This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists, and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
August 5, 1981 - MPR’s Bob Aronson interviews Eugene McCarthy on the possibility of him running again for Minnesota U.S. Senate seat.
August 10, 1981 - David Porter, professor and lecturer of classics and music at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, attempts to lighten the mood of classical music by playing with a 2x4 board.
August 24, 1981 - David Porter, professor and lecturer of classics and music at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota, runs down his summer project of preserving his house and ruminates on its connection to the classics.
August 31, 1981 - Commentary on education from David Porter, professor and lecturer of classics and music at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota.
September 25, 1981 - Local historian Virginia Kunz describes the various life experiences of pioneer women via their writings.
September 26, 1981 - An interview with author and photographer Gordon Parks about his writing. Parks details his interest in Ireland and the resulting novel Shannon.
October 3, 1981 - MPR’s Dale Connelly talks with Minnesota writer Carol Bly about the Midcontinent Forum for the Future of Literature. The conference of theme is on literary funding options as writers find less federal government and foundation money available.
October 23, 1981 - Local historian Virginia Kunz comments on Jonathan Raban’s book Old Glory: An American Voyage and on history of the Mississippi River.
November 6, 1981 - Local historian and author Virginia Kunz reflects on historical vivid account of Ellen Rice Hollinshead as she embarked on a hair-raising journey down the Mississippi.
November 10, 1981 - Jackpine Bob Cary pronounces the sad state of affairs for the deer hunter and how they may overcome the affliction.