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.
December 22, 1993 - Midmorning’s Cathy Wurzer interviews Minnesota first lady Susan Carlson about the Governor’s Mansion and cookbook she co-created, Minnesota Times and Tastes: Recipes and Menus Seasoned with History from the Minnesota Governor's Residence.
December 22, 1993 - Minnesota poet and author Bill Holm comments on a number of winter topics, from the sense of poverty on the farm, to the meaning behind lutefisk.
December 23, 1993 - Minnesota poet and author Bill Holm reflects on singing Christmas songs in his Lutheran childhood, with memories of the cold, tin ears, and a favorite carol.
December 24, 1993 - MPR’s Elizabeth Stawicki profiles Jim Cummings, a local bookseller who has a passion for collecting diaries. Segment includes an interview with Cummings and select readings.
December 24, 1993 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota writer Laurie Allmann reads an essay that includes a childhood memory, beavers, and snowflakes.
December 29, 1993 - MPR’s John Rabe interviews local writer Joan Nyberg about her book, A Rustling of Wings: An Angelic Guide to the Twin Cities.
January 14, 1994 - In this segment of Voices from the Heartland, Minnesota author Barton Sutter reads his essay on recycling Christmas trees.
January 14, 1994 - MPR’s Perry Finelli interviews writer Connee Chivers about publishing the Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder. Chivers also talks about her father Curtis Chivers and paper founder Cecil E. Newman.
January 31, 1994 - MPR’s Paula Schroeder interviews Native American author Louise Erdrich about her novel, The Bingo Palace. Erdrich talks of the complexity of gaming on tribal land, family, and religion.
February 4, 1994 - On this Voices from the Heartland segment, Minnesota writer Laurie Allmann reads an essay on escaping long Minnesota winter days by making some long-distance calls.