March 11, 1981 - The Radio Project presents Vanished Voices: New Yorkers in the Thirties, part 3 (The Union Spirit). Program features workers stories of their union activities: Morse code operators, radiomen on merchant ships…and one tale relates an organized hair bobbing that was sparked by the firing of a junior nurse for showing up at work with bobbed hair.
May 21, 1981 - Virginia Kunz, a local author and historian, comments on the history of prostitution in St. Paul, Minnesota.
May 28, 1981 - Local historian and author Virginia Kunz comments on the energy crisis’s in Minnesota’s past and how 20th century problems are taking us back to 19th century solutions.
May 29, 1981 - MPR’s Bob Aronson talks with Fred Friendly about his book Near vs. Minnesota - Minnesota Rag: The Dramatic Story of the Landmark Supreme Court Case That Gave New Meaning to Freedom of the Press. Friendly summarizes the history and impact of case.
June 5, 1981 - With the contemporary discussion on mass transit, local historian Virginia Kunz reflects on the deep impact Minnesota railroads have and still have on our everyday life.
July 2, 1981 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan profiles Ignatius Donnelly, a St. Paul and Philadelphia businessman with real estate interests in Minnesota, most notably the failed town of Nininger. Fushan talks with historian Jeffrey Hess about a Donnelly exhibition at the Minnesota Historical Society.
September 25, 1981 - Local historian Virginia Kunz describes the various life experiences of pioneer women via their writings.
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 20, 1981 - Local historian and author Virginia Kunz comments on various long-standing Twin Cities sites and their changing look and function.