Minnesota History

Exhibit explores early effort to desegregate Minneapolis schools
Currently at the Hennepin History Museum, “Separate Not Equal: The Hale-Field Pairing” tells the story of the 1971 effort to desegregate two elementary schools fewer than 2 miles apart and the lessons still relevant today.
Part of skull found along Minnesota River belongs to man from 8,000 years ago
The bone was spotted by kayakers last year and is being turned over to Upper Sioux Community tribal officials. The Minnesota Indian Affairs Council said neither the council nor the state archaeologist were made aware of the discovery as required by state law.
Split Rock Lighthouse historic site back open after lightning strike knocked out utilities
Split Rock Lighthouse historic site on the North Shore is back open, after a lightning bolt struck the grounds, raced through the historic site’s electrical system and knocked out water, power and a variety of other functions on Monday.
Can a new vision for Interstate 94 repair historic harm in Rondo?
The construction of the interstate highway system in the 1960s cut through many Black urban communities, destroying homes and bisecting neighborhoods. On Thursday, MPR News host Angela Davis talked about a proposal to use new transportation construction to repair some of that historic harm.
In Faribault, one last stand for a battered pre-Civil War house
Gutted on the inside and pressed by encroaching development, time is running out for a southern Minnesota home that may date back to 1855. Rice County officials are making one more attempt to find someone willing to move it.
Katie Thornton knows a lot about skyways
As Minneapolitans head back to work downtown, traffic in the skyways is picking up. Independent journalist Katie Thornton and host Cathy Wurzer take a closer look at this 60-year old system and how it has impacted equity and access in downtown Minneapolis.
Former West Side Flats residents have mixed memories about their old neighborhood
Some of the earliest immigrants to the city of St. Paul lived in areas that were eventually torn down — leaving residents to find new places to live. Many Mexican immigrants settled in areas like Swede Hollow and the West Side Flats.
Lawmakers push to redesign Minnesota state flag and seal
Minnesota lawmakers are resurrecting an effort to redesign the state's flag and seal, which proponents say are indistinct compared with other U.S. states and feature imagery that is offensive to Native Americans.