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Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) is a nonprofit educational and cultural institution dedicated to preserving the history of the U.S. state of Minnesota. It was founded by the territorial legislature in 1849, almost a decade before statehood. The Society is named in the Minnesota Constitution. It is headquartered in the Minnesota History Center in downtown Saint Paul.

Although its focus is on Minnesota history, it is not constrained by it. Its work on the North American fur trade has been recognized in Canada as well.[1]

MNHS holds a collection of nearly 550,000 books, 37,000 maps, 250,000 photographs, 225,000 historical artifacts,[2] 950,000 archaeological items,[3] 38,000 cubic feet (1,100 m3) of manuscripts,[4] 45,000 cubic feet (1,300 m3) of government records, 5,500 paintings, prints and drawings; and 1,300 moving image items.[citation needed]

Since 2011, MNopedia: The Minnesota Encyclopedia, has been an online "resource for reliable information about significant people, places, events, and things in Minnesota history." The work is funded through a Legacy Amendment Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund grant and administered by the Minnesota Historical Society.[5] The Minnesota Historical Society Press (MNHS Press) publishes books on the history and culture of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest with the goal of advancing research, supporting education, and sharing diverse perspectives on Minnesota history.[6] MNHS Press is the oldest publishing company in the state of Minnesota and the largest historical society press in the nation, with more than 500 books in print. MNHS Press also produces the quarterly magazine, Minnesota History (journal).

History

Sketch of Charles K. Smith, founder of the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society was established on October 20, 1849, as the fifth act of the Minnesota Territorial Legislature.[7]: 294  The Society was established earlier than was common for historical societies in other states. As Territorial Governor, Alexander Ramsey recommended saving every newspaper published in the Minnesota Territory. Ramsey stated "the preservation by a community, of materials for the composition of its history, when a future time shall require it to be written, is a task not without its uses; and, when early commenced, easily accomplished."[7]: 295  Charles K. Smith, the first Secretary of the Minnesota Territory, drew up the act and following the Society's charter, Smith and 18 other incorporators formally organized the Society on November 15, 1849.[7]: 296 

Upon organization, the Society had no headquarters. The Society initially used the Territorial Secretary's office, hotel rooms, and store lofts. In 1855, the Society was granted a room in the Minnesota State Capitol. Enabled by an 1856 amendment to the Society's charter allowing the Society to own unlimited property, the Society began a capital campaign to fund the construction of its own building.[7]: 299 .

Daniel A. Robertson, former editor and proprietor of the Minnesota Democrat served as chairman of the building committee. Robertson raised $1,500 via the sale of sixty-two lifetime memberships to the Society in order to fund the acquisition of two lots to serve as the site of a building to house the society. On the expectation that fundraising would continue at a similar place, plans were made to begin a two-year building construction[7]: 300  On June 24, 1856, the Society held a gala with invitations sent to scientific and literary guests from across the nation to celebrate the laying of the cornerstone of the building. The gala was reported in the Pioneer and Democrat as the "grandest gala day in the history of our city". Two weeks later, the building committee had exhausted their funds and passed a resolution to assess annual members five dollars in order to pay for the protection of the building foundation against winter frosts at the cost of $100.[7]: 301  The society approved a search for an architect who could draft a structure that could be built for $15,000 or less. Following the protection of the foundation, work on the building ceased as the Panic of 1857 resulted in the impoverishment of many formerly wealthy Minnesotans.[7]: 301 

A picture from above of a building with multiple granite columns
The former Historical Society building seen from the roof of the State Capitol

The Society would continue to operate out of the Capitol until the Minnesota State Legislature appropriated $500,000 for the construction of a fireproof historical building via an act passed in 1913 and amended in 1915. The building was completed in 1917 and the Society finished the process of moving its collections on March 1, 1918.[7]: 317  The building currently serves as the Minnesota Judicial Center.[8] The Society moved to its current location, the Minnesota History Center, in 1992.

State historic sites

The Minnesota Historical Society operates 31 historic sites and museums, 26 of which are open to the public. MNHS manages 16 sites directly and 7 in partnerships where the society maintains the resources and provides funding. 6 sites are being held for preservation but are closed to public access, and five are self-guided sites with interpretive signage.[9][3] Seven of the sites are National Historic Landmarks and 16 others are on the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). Seven sites lie within Minnesota state parks, and three are elements of the Mississippi National River and Recreation Area.[10]

Document depositories

These publications are described in more detail in an online format (without the downloadable document formats available above), at the MHC's own Digital History Books page.[49]

See also

References

  1. ^ "The story of the Canadian fur trade owes a great debt . . . for research and general popularization, to the Minnesota Historical Society." Morse, Eric (1979). Fur Trade Routes of Canada. Minoqua, WI: NorthWord Press. p. 74. ISBN 1-55971-045-4.
  2. ^ "Artifact Collection". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  3. ^ a b c "Historic sites and museums : MNHS.ORG". October 7, 2012. Archived from the original on October 7, 2012. Retrieved January 7, 2022.
  4. ^ "Manuscripts Collection". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  5. ^ "MNopedia: Minnesota Encyclopedia". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  6. ^ "Minnesota Historical Society Press". MNHS Press.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i Berthel, Mary Wheelhouse; Cater, Dean Harold (December 1949). "The Minnesota Historical Society: Highlight of a Century". Minnesota History. 30 (4): 293–330. JSTOR 20175482. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  8. ^ a b El-Hai, Jack. "A Brief History of the Minnesota Historical Society". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved July 24, 2022.
  9. ^ "2021 Minnesota Statutes:138.662 HISTORIC SITES". Office of the Revisor of Statutes:Minnesota Legislature. 2021. Retrieved January 9, 2022.
  10. ^ a b c d National Park Service (February 16, 2011). "Mississippi National River and Recreation Area: Plan Your Visit". U.S. Department of the Interior. Retrieved March 25, 2011.
  11. ^ "Alexander Ramsey". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  12. ^ "Birch Coulee Battlefield". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  13. ^ "Charles A. Lindbergh House". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on April 11, 2008. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  14. ^ "Lindbergh, Charles A. Sr., House". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  15. ^ "Comstock House". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  16. ^ "Folsom House". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  17. ^ "Forest History Center". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  18. ^ a b Meyer, Roy W. (1991). Everyone's Country Estate: A History of Minnesota's State Parks. St. Paul, Minn.: Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 0-87351-266-9.
  19. ^ a b "Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway: Discovery Sites". Minnesota River Valley Scenic Byway Alliance. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  20. ^ "Fort Ridgely". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  21. ^ a b c "Report to the Minnesota Legislature on the Future of the Grand Mound State Historic Site, Koochiching County" (PDF). Minnesota Historical Society. January 31, 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 4, 2016. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  22. ^ a b "Listing of National Historic Landmarks by State: Minnesota" (PDF). National Historic Landmarks Survey. National Park Service. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  23. ^ "Harkin Store". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  24. ^ "Historic Forestville". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  25. ^ "Historic Fort Snelling". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  26. ^ "Fort Snelling". National Park Service. Archived from the original on March 13, 2008. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  27. ^ "James J. Hill House". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  28. ^ "Hill, James J., House". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  29. ^ "Jeffers Petroglyphs". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  30. ^ "Lac qui Parle Mission". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  31. ^ "Lower Sioux Agency". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  32. ^ "Marine Mill". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  33. ^ "Mill City Museum". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  34. ^ "Washburn A Mill Complex". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  35. ^ "Mille Lacs Indian Museum". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  36. ^ "Minnehaha Depot". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  37. ^ "Minnesota History Center". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  38. ^ "Minnesota State Capitol". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  39. ^ a b Johnson, Elden (1988). Prehistoric Peoples of Minnesota. Minnesota Historical Society Press. ISBN 978-0-87351-223-7.
  40. ^ "TimePieces: Mounds". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on November 9, 2004. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  41. ^ "Oliver H. Kelley Farm". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  42. ^ "Kelley, Oliver H., Homestead". National Park Service. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved July 21, 2011.
  43. ^ "Sibley House Historic Site". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  44. ^ "North West Company Post". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  45. ^ "Split Rock Lighthouse". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  46. ^ "Traverse des Sioux". Minnesota Historical Society. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  47. ^ "Upper Sioux Agency State Park" (PDF). Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. June 2011. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 26, 2012. Retrieved May 26, 2022.
  48. ^ "W.W. Mayo House". Minnesota Historical Society. Archived from the original on September 24, 2007. Retrieved August 16, 2007.
  49. ^ "Digital History Books". Minnesota History Center. Archived from the original on April 3, 2013. Retrieved November 24, 2012.

External links

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This article incorporates text from MNopedia, which is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.