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History-time!

Bring the stories of Minnesota’s past into your library or community center!

Costumed characters and playful puppets bring Minnesota’s history to life in History-time, a collection of interactive programs designed especially for libraries and community centers.

Inspire library patrons of all ages to read more about the people, places and events that have shaped Minnesota by booking one of these engaging performances – a great way to celebrate Minnesota’s 150th birthday in 2008!

Scheduling

To schedule a History-time program, call 651-259-3400 or email HPIC@mnhs.org.

History Players

James Goodhue History Player

Using props and artifacts, costumed characters from Minnesota’s past step forward in time to share their memorable stories. Presentation length is 45 minutes, but can be adjusted to meet your needs. Characters distribute bookmarks to audience members at the end of each performance.

History Player characters include:

  • George Nelson (1786-1859) Fur Trade Clerk for the XY Company
  • Harriet Bishop (1817-1883) St. Paul’s First Public School Teacher
  • James Goodhue (1810-1852) Editor of Minnesota’s First Newspaper
  • Maud Hart Lovelace (1892-1980) Author of the “Betsy-Tacy” series of children’s books
  • Thomas Lyles (1843-1920) African American community activist, & entrepreneur
  • Virginia Mae Hope (1921-1944) World War II Women’s Airforce Service Pilot

Program Cost

Fees apply to presentations on the same day at the same location. Additional fees for mileage and lodging may apply to travel outside the Twin Cities metro area.

  • $150 for one 45-minute presentation
  • $100 for second presentation (same location, same day)
  • $75 for third presentation (same location, same day)
  • $50 for fourth presentation (same location, same day)

Circus Minimus Puppetry

Developed for the Minnesota Historical Society by Circus Minimus Puppetry, these delightful performances will charm children and their adults. Presentation length is approximately 30 minutes.

Performances include:

Beyond Boreas

Minnesota Aha!

Celebrate Minnesota’s 150th birthday with clown scholar Professor Historificus and his astute cat, Walter Mondale, as they unravel stories behind great Minnesota inventions. How did anyone think of SPAM, Scotch tape, rollerblades, kitty litter and water skis? Find out the fun facts about why Minnesota has inspired genius for centuries.

What Makes Minnesota Minnesota?

What people, places, events and things have most shaped Minnesota in its 150 years of being a state? You decide, in this playful tour of the legends, roadside attractions and beloved eccentricities that make Minnesota what it is today. With stops at Paul Bunyan, the World’s Largest Twine Ball, and lakes upon lakes, meet key colorful characters that have helped define what makes Minnesota, Minnesota.

Beyond Boreas!

Summer too hot? Winter too cold? Take a comic frolic into weather myths across the world and throughout the ages with St. Paul Winter Carnival Legends, King Boreas and Vulcanus Rex. For over 100 years, Boreas and Vulcan have helped Minnesotans make it through extreme temperatures. As they get ready to put on a puppet show of the origins of the Winter Carnival, Boreas and Vulcan explore multicultural and Minnesota perspectives on how and why people tell stories about weather as a way to survive the seasons.

Circus Minimus Puppetry Program Cost

Fees apply to presentations on the same day at the same location. Additional fees for mileage and lodging may apply to travel outside the Twin Cities metro area.

  • $375 for one performance
  • $325 for second performance (same location, same day)
  • $300 for third performance (same location, same day)