Is your organization looking for a new and fun addition to your history programming? Consider hosting a traveling exhibit developed by the Minnesota Digital Library! Featuring images from MDL’s digital collections, these banner exhibits are available for free on a first-come, first-served basis.
Each exhibit consists of three or four pop-up banners, and each banner is approximately 33x80 inches. Organizations in Minnesota can borrow the exhibit for a period of up to three months. Free shipping of the exhibits to hosts throughout the state is available upon request via the Minitex courier system, or you can pick them up at our office in Wilson Library on the University of Minnesota Twin Cities campus.
Use the Request Form to reserve an exhibit or contact us for more information.
Exhibit Details
Minnesota Seedswomen
This exhibit shares the little-known history of three Minnesota businesswomen in the flower seed and nursery trade at the turn of the 20th century. It features the stories and artwork of Carrie Lippincott, Emma White, and Jessie Prior. It was developed in collaboration with the Andersen Horticultural Library at the University of Minnesota Libraries.
Visions of Minnesota: Photographers of the North Star State
Minnesota photographers George Newton, Haakon Bjornaas, Mathias Bue, and Myron Hall are featured in this unique photography exhibit. Each of these photographers represent different geographic regions of Minnesota from the 1880s through the 1950s. The banners link to online versions of each exhibit for visitors to view more of their work.
Childhood in Minnesota (coming soon)
These banners explore the idea of childhood as a universal experience that has been shaped by unique places, cultures, and time periods. The exhibit’s themes focus on children and families, children at work and school, and children at play. This exhibit also has an online version which includes even more compelling photographs and documents.
Main Street Minnesota (coming soon)
Communities big and small have historically had a main street, and this exhibit argues that “main street” is both a place and an idea. It includes examples of main streets as the center of business and commerce, as transportation hubs, and as community gathering spaces.
Local Connections
Exhibit hosts are encouraged to display related items from your collections.
Ideas:
- Seedswomen exhibit: Gardening tools and accessories; flower art; seed catalogs; plant nursery collections; books on seeds, flowers, and gardening.
- Photography exhibit: Local photographer’s artwork; examples of original photographic formats; collection of vintage cameras; photography “how-to” books.
- Childhood exhibit: Toys; clothing; school books; picture books for children; parenting books.
- Main Street exhibit: Downtown business merchandise; wagon, bus, car, streetcar, or train collections; parade memorabilia.
Ideas for additional displays, scavenger hunts, educational guides, community programs, and other activities will be included with each exhibit loan.
Project Funding
This project was made possible in part by the Institute of Museum and Library Services LS-253635-OLS-23. The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in these exhibitions do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.