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.
Summer Foods - Ice Cream!
We end our week of summer foods with perhaps the best possible - ice cream!
In which of these two fine establishment would you rather enjoy a cool treat?
Pictured:
The interior of P. Boosalis Ice Cream and Candy Emporium, Minneapolis 1905
or
The exterior of Madelon's Ice Cream Shop, 636 North Snelling Avenue, St. Paul 1952
Summer Foods - Tomatoes!
This week we are celebrating the foods of summer, and how could we over look perfect tomatoes?
This photo shows tomatoes in basket at the Minneapolis Farmers Market in 1935.
They look great, but we wish it was in color!
Summer Foods - Fruit Corer
All this week we are celebrating the foods of summer.
This item in the collection is a cast metal fruit corer with red wood handles, circa 1927.
Summer Foods - Corn
This week we are celebrating the foods of summer!
What says summer more than locally grown corn on the cob?
This photo shows an enthusiast competitor at a corn eating contest in 1950. It was taken by the Minneapolis Star Journal Tribune.
Summer Foods - Gardens
Time to celebrate foods of summer!
This photograph from 1908 shows a woman posed in a garden of sunflowers and tomatoes.
Hope all of your gardens are doing as well!
Belview Band
Today's Item of the Day is this photograph of the Belview Band.
Sadly, it is undated. Yet we still like the image: it is so clear and radiants town pride.
Mall of America turns 30!
The Mall of America opened 30 years ago today!
This collectors shopping bag was designed by Alex Boies in that first year of 1992.
The Prision Mirror
The Prison Mirror started publication on August 10, 1887. It is the newspaper of the Stillwater State Prison and is the longest, continuously published prison newspaper in the country.
The initial motto was "God helps those who help themselves;" a few issues later it changed to "It is never too late to mend."
The Prison Mirror was co-founded by brothers Cole, Robert, and James Younger, members of the James-Younger Gang who were serving life sentences after taking part in a raid in Northfield, Minnesota, in 1876.
See more in our Digital Newspaper Database!
https://www.mnhs.org/newspapers/hub/prison-mirror
Mississippi River
This photo shows visitors enjoying a view of the Mississippi River in Itasca Park.
It was taken in 1900.
Title IX Library Lobby Display
After taking a break during the pandemic and the reopening of the Library, we have a new small display in the Library Lobby!
It celebrates the 50th anniversary of what is commonly referred to as Title IX, which prohibits sex-based discrimination in any school that receives funding from the federal government.
The display contains photos, books, and artifacts relating to women and girls in sports. Take a look if you're in the vicinity!
This photos show here is the Women's hockey team from the University of Minnesota in 1925.