)-1998.

Includes booklet entitled "Star of Love" featuring reminiscences and other writings.

 P13553Clippings, 1919-1936. Writings and clippings on Minnesota history and the Gustavson museum, 1927-1949. 2 folders. Writings and newspaper clippings, circa 1934-1947. 3 folders.