Collecting pieces of Minnesota's past for the future
About
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.
Item of the Day
Gourd painted like Jesse Ventura
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 10, 2011
A round, bulbous gourd painted to resemble then-governor Jesse Ventura. Written on the front of the shirt is "I'm "Jesse" that's why!". Made by Leta H., circa 2000.
Thermal mug used by Ann Bancroft
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 9, 2011
Silver stainless steel and black plastic mug with black plastic lid. Decal on mug reads "AMERICAN WOMEN'S / TRANS-ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION," and was used by Ann Bancroft during the 1992 American Women's Crossing of Greenland and the 1993 American Women's Expedition to the South Pole.
Thimble Holder
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 8, 2011
Small ornately engraved brass slipper (less than 2 1/2 inches in length) used to hold a sewing thimble in the 1860s. The thimble holder was used by Joanna Bainbridge Folwell, mother of William Watts Folwell.
Dinah doll
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 7, 2011
This depression era hand stitched doll named Dinah was a childhood gift from the donor’s grandmother. Made of black stockinette stockings and stuffed with wool batting, Dinah is wearing a blue cotton dress with white polka dots, a white cotton hemmed apron, a red handkerchief scarf in her hair, and black cotton velveteen shoes with black leather soles. Beneath the dress is a bright pink pair of bloomers. Dinah’s face is completely hand embroidered.
Lingerie Day Dress
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 4, 2011
White cotton lawn dress with sweetheart neckline, slight blouson at center front, and elbow-length set-in sleeves. The bodice and skirt are elaborately trimmed with Irish crochet and floral satin stitch embroidery. Circa 1910.
State Capitol Toolbox
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 3, 2011
Toolbox and carpenter's tools used by William Martin Knudsen during construction of 1905 capitol building. Contains 48 woodworking tools including drill bits, planes, files and two hand saws.
Minnesota Woman's Labor Union button
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 2, 2011
International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union button in red, white and blue. Date unknown.
Jane Russell matchbook
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| March 1, 2011
Bemidji native Jane Russell was one of Hollywood's premier actresses in the 1940s and 1950s. During this time, the voluptuous star appeared in more than two dozen feature films. In 1955, Ms. Russell founded the World Adoption International Fund (WAIF), an organization that places international children with adoptive American families.
This paper matchbook outlines this and other biographical information and also features a photograph of Jane Russell. It was issued by the Great Lakes Match Club as number three in the "Famous Minnesotans Series” and was manufactured in 2001 by Eadie Enterprises, Golden Bridge, New York.
Jane Russell died at the age of 89 on Monday, February 28, 2011.
Civil Defense gas mask and case
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| February 28, 2011
U.S. Office of Civilian Defense issue gas mask is made of gray rubberized fabric with plastic occuli, a network of gray elastic straps to fit over the head, and a gray plastic exhalation vent at the left cheek. It is attached to a filter canister by a circular metal band that tightens by means of a screw. The canister is painted gray and has instructions printed on it in black. The name "Jim Schwietz" and an address are scratched in the paint. The olive drab canvas bag has a carrying strap with metal buckle for adjustment, the cover flap has a metal snap, and there is a metal grommet on the bottom for a drainage hole. Manufacturer unknown, circa 1950-1959.
Souvenir autograph fan
By: admin
| Item of the Day
| February 25, 2011
Ladies wooden autograph fan of mahogany mounts and natural colored wood leaves with a purple silk ribbon insertions. Fan contains penciled writing on each leaf - memories of a summer in Minnesota. Belonged to Cora Gray who married Hascal Brill in 1873 in St. Paul. Circa 1871.
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