Minnesota at 150

Two official Sesquicentennial banners are on tour, making stops at libraries across the state.

As the state’s Sesquicentennial draws closer, two ambassadors are making their way across Minnesota spreading the message that 2008 will be a year to reflect upon and celebrate. These emissaries are 3’ by 5’ banners that began their journey on May 11th, 2007 and will make stops in libraries in every county in Minnesota before returning to St. Paul on May 11th 2008 for the 150th anniversary of statehood.

Each banner is accompanied by a leather-bound journal in which visitors can write thoughts about Minnesota and the Sesquicentennial. The banners and the journal will be presented to the Governor at Statehood Weekend next May, and eventually find a new home with the Minnesota Historical Society.

In addition to drumming up interest in the Sesquicentennial, the banners’ journey is intended to highlight the importance of public libraries in Minnesotans’ daily lives. “We picked libraries to be the official host of this special Sesquicentennial banner and journal because libraries are essential to our civic and economic life as a state and in our local communities,” said Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard. “Public libraries are lifelong learning labs, filled with the information and knowledge we need to grow as individuals, to start and grow businesses, and to share a civic life with our fellow citizens who gather in those public spaces."

The first banner began its journey this past May at the Rural Summit in Brainerd. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Former First Lady Jane Freeman (whose husband, Governor Orville Freeman, was governor during the state's centennial in 1958) and Sesquicentennial Commission Vice Chairperson Reatha Clark King were among the first to sign the accompanying journal.

The banner will be traveling through Viking Library System beginning July 18 and continuing through September 10. The Pelican Rapids Public Library will be hosting the banner on July 30 through August 3. Please stop in to see the banner and add your thoughts to the Sesquicentennial journal.

Annie M Wrigg
Pelican Rapids Public Library
25 W Mill
Pelican Rapids MN 56572