New sesquicentennial license plates unveiled

First plate
The first Minnesota Sesquicentennial license plate, installed at a Duluth unveiling on State Sen. Ann Rest's car. Rest, DFL-New Hope, authored legislation to create the license plate.
MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher

The light blue plates come with the red white and blue sesquicentennial logo on the left, and the words "Star of the North Sesquicentennial" printed across the bottom.

Secretary of State Mark Ritchie says the new plates help tie the past with the future.

"What's been great about the way the commission has organized this whole year -- it's been aimed at both looking backwards and being appreciative of the gifts that we've gotten from those that have come before us," said Ritchie. "But it's really focused on what we can do to look forward, so that we are planning and investing, and making a future that our children, and their children, and their children will be proud of and will remember."

Unveils MN 150 plate
Minnesota Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, at the official unveiling of Minnesota's new sesquicentennial license plate in Duluth.
MPR Photo/Bob Kelleher

The plates will be sold for the next three years, at a one-time cost of $35, on top of annual registration fees. Twenty-five dollars of the $35 fee will help pay for the state's 150th birthday celebration.

Once the celebration is paid for, the proceeds would help pay for restoration of the state Capitol.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.