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.
German American Bank vault lock
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 8, 2010
This is the original vault lock and two keys from the National German American Bank in Saint Paul, Minnesota. The bank was so titled in 1883, after a series of titles including the name of one of the bank's founders, Ferdinand Willius. In 1885 the bank completed construction of a new building in Saint Paul at the corner of Fourth and Robert Streets with new vaults and locks. The old vault lock, in use since the bank’s founding in 1856, was no longer needed.
Stassen for President campaign sign
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 5, 2010
Elephant holding a sign with "Stassen for President." One side is signed by both Harold and Esther Stassen. This sign is from either 1948 or 1952: he ran for president in both years as well as 1964, 1968, 1976, 1980, 1984, 1988, 1992. In 1938 he was the youngest person ever elected governor of Minnesota at 31.
Humphrey campaign dress
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 4, 2010
During his 1968 presidential bid, Hubert Humphrey opened a retail store in Washington, D.C. that merchandised a variety of campaign paraphernalia. Clothing was particularly well stocked, and one of the most unique items in the store was this women's go-go dress. Featuring prominent African-American leaders, entertainers and sports heroes of the era, the dress represented both Humphrey's Civil Rights crusade and his strive for the African-American vote.
Recounts in Minnesota
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 3, 2010
We just received this book for the MHS Library Collection this week. How timely.
Jay Weiner. This is Not Florida: How Al Franken Won the U.S. Senate Recount. Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press, 2010.
Window display promoting election voting machine
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 2, 2010
Window display promoting election voting, Dayton's, Minneapolis
Photographer: Norton & Peel
Photograph Collection 10/26/1956
Peacetime Slackers Are Those Who Do Not Vote
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| November 1, 2010
Peacetime Slackers Are Those Who Do Not Vote
Creator: Saint Paul Civic Union, Inc.
Poster Collection, One-sheet poster 1926
Women's Suffrage: 90th Anniversary
By: admin
| Podcasts and Slideshows
| November 1, 2010
This year, 2010, is the 90th anniversary of the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment giving women the right to vote. Linda McShannock, Object Curator at the Minnesota Historical Society, shows objects from the Collection relating to the important Women’s Suffrage Movement. We also learn that pink was not the first color to be associated with a cause!
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Halloween costumes over the years
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| October 29, 2010
A collection of children's Halloween costumes over the years.
Upper left, Edward K. Prichett, Jr. dressed for Halloween, 1901.
Upper right, Halloween trick or treaters, 1934.
Lower left, Mary, Jeffrey and Brent Miletich in Halloween costume, 1961.
Lower right, Benji and Kristen Woitas in their Halloween costumes, St. Paul, 1979.
More Halloween photos can be viewed at the Visual Resource Database.
First Minnesota license plate
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| October 28, 2010
Rectangular black leather automobile license tag with a brass number '1' on the center front. This was the first automobile license plate that was issued by the State Boiler Inspector in the State of Minnesota, 1903.
Autumn Scene
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| October 27, 2010
Autumn Scene, oil on canvas, painted by John Banvard, circa 1870. Banvard (1815-1891) is known for his panoramic oil paintings, which were often created from preliminary sketches made during his travels throughout the Mississippi River Valley.
Other works by John Banvard