Collecting pieces of Minnesota's past for the future
About
The Minnesota Historical Society preserves and makes available a wide range of materials chronicling Minnesota's history and culture. The goals of the Collections Department are to collect and preserve; provide access and interpretation; and engage in education and outreach. This blog is a tool to share these stories and let people know what is happening in the department.
Mondale and Ferraro
The theme of Item of the Day this week is Remembering Vice President Walter Mondale.
This photo shows Walter Mondale and his running mate Geraldine Ferraro on the campaign trail in 1984. It was the first time a woman appeared on a major party ticket.
Office of the Vice President Seal
The theme of Item of the Day this week is Remembering Vice President Walter Mondale.
This is a cast plaster Vice Presidential seal to hang on the front of a podium. The seal was used by Walter Mondale, who served as the 42nd Vice President of the United States, 1977-1981.
Memo about the role of Vice President
This is the momentous memo Vice President Mondale sent to President Carter, outlining his thoughts on the role the vice president could play in the new administration and some specific contributions that he personally could make. President Carter was eager to implement the ideas set forth here.
See the whole: http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00697/pdf/Mondale-CarterMemo.pdf
Grits and Fritz
This week’s theme for Item of the Day is Remembering Vice President Walter Mondale.
While Mondale had a storied political career before becoming Vice President, serving both as Attorney General and Senator for Minnesota, the fun slogan on this button provides a glimpse into the teamwork the Carter Administration would soon exhibit.
Jimmy Carter (Grits) and Walter Mondale (Fritz) presidential campaign button, 1976.
The Latehomecomer
The Minnesota Book Awards will be held virtually this year on April 29. Throughout this month we are highlighting past winners in the Library Collection.
The 2009 winner in the Memoir & Creative Nonfiction category was "The Latehomecomer: A Hmong Family Memoir" by Kao Kalia Yang, published by Coffee House Press.
Earth Day
Happy Earth Day!
This folded paper leaflet is titled "Our environment isn't disposable". It contains information regarding recycling in St. Paul, Earth Day, and a calendar for recycling pickup days for Como Park. It was created in 1990.
Prince
Today is the fifth anniversary of Prince's death.
In memory of him, we share the famous and fabulous ensemble he wore in "Purple Rain" in 1984. Prince himself donated it to MNHS years later.
We are also sharing this image of children adding to balloons and flowers underneath Prince's star at First Avenue on April 23, 2016. It was collected as part of our "History is Now: Remembering Prince" contemporary collecting initiative.
Itasca!
On this day in 1891 Itasca State Park was established, making it the first state park in Minnesota. Its 32,000 acres preserve more than 300 lakes as well as the headwaters of the Mississippi River.
Today's Item of the Day is the Itasca State Park headwaters sign used from 1975 - 1988. It marked the origin of the Mississippi River at the outlet of Lake Itasca. It has been replaced by a new one that looks the same.
Mine
This oil painting by Jo Lutz Rollins is titled "Open Pit Mine."
It is a view from above looking down into an open pit mine; a group of green buildings is at upper right. A forest is in the distance. It was created in 1950.
Photo of Sinclair Lewis
Does this photograph say Evil Genius or Nobel Prize winning writer?
If you said the second you'd be right!
This is a photo of Sinlclair Lewis from 1945, taken by the Minneapolis Star and Tribune.
Lewis won the Nobel in 1930 for "...his vigorous and graphic art of description and his ability to create, with wit and humour, new types of characters."
Come learn more about him and his work at the newest exhibit "Sinclair Lewis: 100 Years of Main Street" on view now!