What's New
With cabin and camping season approaching and Minnesotans eager to explore the outdoors, it's an appropriate time to highlight the papers of Minnesota based wilderness survivalist, philosopher, and author Calvin Rutstrum.
Rutstrum's collection provides a wealth of adventure stories through his unpublished and published writings and book manuscripts of his travels in the Minnesotan, Canadian, and other U.S. wilderness areas. The papers also offer practical knowledge on a variety of wilderness survival experiences, techniques, and craftsmanship. This includes vivid illustrations by notable Minnesota wildlife artists Les Kouba and Gary Jones, and photographs, diagrams, and instructions detailing Rutstrum's tent designs, camping equipment, cabin building plans, winter camping techniques, hiking techniques, wilderness depictions, and much more. Rutstrum's writings and oral history interviews also provide short stories on his experiences as a private detective, insights into his critiques on contemporary society, philosophies on engaging with wild places, and his thoughts on wilderness author contemporaries, such as Sigurd Olson (1947-1981).
The papers also explore Rutstrum family history, including biographical, genealogical data, and correspondence regarding Rutstrum, his wife Florence, and extended family (1918-1990). Personal photographs, writings, and property records document Calvin and Florence's shared wilderness experiences and their property holdings in Minnesota, Canada, and New Mexico, and provide details on cabins, canoe outfitter posts, and other properties built and developed by Rutstrum (1928-1975).
Calvin and Florence Rutstrum, late
1960s
Also included are correspondence with friends, business partners, and wilderness literature collaborators (1950-1981), and records regarding The Rutstrum Wilderness Trust, a fund set-up by Rutstrum to award environmental and wilderness authors (1990-2009).
Rutstrum fishing, undated
Cabin building, undated
New and Updated Finding Aids - May 2019
| Name/Abstract | File No. |
|---|---|
| Elmer Albinson: An Inventory of His Films | sv000171 |
 Views of Grand Portage and
Pigeon River area in northern Minnesota, stockade at
Grand Portage National Monument, and Ojibwa Indians.
Some of the footage may have been used in Albinson's
film "My Chippewa Home Revisited."
Includes digital content. |
|
| Attorney General: An Inventory of Its Administrative Rules Proceedings | gr01311 |
 Proceedings files regarding the
attorney general's approval of administrative rules
promulgated by state government agencies. Files include
proposed rule, transcript of hearing, correspondence and
memos, statements of need and reasonableness [SONAR],
findings of fact, and attorney general's statement of
approval. Includes digital content. |
|
| Atherton Bean: An Inventory of His Papers | 00516 |
| Correspondence, newspaper clippings, legal papers, reports, photographs, and ephemera pertaining to the activities of Atherton Bean's personal philanthropic interests such as the Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) and the Minnesota Academy of Art and Design (MCAD), Carleton College (Northfield, Minnesota), and in the family firm, International Multifoods Corporation. | |
| Roberta Borrill: An Inventory of Her State Normal School at St. Cloud Photograph Album | sv000301 |
 Photograph album documents
Roberta Borrill's time at the State Normal School at St.
Cloud from 1912-1915. Borrill, a native of Kamsack,
Saskatchewan, Canada completed the Diploma Course in
Music Supervision in 1915. Views include class outings;
campus life; Borrill's first teaching assignment at
Roadside School District 46 Everglade Township, Stevens
County; trips with friends around Minnesota and Europe;
and her home in Canada. Album contains invitations,
programs and decorations along with images.
Additionally, a folder of correspondence, photographs,
and programs that were loosely in album is included.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Ignatia Broker: An Inventory of Her Papers | 01308 |
| Correspondence (1908-1918, 1982-1987), typescript reminiscences,
audio recording of reminiscences (May 1986), genealogical charts, a
chronology (1805-1920), newspaper and magazine clippings, obituary
(July 24, 1987), literary manuscripts, illustrations, book reviews,
memoranda, minutes, pamphlets, and printed matter documenting the
life of this Minnesota Ojibwe author, storyteller, educator, and
activist. Includes digital content. |
|
| John Marshall Budd: An Inventory of His Papers | 01309 |
 Personal correspondence and
subject files of a Saint Paul railroad executive who
served as president of the Great Northern Railway
Company and its successor, the Burlington Northern
Railroad Company. The collection includes biographical
and family data, railroad history files, and files
documenting Budd's service on corporate boards and
charitable organizations. Includes digital content. |
|
| Capitol Gears, Inc. (Saint Paul, Minn.): An Inventory of Its Records | 00109 |
| Records of a machine shop in St. Paul's Midway District that manufactured marine engines, transmissions, gears, and related products. They include minute and stock certificate books, financial statements, photographs, and advertising samples. | |
| Committee on Resettlement of Japanese Americans. Minneapolis Chapter: An Inventory of Its Records | 01311 |
 Correspondence, applications,
reports, and related papers of the Minneapolis chapter
of a national volunteer organization to assist in
finding employment for loyal Japanese-Americans (Nisei)
evacuated from the Pacific Coast during World War II.
The collection consists largely of chapter secretary
Genevieve F. Steefel's correspondence with Nisei seeking
work--as well as their employment applications--and with
officials of the U.S. Employment Service and War
Relocation Authority. Includes digital content. |
|
| Cook County: Human Services Board: An Inventory of Its Records | gr01571 |
| Annual budgets, minutes, and meeting files of the Cook County Human Services Board and it's predecessor. Also includes records of the Chemical Dependency Task Force and the Social Services Council, including Community Social Services Act Plans. | |
| Daughters of Norway (U.S.). Freya Lodge No. 1 (Minneapolis, Minn.): An Inventory of Its Records | 01312 |
 Three volumes of secretary's
record books in Norwegian containing constitution and
bylaws, minutes, attendance rosters, and accounts.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Michael J. and Jennie B. Dowling: An Inventory of Their Papers | 00915 |
 Newspaper and magazine articles, correspondence,
printed materials, photographs, film recording, and memorabilia of Michael J. Dowling, a Minnesota
politician, newspaper publisher, businessman, and spokesman for the physically handicapped, who as
a boy lost three of his limbs to frostbite, and of his wife Jennie.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Education Department: Vocational-Technical Education Division: An Inventory of Its FFA Records | gr00380 |
| Records of the Minnesota FFA
Association (Future Farmers of America), whose mission
is to make a positive difference in the lives of young
people by developing their potential for premier
leadership, personal growth and career success through
agricultural education.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Great Northern Railway Company. Advertising and Publicity Department: An Inventory of Its Records | 00953 |
 Records created or compiled by the Great Northern administrative unit
responsible for managing corporate advertising and public relations work.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Richard R. Green: An Inventory of His Papers | 00114 |
| Speech transcripts (1955-1989), correspondence (1980-1989), memorials, newspaper clippings and magazine articles, audio and video recordings (1976-1988), and scrapbooks (1987-1989) documenting the career of a superintendent of Minneapolis schools (1980-1988) and chancellor of the New York public school system (1988-1989). | |
| Hennepin County: Auditor: An Inventory of Its Records | gr01583 |
| Records of the Hennepin County Auditor. | |
| Hennepin County: Crystal: An Inventory of Its Records | gr01399 |
| Records of the city of Crystal in Hennepin County. | |
| Hennepin County: Superintendent of Schools: An Inventory of Its School Censuses | gr01584 |
| Also includes student census reports, 1953-1967. | |
| Thom L. Higgins: An Inventory of His Photograph Collection | sv000295 |
 Views compiled by Thom Higgins,
a leader in the radical wing of the Minnesota gay rights
movement, documenting LGBTQ+ events and people around
Minneapolis and St. Paul and in Colorado. Images include
gay pride events and parades, political campaigns,
activism, performers at Riverfest, and group and
individual snapshots. Includes digital content. |
|
| Harold LeVander: An Inventory of His Papers | 01096 |
 Correspondence, minutes, newspaper clippings, subject files, campaign literature,
news releases, schedules, speech files, photographs, and scrapbooks documenting Minnesota governor
(Republican, 1967-1971) LeVander's career at Watertown High School (1928), Gustavus Adolphus College
(1928-1932), and the University of Minnesota Law School (1932-1935); his activities in Lutheran (Augustana Synod)
organizations (1945-1951); and his 1966 gubernatorial campaign.Includes digital content. |
|
| Jerry Mathiason: An Inventory of His Minneapolis and Saint Paul Street Scenes | sv000296 |
| Photographs were taken for the book Twin Cities then and now, by Larry Millett, published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press. The images match archival photographs of the same street views. | |
| Minnehaha Falls: An Inventory of Postcard Views | sv000297 |
| Views of Minnehaha Falls in Minneapolis, Minn. Includes views published by Minnesota companies and in various formats. Collection does include one view of Longfellow Gardens, adjacent to Minnehaha Falls, and a portrait drawing of Minnehaha. | |
| Minnesota Territorial Archives Territorial Governor: An Inventory of the Records of Territorial Governor Alexander Ramsey | gr01550 |
 Subject files, correspondence, appointments,
petitions, proclamations, and reports from territorial officers.
Includes digital content. |
|
| NMN, Inc.: An Inventory of Its NMN, Inc. Postcard Collection | sv000298 |
| Postcards published by the NMN, Inc. of Cross Lake, Minnesota includes views of towns, statues, parks, and scenic views throughout Minnesota. | |
| Northern States Power Company (Minnesota): An Inventory of Its Hydropower Engineering at St. Anthony Falls Photograph Collection | sv000294 |
 Views illustrate a century of
building projects, demolitions, repairs, floods,
equipment and people working around Saint Anthony Falls
hydropower facilities. Also includes aerial images of
the Saint Anthony Falls area, Minneapolis.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Andrew Peterson: An Inventory of His Family Papers | 00851 |
 Diaries, account books,
correspondence, and miscellany of a Minnesota
horticulturist and farmer and his family, documenting
his emigration from Sweden to Iowa in 1850, his
settlement near Lake Waconia (Carver County, Minn.) in
1855, the building of his log cabin, the establishment
of a school and a church, the beginnings of local
government, and his experiments in fruit culture. Also
mentioned are Peterson's activities in the Swedish
Baptist Church and the local grange, on the town and
school boards, and in third-party movements, and his
exhibition of fruit at local and state fairs.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Ramsey County. Mounds View (Minn.): An Inventory of Its Records | gr00090 |
 Minutes of
regular and special City Council meetings, City Council resolutions,
Planning Commission resolutions, and ordinances. Includes digital content. |
|
| Republican Workshop of Minnesota: An Inventory of Its Records | 00115 |
| Records documenting the evolution and activities of a women's political education association, which started in Hennepin County in 1945, spread to Ramsey, Washington, and Dakota counties, and reached statewide status in 1950-1951. The records also include extensive coverage of the National Council of Republican Workshops, founded in 1955. | |
| Percy Ross: An Inventory of His Papers | 00980 |
| Subject files relating to Percy
Ross, a Minneapolis businessman, and his private
philanthropic endeavors, consisting mainly of original
or photocopies of newspaper clippings, including Ross'
column, "Thanks a Million," and other public relations
materials. Includes digital content. |
|
| Calvin Frithiof Rutstrum and Family: An Inventory of Their Papers | 01310 |
 Papers of Calvin Rutstrum
(1895-1982), author of books on wilderness living and
wilderness philosophy, with a few relating to his wife
Florence (Merth) Rutstrum (1904-1986). They consist
largely of texts, drafts, and illustrations for his
books and articles on wilderness life and techniques and
on contemporary society. Includes digital content. |
|
| Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies, Inc.: An Inventory of Its Ice Follies Sound Recordings Collection | sv000299 |
| Includes music from the Ice
Follies shows and interviews with Oscar Johnson, one of
the founders of the Shipstads and Johnson Ice Follies.
Includes digital content. |
|
| Stillwater State Prison: Prison Industries: Superintendent: An Inventory of Its Records | gr01582 |
| Correspondence, reports, and related materials covering such topics as the State Board of Control, freight costs, publicity, and a 1933 compact with the National Recovery Administration. Also the contents of a "Little Black Book" (1926-1972), most probably a desk and field reference tool for Superintendent H. L. Rydeen. The latter contain information about farm machinery and twine and rope sales, prices, production, and shipments. | |
| Whipple and Scandrett Families: An Inventory of Their Papers | 01298 |
| Personal and family papers of Henry B. Whipple, Protestant Episcopal bishop of Minnesota, his grandsons Henry A. Scandrett and Benjamin W. Scandrett, who both became well-known railroad executives, and other members of the Whipple and Scandrett families. | |
| Winona County: District Court: An Inventory of Its Judgment Records | gr01575 |
| Judgment records of the Winona County District Court. Volumes are indexed. | |
| Winona County: Elba Township: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01576 |
| Birth (1900-1951) and death (1887-1953) records. | |
| Winona County: Fremont Township: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01577 |
| Birth (1870-1949) and death (1870-1952) records of Fremont Township. | |
| Winona County: Hillsdale Township: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01578 |
| Birth (1871-1943) and death (1871-1943) records of Hillsdale Township in Winona County. | |
| Winona County: Homer Township: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01579 |
| Birth (1872-1953) and death (1871-1953) records of Homer Township in Winona County. | |
| Winona County: Winona: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01580 |
| Birth (1870-1940) and death (1870-1940) records of the city of Winona in Winona County. | |
| Winona County: Wiscoy Township: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01581 |
| Birth (1871-1942) and death (1871-1953) records of Wiscoy Township in Winona County. | |
| Wright County: County Commissioners: An Inventory of Its Correspondence | gr01569 |
| Correspondence with federal and state officials, county residents and other persons concerning county policies, planning, projects, and major activities of the county. | |
| Wright County: Delano: An Inventory of Its Birth and Death Records | gr01573 |
| Includes births, 1908-1949, and deaths, 1908-1953. Also includes corpse transportation permit, 1911. | |
| Wright County: Delano: An Inventory of Its Records | gr01574 |
| Records of the Village/City of Delano in Wright County. | |
| Wright County: Delano: Justice of the Peace: An Inventory of Its Docket Books | gr01572 |
| Justices include Frank Matchett, L.H. Rawson, T.J. Catlin, A.R. Holston, W.H. Frazee, Reynold Bohn, F.H. Lindsley, F.W. Harper, William Ziebarth, Isabel Kerr, Ernest Otto, William G. Wiegert, J.L. Johnson, and Clifford E. Olson. | |
| Wright County: Sheriff: An Inventory of Its Jail Registers | gr01570 |
| Jail registers of the Wright County Sheriff. | |
New and Updated Catalog Records
| Del Calzo, Janice. Janice Del Calzo newspaper publishing files, 1976-1981. |
| Administrative and financial records relating to Del Calzo's publishing of several community newspapers in Minneapolis and in Dakota County, Minnesota, including the Community Times, the Nokomis News, and the Southwest Voice. The collection also contains a file of Burnsville Current advertising materials, and a file reflecting her involvement in the Neighborhood Press Association. |
| Wright County (Minn.). Auditor. Annual financial statements, 1896-1990. |
| Statements for the years 1896, 1899-1901, 1903-1931, 1933-1990. |
| Wright County (Minn.). County Coordinator. Correspondence, 2006-2013. |
| Correspondence of County Coordinators Richard Norman (2006-May 2013) and Lee Kelly (May-December 2013) regarding county policies, the annual budget, and policies and major activities of the county. Includes reports to the county board, contracts and agreements, and related records. |
