(00:00:00) Coming up at 9 minutes. Now after 11 o'clock. Bob Potter is back here with my favorite subject folks around here know I'm sort of the residents history buff. So I'm just going to sit back for the next 50 minutes and hear what you folks have to talk about. All right, Mark. Well, I'm sure that you will find it as interesting as as I do Nina Archibald is here who is director of the Minnesota Historical Society Nina welcomes nice to have you (00:00:24) back on and I'm glad to be back. We'll open the phone (00:00:27) lines for a listener questions about Minnesota historical events and places in just a moment. But give us an update if you will Nina on (00:00:34) the new building which is being built not (00:00:36) very far from Minnesota Public Radio studios here in downtown st. (00:00:39) Paul, right all folks who drive from Minneapolis to st. Paul or those of us who move around st. Paul have certainly noticed that on the Miller Hospital site. There's been a lot going on since mid summer great big my Lorac great big pile of rock and more than that at this point of great big pile of concrete as you drive down John Ireland Boulevard, you can see up to the the ground level floor. In place the retaining wall on the North edge of the site and it gives me goosebumps. I think there's no doubt that it's really going to happen at this point when it's a Monumental building. It's a very large and I think at a respect for the people of Minnesota and considering the length of time. We hope that building will be around it has many fine details and so takes a long time to construct that kind of building and it will be done. We're looking forward to fall of 92 laight 92 to have it done and ready for the public. What kinds of exhibits are we going to see in there? Well for one thing you're going to see much more exhibit than the public has seen from us before listeners who have visited the historical building next to the Capitol know that we've done some very fine exhibits, but in very small space about 6,000 square feet of space in that building and in the new building will have just shy of an anchor 40,000 square feet of space which will be just terrific and I think the good news about that is that people of Minnesota since the 1840s have been giving items that are the evidence of Minnesota's passed to the society. We've had them we've taken care of them and now in a sense, it feels like we're returning them to the people through these exhibitions where we'll put them out. So it's that's really the big news about art (00:02:14) galleries is the building coming in on budget so far as you can tell (00:02:17) so far as we can tell we're controlling it very tightly. I'm on the construction site myself every Wednesday and have a regular update from the project managers who watch who watch it. There's a trailer there on the site that represents the historical society and And we're watching it closely the project did come in slightly over bid when it was bid. We looked at it carefully and thought that to take the time to eat to redesign or to or to rebuild the project. We could easily eat up the overage and so between the historical societies board and with the I advise of legislative leadership and the governor, we went ahead and accepted the bid (00:02:54) Nina Archibald is with us. And if you have a question for her about the building or more likely about Minnesota historical events or places that you can visit around the state you can give us a call. The phone lines are open now in the Twin Cities area. It's two two seven six thousand 2276 thousand outside Minneapolis st. Paul toll-free one 800 695148 five two nine seven zero zero and that number by the way is good for calls outside the state of Minnesota as well. You no longer have to call on your own nickel if you're in one of the border states Eight hundred six five two nine seven 00 works. If you are in Wisconsin The Dakotas Iowa or wherever our first listener is on the line. And what's your question this morning? Well, I have a two-fold concern one is the dropping off of Native American place names as the frontier moved Westward and names like Potawatomi and Miami and such and then when I got to Minnesota, I was told that Shakopee and Cheska were sort of a Shakespearean type of lovers from two different tribes. The second concern is that at the state fair you get thousands of people and there is such a limited way to expose them to Minnesota History. And I'm wondering if you're planning to expand that kind of an approach. (00:04:38) Well, I'm interested in the listeners observation about the state fair because we've long looked longingly at the state fair and all the millions of people who visit as a wonderful place to present Minnesota History and we have from time to time had a booth there. Certainly one of the things on my agenda would be to have a booth there on a regular basis. I remember I think it was two or three years ago. We brought some of our genealogical records and people actually at the State Fair sat down at the microfilm readers and researched some of our Holdings on genealogy and had a great time. So I think the listeners got a good idea. We certainly would look forward to being a strong Presence at the State Fair because we like to go where the people are (00:05:17) now as for the Indian (00:05:18) names. Yes, I'm not really sure what the listeners question. What (00:05:21) if you have you heard the story is that the Shakopee Chaska stories that (00:05:24) sound I'm not familiar with the story there lots of apocryphal stories and lots of wonderful true stories are stories that have a shred of truth. I really don't know the listener who is interested in researching Minnesota place names. We have a publication On that subject and if you would like to call our reference library and get some specific help on his question, he could do that by calling 2967539. That's the society's reference library and it's open today. And I'm sure they'd be happy to answer specific questions. He might have. All right. I'll take our next question then from you. Go ahead, please. (00:05:58) Hello. I'm interested in hearing Nina's thoughts on this since the Historical Society has been a publisher of books about Minnesota History for a long time. I'm interested in her perspective on whether the readership that is a number of people who are interested in reading about Minnesota History either in books or magazines seems to be growing shrinking or staying the same. (00:06:22) My perception is that the interest is growing certainly the 1976 Bicentennial phenomenon turned a lot of people's heads around about interest in history. And that interest is reflected in the sales of our Publications, which grow stronger and stronger each year one publication that has particular interest that has just come out and is reaching strong interest both in the public and from the public schools is our new textbook on Minnesota History. I hate to even call it a textbook because it's such fun to read called Northern Lights the textbook really presents a new Narrative of Minnesota History and judging from the fact that we have had over 10,000 orders for that book since it came out that this fall that gives you a little clue as to what the level of interest is both in the schools. And in the public in general (00:07:11) you have any idea of those 10,000. How many were ordered by members of the (00:07:14) public is I can't really give you that give you that break down but to tell the truth, we hadn't planned when the book originally came out in terms of Design and packaging. It really was designed for use in the schools and frankly the public and the bookstore is locally said, hey, we really want to have access to that. And so we have made these materials that really look like text a text book and school materials available and the public seems to be interested. I know myself. I went down to our Museum shop in the main building to buy one to give to a friend recently and they were temporarily out they restock that same day but it gives you a clue that people are buying (00:07:50) them. How does this book about Minnesota History differ from what the schools have been teaching in the (00:07:56) past? There hasn't really been a textbook for about the last oh 10 to 15 years the old blade and books are well worn out and I think most of us teachers around the state frankly. We're putting together combinations of materials that we published issues of routes. For example, our magazine we developed for young people news clippings all kinds of things that they had put together this kind of teaching out of a shoe box. Really. And this new book that comes out I think teachers in a different way certainly than earlier textbooks in that. It's a much more comprehensive view. I would say of Minnesota's people specifically in after all history is the story of people what I mean by that is that as you flip through the pages of this new book you find the stories of women you find Black Faces other minority people you find the story of the Indian history of our state taught in quite a different way because I think over the past 20 years our views about a number of things have changed quite radically. (00:08:53) Hmm, you know Archibald is with us director of Minnesota historical society. And what's your question for her today? Hello. Hi my question concerns theater. I understand. There's going to be a theater Incorporated in this new building and if that's correct, how is the Minnesota History theater going to be involved if at all and if not, why not? (00:09:14) We talk that's and listeners question is an interesting when we met with the folks from history theater, when we were in the process of planning our building. In fact, they were very helpful in advising us as to the physical properties that this theater should have but in the meantime, the they have very specialized needs and were able to make an arrangement with the Arts and Science Center. I hope that from time to time they and other groups will want to use this building for theatrical purposes. The society will be doing its own programming lectures concerts film's theatrical Productions, but I think the history theater has such a strong program that it would be wonderful if they would use our building from time to time. How many will your theater seat? It's 350 seat Auditorium a bad size at all. Hold on to your question low there. Thanks for (00:10:00) calling. It's good morning. Where you calling from? I'm calling from Big Fork Minnesota. All right. I've got a lot of history here. My question is on a little bit different vein and I'm wondering just what you think historically. It will be the most significant event of the 1980s for Minnesota. Thank (00:10:18) you. Wow. That's a tough question. I wasn't really expecting that one. I'm immediately drawn to u.s. History and I think about the opening up of the Eastern Bloc countries. And I think immediately about world history rather than about Minnesota History and maybe that's not such a bad answer because when I think about Minnesota at this point, I don't think of us as an isolated place. I think about us as part of a world Community specifically in Minnesota, but I'll be parochial and say the groundbreaking for the new Minnesota History Center that takes care of the heritage of the people are estate. I was (00:10:53) going to say how about the Twins winning the pennant (00:10:57) that wasn't this she asked about this year to said in the 1980s? Well, I'll go with that one. I think I probably surprised the number of our members when I opened up my message to the members and it was 1987 that they won. The pennant wasn't for won the World Series World Series, right? When I opened up my message to the members by saying that the Minnesota Twins made history that year, I'll go with that. That's fine. Maybe we'll get some of the nominations is go along here to (00:11:22) okay your question, please for Nina Archibald you're calling from where I'm calling from Iron Minnesota and I would like to ask Miss Archibald. I've often wondered why the great novel that only rolvaag wrote. He was a professor at st. Olaf and he wrote Giants in the earth. And at the time it came out the nation magazine called it the most powerful Pioneer novel ever written in America and I was wondering if Miss Archibald would have any idea as to why this great Monumental work has never been put into a TV series. I'll hang up and listen. (00:12:04) I can't really answer why the colors question as to why it's never been made into a TV series. I think it would have great potential. I certainly my first experience of Minnesota in a way was growing up as a young girl in New England and reading as many many kids have have red giants in the earth and being terrifically moved by that book and then many years later visiting the Prairie parts of our state and into North Dakota having a profound sense of how well that book communicated some of the life of the people here. So I agree with the listener that's got interesting potential. I'll store that idea (00:12:41) in archery ball with us director of the Minnesota Historical Society. It isn't very often that Historical Society has the chance to begin fresh as it lays out its exhibits as you are going to be able to do with your new building. What how are you approaching this differently than you have in the past and what are some of the mistakes you think that historical societies have made in the way they've done their exhibits. (00:13:05) A couple things to say about that. I think certainly the public looks to us to make an accurate portrayal of the past and that sometimes there's a problem when we get into theater because I think when the public comes to the Historical Society, whether they're seeing a theatrical presentation or an exhibition, they accept expect it to be accurate on the other hand accurate does not mean dull and too often. I think historical museums and other museums have made the presentations dull. I think our business is to educate but to do it in a way that's truly entertaining. So I think that would be a mistake that has been certainly made in the past and we probably have made it along with others the other part of your question remind me. Well it was (00:13:49) you know, if you what you're going to do in terms of exhibits and what they're going to look like and are they going to be different from what currently existing (00:13:56) I think they indeed are for one thing they're going to be interactive and engaging and I hope that while they're accurate and educational that they are also. Very very entertaining. I think we'll build on some of the strengths that we have. I don't know how many of your listeners happen to read the nation magazine, but the no December 18 issue praised our exhibition the way to Independence which has been on national tour as one of the best exhibitions one of the best history exhibitions done in the last decade anywhere in the country. And so we're very proud of that and I think with the new building with more space to get out objects to present them in a more attractive environment to present more possibilities for interaction for the public to really interact with the exhibitions in an active way for children, particularly. I think that's important. They'll see something quite different there (00:14:49) next question from the telephones from you. Hello. I've used the newspaper films quite a lot and I'm looking forward to the improved conditions in the new building. I'd like to know is the collection fairly complete or should we look to some Societies for newspapers that aren't at the Minnesota historical society and what type of backup do you have on your films? I'll hang (00:15:14) up very very good question. Our collections are really quite complete but complete in their entirety. They are not we currently have under way a project primarily funded by the National Endowment for the Humanities to fill out a number of the gaps in our collections to contact County and local historical organizations. And anyone we know of who may be able to help us fill out that newspaper collection in terms of backup. We do have a master film which is not the film at the public uses. And we also have another copy of the film stored in an off-site storage area actually in a cave where the environmental conditions are very stable so that the film will survive for a long time anybody who's clipped anything from a newspaper knows that newspaper is particularly contemporary newspapers are very fragile source that you clip a recipe. Go back and six months later and try to to use it and you find that they papers yellowed and crumbling in your hands. It's our job to make sure that that information survives and we do that by filming the newspapers letting the public use the film but keeping the master watching the master carefully and storing another copy (00:16:23) off-site as for the old papers themselves. Are they long since gone (00:16:27) the old papers the oldest Minnesota papers the ones from the 19th century were printed on much better paper than the ones today the papers today have a very high acid content which causes their deterioration. The older papers had much higher rag content and if you pick up a paper from the 1880s the 1850s you find that it's really strong. We've not throwing those away the ones that are highly as acidic my view is that they ought to be destroyed their fire hazards and the information is well preserved in other (00:16:58) formats. It's about twenty-five minutes past. The hour Nina Archibald is with us. We've got some folks on the line a couple of lines open up. And to in the Twin Cities 2276 thousand is the number two two seven six thousand. If you got a busy signal earlier, you might try again or if you get a busy signal a few minutes, wait a while and you know dial back in 10 minutes. You saw your turn now, are you calling from I'm calling from Moorhead Minnesota? And what's your question for Nina? Well, I'm interested in Finnish immigration to Minnesota, especially in the art object. Excuse me in household goods. They brought along with them. I assume these objects many of them at least four made before the influence of Bauhaus art on Finnish culture are their localities that have standing exhibits of these kinds of objects. (00:17:47) I don't know of any Museum that is specifically dedicated to the exhibition of the artifacts of the kind The Listener mentions, I would suggest that she's if to pursue this further that she might give our curator of collections a call Marcia Anderson. Her number is 2960150 and she might be able to tell you both about items in our collections that are not currently on exhibition, but would be available if the listener wanted to see them could make a trip down to the Twin Cities and made an appointment to see them and Marshall also might have some ideas about where she might go to other institutions to find the objects either on exhibition or in storage that are of interest. (00:18:26) You have a toll-free number at the (00:18:27) society. No, we don't but we're going to have one I can tell you that's when this Historic Site season opens. The spring will have a toll-free number. (00:18:35) All right. We'll take your question next to all your calling from where today from Duluth. All right. I'd like to make a comment. And then I have a question now I'm calling from what is in effect and International port and it's in response to the earlier subject. I think one of the important things from the 1980s will have been the opening of east Europe because many at Minnesota has such a wide International ties, and it occurs to me that the Historical Society might look through the materials and see if they can find the roots of these ties because Minnesota doesn't at first glance look like a place that would be so International. Thank you. (00:19:21) I think I'm happy for the reinforcement for the answer to my question. The society has long been interested in Immigration history and the ties of Minnesota and minnesotans the people for a long time two roots in Europe and other parts of the world or something that has been that has been a very great interest to us. We published a book in I think it was 1981 called they chose Minnesota, which is a really complete history of immigration of the people from all parts of the world to Minnesota some immigrants from the distant past as well as those who have come here more recently, but I think the listener has a very strong point in that we ought to be looking at keeping aware of these connections that can that are tie us to other places around the world both through immigrants and through continuing ties because many of our are immigrants continued to have ties to their past across the seas and another question for and you know Archibald's from you. Hello. (00:20:20) Good morning. I live in Minneapolis Linda interested in knowing what spots of historical significance and interest you might recommend. It would make a good day trip for a family to go out on the weekend. (00:20:35) Certainly looking towards Spring. I would recommend in terms of a day trip of a really a easy day trip for a family would be a trip up to the Oliver age Kelley Farm fun place to visit in a wonderful place to visit in the spring. The other H. Kelley Farm is the farm that was built by the founder of the National Grange and we operate that farm as a living history farm. That is you'll see us actually working the farm using 1880s methods and I think for a family to get a sense of the past particularly in Urban Family to get a sense of what agricultural life was like in the 19th century. That's a great site. We actually Farm they're using oxen visitors get a chance to walk the fields and walk the fields with the oxen to see the kinds of crops that were grown. In their crops that are much more drought resistant. I might mention than some of our contemporary hybrid crops. So it's a great place to visit in an easy one day trip. So that would be the one that really comes to mind for this listener for spraying other (00:21:33) anything. Is there anything in the wintertime? That would be worth taking a look (00:21:36) at? Oh, yeah. The James J Hill house is open three days a week. The Alexander Ramsey house would be open these certainly would be important sites in the in the Minnesota Historical Society Network to visit some other important areas for an afternoon walk would be the st. Anthony Falls historic district on both sides of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis. We look forward to the day when they'll be signs and other ways for people to get information about that past, but certainly an important historic area. All right back to the telephones and another question for Nina Archibald. Hello. (00:22:12) Good morning. I would first like to thank you for giving us this program this morning. I'm in New London spacer area and work at the Until newspaper we found a stamp that would be affixed to a document with a painful address on it. And it was about the Ku Klux Klan you were quite amazed and kind of amused to realize that there was a coup Klux Klan in our area at one time maybe in the late 1800s. I would just like some general information about the Ku Klux Klan in Minnesota. (00:22:43) I can't answer that question specifically certainly that racism would exist in our state as it exists around the nation is really unfortunately is not a surprise in regard to the Ku Klux Klan. I would suggest that this person get in touch also with our reference library to get some specific information. I would suspect that perhaps in some of our immigration history. They would find information about blacks in Minnesota and probably and perhaps information that relates to the clan and other bigotry that that blacks have experienced here the number for the library at the Historical Society is 2 9 6 7 Five 39 and I wouldn't encourage the reader to call because I'm sure we can answer that question in depth in the library is open today is a library is open today. The library is open Monday through Saturday 8:30 to 5:00 o'clock and it is also open Monday evenings. (00:23:34) All right. Now the the the society itself of course is closed on the weekends. (00:23:39) Well, no not the society itself. I think of the library is being part of the society. So we're open on Saturdays are exhibitions in the main building next to the capital are closed at this point as we prepare the exhibitions for the new building (00:23:51) and you going to be closed on Monday for the King holiday. (00:23:53) I believe at the library will be open on Monday for the King holiday, but it's worth checking because I'm not absolutely sure but my impression is that we will be open on Monday. All right, fine. Let's move on to your question offering Archibald. Thank you for waiting. (00:24:07) Hello. Hello. I'm calling you got to turn your radio down if your radios up that won't work. How's that if you got your radio turn down now? I do. Okay. Well go right ahead then. Okay. I'm calling with a little bit of a negative approach here the problems I don't I think that this whole history Center should be put on hold until the problems of homelessness and substance abuse are solved. I think that some terrible decisions have been made historically we've have had some buildings that were significant both historically and aesthetically that were destroyed and the ones in which I was involved were Metropolitan life building Iris row houses in Red Wing Paul Hall and the University of Minnesota campus Miller hospital. For example Miller Hospital the part that that house patients that were mahogany paneling sweets that could have been converted into condos very easily and I realized the Laboratories kitchens that sort of thing it could well have gone but we should have kept that and I think the Port Authority was involved there. I heard of one man who tried to get a loan to Britt into condos, I think a book should be written on these decisions of infamy. All right. Well, we have a question of priorities here, you know with our caller disagreeing with the construction of the new history building at a time when there are some serious (00:25:34) social problem and I can't argue with the reader or The Listener rather about the problems of the homeless and substance abuse. I'm afraid however that if we were to take all of the resources that are in the History Center and direct them at these problems, I'm not sure that they would solve these problems which is not to say that we ought not to continue to work hard at them. I also would say that in regard particularly to the problems of substance abuse that the issue of self image I think comes comes into play here and I think that the Historical Society can contribute to the solving of some of the social problems in an indirect Way by helping people to get have a strong sense of identity of who they are and having a pride in who they are. I think about this particular in terms of disadvantaged children. Think about it in terms of History month coming up some things that we can do to help people know about their history and really be proud of their history. I also wouldn't argue with the listener about the historic buildings that have been destroyed that we have put over 5,000 buildings on the national register of historic places. It's our role to educate the public about the importance of our built environment and we work hard to do that right now. We're working hard to help examine the possibility of reuse for the Armory for example in Minneapolis and there are buildings that have been lost and I think there is more sadness probably over the Metropolitan building than about any other building that I know of that's gone down in Minnesota more people talk to me about that. So I'm with the listener on that but without the Historical Society, I think we would be we would have lost many more buildings than we have. We fought hard on the Red Wing row houses. We will fight hard on the Armory. We need to be strong to help keep that pride in our community that really does address. I think some of our social problems (00:27:13) trying to think when the Metropolitan building was torn down was it late 50s early 60s. (00:27:17) Yes, it was before. Actually before I moved to Minnesota, but I think it was I think it was in the early 60s, but I kind of (00:27:23) remember. Let's move on to another question here. You're on the air with Nina Archibald now. Yes. I live in South Minneapolis, and I remember as a very little girl going to this beautiful library at Minnehaha Park way. I was wondering if anything is being planned for that old vacant home, and I don't know if it's still called Longfellow House or whatever it is, and I was just wondering if they were going to be doing anything about that and then in conjunction with the other lady are I work out by Fort Snelling and was wondering if anything is being planned for the old buildings out there at Fort Snelling the old military buildings by the airport. I'll hang up and listen. Thank you. (00:28:02) The listeners question is a complicated one in regard particularly to the building's out at Fort Snelling. There has been an ongoing effort to try to find an alternative use for those buildings the officers row out there and a number of the properties even beyond the hysteria that the public would identify as historic Fort Snelling is on the national register of historic places, and we are very concerned about it. There has been some interest on the part of the Army in reusing some of the existing buildings not specifically the homes but some of the other buildings that are out there. So I like to take kind of the European view on historic preservation and that is there's no need to tear it down. If you haven't found a use for it immediately. We can wait a while be patient. I think we Americans are awfully impatient in regard to the Longfellow House. I think the best thing to do there is to call our historic sites Department. The number there is seven two six one one seven one. My understanding is that that house indeed is being cared for (00:28:58) what might some possible uses for those old house. Out at Fort Snelling be you wouldn't think anyone would want to live there anymore given the amount of airplanes. (00:29:06) There is what I did. I landed this week during that very windy day coming in from Washington DC and we flew what felt like perilously close to those officers houses out there. There has been discussion about making an officer, excuse me, a conference center out of the out of those houses course, the Polo Grounds are used actively as is the golf course, so we're not giving up yet. All right. Let's move on to your question, please for you too Archibald. (00:29:32) I'm calling from St. Louis Park, and I wanted to add a commentary to the previous question her regarding of the utilization or a dramatization of roll Boggs Giants in the earth The Saga he started to Saga of those subsequent novel was Peter Victorious as cooperated in 1929 and 1931. He Harper and row copyrighted. Their fathers God all with a continuance of the original CORE family to me it rivaled. It rivaled dolls were these Forsyte Saga and in England and it actually meant more to us because it took us back historically to the Saudis and so forth of our early Minnesota area was for more definitive to me than Ingalls Wilder's Sure. Well, thank you very much for for the observations on that and the reaction to response. (00:30:47) No, but I can't help but think about how successfully immigrants was when that was translated into a film and I think that the colors really have an interesting idea on rolvaag because I think that the the the language there gives us an image that perhaps could be translated into visual form in a very effective way. It's about 20 minutes now before 12 o'clock as we (00:31:07) continue talking about Minnesota history events and places and the (00:31:11) new building that's being put up (00:31:12) near downtown. St. Paul. The toll-free line is open again for those of you outside Minneapolis st. Paul 1-800-662-2386 5 to 9700 if you have a question for the Archibald today, all right now, it's your turn to talk to her. Go ahead, please I'm calling from st. Paul and I can hardly wait for the new History Center to open. But in the meantime, I think we have a problem with the current facility that needs to be addressed and that is I believe it's very Very unfriendly to the user the building itself is forbidding as you enter, but more than that, even those people who are actively engaged in research in the building have nowhere to go if they would bring a thermos of coffee. There's no where they can go to sip that coffee other than to sit on the steps. There's no place where a person can eat a bag lunch and there's nowhere nearby to go buy lunch. So I think that in the next couple years before the new center gets billed it would be something really important to consider carving out some small space for the users comfort in the present building hang up and listen for your (00:32:19) comments. I really appreciate what this color is saying it is depressing. It has been depressing for years to go down and see school kids coats piled up in a heat and Heap and seeing researchers often times people who come to use the collections for a whole day finding, you know, sitting outside or just finding a corner to eat a bag lunch. I think it's a really good idea. Um, the unfriendliness of the building I think has been even made more of a problem by the construction all around it the construction of the Courts Building they're adding on to our building and so they're even some have been some discomfort caused by any kind of a construction zone as you can imagine, but I think the idea of trying to carve out a space as I say that I'm thinking about the fact that we are jam packed into it as we're preparing for the History Center even have had to have some rented space for staff members, but I think the continuing interest of our public and our patrons does make a whole huge difference to us and I think the the caller's question is valid there are cafeterias. I might say during the week that are open in the Centennial Building just to the south of us in the capital and over in the transportation building. But so it's not a problem really that can't be addressed during the week but on Saturdays I know it's a real problem (00:33:33) now during the week. Also those facilities are accessible through a tunnel system, aren't they? (00:33:38) Yes, they are the don't have to go Outdoors. It's a bit of a hike I've done research myself and collections in Washington. And I know they're their cafeterias but there are so many visitors. You can't get near them and I've found myself huddling in a corner with a box lunch and it's not fun. (00:33:52) Do I infer from what you say that you're going to look for some space to do something with this or is it just or people just out of luck and go new building is I (00:33:59) guess I think it's worth thinking about even if we just make a tiny bit of space available someplace where people can sit I can't make a promise that we can do it. I can promise you this then in the new hiss the new building the new History Center these things will be taken care of they'll be public Lounge spaces. There will be a restaurant space. There will be comfortable places for people to rest to have a cup of tea or a Coke and a sandwich we've recognized these problems for years and years and certainly our sympathetic. You know, I come back to one question when I think about the History Center, I think about a part of your question that I didn't answer very well Bob and that was what our people what do you think people ought to find in this history building that they're not finding now or that they don't find in places around the country and I know as I travel one of the things I look for is when I visit a new place is to get a sense of what that place is to learn a little bit about its past to get a quick fix on it. And there really is no place in many states and Minnesota as well to get a kind of quick fix on where you are our plan to do that in. The History Center will be to have a survey film that gives you a 20 minute overview. That's can you imagine trying to give a 20 minute overview of the history of this state tough job, but I think something that needs to be done because sometimes people need that overview on which to sort of hang specific information then gradually, we will be putting in place a permanent exhibition that will survey the state's history. The first piece of that were planning to do is the piece on the 20th century, but I think your question is a good one. That's that's I think if as I look at my own experience as a travel around the country something that I want and what I think the public has a right to expect from us. (00:35:31) Here we are at a quarter to twelve already and we have more questions from listeners your next hello there. Yes. I have a question. I love nerds Indian in our canoe that I think was built in 1885 and I think it should be preserved for history. Do you ever take displays of that tight on loan with an agreement at some future date that it would be donated to you. (00:35:59) Typically certainly we take donations. In fact, most of our collections are built from donations that people the people in Minnesota have given to us. Typically we like to have an outright gift come if it's a very special item. They're often can be conditions that can be worked out with the donor. So I would encourage this donor to call our curator of collections Marcia Anderson at 2960150 and talk with her about this there many things. In fact, I might mention some other things Bob that the society has to be looking for right now things that the listeners might have in their garages or basements and not know what to do with and if they're in good condition, we'd love to have them some of the things. I know we're looking for our sports equipment from High school and college athletic teams and experiences. We're looking for a Polaris or Arctic Cat snowmobile from the 60s and 70s Cabin Resort equipment is really of great interest. Minnesotans are great ones for going to the lake and that going to the lake phenomenon is something we're interested in documenting whether it's a bait pale or some sort of furniture that was used in a cabin that would be of interest to us and some sort of more specific items. Ironwork made by The Flower City Ornamental Iron Works of Minneapolis painted China that documents China that was made here in Minnesota or painted here in Minnesota. Let's see other things burma-shave signs and if in doubt the best thing for the listeners to do is to call us, we don't take everything that's offered. We can't do that because when we take items we take them with a commitment to care for them long-term on the other hand. We are always interested in donations. And so we love to talk with the public about it and I encourage Our listeners to think about the things that they might have that they think would help to document Minnesota History and I would say as a footnote to think Beyond those wedding dresses and christening dresses. We have a lot of those work clothes are of interest to us some the things that you might least think would be of interest to us often are the things from ordinary life that helped to give us a real sense of the past things that we might call junk. You might call them junk right indeed. Now (00:38:12) when you talk about old sports and recreation equipment, are you talking what are alike 40s 50s 30s, (00:38:18) I I would say even 20. Yeah 20th century any from the Twin anything the 20th century? Yeah, right. Okay another question here. You're calling from where (00:38:25) today? Yes. I'm calling from a scope Minnesota. Yes, sir. I'm calling regarding the Minnesota Veterans Home Building six that the Veterans Affairs has decided to take off the balconies off that building which were built at the turn of the century. Now, this is completely going to deface that. Absolutely make it horrendous as far as structurally looks are concerned. And I've talked to Historical Society it because they're a state versus a state building and they're having a problem getting the state convinced that they should repair these buildings. They say the tuna repair them is going to cost $200,000 and this is a bid the state claims that they got for repairs. They can't afford it. Well, I challenge the bit and I think they should search further make studies as they bought $50,000 worth of ash trees for the capital. They can find cheaper ways of restoring those balconies and keep that billing for historical sake. Thank you. (00:39:16) Well, we're obviously on the side of the collar and regard to looking hard at preservation issues. Sometimes we lose the battle. I don't know what the outcome on this particular one would be but I would urge the caller to call our preservation office make his concerns known to them again and ask if there isn't something that can be done and what the process is lots of times. The process is one of education and just asking people to take the time to think about alternatives to the plans they have in place the number for our Relation office is 7261171. And all I can say is that the concerns of our listeners today for historic preservation are most reassuring and helpful. We couldn't do our work without the educated people who care out there in Minnesota. And these are very reassuring calls as painful as the subject is when we think about buildings that could be defaced as this one may experience or even torn down (00:40:08) our next question for you too. Archibald comes from you and you're on the air with her. Hello. Hi, I'm from Minneapolis. And I know there's a controversy about the Minneapolis Armory Hennepin County would like to tear it down to build a jail. But being that it's a night. It's a twenty Century building. It has a lot less architectural detail in 19th century billing. So why is it historically important and also aren't there empty blocks on both sides of the Armory where Hennepin County could build our jail there? Thank you. (00:40:35) Ah, the question speaks to a current controversy. I might argue with the listener. I think the building has really marvelous. And if you drive you drive by that building on the way out of downtown Minneapolis and just take a glance. It really has remarkable stonework on the exterior. One of the we're certainly anxious to see that building preserved its historically significant. It certainly represents a Monumental building that documents and effort on the part of the federal government to give economic relief to the people in Minnesota. And I think it's a very sort of conspicuous Monument to that to that experience in regard to the empty blocks. Yes, there are indeed empty blocks on either side and they could be available. I guess I would hope that we would take the time to look at that question click carefully and thoroughly certainly the mayor seems to have preservation very much in mind. The Historical Society has made a grant to fund a reuse study and that study will be matched and conducted by the University of Minnesota to see if there aren't some possibilities for the use of that building. I think there are and I think it would really be a crime for that building to be torn down. I think it has a constituency. I think it would be helpful for the mayor to know and for the Hennepin County Commissioners to know that it matters to you. If it does give them a call we need encouragement on that because that building really is threatened. I suppose the Hennepin County Board has a different (00:41:58) view of it, but we'll move on to your question now. Hello, thank you for waiting. The first of all a comment than a question. The carbon is that I'm very delighted to hear of this expanded program of the Historical Society. It seems to me that we've got a great future for our past throughout all of this. My question is do does the Minnesota Historical Society have a collection of the posters and programs that were used handed out at theaters. Some of the old Opera Houses like the old Metropolitan Opera and st. Paul some of the grand old theaters of st. Peter, Minnesota Duluth and so forth. Is there a collection of those? Programs available. Thank you. All (00:42:42) listen, their collections collections of all kinds and certainly posters from theaters are an important part of our collection. We have large audio-visual collections photographs posters broadsides and so forth. So I would encourage the listener to give a call to our library and see what this extent of that collection is and then to begin to get into the actual materials. He may be wanting to look for the earlier number that I gave for. The library is a less desirable number than one I'm going to give now. So I'm going to give this number for all of the our listeners were interested in calling the Historical Society Library. It's 2962143. I know that the information this listener is looking for is there he has a happy surprise waiting for him (00:43:23) good. Let's take another question here. And it's your turn to talk to Nina. Hello? Yes. Hello. I have two questions. The first one is I grew up in North Oaks and I'm interested in any information that might be available in terms of North Oaks Farm when it was active. As a farm in the hill family and the second question is what can what ways can somebody get involved more actively in Minnesota's history through the Historical Society. Thank you (00:43:54) in regard first in North Oaks Farm North Oaks to what we know today is the community of North Oaks was actually a farm that was owned by James. Jhil the Historical Society has his residence in town at 2:40 Summit Summit Avenue, just Kitty cornered from the Cathedral of st. Paul in regard to information about the North Oaks Farm. I would say general information would be available by calling the James J Hill House itself and perhaps speaking to the program manager there of the number of the Hill House is 2968205 could certainly get information general information about North Oaks Farm to get specific information. You'd probably want to go into the James. Jhil papers, which are at the James J Hill reference library and so a call there would get the Mr. Into specific information and judging from what I know about the hill papers. There's a tremendous wealth of information because he'll was a very conscientious in Saving materials. I think he really had a sense of his own importance and of the importance in the of the Enterprises in which he was engaged. And so just as that has helped tremendously the historical societies restoration and and interpretation of the Hill House. I think it would help the listeners interest in the North Oaks Farm (00:45:08) And as far as getting involved in historical society (00:45:11) activities in regard to getting involved in historical society activities, probably the best way is to become a member of the Historical Society call us at our general information. Number two, nine six six one two, six we'll send you a membership materials membership in the Historical Society for an individual or for a household is 20 dollars, but I would encourage you to go to the $25 level because then you get our magazine routes that comes out three times a year and is an absolutely terrific read on various Topics in men. History. (00:45:40) There are always some great incentives to go into that higher membership level. We know that, (00:45:44) you know that at public radio. (00:45:47) Let's take another question here. Go ahead and in Archibald is listening for you. Yes. I'm calling from Minneapolis. And I first I want to say I'm very impressed with the living history sites. I visited most of them in Minnesota and in particular. I've been out to Fort Snelling during what they call think. It's Civil War weekend and seeing the people on their costumes, and I was very impressed and I was very interested in finding what if one do to get involved being an active participant in, you know, these costumed events. I'll hang up and wait for your answer. Thank you. (00:46:20) Yes how to become involved one of things I should say should have said about membership benefits earlier on was that free admission to historic sites all around the states is one of the benefits of membership in the Historical Society the best way a few pick a particular site like this one Fort Snelling is to get in touch with the fort staff itself and tell them that you're interested in participating as a volunteer were interested in volunteer participation. I'm sure that the first Minnesota which is a separate organization, but one with which we work closely in the planning of Civil War weekend is one that would be interested in knowing of this collars interest so calls to the specific historic sites are the best ways to get involved with volunteer efforts at those sites. It's great fun, but (00:47:03) we are getting down near the end of the hour and I think we might come out just about even on the telephone calls to let's (00:47:08) take your question from where please. (00:47:11) Yes, ma'am. I'm historian for st. Paul's Episcopal Church in Duluth, and we have some handwritten Vestry books going. Back to 1861 and some very complete scrapbooks beginning in 1893 and we've had several arrangements with the Historical Society to share these with them by their making copies each time. You reasons are followed through would you be interested in such (00:47:39) material? There's no doubt in my mind that we would be interested in seeing this material and perhaps even making copies of it and if we can assisting you to in seeing to it that this material is preserved and last for a long time if the caller will stay on the line and give her number. I'll see to it that she gets a call back next week. (00:47:59) All right, maybe maybe Dorothy can take that or we'll just wait till the end of the show one (00:48:04) more question here. Alright one more (00:48:06) caller. You're on the air with Nina Archibald. Hi. I've been doing some local family history research and I found some particularly valuable information with the church's senses senses that they do occasionally baptism marriage records Etc how extensive are Minnesota Church records at the Historical Society archives. (00:48:24) I think the church records actually are are quite extensive. They're never as extensive as we like them to be but I know this are has been an area of Interest I would say that if the caller has come across materials that might be of interest for the historical society's collections or where the material is in good hands, but - some good advice as to how to keep Body and Soul together on the collection could be helpful be very much in the collections interest. If this collar would give us a telephone call and and will respond in some way. Our collections are strong in this area, but we are always interested in strengthening them just a few seconds left (00:49:00) here Nina before we before we have to leave once you have the history the the History Center building and everything. Will there be any possibility of taking some of the exhibits around to some of the far reaches of the state? So that folks don't have to make that long drive in the Twin Cities. (00:49:16) It's a really good question. We do have a very active traveling exhibitions program that's active even right now where we produce exhibitions that are shown in locations around the state. I also would hope that at some point we would be able to work with some of the County Historical society's and local organizations actually work with them to put together an exhibition that shown in st. Paul and then travels in other parts of the state. So I think it's a good question with lots of possibilities. (00:49:41) Thanks for coming in. And it's been real (00:49:42) interesting. It's been great. Nina Archibald director of the Minnesota Historical (00:49:46) Society. Midday made possible by a collab Incorporated. And is Chemlawn subsidiary? I'm Bob Potter. And it's about a minute now before one o'clock Mark Heist Ed is back with us in find that interesting conversation about history Mark as always. Yes, indeed. Always one of my favorite programs. Every time Nina is on the program always something new to be learned and talk a little bit about history is being old news. I believe it was the way you put it you heard that and I will say news that's even older than the week in review. Oh no. Oh, no, that's mean anyway, the week in review is coming up here. We'll get it updated the news from national public radio and just a few minutes move on to programming from the BBC as we get into the weekend Ryu review, but first off we need to remind you which radio station you're listening to. In the Twin Cities, this is knnow am 1330 Minneapolis-Saint Paul.