Publisher's Note

The cover of the summer 2026 issue of Minnesota History.

Minnesota History is a lively, richly illustrated quarterly magazine from the Minnesota Historical Society Press dedicated to the history of the state and the Upper Midwest. 

In our Summer issue, we commemorate the nation’s 250th anniversary with the second part of our MN250 series, reflecting on the July 4, 1976, celebrations across the state. We also share the story of Camp Parsons, Minnesota’s first Black-owned summer camp, and sit down with author Michael Risku to discuss the history of commercial fishing along the North Shore. His new book, Following the Fish, was released by MNHS Press in May.

Our short features include:

• The candid photography of influential artist and philanthropist Jerome Hill;

• The origins of roller derby that captivated Minneapolis in 1940; and

• Northfield’s Scriver Building, best known as the site of the attempted James-Younger gang raid in 1876.

You’ll also find book notices and reviews, MNHS news and events, and featured content from the MNopedia digital library. A subscription to Minnesota History is available with any level of MNHS membership. Learn more at mnhs.org/support/membership. 

Events

Twin Cities Metro

7/16/2026, 1:00 PM, Lori Sturdevant, Martin Sabo, Norway House, Minneapolis

8/13/2026, 6:30 PM, Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, Minnesota History Center, St. Paul

Greater Minnesota

7/31/2026, 6:00 PM, Michael Risku, Following the Fish, Grand Marais Public Library, Grand Marais

8/1/2026, 1:00 to 3:00 PM, Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main book signing, Split Rock Lighthouse, Two Harbors

8/2/2026, 12:00 PM, Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, Crow & Company, Superior, WI

In the Media

Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, "The gay bar in Superior, Wis., that blazed trails and saved lives," Star Tribune

Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, "A Guide to the Summer Reads of 2026," Mpls.St.Paul Magazine

Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, "Before Pride, Superior’s Main Club offered a place to belong for area’s LGBTQ+ residents," Wisconsin Public Radio

Audrey Thayer, Weaving Community, "History of Native American women leaders in the Twin Cities told in new book," Minnesota Public Radio 

Meg Gorzycki, Remember the Main, "Inside the Twin Ports gay bar that helped fuel LGBTQ+ rights activism in northern Minnesota," Minnesota Public Radio

Noteworthy

MNHS Press Fall 2026 Catalog Is Available Online

Our seasonal catalog is now posted on the MNHS Press homepage as a pdf download. See the full list of new books publishing this fall season, featuring such authors as Molly Beth Griffin, Ka Choua Vue, Crystal Schlueter, Hampton Smith, and more. All our fall titles are available for preorder at shop.mnhs.org.

New in MNopedia

Origins of Commercial Logging, 1821–1839

Even before the formation of Minnesota Territory in 1849, the vast pine forests and navigable rivers west of the St. Croix River influenced the interactions of US politicians with the Native nations who lived there. The lure of logging for profit intensified in the 1830s, when settlers pressured the US government to sign treaties that would transform Dakota and Ojibwe homeland into a business opportunity.

DesJarlait, Patrick (1921–1972)

Patrick DesJarlait (Red Lake Nation), a recognized Native modernist painter, is best known for depicting Red Lake Ojibwe people between the 1940s and 1970s. He lived a short but full life, attending a federal Native American boarding school, serving in World War II, and building a commercial art career. DesJarlait is best known for his depictions of the Hamm's Beer bear and the Land O’Lakes butter maiden.

Forthcoming Releases

Our fall season kicks off in September, when MNHS Press will publish three powerful and engaging books, including the sequel to a bestselling children's book, a memoir by a beloved former governor, and a rich volume of original art paired with stories.

Blue Bearies

Story by Brenda J. Child (Bíne), illustrations by Jonathan Thunder, translation by Gordon Jourdain
In Blue Bearies Brenda J. Child (Bíne) reprises the adventures of Windy Girl and her dog Itchy Boy with a focus on history and ecology, while Jonathan Thunder’s lively illustrations teem with playful humor. Anishinaabe educator Gordon Jourdain retells the story in Ojibwemowin. This much-anticipated sequel to the award-winning Bowwow Powwow celebrates the wonders of a time when  humans lived closely with our animal relatives, to our mutual benefit.

Pub date: September 8, 2026

Perseverance

Mark Dayton, foreword by Hillary Rodham Clinton
“I served in the legislature while Mark Dayton was governor, and while our political philosophies couldn’t be more different, our friendship has always been a point of pride for me. In Perseverance, Mark brings the same humor and humility to the page that he brought to the capitol. From family stories to the grit of a political career, this is a fascinating read that reminds us there is always more to a person than their party platform.” —State Senator Karin Housley

Pub date: September 15, 2026

Walking My Ancestors' Path

Sam Zimmerman / Zhaawanoogiizhik
“Walking My Ancestors’ Path is a gorgeous collection of engaging Woodlands-style paintings, personal and familial memoir, cultural memory, and the complex dance of an artist balancing his own space between English and Ojibwemowin, including both. The arc of seasons informs Zimmerman’s work, along with constant lunar cycles, images illuminated with symbols both universal and deeply personal. This engrossing, rich volume welcomes us to witness one intersection of time and memory, allowing us to glimpse this singular artistic spirit and its place in the universe.”—Eric Gansworth Sˑha-weñ na-saeˀ (Onondaga, Eel Clan), author of Apple (Skin to the Core)

Pub date: September 22, 2026

Bestselling Backlist

Nana and Abuela Story by Monica Rojas, illustrations by Emiko Rainbow	Mni Sota Makoce by Gwen Westerman and Bruce White	National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota by Mary Ann Nord