"There is nothing too flattering to predict of the future greatness and prosperity of a people who commence to write their history as soon as the foundations of their commonwealth are laid."
-James Watson Webb
The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) is one of Minnesota’s oldest institutions, which was established on October 20, 1849, just seven months after the territory was established. It was organized by the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Minnesota Laws on November 15, 1849, and elected future governor, Alexander Ramsey, as president. Collection and preservation of specimens and things connected with the settlement and history of the territory, now Minnesota, were its goals. The MHS developed an archaeological program over 125 years ago. The archaeology department has a mission to collect and preserve the materials and records of human culture relating to Minnesota and to relate the human story through research and interpretation. Archaeologists work on sites to record data and to gather information. At the first annual meeting, Reverend Edward D. Neill said, "You have been organized at a most favorable period. On the bluff where we are assembled, there are temples of religion and education . . . yet around us; the skin-lodges of the Dakotas are still visible. Our nearest village (Kaposia) is the residence of the band (Dakota) that was here a century ago..." This time in Minnesota history would be difficult for a Society to survive, but it did. It basically survived because the men that founded the Society also helped establish the territory and they wanted to be part of the history.
In 1856 the legislature made an amendment to the 1849 charter, which raised the $5000 limit on property the society could own to an unlimited amount of property. The amendment also exempted the society from taxes. This made it interesting for the lawmakers, since they wanted an institution of greater range. They also provided for a governing executive of 25, which was enlarged to 30. The legislature also passed a resolution for an annual grant of $5000 to the society.
The expansion of the society in early years was due to the founder of the Minnesota Democrat, Daniel A. Robertson. As chairman of the building committee he began to push for the erection of a building for the society. At the time, the society was using rooms in the Capitol for storage. Robertson reported that he had sold 62 life memberships at $25, which was enough to purchase the two lots found earlier. Promotions and money collections were helping to erect the structure. Railroad and steamboat companies were asked to furnish tickets for scientific and literary guests. The invitations that were sent to many of the nation’s most acceptable people can be found below. The invitations read, "Upon accepting this invitation, passage tickets, per railroad, a Steam Boat, to and from St. Paul will be sent you, and during you sojourn here, our members will be happy to provide you with the best and most welcome quarters that our Frontier City affords." The big day finally arrived, June 24, 1856. The day attracted many people from all over the state as well as all over the nation. There was a parade that was half a mile long, which ended with members of the historical society. Two weeks later, the treasurer informed the council that they were out of funds. Money was needed to finish the foundation before the winter arrived. They quickly acted and passed a resolution that assessed each member five dollars. The treasurer collected the funds quickly and the foundation was protected. The work on the building ceased.
In 1857 a panic struck the frontier, which depleted funds and incurred a debt on the society. Then in the summer of 1857, the Capitol caught on fire; this is where the collection was stored. Volunteers rushed into the Capitol to save what they could, but not all could be saved. The society continued under William H. Kelley, appointed actuary. He arranged and classified the collections and within two years doubled the number of items.
In 1861, the last meeting was held for three years and the collections were stored in the Capitol. The Civil War took many of the state’s leaders including Neill. Then in 1864 the society began to recover. The legislature renewed its annual appropriations and memberships increased.
J. Fletcher Williams was appointed secretary in 1867, which began a period of intense growth in the society. His first two years as secretary were unpaid and he only devoted his spare time. His 1867 report stated, "Never, during any previous year of the Society, have we made such rapid, solid, and substantial progress as this year. Indeed, in some respects, we have accomplished more than in all the previous career of the Society."
The society was moved into a new room in the Capitol in 1868. The room was a more pleasant room with dimensions of 24 by 48 with 11-foot ceilings. There were four large windows that provided more light. There was an attached room, which was used for storage. In the following year, the legislature passed an act establishing the Society as a free public library. The act also appropriated $2000 for the institution. This allowed the Society to pay Williams a salary, which he accepted, thus he resigned newspaper position. Williams was described as an able, studious, and industrious. He devoted all of his remaining life to the Society except two months. Williams said the Society had three main functions: collecting, preserving, and publishing, in which publishing was the least important. During his reign, Williams published six volumes of the Minnesota Historical Collections, and his own History of the City of Saint Paul. Williams worked alone until 1888, at which time he had an assistant. Most of his time was devoted to the library, not the museum. Williams developed a policy of collecting for the library, which included works related to Minnesota, on the Northwest and the West, American history and biography and reference works. Prior to Williams entering the library most of the collections were donated, but during his period he began purchasing books as well. In 1889 the library had over 40,000 books and 15,000 bound volumes of newspapers. In 1893 Williams would boast, "the people regard this Society as the fountain and treasury of every fact relating to Minnesota..."
In 1856 one of the few bumps occurred to Williams, the Society was split into two groups. Judge Aaron Goodrich, one of the original members, wanted the two lots for the building to be left unoccupied. While General John B. Sanborn wanted the lots to yield income for the Society. The two factions joined up with friends and colleagues to fight each other. When the legislature met in 1878 to appropriate funds, discrepancies arose. This led to the Supreme Court, which ruled that the original organization of 1849 was the legal body.
Williams still pressed the fact that a fireproof building was required to protect the collections that he had built. He feared the enlargement of the library since this would increase the chance that fire would destroy all of the collections. Then as Williams tells, "On March 1, 1881 at nine o’clock P.M., the fatal hour came! The capitol was found to be on fire in the dome. Both houses of legislature were in session and a large crowd of spectators in attendance. Vigorous efforts were made at once by the latter to save the valuable library of the Historical Society. The doors and windows leading to the Society’s apartments were thrown open, and soon two or three score of men were busily engaged in carrying out armfuls of books and depositing them on the seats of the Universalistic church near by." The fire did destroy several thousand books, pamphlets, and newspapers. The St. Paul’s new market house became a temporary storage for the Society.
The Society’s most important accomplishment while Williams was in office, was the Itasca State Park in 1890. The Society passed a grant to Jacob V. Brower, who did a survey of the Itascan basin. The park consists of 31,186 acres, includes the source of the Mississippi, and has the only large stand of virgin timber left.
In 1893, Williams resigned due to his health. Warren Upham succeeded him. Upham was a geologist, one of the most distinguished scientists. He remained in the Society until 1914, and as archaeologist until 1933. He published five volumes of the Collections, as well as Minnesota Biographies and Minnesota Geographic Names. Upham was described as a courtly, modest, and unobtrusive. During Upham’s period the appropriations were increased from $6000 to $20,000 annually; the library increased from 56,537 volumes to twice that number; the staff was increased to ten people; and the Society’s building became closer to reality.
The legislature of 1913 appropriated $500,000 for the fireproof building and the Society would produce $75,000 for the site and equipment. The building was completed in 1917. The building was dedicated on the sixtieth anniversary of the admission of Minnesota to the Union. This was an appropriate inauguration for the new superintendent, Solon J. Buck. Buck was appointed to the Society on a half-time basis in 1914. Guy Ford, professor of history at the University of Minnesota, suggested Buck. He set high standards for the Society’s functions. He initiated a program for collecting and analyzing manuscripts. He used these to fill in the missing pieces of history. Along with this he used professional methods of preserving, classifying, and cataloguing manuscripts. Buck hoped that he could, "build up a real historical museum, consisting not of mere curiosities and associated items, but rather of articles carefully selected and arranged to illustrate life and conditions in Minnesota at successive periods of its history." In 1915 a quarterly magazine was published, Minnesota History Bulletin. This kept the members of the Society informed of the work being accomplished, books to review, and published papers. The state archives were felt to have greater materials of importance to history than all other collections. When World War I began, Buck insisted that a War Records Commission be initiated. This would keep track of all war history materials related mostly to Minnesota people. The most important project that Buck began was the county historical societies. The first of the counties to initiate a Society was St. Louis. He boasted of 1,749 members in 1930 and founded a monthly release in 1921. He promoted teaching to the schools and state of the history of Minnesota. When funds were above normal, Buck hired extra professional help. One of these professionals became assistant superintendent, Theodore Blegen.
Buck resigned in 1931 for another position, at which point Blegen became the superintendent. For the next decade Blegen led the Society even with the depression occurring. Blegen initiated a series of public educational broadcasts on WLB, University of Minnesota radio station. A WPA project was begun in 1934. This project hired thirty workers to perform tasks in the library. They indexed, built, arranged, and transcribed as told by the staff of the library. Minnesota History became a leading periodical in its field. Blegen resigned in 1939.
Arthur J. Larsen, who was the head of the newspaper department, replaced Blegen. When World War II began, Larsen was granted a leave of absence to become a first lieutenant in the Army Air Force. Lewis Beeson became the new superintendent. Beeson successfully kept the Society afloat when funds were low and interest was minimal. Larsen returned with a distinguished record of service to a Society ready to spread out. He began publishing magazines and other publications immediately.
In 1947 plans were beginning for the centennial. The legislature appropriated $150,000 for preparation of the centennial. The Society was designated the official agency in charge of the celebration. The Centennial plans were under direct control of Dean J.M. Nolte. At this time Larsen resigned and Carlton C. Qualey became the replacement. Qualey resigned shortly and Harold Dean Cater took over the Society in 1948.
"As a result of a century of accomplishment, the Society has attained a reputation which places it among the four or five leading institutions of its kind in the United States. It serves a dual function, since it is both a private membership corporation and a semipublic institution that has from the beginning carried a full load of public responsibility. It is the official custodian of the state’s history, and, as such, it is substantially maintained by the legislature. Rounding out a full century of progress, the 1949 Centennial served to focus the attention of thousands of people in and out of Minnesota upon the Society and its value to the state. This was done to secure more firmly than ever its position as one of the most significant institutions in Minnesota."
Its officers and Executive Council, which is composed of 30 members who are elected for three-year terms, govern the Society. The Executive Council appoints a director who is the chief administrative officer. The present director is Ms. Nina Archabal. The first director was Alexander Ramsey, who went on to become governor of the state. The Society received support for its operations from the State of Minnesota, the federal government, memberships, grants, admissions, publication sales, bequests, gifts and endowments. The program Evaluation Division conducts two main types of studies: program evaluations, and best practices reviews, which focuses on local government services. This division conducts studies to determine the degree to which activities and programs funded by the state accomplish their goals and how efficiently they utilize resources. The division completes 6-8 evaluations a year, which are specifically requested by the Legislature. These issues can range from management issues or compliance to analysis of current problems and proposing future policy options. When a topic is selected for study the division first hold a roundtable meeting for legislators, staff, or other officials. This meeting clarifies the goals of the project. The next step is the opening conference where the scope of the project is outlined and a request is made for the official records. The working papers for the evaluation or review are confidential until the final report is released and then the documents become public. After the research is completed it is shared with the agency and then a closing conference is held with the agency management. At this meeting challenges to the judgments may be discussed. Then the completed report is presented to the agency for a formal written response and this is published with the report. The completed report is released at a meeting of the Legislative Audit Commission. The report is considered to be documents only, the findings, conclusions and recommendations are the sole responsibility of the Office of the Legislative Auditor. The Legislative Audit Commission makes topic selections. The ideas for studies come from various sources: legislators, constituents, public interest groups, financial audits, past evaluations, and the divisions own staff.
The Minnesota Historical Society strives to preserve and promote Minnesota history. Historic properties are continually identified, evaluated, and registered in order to protect them. The MHS also encourages the development of local history organizations and activities. Both of these points are stated in the MHS Mission Statement. The Historical Society conducts public meetings to discuss historic preservation issues, which helps involve the public in the annual work plans. Properties that are candidates for the National Register of Historic Places are researched by the MHS to determine if they are fit to be included. Sites and properties can also be removed from the National Register. The MHS is involved with this process as well. Buildings that are on National Register sites are dealt with as well. If a building or structure needs some form of rehabilitation to restore it, such as the Ault Store in Dundas, MN, the MHS helps to make it possible. Sometimes people want to convert a historic place for a different use. This was the case in Stillwater, MN, when some groups wanted to fix up the old Territorial/State Prison and turn it into an Inn. In cases like this, the MHS conducts reuse studies to see if such conversions would in some way threaten the property's preservation. In endeavors like these, most often an alternate form of financing, in addition to private donations, is sought. Grants make up a great deal of the extra financing. For example, between the years of 1969 and 1995, the MHS gave out $4,346,788 in grants. Both federal and state funds are used for grants.
In addition to the MHS, the Council for Minnesota Archaeology (CMA) also strives to preserve and protect Minnesota's history through archaeological research. The Council for Minnesota Archeology, Inc. was organized to promote archaeological research and interpretation in the State of Minnesota through 1.) stimulation, encouragement and support of scientific archaeological field research, 2.) the initiation of responsible action to conserve and preserve archaeological resources, 3.) engaging in supporting others in the interpretation and dissemination of the results of scientific archaeological research, and 4.) providing a corporate entity representing the community of scholars who conduct archaeological research within the State of Minnesota.
The CMA was formed as a professional association whose goal is to support and enforce standards in archaeology within the state of Minnesota. The CMA’s bylaws call for a uniformity of professional standards and responsibility regarding the studies commenced, the procedures utilized, and the dissemination of information regarding the studies which are undertaken. The CMA also calls for a commitment to represent the profession to the public in a responsible manner with respect for the concerns and interests of women and ethnic groups while striving to understand the cultural history of such groups. Members are expected to be informed, knowledgeable and current about developments within their field of specialization.
The membership of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, Inc. is limited to individuals who are active as professional archaeologists who are concerned about the problems of Minnesota archaeology and who reside in the state. They must also have a post-graduate degree that specializes in archaeology, or have equivalent knowledge and understanding in archaeological methods and theory. Individuals who desire membership must be nominated for membership by a member in good standing and be voted on at regular meeting of the Council. A new member must serve a two-year probationary period and only then, after a review and recommendation by the Ethics and Membership Committee, will they be granted permanent membership. Research Associate memberships are also available but these are limited to individuals who are associated with non-Minnesota institutions. They must also be engaged in archaeological research which is relevant to the State of Minnesota, or be individuals with professional status who are in allied fields such as ethnology, history, botany, zoology and geology whose interest are relevant to Minnesota archaeology. These members must also meet the requirements of being nominated by a member in good standing, a recommendation by The Ethics and Membership Committee, and an acceptable vote by the regular membership. Institutional memberships are available to any public or private educational, scientific research ,or government institution in the State of Minnesota which employs professional archaeologists, or is engaged in the interpretation of Minnesota archaeology. Institutional members do not have voting privileges but do receive all archaeological publications of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, Inc.
Primary to the ethics of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, Inc. is the conservation of the resource base. Only surveys and excavations that are justified in terms of analysis or preservation of archaeological data are initiated. Archeologists are expected to become familiar with all data concerning the proposed excavation before commencing. This is to include information gained from others who have prior research interests in or information that is related to the proposed research. Any data that is utilized must be properly cited and acknowledged. It is also expected that no study will be proposed which does not have the funds, time or personnel to carry it to completion. All field research is to be generated in standards that are consistent with all other relevant circumstances. Practices that destroy data are to be censured. Field techniques are aimed at preserving all recoverable information by means of adequate records.
The CMA mandates that basic field records are kept including a map of the site that shows the surface features of the site and as well as the location and extent of all digging. Detailed written records of all burials, houses, and other structural or natural features. Relationships must be noted and the data preserved by noting either natural soil layers or arbitrary levels that were established. A catalogue must be kept of all specimens found which indicates their location, stratum or origin, and cultural association. Specimens must also be labeled, numbered, and catalogued to preserve their identity. Photographs, drawings and any other document necessary to clarify the techniques and context of the associations shall be made. Data is expected to be completed within a reasonable amount of time. If a project is not completed and reported in 10 years it is considered that one’s sole scientific right is null.
In 1975 the CMA began a para-professional archaeological certification program. This program was undertaken to establish an accreditation program which would multiply the archaeological skills in the state of Minnesota. Members of the CMA teach the accreditation program. It was designed for individuals to either perform certain para-professional archeological work or to assist in the pursuit of further academic work on either an undergraduate level or graduate level. The certification program is designed to teach skills such as site survey, excavation and laboratory techniques, and report writing.
Visit the Minnesota Historical Society
By: Rob Otto, Matt Bune, and Lynette
-Berthel, Mary W. and Cater, Harold D. The Minnesota Historical Society: Highlights of a Century, (James Watson Webb writer for the Morning Courier and New York Enquirer. He was referring to the Minnesota Historical Society.).
-By laws of the Council for Minnesota Archaeology, Inc. 1976
-The Minnesota Historical Society 1994 Annual Report
-The Minnesota Para-Professional Archaeological Certification Program. Sponsored by the Council for Minnesota Archaeology & The Minnesota Archaeology Society. 1977