"A" Mill Explosion

Title: Drawing of the Explosion Aftermath
Type: Art
Date: June 1878
Source: American Miller

Description: The American Miller magazine published the drawing "Scene of the Minneapolis Disaster" one month after the event.

Activities:

1. What details can you learn about the event from this source?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: This source can give you an idea of the amount of damage the explosion caused and how it affected surrounding buildings.
2. What kinds of information does this source not provide for you about the event?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: This source does not tell us anything about the cause of the explosion or who might have been injured or killed.
3. What details in this source can give you hints about when this event took place?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The clothing of the spectators, the fact that they are on horses and use umbrellas and baby carriages all suggest that this event occurred in the late 19th century. This could be verified or proven by looking at sources that would show fashions at that time, such as magazines or mail-order catalogs.
4. What about this drawing might suggest that this event had an impact beyond Minnesota?
   
   
   
   
   Answer: The drawing was published in a national paper.