Handwritten History Documenting Minnesota’s Founding on Display

Spotlighting two versions of the state constitution at the Minnesota History Center

For immediate release

Dated: May 4, 2026

Contacts: Allison Ortiz, 651-259-3051, allison.ortiz@mnhs.org or Jack Bernstein, 651-259-3058, jack.bernstein@mnhs.org

Location: Minnesota History Center

Handwritten History Documenting Minnesota’s Founding on Display
Spotlighting two versions of the state constitution at the Minnesota History Center

ST. PAUL, Minn (May 4, 2026) – Did you know Minnesota has two nearly identical original constitution documents? The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is shining a spotlight on this fascinating piece of our state’s history with a new display at the Minnesota History Center.

Spotlight on Minnesota’s Constitutions will feature the two copies of the state constitution—one signed by Republicans, the other signed by Democrats. Both parties refused to sign a single document. The two versions were voted on and approved by Minnesota voters in 1857 prior to Minnesota’s statehood on May 11, 1858.

Spotlight on Minnesota’s Constitutions will run May 6 - July 5 at the Minnesota History Center, in time for Minnesota Statehood Day (May 11) and America’s semiquincentennial (July 4). Pages of the documents on display will be changed weekly throughout the run of the display.

Funding is provided by the State of Minnesota's Legacy Amendment, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves, and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.