Recent State Archives Acquisitions: May 2012

Background Information

Records added this month to the State Archives collection document several key functions of the Minnesota state government, and may be used for a variety of research topics. 

The Minnesota State Arts Board transferred a number of records that continue existing records dating back to the 1960s.  The Board’s history dates back to 1903 with the creation of the Minnesota State Art Society; in 1963 its name was changed to the Minnesota State Arts Council.  As the state’s official advocate for the arts, the Board encourages new forms of artistic expression and works to preserve the state’s artistic heritage.  Records added to the State Archives are particularly valuable as they often document little known artists and artistic organizations which may not be well-documented anywhere else. 

Complementing business records preserved in our Manuscripts collection, and similar reports in the Library collection, are annual reports to stockholders (dated 1995-2002) of Minnesota utility companies transferred by the Commerce Department. 

Received from the Human Rights Department are correspondence (dated 1983-2003) of Commissioners Irene Gomez-Behke, Linda Johnson, Stephen Cooper, A. Frank Gallegos, David Beaulieu, Dolores Fridge, Janeen Rosas; selected subject files (dated 1980-2005); Governors’ Human Rights Day Proclamations (dated 1984-2010); and  published records and reports (dated 1955-2010).   It has been about twenty years since the Human Rights Department transferred records to the State Archives, and many of the records continue or inter-file with existing department records preserved in the collection. 

The Legislative Auditor transferred program evaluation reports (dated 2009-2012) of the Program Evaluation Division, concerning topics such as the Legacy Amendment, Capitol Complex security, alternative education programs, and K-12 on-line learning. Also, financial audit reports (dated 1979-1996) of the Financial Audit Division.  The records continue existing sets preserved in the State Archives collection. 

Photographs (dated circa 1949) of celebrity Bob Hope arriving at the Minneapolis-St Paul airport, probably for the 1949 Minneapolis Aquatennial, were donated by a private donor.  The photographs will be added to an excellent set of Metropolitan Airports Commission photographs (dated 1915-1990s) preserved in the State Archives collection. 

Audit reports (dated 1969-1975) for state agencies, state colleges and universities, state hospitals, and cities will be added to an existing set of audit reports of the state Public Examiner.  The Office of the Public Examiner was created in 1878, and in 1973 its powers relating to audits of cities, villages, townships, counties, school districts, and other local governmental units were transferred to the State Auditor; powers relating to the state and its departments, agencies, boards, and commissions were transferred to the Legislative Auditor. 

Especially valuable for family history research are civil case files (dated 1921-1951) of the Red Lake County District Court.  The case files continue an existing set dating back to 1897 preserved in the State Archives collection. 

Round Lake Management Project records (dated 1999-2010) were received from the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District, and include hearing transcripts, project index, engineer’s reports, board of managers meeting minutes, and correspondence.  The records continue an existing set of watershed district records preserved in the State Archives collection. 

 

Acquisitions

1. Arts Board.  Grant review files (dated 1996-2007), funded grant applications (dated 1994-2007), and program grant administrative files (dated 1996-2007).  43 boxes.

2. Commerce Department.  Utility Companies Annual Report to the Stockholders, dated 1995-2002.  These annual reports complement similar annual reports preserved in the Library collection.  1 box.

3. Human Rights Department.  Commissioner’s Office.  Correspondence (dated 1983-2003) of Commissioners Irene Gomez-Behke, Linda Johnson, Stephen Cooper, A. Frank Gallegos, David Beaulieu, Dolores Fridge, Janeen Rosas; selected subject files (dated 1980-2005); Governors’ Human Rights Day Proclamations (dated 1984-2010); published records and reports (dated 1955-2010).   18 boxes.

4. Legislative Auditor.  Program evaluation reports (dated 2009-2012) of the Program Evaluation Division and financial audit reports (dated 1979-1996) of the Financial Audit Division.  1 box.

5. Metropolitan Airports Commission.  Photographs [dated 1949?] of Bob Hope arriving at the airport, probably for the 1949 Minneapolis Aquatennial.   1 folder.

6. Public Examiner.  Audit reports (dated 1969-1975) for state agencies, state colleges and universities, state hospitals, and cities.  1 box.

7. Red Lake County.  District Court.  Civil case files (dated 1921-1951) that continue an existing set dating back to 1897 preserved in the State Archives collection.  20 boxes.

8. Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District.  Round Lake Management Project Records (dating 1999-2010), including hearing transcripts, project index, engineer’s reports, board of managers meeting minutes, and correspondence.  1 box.

 

Back to Recent Acquisitions.

June 5, 2012