Recent State Archives Acquisitions: October 2012
Background Information
A variety of research topics are represented in the government records added this month to the State Archives collection.
The State Auditor transferred audit and financial reports (dated 1988-2001) that inter-file with, and continue, a master set of records preserved in the State Archives.
The Beltrami County District Court transferred additional records (dated 2012) for a civil case file, opened in 1956, already preserved in the State Archives; the existing set of Beltrami County District Court civil and criminal case files are dated 1897-1959.
Two units of records concerning the Minneapolis School District were added to the State Archives. A former school district staff member donated published records and reports (dated 1878-1996) which cover such topics as adult and community education, curriculum, planning and evaluation, and many more. The records inter-file with, and continue a master set preserved in the State Archives. The school district’s legal counsel office transferred desegregation/integration files, (dated 1970s-2000s) regarding several desegregation/integration lawsuits the school district was involved in, especially Minneapolis Public Schools v. Jeanette Booker. Included are litigation files, subject files, reports and published records
Joining other state Human Services Department records that document decision-making and policies are meeting minutes of the Clinical Cabinet (dated 2001-2003).
The Otter Tail County District Court transferred juvenile court case files (dated 1917-1928) concerning assistance for dependent children. This set of records is unique to the State Archives collection, and documents an aspect of the public welfare system before federal programs (e.g. Aid to Families with Dependent Children, Food Stamps, etc.) were instituted in the United States. Prior to that time, public welfare assistance was funded at the local level. These records document the Otter Tail County Juvenile Court deciding which families (primarily single women with dependent children) would receive public assistance. Included in the records, are petitions for guardianship and for county aid, bi-monthly reports of guardians, summons, correspondence, orders appointing guardians, petitions for increase in allowance, investigation of widow’s pension, payment record and clerk’s receipts for welfare payments. With 206 files representing 206 families, the documents will be useful for researching family history, local history, and this early form of public assistance in Minnesota.
The state Administration Department transferred records (dated 1963-2006) of the now defunct State Planning Agency. The Agency was created in 1965, eliminated in 2003, and was an important source of research, analysis and policy development for the State of Minnesota. Included are correspondence and selected subject files of former directors Linda Kohl and Dean Barkley; selected subject files, Minnesota Milestones, and Listening Posts files of the Critical Issues Division; Children’s Division selected subject files, and records concerning the formation of the Children, Families and Learning Department; and published records and reports. Topics include sustainable energy and buildings, K-12 education, community based planning, affordable housing, economic forecasting, and many more.
Transferred from the Manuscripts Collection, with the assistance of the Collections Department staff, is the Thailand Trip Report (dated December 1986) of the Governor’s State Advisory Council for Refugees. This report joins other records of the Governor’s State Advisory Council for Refugees, and is cataloged under records of the Public Welfare Department/Refugee Program Office.
The Metropolitan Council transferred meeting minutes and agenda packets (dated 1984-1992) of the Regional Transit Board and its committees. With the on-going construction of the light rail line in St. Paul, this is a timely acquisition. The Regional Transit Board was established in 1984 by the legislature to administer the transit needs of the Twin Cities metropolitan area. In 1994, along with the Metropolitan Transit Commission, the Board was abolished with all its duties and responsibilities transferred to the Metropolitan Council. Besides bringing light rail to the Twin Cities, the Board administered various programs involving short-range transit planning, particularly those involving the handicapped and elderly. Inter-file with an existing set of records.
Also transferred with the assistance of the Collections Department staff, two published items were added to the Stillwater State Prison/Prison Industries records. The two farm machinery published items, Minnesota Hay Rake Duplicate Parts List, and Minnesota Mower No. 3 Instructions Book and Parts List (undated) continue an existing of published records of the prison industries program. The prison industries program at the Stillwater State Prison has existed since the 1890s, and was well known for its line of farm machinery, called the “Minnesota Line”. The Minnesota Line brand had a reputation for excellent workmanship and quality, and the farm equipment was sold to farmers and implement dealers for several decades starting in 1908 and well into the 1980s.
The State Archives made a podcast about the Stillwater prison industries program publicly available in 2010.
Acquisitions
1. Auditor. Audit and financial reports, dated 1988-2001 (bulk dated 1999-2001) of counties, cities, fire and police relief associations, county hospital and nursing homes, sanitary and sewer districts, watershed districts, regional railroad authorities, soil and watershed districts, housing and redevelopment authorities, and other local government entities. 3 boxes.
2. Beltrami County. District Court. Civil case file no. 19,325 (dated 2012). The records concern a civil case (no. 19,325), initially opened in 1956, with additional information concerning the subject of the case. 1 folder.
3. Hennepin County. Minneapolis Public Schools. Published records and reports (dated 1878-1996) 2 boxes.
4. Hennepin County. Minneapolis Public Schools. Desegregation/Integration Files, (dated 1970s-2000s). 9 boxes.
5. Human Services Department. State Operated Services Division. Clinical Cabinet meeting minutes (dated 2001-2003). 2 folders.
6. Otter Tail County. Juvenile Court. Case files concerning assistance for dependent children (dated 1917-1928). 3 boxes.
7. Planning Agency. Records (dated 1963-2006) of former directors Linda Kohl and Dan Barkley; selected subject files, Minnesota Milestones and Listening Posts files of the Critical Issues Division; Children’s Division selected subject files, and records concerning the formation of the Children, Families and Learning Department; and published records and reports. 11 boxes.
8. Public Welfare Department. Refugee Program Office. Governor’s State Advisory Council for Refugees: Thailand Trip Report, December 1986. This report joins other records of the Governor’s State Advisory Council for Refugees which is cataloged under records of the Public Welfare Department. Refugee Program Office. Transferred with the assistance of Collections Department staff. 1 volume in folder.
9. Regional Transit Board. Meeting minutes and agenda packets (dated 1984-1992) of the Board and its committees. 11 boxes.
10. Stillwater State Prison. Prison Industries. Farm machinery published items: Minnesota Hay Rake duplicate parts list, and Minnesota Mower No. 3 Instructions Book and Parts List (undated). 2 folders.
Back to Recent Acquisitions.
November 5, 2012
