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.
Prince's Birthday
Today is Prince's birthday; he would have been 63 years old.
This photo taken by Jeff Katz in 1985.
National Donut Day!
Today is National Donut Day - finally!
This photograph from Norton & Peel shows donuts coming out of machine at Kresges in 1943.
Happy Pride Month!
Happy Pride!
Today we are highlighting "A Quick & Easy Guide to They/Them Pronouns."
This book combines a graphic art format with characters and good information. It was created in 2018 by Archie Bongiovanni and Tristan Jimerson.
Pig's Eye!
On this day St. Paul's founder, Pierre Parrant, built the city's first structure, known as the "whiskey seller's cabin," in Fountain Cave.
This portrait of Pierre Parrant is copied from an uncataloged print and dated 1840.
Sundress
It definitely has been sundress weather around here lately!
Today we share this one from 1958. This summer sundress features a modern stained glass block print, with a skirt flared from fitted waistband. And ladies rejoice, it has pockets! It is a Tina Lesser Original design.
Memorial Day Travel
We've missed travel, haven't we?
This photograph shows passengers purchasing tickets during the Memorial Day travel peak at the St. Paul Union Depot in 1949.
Have a great and safe weekend!
Radio
This is a Coronado brand tabletop radio, model 636. The radio has five white Bakelite dial slides with paper labels on which are printed the call letters of the radio stations WKBH, KWNO, WEAU, WCCO and WHO.
It was retailed at local Gamble stores, circa 1939.
Cycle Runs, 1896
This map show the principal cycle runs from Minneapolis.
It was taken from L.A.W. record and the notes of A.A. Hansen and published in The Minneapolis Times, 1896.
Happy 80th Bob!
Today is Bob Dylan's 80th birthday. To acknowledge such an important milestone, we share the earliest piece of Dylaniana from our significant collection. From 1956 we have his self described "Good/Bad Poem" along with a photo of him on his friend's motorcycle, which inspired these poems. We would characterize this as a rough start on the road to becoming a Nobel Laureate.
"Wine & Crime" Podcast Sweatshirt
This 2020 sweatshirt was created in the early months of the COVID lockout and reads "STAY THE F[wine glass image]CK HOME". The wine glass is part of the logo used by the true crime podcast Wine & Crime, who designed and distributed the sweatshirt, with a portion of proceeds going to the Center for Disaster Philanthropy to support COVID-19 relief efforts. The full logo is found in white near the end of the left sleeve, along with the text "XOXO The Gals". The hosts of Wine & Crime are from Minneapolis, Minnesota, and often incorporate Minnesota references and language into their episodes.