Minnesota History

Beltrami County Historical Society pushes to return sacred Indigenous artifacts to communities
Recently a court granted the Beltrami Historical Society’s museum permission to break up arguably its most important collection — the John Morrison collection. This will allow culturally sensitive artifacts to be repatriated to the Indigenous communities where they originated.  
Pipestone carvers preserve revered Native spiritual tradition in Minnesota prairie
Under the tall prairie grass outside this southwestern Minnesota town lies a precious seam of dark red pipestone that, for thousands of years, Native Americans have quarried and carved into pipes essential to prayer and communication with the Creator.
Duluth's Chester Bowl builds new bridge, aims for new chalet next
The club that manages the Chester Bowl ski hill in Duluth is trying to raise $1.3 million to build a new chalet at the iconic park, where generations of Olympic ski jumpers practiced in the mid-1900s.
Hastings natives create graphic novel from difficult hometown history
A difficult chapter of Minnesota history is now being told in a graphic novel. “Hate Stings” lays out what happened to the author’s African American family in 1800s Hastings. Visitors at the recent Minnesota Con in Minneapolis got a preview.
Dr. Charles Crutchfield remembered for pioneering work, community outreach
The Twin Cities doctor who died earlier this week at the age of 62 was one of the first physicians in the country to recognize the lack of knowledge many dermatologists have about skin conditions in people of color.
160 years of sanctuary at Pilgrim Baptist Church
St. Paul’s Pilgrim Baptist Church first formed in 1863 when a group of formerly enslaved people, led by a man named Robert Thomas Hickman, began worshiping together. The historic church is celebrating 160 years this weekend.
Minnesota's state flag redesign: How the process will work
Minnesota’s state flag is set to undergo a makeover. The move to redesign the flag comes after years of criticism about the current flag’s outdated images. DFL Representative Mike Freiberg of Golden Valley joins Morning Edition to talk about the push for a new state flag.
'Road to Healing' tour makes Minnesota stops
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland is traveling the country in an effort to uncover stories from federally run boarding schools for Indigenous children and holding events where survivors and their families can share their experiences and seek support.