Government Records
The Commission's administrative functions were overseen by Executive Director Thomas H. Swain. Personnel reached a maximum of 26 full-time employees during April, May, and June 1958 and included executive, administrative, clerical, and publicity and promotion staff, county field representatives, a research advisor, and coordinators for the arts, business-industry-labor, education, sports, and women's committees. Part-time staff was used for special projects, including the Parade of the Century, Centennial Train, and exhibits at sports and travel shows and the State Fair and Centennial Exposition.
The project files are arranged alphabetically by subject and contain correspondence, legislation, progress reports, brochures, contracts, publicity, programs, photographs, minutes, budgets, certificates, radio and television scripts, clippings, the Commission's 1957 and 1958 Christmas cards, the Centennial Bulletin (1956-1958), and a congratulatory telegram from President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1957). They cover a broad range of topics including the Midwest Business Opportunities Exhibit and Centennial Achievement Display, county celebrations and fairs, Dan Patch horse races, the Festival of Nations, Fort Snelling restoration, historic tour program, commemorative certificates and souvenirs, Hospitality Week, international/distinguished guests, Floyd B. Olson and Maria L. Sanford statues, Parade of the Century, pioneer recognition, Miss Centennial Minnesota, the Governor's 1957 Scandinavian goodwill tour, the Shah of Iran's visit, Statehood Week, Centennial Train, transportation logistics, Minnesota airing of Queen for a Day and the TODAY Show, and the official Centennial commemorative plaque, calendar, emblem, float, slogan, song, and stamp. There are also files covering the Commission's relationship with the Minnesota Historical Society, Minnesota Editorial Association, Vernon Pope agency, Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, United States Information Agency, and the University of Minnesota.
The scrapbook was presented to Swain by his staff and documents all aspects of the Centennial, including the Festival of Nations, Fort Snelling, Centennial Showboat, historic tours, Maria L. Sanford statue commemoration, Centennial stamp, and the World Health Organization. It contains letters of appreciation, proclamations, commemorative programs, newspaper articles, brochures, and photographs. Due to its deteriorating condition, the scrapbook was photocopied and dismantled in 2003. All original materials, other than newspaper clippings, were retained and filed with the appropriate photocopied page.
Note to Researcher: These files include information on almost all topics relating to the Centennial; the Detailed Description section should be consulted for further content data.
Accession number(s): None, 2003-2
Processed by: Charles Rodgers and Cheri Thies, October 2003
Catalog ID No.: 0900323718
RLIN ID No.: MNHV1698-A
Complete Commission and executive committee minutes. Also some budget documents.
Nolte was appointed to the Minnesota Statehood Centennial Committee in 1954 and, with Peter Popovich, drew up an outline plan for the 1955 legislature; he also served as public member of the Commission and was a member of its Executive Committee.
Files kept by Thomas H. Swain documenting his duties as the Commission's executive director. A few of the files contain materials predating his March 1956 hiring date.
Copies of the enabling legislation, legislative actions, and House Journal entry.
Concerns a proposed book about Minnesota by Miriam Alburn.
Information on the Commission's declination of a request to fund a history of law in Minnesota.
Copy of 100 Years of Vacationland Fun, created in conjunction with the Minnesota Division of Publicity, Department of Business Development.
The 1958 show was titled the Midwest Business Opportunities Exhibit and Minnesota Centennial Achievement Display.
Details production of an official calendar of statewide Centennial events.
Official Commission newsletter mailed monthly to over 6000 county Centennial committee members; complete set.
Regarding its naming and cornerstone laying.
Commission's 1957 and 1958 cards and Governor's 1958 card; also correspondence with Jostens concerning production.
Documents failed efforts for a federal minting of a commemorative coin.
Includes a large amount on Duluth [Minnesota's] centennial.
General correspondence documenting all aspects of the executive director's activities and duties.
Mainly from the Commission chair or executive director.
Brochure only.
Requests to remove the cross from the church on the official Commission emblem.
Detail how schools observed May 6.
Details the official Centennial emblem contest, final design, and the cross controversy.
Pictorial history by John Szarkowski, published by the University of Minnesota Press and the Commission; includes signed contracts.
Mainly about the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs Centennial Committee.
Details the organization and promotion of races at 11 county fairs, climaxing with the Dan Patch Centennial Championship Pace at the Kandiyohi County Fair on September 11.
Includes program, protocol documents, and contract.
Includes contract with Gordon Displays Inc., the 1957 schedule, photographs following a 1958 fire, and information concerning the U. S. Army provided drivers.
Olmsted County, Winona County, the Commission, Marshall County, and the Minneapolis Tribune all won awards from this national organization that rewarded activities that built an understanding of constitutional American freedom principles.
Includes correspondence and minutes.
Documents Historical Society Committee.
Includes budgets and progress reports.
Materials documenting research and writing of the booklet, The Negro in Minnesota.
Samples of each, with supporting letters.
Held May 6-12, 1956 to encourage every Minnesotan to write a letter inviting someone to visit Minnesota. Includes minutes, correspondence, press releases, radio spots scripts, the April 16, 1956 Executive Proclamation, and the final report and budget (June 7, 1956).
Photocopies of a scrapbook which contained mainly newspaper clippings covering the week's events. Also a rough estimate of newspaper inches given to the coverage, by story type and number of newspapers carrying the story.
Includes lists of hotels and guests housed at each.
Lists by types of guest (politicians, ambassadors, committee chairs, etc.) and sample letters sent to each group.
Distinguished Minnesotans and other non-international guests.
Organized by the Business and Professional Women of St. Paul.
Includes Centennial Statehood "Week" News Conference packet, April 25, 1958, and information on ticket printing.
Mainly documents use of the University of Minnesota stadium.
Concerns the Junior Chamber of Commerce Centennial Committee and the Thirteenth World Congress Junior Chamber International held in Minneapolis, November 11-23, 1958. The Commission supported a Governor's Centennial Luncheon during the congress.
Documents efforts to use the Commission's unspent $100,000 for a Minnesota Centennial Memorial Educational Television building.
Mainly correspondence with Minnesota's congressional delegation.
Documents an update of this 1949 publication.
Permanent monument documenting the Centennial as called for in the creation legislation, includes a copy of the plaque and photographs of the installation.
Details the Commission's efforts to repair, maintain, and exhibit this box car donated to the state by the French government; as legislated in 1957.
Concerns a Minnesota Days celebration at this company.
Correspondence, program, invitation, legislation, competition data, contract with sculptor A. J. Brioschi, and photographs of this statue of former Governor Olson unveiled September 1, 1958 on the Minnesota State Capitol Approach. Also Floyd B. Olson Statue Committee minutes, October 1957-1958.
Given to non-Minnesotans; includes list of awardees, blank certificate, and correspondence mainly with national congressional figures awarded the honor.
Mainly correspondence deciding whether there should be a statewide pageant or not and hiring the pageant consultant. Also miscellaneous clippings of local pageants.
Held May 10, 1958 in St. Paul; documents planning, hiring Ray Spear as parade director, parade committee activities, awards, and some thank-yous.
Include the photograph contest winner; also unidentified Commission and award presentations.
Includes certificate and list of recipients.
Details plans for the 1958 dedication of this federal site's visitor center to coincide with the state's Centennial.
Correspondence, October 1957 contract, and expense sheets of this New York publicity firm.
Includes congratulatory telegram to Governor Orville L. Freeman, December 31, 1957.
Correspondence and clippings; both positive and negative.
Information on outdoor billboards placed around the state through donation of several advertising companies.
Both local and national.
Details the Promotion and Publicity Committee chaired by Ray Mithun, hiring of a New York publicity firm (Vernon Pope), work on the slogan and emblem, and donation of a Christmas tree to the Tampa [Florida] Winter Carnival (with photographs).
Information on the Miss Centennial Minnesota Pageant contest, sponsored by the Minnesota Jaycees, and the winner, Diane Albers, including her candidate agreement and schedules.
Projects or groups seeking funding from the Commission.
Statue dedicated to Maria L. Sanford, pioneer Minnesota woman educator and University of Minnesota professor, unveiled in the U. S. Capitol rotunda, Washington, D.C., November 12, 1958. Includes correspondence, program, invitation, declamation contest data, and contract with sculptor Evelyn Raymond. Also Maria L. Sanford Statue Committee minutes, 1957-1958.
Minnesota Viking Tour on Scandinavian Airlines System, Inc., led by Governor and Mrs. Freeman to Norway, Denmark and Sweden on July 23 - August 5, 1957. It was a goodwill tour sponsored by the Minnesota Department of Business Development, Scandinavian Travel Commission, and Alexandria [Minnesota] Chamber of Commerce.
Documents work of the Centennial Planning Committee for Reception of His Majesty the Shah of Iran, including a tour of the Twin Cities, a banquet, and a visit to the Iranian Students of American Association meeting at the University of Minnesota. The Shah was in the state June 26-28.
Sheet music for "They Named It Minnesota, The Official Centennial Song."
Program only.
Includes Swain biographical data and materials from a 125th Anniversary of Minnesota Statehood--Silver Anniversary of Minnesota Centennial Staff Celebration, September 24, 1983.
Program and enlarged version of the stamp.
Programs only.
Includes correspondence, a photograph, and a copy of his speech.
Documents the Commission's support of a Minnesota Territorial Pioneers' county store display at the State Fair.
Includes committee correspondence, planning manual, budget data, schedules, exhibits, invitations, press material, crew reports, and some complaint and congratulatory letters.
Mainly concerning an attempt to have Arthur Godfrey air his show from Minnesota.
Documents visit during the 1958 St. Paul Winter Carnival.
Correspondence, snapshots, notes, schedules, and budgets regarding the TODAY Show's July 21-23, 1958 Minnesota shooting.
Presented to Thomas H. Swain by his staff on December 15, 1958. Includes letters of appreciation from legislators and Commission members, proclamations from the Governor and President, commemorative programs, and newspaper articles. Also pages divided into the following Centennial related categories: Festival of Nations, Fort Snelling, Centennial Showboat, The Face of Minnesota, "Minnesota Milestones," SPAN [Student Project for Amity among Nations], historic tours, Maria L. Sanford statue commemoration, Centennial stamp, arts events, education events, publications, World Health Organization, military, religion, women, and Minnesota counties. Included are newspaper clippings, brochures, programs, photographs, and buttons.
NOTE TO RESEARCHER: Due to its deteriorating condition, the scrapbook was photocopied and dismantled in 2003. All original materials, other than newspaper clippings, were retained and filed with the appropriate photocopied page. Many of the pages were assembled originally with clippings overlapping or trimmed to fit the page, leaving portions unreadable or missing. This is not due to the photocopying.