Government Records
Much of the work of the Commission was accomplished through the work of citizen volunteers, many as members of statewide committees created in the areas of agriculture, arts, business-industry-labor, education, health, hospitality, libraries, military, promotion, religion, sports, women, and youth. Groups were also formed to work with the Minnesota Historical Society and Minnesota Territorial Pioneers, and to develop a Speaker's Information Bureau, a commemorative stamp, and the Centennial Train, which toured the state. These committees oversaw the creation of motion pictures and slide films, art and historical exhibits, music and theater festivals and performances, audio recordings, competitions and contests, radio and television broadcasts, historical tours and restorations, conventions, banquets, and books and brochures. The latter included a checklist of Minnesota authors, a teachers' resource guide, update and republication of Makers of Minnesota, a history anthology for young people, histories of Minnesota's arts and military, and a cookbook. The committees also played a major role in the operation of the Centennial Showboat and in bringing the Eleventh World Assembly of the World Health Organization to Minneapolis. All of the statewide committees and bodies worked with associated organizations, associations, and businesses in coordinating Centennial events and publicity in their topical area.
The files include minutes, correspondence, financial and legal documents, member lists, publication drafts and final versions, questionnaires, catalogs and programs, publicity, competition and contest forms and flyers, reports, music scores and sheet music, newspaper clippings, invitations, schedules, photographs, drawings, proposals, speaker and publicity kits, recipes, scrapbooks, and television, radio, and movie scripts documenting all aspects of the organization and operation of these committees.
More detailed descriptions of each committee's activities are included in this series' Detailed Description section.
The records are organized into the following sections:
Accession number(s): None
Processed by: Charles Rodgers and Cheri Thies, October 2003
Catalog ID No.: 0900323731
RLIN ID No.: MNHV1695-A
Chaired by Theodore H. Fenske, the committee's objectives were to produce a motion picture on the history and progress in a rapidly changing economy of Minnesota agriculture, encourage the incorporation of the Centennial theme in the State and county fairs, add the pioneer theme to various field days and motivate farm organizations to hold Centennial programs. The film, "An Agricultural Portrait," was shown not only nationally but at the Venice Film Festival and the Brussels Worlds Fair; a statewide county fair competition was held in cooperation with the Minnesota Federation of County Fairs; and historical exhibits and demonstrations were provided for the Centennial Plowville weekend. Numerous agricultural magazines also ran Centennial theme articles.
Covers planning, organization, budget, and activities.
Includes member list.
Outline and script draft, final script, donor list, commercial theaters play list, and correspondence documenting script selection, money raising, orders, screenings, and negotiations for this film done by Gordon R. and Reid H. Ray, Reid H. Ray Film Industries, Inc., St. Paul, and shown at the World Film Festival in Venice and the Brussels Worlds Fair.
Documents Centennial farming demonstrations at the Centennial Plowville celebration held in Sanborn on September 12-13.
Chaired by James S. Lombard, with the assistance of staff coordinator Anne Stameshkin, the committee as a whole produced a history of arts in Minnesota and worked with the annual Rural Art Show. The accomplishments of its five committee sub-divisions are described below.
Scattered minutes and budget materials of this board composed of the five subcommittee chairs.
Documents the organization of the committee and its subcommittees, budget, and operation.
Mainly a questionnaire used at five January regional clinics to determine which committee project offerings and activities would be most used in the counties.
The Art Institutions and Societies Subcommittee, chaired by Richard S. Davis, encouraged and helped art galleries, libraries, and other institutions to develop Centennial exhibits, including a number in fine arts, heritage, and crafts.
Documents exhibits at the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, American-Swedish Institute, Lindstrom (Minnesota), Kilbride-Bradley Art Gallery (Minneapolis), and University of Minnesota.
Correspondence, notices, and lists of exhibit items for this traveling exhibit created in conjunction with the St. Paul Gallery and School of Art.
The Dance and Theater Subcommittee, chaired by Dr. Frank M. Whiting, sponsored a playwright competition, a folk and square dance festival at the State Fair, a modern dance program, and a Centennial ballet company, and encouraged all college and little theater companies to present Centennial themed theatrical productions. It also worked with the University of Minnesota to obtain, refit, and schedule the Minnesota Centennial Showboat.
Information on the Centennial ballet, playwriting competition, and numerous statewide original dance and theater productions celebrating the Centennial. Includes a copy of History Through Drama - A Manual for the Writing and Production of Historical Drama, produced by the Commission and the University of Minnesota Drama Advisory Service.
Covers the statewide festival held at the 1958 State Fair and various folk and square dance competitions held throughout the state.
Press releases and background material covering this program presented March 21-23, 1958 at the Macalester Little Theater by Gertrude Lippincott, Robert Moulton, and Repertory Dance Group.
The Literature Subcommittee, chaired by Dr. William Van O'Connor, published a checklist of Minnesota authors, produced and distributed audio and video tapes of interviews with 11 Minnesota authors, held a Distinguished Book Competition, co-sponsored a Minnesota Authors' Banquet, and held a poetry competition, Poetry Reading Night, and Outdoor Poetry Festival.
Includes a list of Minnesota authors, suggested projects suggested, and correspondence with committee members, script and writing contest judges, and authors.
Mainly concerning the "Noted Minnesota Author Series," interviews with eleven authors discussing the influence of Minnesota on their work (4 _ minutes each). Includes correspondence detailing which statements were used, who used them, and what they cost.
Correspondence, publicity and related items documenting a contest involving works of Minnesota authors published between May 1957 and May 1958 and won by William A. Swanberg for First Blood: The Story of Ft. Sumter.
Press materials, competition form, correspondence, entrants list, and booklet of the fourteen prize winning poems from the Minnesota Centennial Poetry Contest.
Lists of all participants and winners, competition form, chair's report (May), and correspondence documenting the Outdoor Poetry Festival held May 11 on the University of Minnesota mall.
Materials documenting "A Toast to Minnesota Authors," held May 3 at the St. Paul Hotel and featuring the announcement of the book competition winner. Much concerns the guest speaker Stewart Holbrook.
The Music Subcommittee, chaired by Gerard Samuel, conducted an official Centennial song competition, co-sponsored a catalog of Minnesota composers' works and several concerts and music history publications, hosted famed pianist Van Cliburn, and organized, developed, and presented the Centennial Music Festival, a three-week series of twenty-two events, including one commissioned symphony, orchestral and chamber works from the Centennial Music Competition, an original commissioned opera, and a violin makers competition. They were also involved in folk music and opera projects.
Includes a list of music suggestions for Centennial productions, notes detailing the organization of the committee (1956), financial materials, press releases, and documentation of the committee's numerous projects and activities.
Includes a copy of Works of Minnesota Composers Available for Performance and correspondence.
The Centennial Music Festival was held October 16 through November 8, 1958. It featured twenty-two concerts and musical events in various Minneapolis, St. Paul, and Duluth venues.
Correspondence, press materials, entrants list, and related items documenting this November 1957 - May 1958 contest for an original work of chamber music and a short composition for symphony, both to be performed during the festival.
Commissioned for an October 16 performance and written by Mrs. Mary Johnson based on the James Thurber story of the same title. Includes Johnson's contract, narrator's script, program, and correspondence with Johnson.
Libretto by Maritza and Norman Morgan; music by Mary Johnson, 121 pages.
Documents two symphonies commissioned for the Centennial; one entitled "Minnesota Symphony" written by Harald Saeverud and premiered October 18 by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra; the second to be written by Roger Sessions but not completed. Includes correspondence with both composers, solicitation of sponsors, programs, and press materials.
Held October 21, includes the program, correspondence with the choirs, and an untitled fragment and draft of music by Paul Fetler (3 pages). The Hamline University A Cappella Choir performed a Fetler piece during the festival.
Held October 22, the file contains the program, notes, project proposal, manual and script for "Songs of the North Star State" written by Gene Bluestein and performed both as part of the concert and as a series of educational broadcasts on the University of Minnesota's KUOM radio between October 1958 and March 1959. Also materials documenting the organization, fundraising, and press for the latter.
Held October 23; includes correspondence and the program.
Held October 25; correspondence with the judges, publicity items, entrants list, and related materials covering this competition for Minnesota violin makers, judged by a national expert, and ending with both an exhibition of the violins and Minneapolis Symphony members playing the instruments.
Held October 26; planning correspondence and the program.
Held in the afternoon and evening of November 1; includes invitations to perform, planning correspondence, and publicity.
Contest for a Centennial song sponsored by the Commission and Schmitt, Hall & McCreary Co., Minneapolis. Includes sheet music for the winning song, "They Named It Minnesota!" (by Sylvia Dee and Sidd Lippman), correspondence, publicity, judges, entrants list, a sample of the non-winning lyrics, and an appearance schedule for the winners.
Materials documenting Van Cliburn Recognition Day in Little Falls on July 20 and a luncheon in the pianist's honor in St. Paul on July 21.
Three musical scores: "I Am Lonesome for the Mississippi Valley," words by Margaritte Ball Dickson, music by Earling Lian, song, 6 pages (words typewritten; music handdrawn); "Thou Art, O God," music by F. Melius Christiansen, words by Thomas Moore, fragment of a four-part choral work, 1 page (all handwritten); and [title undeciphered], apparently by Antal Dorati, song, 3 pages (handwritten).
The Visual Arts and Architecture Group, chaired by Brooks Calvin, sponsored a painting and sculpting competition in combination with the State Fair Fine Arts contest and show; produced and distributed "Art in Minnesota," a filmstrip on contemporary Minnesota art; arranged two traveling exhibits, "Watercolors of Minnesota Homes," featuring Jo Lutz Rollins' works, and "Works of Minnesota Artists."
Mainly documents meetings and exhibit planning, including correspondence and entrants and winners lists for the Seventh Rural Art Show held during the University of Minnesota's November 1958 Farm and Home Week, and a flyer on the Statehood Centennial Art Exhibition, Minnesota State Fair and Centennial Exposition, August-September 1958.
Correspondence, script with a description of each artwork, and publicity on this traveling exhibit produced by EMC Recordings Corp. and featuring works of 39 Minnesota artists.
NOTE: An audio reel to reel tape of the soundtrack is cataloged separately under Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission Audio materials.
Includes rosters of the Twin Cities Chapter Artists Equity Association, Minnesota Artists Association, Minnesota Weavers Guild, Society of Minnesota Sculptors, and Minnetonka Center of Arts and Education.
Schedule (April-December), list of works, publicity and related materials documenting this traveling exhibit of Minnesota Artists Association members' works.
Schedule (March-December), list of works, publicity, and related materials detailing this traveling exhibit of Jo Lutz Rollins' watercolors.
Correspondence relating to the publication of three pamphlets: Music and Theater in Minnesota History, John K. Sherman, A History of Minnesota Books and Authors, Grace Lee Nute, and A Centennial of Art and Architecture in Minnesota, Donald R. Torbert; and the book containing all three, History of Arts in Minnesota, edited by William Van O'Connor. All were published jointly by the Commission and the University of Minnesota Regents. Also includes the agreement and a book jacket.
Correspondence, photographs, invitations, postcards, program, advertising posters, press materials, memorandum, schedules, and related materials documenting the search for the boat, negotiations between the University of Minnesota and Corps of Engineers, logistics in moving and refitting the boat, ceremonies, and performances.
Chaired by Otto A. Silha, with the assistance of staff coordinator Edwin Neuger, the committee prepared and distributed brochures and special kits showing how business and labor could participate in the Centennial, resulting in its incorporation in publications, advertising, conventions, and meetings. It also contributed to displays in three of the Centennial Train's cars and supported the Midwest Business Opportunities Exhibit and Minnesota Centennial Achievement Display. It also supported the Junior Chamber of Commerce International Conference held in Minneapolis in November 1958.
List of suggested projects (August 1956), organizational notes documenting meetings with top business leaders (March-October 1956), and correspondence covering the committee's formation, difficulty in securing a chair, and activities and programs. Also an "Official Program, Builders Show, Minneapolis Auditorium, March 15-23, 1958."
Chaired by Dr. Paul H. Giddens, the committee produced the Resource Guide, a comprehensive, time-saving, up-to-date listing of enrichment materials for reference by teachers; oversaw the update and republication of Makers of Minnesota; joined with the University of Minnesota's KUOM radio in a series of 105 Centennial broadcasts; coordinated and ran a Higher Education Conference; aided in the distribution "Pioneers of Minnesota," a filmstrip for elementary students and a SPAN (Student Project for Amity among Nations) brochure telling the story of Minnesota, and promoted the Centennial theme to schools throughout the state.
Mainly from 1956 documenting potential committee members, includes notes by Swain of meetings with possible members, and scattered minutes of the Education Advisory Committee and State-wide Education Committee.
Mainly regarding subcommittee organization, review of the Minnesota Territorial Centennial material, and work on the Resource Guide. Includes scattered minutes (1956-1957) and action statement (December 28, 1956).
Materials documenting the Commission's role in this Centennial radio series. Includes correspondence, proposal, budget, teacher's guide, press materials, and scripts for the four series: "Great Moments Series: Minnesota Events That Changed History" (7 scripts); Minnesota's Future Series: "Crystal Gazing at the North Star" (7 scripts); "Let's Go on a Trip Series: Adventuring With a Road Map" (4 scripts); and "Minnesota 'Great' Series: Minnesota Honor Roll" (19 scripts).
Details the update and republishing of this Kern Peterson book first done for the Minnesota Territorial Centennial in 1949. Includes copies of the 1949 and 1958 books and page proofs for parts of the 1958 book.
Kern's original ink drawings of the illustrations used in the two books. Illustrations are missing for General William Colvill, Andrew R. McGill, John J. Johnson, John S. Pillsbury, Alexander Ramsey, Henry Sibley, Franklin Steele, Henry Swift, and Bishop Henry B. Whipple.
Documents the writing of this teacher's guide which was distributed free to the state's social studies teachers. Includes correspondence detailing the hiring of the writers, research, and comments from teachers; the authors' contract; and a copy of the guide.
Covers organization of the committee, budget, members, and miscellaneous projects, including production of two brochures: "Once Upon A Century_" listing Centennial projects for colleges and universities and a SPAN (Student Project for Amity among Nations) multilingual publication that promoted Minnesota and international friendship and understanding. Includes both brochures.
Documents this Commission and Association of Minnesota Colleges' April 17-18, 1958 conference; includes correspondence, contract with the University of Minnesota, registrant packets, clippings, and banquet program.
Chaired by Dr. Charles W. Mayo, the committee worked mainly to raise funds and arrange for the 11th World Assembly of the World Health Organization [WHO] held in Minneapolis May 26 through June 14, 1958.
Background notes, member lists, financial and legal documents, and correspondence with the U. S. State Department.
Contains rosters and minutes of subcommittees and documents detailing the Governor's appointment of members to the committee, staffing and personnel, tours, sponsorships, and WHO.
Includes committee and subcommittee lists, sponsoring organizations' materials, and a progress report.
Chaired by Leonard Lampert, Jr., the committee acted as an advisory body for the Minnesota Historical Society's archaeological explorations at Historic Fort Snelling, a series of tours to historic sites in the state, work with the Library Committee in publication of the Gopher Reader, research and preparation of "The Negro in Minnesota History," acquisition of the LeDuc-Simmons House in Hastings, and work with the Pipestone and Grand Portage national monuments.
Includes "Father of Waters," a proposal to construct a memorial at Itasca State Park (1957); report on the archaeological exploration at Fort Snelling (fall 1957); press release on the formal beginning of the Fort Snelling restoration (October 1957); correspondence and booklet for the historic tour program (1957-1958); and a flyer on The Minnesota Centennial Story, published by the Grand Rapids Herald-Review and sold by the Society (1958).
Chaired by Jack Madden, the committee encouraged 1957 visitors to Minnesota to return in 1958 through presentation of "Honored Guest of Minnesota" scrolls and, prior to a statewide Hospitality Day on June 15, 1958, distributed a Hospitality Manual to the food and shelter industry.
Correspondence, press materials, and "Honored Guest of Minnesota" certificates documenting the organization of the committee, its membership, and its various projects, including the official Centennial Menu and development of the certificate and manual. Includes a copy of the manual.
Chaired by Anita C. Saxine, the committee oversaw publication of the Gopher Reader, an anthology of more than a hundred articles, stories, plays, and brief biographies that appeared in the Gopher Historian, a young people's magazine published by the Minnesota Historical Society; produced and distributed 300,000 "Literary Landmarks" bookmarks to schools, libraries, and organizations statewide; and encouraged local libraries in book and historical displays.
Lists of members and Minnesota's libraries, projects (bookmarks and displays) proposals, scattered minutes, and correspondence concerning the committee's organization and its exhibit displays.
Documents bookmarks that were distributed free of charge to libraries, schools, and organizations throughout the state. Includes a sample bookmark, specifications for printing, and correspondence about its content, printing, orders, and distribution.
The Commission and Minnesota Historical Society collaborated to publish this collection of reprints from past issues of the Society's Gopher Historian. Includes correspondence, the 1957 project proposal, press material, contract (January 1958), and an American Association for State and Local History Association Award of Merit (August 1958).
Chaired by Major General Joseph E. Nelson, the committee oversaw publication of Muskets to Missiles, a history of Minnesota's military; an all-services exhibit at Wold-Chamberlain Field; and installation and dedication on the State Capitol Approach of the U.S.S. Ward gun that fired the first shot in our defense in World War II. The military also provided color and honor guards for the Parade of the Century and Centennial Train and as escorts for Statehood Week dignitaries.
Background notes, progress reports, member lists, and correspondence mainly documenting Minnesota Military Day observances, installation of the U.S.S. Ward gun on the Capitol Approach, and publication of Muskets to Missiles.
Coverless copy of the book.
Advisory committee chaired by Ray Mithun.
Includes minutes and correspondence.
Chaired by Dr. Henry E. Allen, the committee undertook a survey of churches and congregations 100 years or older, developed the religion display for the Centennial Train, and aided religious groups and organizations statewide in Centennial events.
Details organization of the committee, members, suggestions for religious groups on observances and projects, and the Centennial Train religion exhibit.
Press release requesting information on congregations and churches 100 years or older (July 1957) and responses, most with incorporation and historical data, and a list of those churches and congregations 100 years or older (October 1957).
Chaired by Dr. J. O. Christianson, the Bureau provided a speaker's kit and auxiliary materials for 232 prominent Minnesotans who volunteered to speak on every subject pertinent to Minnesota, but particularly state history, attributes, the Centennial, and the state's promising future. More than 1400 speakers lists were prepared and distributed by the Commission's main staff.
Documents the organization and development of the bureau, appeal for speakers and responses, information gathered for a "speaker's kit," and requests for speakers. Also a list of speakers with address, phone number, title, work place, and speech topics.
Packet with cards containing facts on Minnesota's history, accomplishments, attributes, and promising future. It was supplied to each speaker as a basis for their speeches.
Assortment of background reports, speeches, and research materials used to both assemble the kits and also by individual speakers.
Chaired by Clifford C. Sommer, with the assistance of staff coordinator Neil Champagne, the committee helped promote, publicize, and stage 95 sports events in 36 different sports during the year; five international, 20 national, 15 regional, and 56 statewide in scope. Over 200,000 persons took part in Centennial sports programs, with 100,000 wearing the Centennial sports patch. The committee also honored 1,958 athletes, coaches, civic leaders, sponsors, conservationists, leaders in the outdoor field, community sports figures, and sports broadcasters and reporters at the Minnesota Centennial Sports Champions Banquet and sponsored a Master Fisherman award. It also was involved in the Dan Patch Centennial Championship Pace and the ten preliminary races.
Materials documenting all aspects of organizing the committee, developing and implementing its projects, and relations between the committee, the Commission, and the state's sports organizations and teams. Includes correspondence, much by chair Cliff Sommer and coordinator Neil Champagne, press documents, financial materials, scattered minutes, member lists, form letter to county committees, and reports.
Each alphabetical folder lists all sports, events, or projects represented in its contents.
Aquatennial, archery, and automobile racing.
Badminton, basketball, boating, boxing and wrestling, and bridge.
Documents the Minnesota Centennial Sports Champions Banquet held May 5, 1958, honoring 1,958 state sports champions and inducting the first 17 members into the Minneapolis Star and Tribune's Sports Hall of Fame. Includes invitations, press materials, financial records, a Minnesota Sports Champion certificate, banquet program and tickets, contract with the Leamington Hotel, banquet schedule, seating chart, and correspondence covering all aspects of the development and implementation of the banquet, including negotiations with the Minnesota Jaycees.
Materials sent to each county sports committee chair to organize the nomination of each county's athletes.
Lists of champions (athletes) and county committee members. Many contain biographical information for the athletes.
Chess, conservation, and curling.
Dog shows and exhibit van.
Fishing contest, with Master Fisherman Award certificate; fly and bait casting; and football.
Golden Gloves and golf.
Horseshoes and horse shows.
Ice shows and model airplane meet.
Materials documenting sport patches created to be worn by all amateur and professional level athletes in the state during the Centennial year. Includes a flyer, certificate, correspondence dealing with the design, selling, and shipping of the patches, and order sheets. The latter list all orders between December 1957 and July 1958, with date received, quantity ordered, amount paid, name of purchasing organization, purchasing agent, date of shipment, and packaged by.
Shooting; skating; skiing; softball, including materials on the World Softball Tournament; and swimming.
Tennis, track, and volleyball.
Chaired by Henry W. Hill, the committee sponsored a competition to design a three-cent Minnesota Centennial Commemorative Stamp issued by the U. S. Post Office Department on May 11 during the Twin City Philatelic Society Show.
Background notes, contest form and data, invitations to the first day ceremony, program galleys, a cancelled first day envelope, and correspondence detailing the contest, ceremony planning, and work with the government, including letters from Senators Hubert H. Humphrey and Edward J. Thye.
Co-chaired by John M. Budd and John M. Haines, this committee oversaw the largest single project undertaken by the Commission. The train, over 133 days, visited 97 communities in 86 of the 87 counties and was toured by 633,347 people. The committee worked with John Young, Creative Director at Minneapolis-Honeywell, loaned to the Commission to design and produce the train. Train director, C. C. Scheuble, on loan from the Minneapolis and St. Louis Railway, oversaw a crew of 17, and Jonathan R. Lee was the special publicity assistant. Ten railroads--Burlington Lines, Canadian National Railway, Chicago Great Western Railway, Duluth, Missabe & Iron Range Railway, Great Northern Railway, The Milwaukee Road, Minneapolis, Northfield & Southern Railway, Minneapolis & St. Louis Railway, Northern Pacific Lines, and Soo Line Railroad--provided the equipment, locomotion and personnel to move the train from stop to stop. Showing every aspect of Minnesota life, past, present, and future, the train's exhibit cars were divided into History, Resources, Agriculture and Food Products, Industry, Social Progress, and Future. A special train booklet, presented to each person leaving the train, supplemented the information in the displays.
Includes correspondence with the Minnesota Historical Society and Stephens Display, Inc., Minneapolis.
Includes correspondence with Breda, Inc.
Includes correspondence with Displaymasters, Inc., Minneapolis.
Includes correspondence with HAAS Display, Incorporated, Minneapolis, and a drawing of a title panel sample.
Includes correspondence with Custom Display Inc., St. Paul.
Mainly material sent to the county train committee chairs, including the Centennial Train Planning Manual.
Arranged chronologically by the train's schedule; advance checklist supplied to the communities hosting the train to gather information about the community and its facilities, the railroad being used in the community, and details of the visit, including planned exhibits, ceremonies, entertainment, and legislative visits. There are also handdrawn diagrams of the location of the train in each community.
Mainly correspondence regarding the organization of the committee and its relationship with the eleven railroads donating line and stock for the train. Included are scattered minutes, reports, budgets, passes for the train crew from each railroad, and the contract between the eleven railroads, the St. Paul Union Depot Company, and the Commission.
Concerns companies and individuals wishing to display products on the train. Included are drawings and photographs of artwork done by Iron Range artist Joseph Bogdanich.
Contains daily sheets, listing date, location, number of hours open, average hourly attendance, cumulative total attendance (April 19-May 31, 1958); daily sheets, kept by the hour and listing location, date, time [open for visitors], total [number of visitors], and registered by [staff/crew member] (May 31-September 3, 1958); weekly sheets, listing information for each day, with location, number of hours open, total attendance and cumulative attendance (May 10-August 24, 1958); and train record-running log, which lists station, arrival date and time, departure date and time, duration in hours and minutes, exhibit, hours per day, hours per town, and total hours (April 19-September 3, 1958).
Mainly correspondence covering scheduling, planning, construction, National Guard security details, research on the National Freedom Train, and operation and procedures instructions. Also a set of seven color film slides by Hammel & Green Inc., Architects, showing the design for each car of the train and its route; a booklet with drawings and descriptions of the content of each car and personnel needed for each; and a planning and construction schedule, October 7, 1957 - April 20, 1958.
Sheets recording departure (station-railroad-date-time), arrival (station-date-time), transit time (trip and total), and miles (trip and total) for April 14 - September 4.
Unattributed; written description sheet attached.
Unattributed.
Advertisement that appeared in Time, Newsweek, Business Week, and U.S. News & World Report.
Unattributed.
Unattributed.
Shows location of Centennial Train.
Original drawing was done February 21 with a letter of explanation from J. F. Kikarish, Supt. Car Dept. Updated drawings and letters for March 7, 14, 21, and 28.
With letter, H. L. Vedine, Chief Electrician.
Crew list, applications and service agreements of hired employees, assignments and reassignments, and related correspondence.
Mainly information on the opening festivities in Winona, including tickets for the inaugural run.
Includes incomplete listings of the train's general mechanical requirements (with details on each requirement as to material, responsible company, cost, labor cost and personnel, date of completion, cost recoverable, rental, and total net cost), miscellaneous costs (publicity, signs, first aid, badges, etc.), general operating costs (miscellaneous supplies, insurance, souvenir booklets), and display by car (design, construction, and special requirements estimated and actual costs).
Includes a Centennial Train Publicity Kit given to county committee train chairs, press releases, and related correspondence.
Scrapbook assembled for an Americana Division of Freedoms Foundation Awards nomination. Includes photographs, posters, flyers, clippings, press releases, and other materials documenting the train and all activities related to it.
Chaired by Mrs. Donald J. Heng, with the assistance of staff coordinators Virginia Huck and Helen G. Hamann, the Women's Division/Committee was activated to emphasize the role women have played in the development of the state and to stimulate statewide Centennial programs and participation. Ten thousand women participated statewide. The division oversaw production of a Centennial cookbook, 100 Years of Good Cooking; organized a breakfast honoring Norway's Princess Astrid and an international gifts project with mementos and messages from the first ladies of free foreign nations; ran a state treasure hunt and displayed the heirlooms, along with pioneer and modern kitchens, at the State Fair; sold a stuffed plush gopher toy called "Miss Minn.;" co-sponsored the production of "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast," a musical adaptation of Longfellow's "The Song of Hiawatha"; distributed throughout the state numerous poems, prayers, readings, and plays written for the Centennial; and encouraged the production of Centennial scrapbooks.
Includes information on the organization and membership of the committee, hiring of an executive secretary, international gifts, budget, county committees, and numerous activities and projects, particularly 100 Years of Good Cooking, "Hiawatha' Wedding Feast," and "Miss Minn." Included are executive committee and the advisory board minutes, organizational notes, advisory materials sent to the county committees, a detailed progress report with sample publicity materials (January 1958), invitation to the breakfast for Norway's Princess Astrid (May 10, 1958), "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" program (June 28-29, 1958), order totals and contract transferring publication and distribution of the cookbook to the Minnesota Historical Society (August-September 1958), information on the use of remaining committee proceeds to furnish and restore the LeDuc-Simmons House (August 1958), and a year-end report (December 1958).
Reports on Centennial activities submitted from Freeborn, Grant, Houston, Itasca, Kandiyohi, Kittson, Koochiching, Lac Qui Parle, Lake of the Woods, Lincoln, Lyon, Meeker, Mille Lacs, Mower, Murray, Nobles, Polk, Rice, and Swift counties.
Reports on the Centennial activities of a wide variety of women's organizations throughout the state including literary, political, religious, educational, business, fraternal, and social groups.
Letters of thanks for copies presented gratis, including from Representative Coya Knutson and many governors and first ladies (a copy was sent to every governor's wife in the United States).
Recipes submitted by the public for the cookbook; organized alphabetically by county. The majority were not used in the cookbook.
There are no files for Jackson, Kanabec, Koochiching, and Mahnomen counties.
There are no files for Pipestone, Scott, Watonwan, and Wilkin counties.
Two scrapbooks (September 1957 - May 1958; April - November 1958); mainly clippings detailing activities of both the statewide committee and the individual county committees.
Chaired by Don L. Finlayson, the committee aimed to develop a program which would focus attention on the state's youth and their importance to Minnesota's future. The committee provided guidance and information for over 450 Centennial programs by youth-serving groups and organized the "Salute to Youth" banquet, held to honor outstanding young people selected by the mayors of the state's towns based on a "There's Nothing Like My Hometown" essay contest.
Mainly detailing the organization of the committee, development of the "Salute to Youth" banquet, and assistance given various youth organizations with their Centennial activities.
Includes project proposals, surveys, publicity, correspondence with youth organizations statewide, and descriptions of those groups' Centennial activities.