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Minnesota History

Empty mansion reopens in Hastings

A 15-room mansion in Hastings, designed by Andrew Jackson Downing, a man considered this country's first well-known writer on the subjects of domestic architecture, gardening, and "genteel living," is opening for tours after standing vacant for 20 years.

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Minneapolis Lakers great George Mikan dies

George Mikan, professional basketball's first dominant big man who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five NBA championships, has died, family members said Thursday. He was 80.

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Twin brothers in western Wisconsin make noise with their cannons

Twin brothers in Clear Lake, Wisconsin, are known nationwide for their restorations of antique cannons.

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Oakland Cemetery home to Minnesota's Civil War history

For the past nine years, amateur historian Pat Hill has been giving guided tours of Oakland Cemetery in St. Paul, focusing on the approximately 1,500 Civil War veterans who are buried there. Those veterans include six Minnesota governors. Morning Edition host Cathy Wurzer went on a tour with Hill.

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The voices of three Minnesota Republicans

Voices of Minnesota takes a tour of the GOP's big tent with three prominent Minnesota Republicans from the party's left wing to its right: Sally Pillsbury, Wheelock Whitney and Bill Cooper.

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After beginning to shine again, Selby shows off

Organizers of a party on Selby Avenue in St. Paul say they want to celebrate life on the avenue and call attention to the revitalization of Selby. In the past decade, the street has become a safer place to live, and a destination for shoppers and diners.

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Rare keyboard surfaces in St. Paul

Next time you're poking through grandma's attic you might keep your eyes open for one of these. A rare American-built clavichord made 244 years ago in Pennsylvania has popped up in the collection of the St. Paul Schubert Club. Curators say the instrument is priceless.

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U of M, Morris wants government help for tuition waiver

The University of Minnesota, Morris provides free tuition for Native American students. But school officials say they want the federal government to help pay for the program.

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Dancing with the Hinckley fire

On Sept. 1, 1894, one of the worst forest fires in U.S. history destroyed the Minnesota logging town of Hinckley. The cyclone of fire shot flames miles in the air, and killed more than 400 people. The Great American History Theatre tells the story in its new production, "Fireball."

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African-American set up Minnesota's first governor's office

One-hundred years ago, when newly-elected Gov. John A. Johnson became Minnesota's first chief executive to have an office in the new state Capitol, he hired a black man to set up that office for him.

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