Collecting pieces of Minnesota's past for the future
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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.
Eber Berquist Misses the Music
This letter from Eber Berquist to his family, written on October 25th, 1918, talks about how he hopes to play music again soon at home with his family. Berquist was a saxophone player in the Army band. He also mentions how things are so much more expensive where he is in France compared to back in the United States.
“Somewhere in France”
Fri, Oct. 25, 1918.
Dear Folks at Home:-
[…] Our band has not been playing now for some time. We have been doing other duties But am in hopes we'll soon get to playing again. It's a long time since I've seen a piano. They are not as plentious [sic] here as they are in America. Yesterday was pay day for the company. That's quite an eventful day over here. However, I haven't suffered any financial difficulties as yet. However, as I've mentioned before, everything is expensive. I bought a writing tablet a few days ago which would have cost a nickel in the states and paid three francs (60¢) for it over here. We are sure having plenty of rain here recently. Hardly ever see the sun. However this is the rainy season of the year. I suppose it’s been fairly cold over there by now. […] Was just wondering in what shape the piano was. [...]
Eber
Citation: Eber Berquist Papers. Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, Minnesota. P2786