Redlining Map

On January 15, 2021, Hennepin History Museum will donate 100 copies of Richard Rothstein’s The Color of Law to Little Free Libraries across Hennepin County. This date marks the 54th anniversary of the opening of 35W, an engineering project that connected the metro area while displacing and dividing the communities in its path. As we anticipate the opening later this year of our exhibit on the construction of 35W, we continue to explore the complex history of racism and housing in Hennepin County. Black residents here were three times as likely as white residents to live in an area where a freeway was built.   

We invite you to read the book and share your thoughts using the hashtag #ReadingRedlining. When you’re finished, drop it off in another Little Free Library near you!

Fair Oaks

Imagine yourself in a time when members of the privileged and the working classes interacted to maintain the rich lifestyles and large homes surrounding Washburn-Fair Oaks Park. This self-guided tour begins at Hennepin History Museum and stops at 16 other nearby sites.

Click the link below to download this free pdf tour.

Washburn-Fair Oaks Self-Guided Walking Tour

Painting of Lake of the Isles

Whether you’re calling friends from the concession stand of the Terrace Theater or calling coworkers from the shore of Lake of the Isles, these images are sure to spark conversation and spread good feelings.

Right click (or option-click) and download any of the images below to use them as a background for your next virtual meeting.

Image of loring park

Loring Park postcard undated

Painting

The Tenth Avenue Bridge
Josephine Lutz Rollins
1948

Terrace Theatre

Terrace Theatre Lounge

Aquatennial

The 1959 Aquatennial Aqua Follies

Painting of Lake of the Isles

Lake of the Isles
Jay C. Taylor
1880’s

Don’t know how to add a virtual background on Zoom? Here is a quick tutorial from Good Morning America.

Enjoy local history from home with these coloring pages from Hennepin History Magazine!

We would love to see what you create. Please tag us @hennepinhistory if you post a photo of your art to Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. We’ll share our favorites!

Right click (or option-click) on the images below to download.

Coloring Page

Eldon Tessman’s historic Brooklyn Park potato farm

coloring page

Smith-Douglas-More House