A group of MinnPost supporters was treated in early February to an outstanding behind-the-scenes tour of the Minnesota Historical Society’s collections at the History Center, guided by a number of staff experts. The staff members emphasized that behind every book, document, article of clothing or piece of furniture in the collection, there is a story — and they shared a lot of memorable stories.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerSenior Object Curator Adam Scher shows a linen duster that belonged to a member of the James-Younger Gang, worn in the Northfield bank robbery of 1876. It was used as evidence and later donated to the Minnesota Historical Society by George Baxter, the prosecuting attorney for the case. See Collections Up Close for more on the duster.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerObject Conservator Tom Braun explains the work that went into preparing this Civil War-era baby buggy for exhibition in the upcoming Minnesota and the Civil War exhibit.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerGovernment Records Specialist Charlie Rodgers talks about the Archives storage room, describing what kind of records are kept here and how they are accessed.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerObject Conservator Tom Braun shows a Civil War surgeon’s kit, complete with bone saw.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerThis beautiful glass-fronted cabinet was made by a young Minneapolis woman who had to fight to be able to take high school shop class in 1915. The cabinet is her senior project.
MinnPost photo by Joel KramerSenior Objects Curator Adam Scher describes overalls made entirely of patches; none of the original is left. He also notes that the Society is interested in work clothes like this; they tell the story of how people live and work every day.