See the work of Irwin Norling, whose images, numbering more than 10,000, captured the light and dark sides of 1950s-'60s Bloomington, Minnesota. Learn more about the exhibit, purchase the book. Related Events:

• History Lounge "Suburban World" with author Brad Zellar, April 8, 7 - 8 :30 p.m.
• RetroRama: A Celebration of '50s Suburbs, May 15, 7 - 11 p.m.
  

EXPLORE CURRENT EXHIBITS

The Enemy Within, a provocative look at security threats throughout our nation's history, on view at the Minnesota History Center through May 4, 2008.

Selections from the Bishop Whipple Collection of American Indian Art, including rarely seen items, many from Ojibwe and Dakota people with accompanying documentation. Closes April 13 at the Minnesota History Center.

Looking Backward/Moving Forward, notable acquisitions to the art collection of the Minnesota Historical Society over the last five years. Closes April 20 at the James J. Hill House Gallery.

SPEND THE DAY AT

• Washburn A Mill Tour
  April 5 and 19
• The Warmest Room in the House: How the Kitchen Became the Heart of the Twentieth Century Home
  April 5
  
• Family Story Time
  April 12 and 26
• Scratch versus Mix: Which Brownie is Better?
  April 17
• 1950s Springtime Tea April 27
• Remarkable Americans: The Washburn Family
  May 1
• Before the Teardown: Minneapolis in 1960
  Exhibit Opening, May 8

AMAZING MAY EXHIBITS

Declaration of Independence

A rare, original copy of the Declaration of Independence will be part of the observance of 150 years of Minnesota Statehood at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, May 6-18, 2008. The Declaration comes to Minnesota via a presenting sponsorship by Dolan Media Company.

Thank God and FDR: New Deal Art from Minnesota

Watercolors, oils and woodcarvings are featured in the new exhibit Thank God and FDR: New Deal Art from Minnesota opening May 3 at the James J. Hill House Gallery.

We Couldn't Live at Home

We Couldn't Live at Home exhibit opens May 3 at the Minnesota History Center. Explore the life and stories of young people, past and present, who lived in a singular building on Minneapolis’ North Side. Developed in partnership with the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest. Join in a free family day on June 1.

Get the inside scoop from Society curators and conservators at Collections UP CLOSE Podcast and Blogs.

GET TO KNOW

1. The Mushroom Picker: A Family Story about World War II
   April 26 at the Minnesota History Center
2. Selections from the 2007 Moving Pictures Film Festival are available to Comcast Digital Cable subscribers via their new Local On Demand feature.
   In St. Paul turn to Channel 1 and in Minneapolis turn to Channel 1946, then look under the “Get Local” and “MN Historical Society” headings.
   
3. Preservation Spectacular! A WWII Preservation Workshop for Families
   May 4 at the Minnesota History Center
4. RetroRama: A Celebration of '50s Suburbs
   May 15 at the Minnesota History Center

PARTING SHOT

Minnesota -- the Star of the North, the 32nd State, Land of 10,000 Lakes -- turns 150 on May 11, 2008. We want to know, what does Minnesota mean to you?

Read what some well-known citizens have to say about what Minnesota means to them in the Spring issue of Minnesota History Magazine. Then add your story!