Minnesota State Archives

Operating under statutory authority granted by Minnesota Statute 138.17, the Minnesota State Archives identifies, collects, preserves, and provides access to the historical records of state, local, and regional government agencies and entities.

As part of the Minnesota Historical Society, the collections of the State Archives are available for access and use through the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul as well as online.

For a detailed history of the Minnesota State Archives, view our detailed agency history here.

State archives collection

See what's in the State Archives collection

Government records services

Learn about records retention and how to transfer records to the State Archives

team members holding an old directory

Help with government records

Resources to help you manage your government entity's records

Contact us

Research help and accessing collections

If you have questions about our collections, including requests for access or research assistance, please contact the staff at the Gale Family Library. They can assist with research questions, help locate and access materials, and more. You can reach library staff by phone or email using the contact information on their website.

Government records management and transfers

If you have questions about government records management, retention schedules, transferring records from your government entity, or other questions about government records, you can contact the State Archives directly at:

  • Email: statearchives@mnhs.org
  • Telephone: 651-259-3260
  • Fax: 651-296-9961

Donating to the state archives

If you are an individual with government records that you would like to donate to the State Archives, please contact us directly at:

  • Email: statearchives@mnhs.org
  • Telephone: 651-259-3260
  • To inquire about donating non-government records and other materials to the Minnesota Historical Society, see the online form and FAQ here.

Find us on social media

If you want to keep in touch or learn more about what's in our State Archives collections, follow us on Facebook.

 

Staff list

State Archives Team

  • Email: statearchives@mnhs.org
  • Telephone: 651-259-3260
  • Fax: 651-296-9961

Shawn Rounds

  • State Archivist and Director of Library & Archives
  • Telephone: 651-259-3265
  • Contact for: administration

Sarah Barsness

  • Digital Collections Archivist
  • Telephone: 651-259-3262
  • Contact for: digital records, digital archiving, preservation

Charles Rodgers

  • Government Records Specialist
  • Telephone: 651-259-3266
  • Contact for: transfers and acquisitions, state and local government records, retention schedules

Perry Schussler

  • Government Records Archivist
  • Telephone: 651-259-3259
  • Contact for: transfers and acquisitions, state and local government records, retention schedules