Snapshots & Stories

The phrase “Safe Energy – No Nukes” can be found on protest signs, bumper stickers, and t-shirts like this one in Hennepin History Museum’s collection. The anti-nuclear movement in Minnesota was strong throughout the late 1970s and 80s and left an impression on the environmentalist perspectives of today. The Northern Sun Alliance was a large proponent of the movement and created this shirt with the help [...]

Madame Mitchell was a talented local milliner in the late nineteenth century and the creator of this hat, which can be found in the collection of Hennepin History Museum. She worked in Chicago for twenty-five years before opening a store on Nicollet Avenue in 1883 which was known for its elegance. She sold hats and bonnets, ribbons and plumage, and many other accessories [...]

This is a German Concert Zither from Hennepin History Museum’s collection. Known for its high difficulty level, the modern-day concert zither has 187 basic tones and a greater range than both the piano and the guitar. It is also the traditional instrument of the Bavarian Alps, and is [...]

This lovely wedding dress from Hennepin History Museum's collection was worn by Mrs. Elizabeth Calderwood Case for her wedding to George P. Case in 1904. Though the couple wed in Manhattan, NY, Elizabeth was originally from Hennepin County and would return home many times. Her life was defined by experiences ranging from elegant cocktail parties to a shipwreck. As a [...]

“Minnie” seems like such a diminutive name for a 10,000-ton naval cruiser designed to carry up to four airplanes. But that’s exactly what the crew decided to call the USS Minneapolis (CA-36) when she went into service in 1934. The USS Minneapolis [...]

The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome opened on April 3, 1982 in Minneapolis and produced countless souvenirs in the three decades it remained in operation. Many of these souvenirs can be found in the collection at Hennepin History Museum. The Minnesota Twins, Minnesota Vikings, Minnesota Timberwolves, [...]

  "We are still marching on ... Let's keep in touch" Company B Last Man Club was an organization of Spanish-American War Veterans from Company B of the 13th Minnesota Volunteer Infantry. The Thirteenth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry served during the Spanish American War of [...]

This fez from Hennepin History Museum’s collection belonged to a member of the Zuhrah Shriners, a Twin Cities chapter of the Shriner International fraternity. The Minneapolis center was founded in 1923 and is the largest in the Midwest region, with over 2,000 members. It’s a fraternity based on fun activities and philanthropy and is known for its founding [...]