ST. PAUL WINTER CARNIVAL ASSOCIATION:
An Inventory of Its Association Records at the Minnesota Historical Society
Manuscripts Collection
OVERVIEW
| Creator: | St. Paul Winter Carnival Association. | |
| Title: | Winter Carnival Association records. | |
| Dates: | 1885-1992 (bulk 1937-1991). | |
| Abstract: | Minutes, scattered correspondence, financial information, administration files, and printed materials of a voluntary association which has sponsored a mid-winter festival in St. Paul, Minnesota since 1885. | |
| Quantity: | 51.25 cubic feet (46 boxes). | |
| Location: | See Detailed Description section for shelf locations. |
SCOPE AND CONTENTS
The St. Paul Winter Carnival, a city-wide festival featuring a week of parades, ice sculptures, sporting events, and other outdoor activities, was begun in 1885 as the St. Paul Ice Palace Winter Carnival Association. The first carnivals were held 1886-1888 and 1896. They were revived in 1916 and 1917. Beginning again in 1937, they continued through 1942, resuming on a permanent basis in 1946.
The collection includes minutes (1885-1895, 1937-1991), scattered correspondence and financial information (1937-1991), administration files (1966-1982), and printed material (1916-1987) of a voluntary organization which has sponsored a midwinter festival in St. Paul, Minnesota, since 1885. The administration files (27 boxes) contain information on finances and association members, events files (documenting both indoor and outdoor activities), publicity and promotional material, festival schedules, and a variety of printed materials. Photographs, legends, and background information concerning the history of the carnival and its royal court are also included.
Also included is a set of scrapbooks (1940, 1941, 1947-1949, 1951-1953, 1955-1968, 1978) containing newspaper clippings, letters, promotional materials, some memorabilia, and photographs.
Additionally, the collection includes files kept by the Midway Club of St. Paul concerning their carnival activities (1939-1968), records documenting the establishment, organization, and operation of the annual International 500 Snowmobile Race from Winnipeg to St. Paul (1966-1982), as well as membership rosters (1971-1979, 1986-1992) and a scrapbook (1954-1992) pertaining to the court's House of Vulcan (Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone).
There is also an issue of the St. Paul Dispatch Winter Carnival Edition (1889) that features color illustrations of the Winter Carnival and a Washburn Mill Company advertisement.
ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION
Availability:
The collection is open for research use.
Preferred Citation:
[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. St. Paul Winter Carnival Association Records. Minnesota Historical Society.
See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.
Accession Information:
Accession numbers: 14,098; 14,205; 15,073; 15,184; 15,259; 16,699
Processing Information:
Catalog ID number: 001711753
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.2F | 1 | Minutes: | |||||||||
| St. Paul Ice Palace and Winter Carnival Association, November 2, 1885-December 29, 1889; November 19, 1895. 1 volume. | |||||||||||
| Includes stockholders' names. | |||||||||||
| St. Paul Winter Carnival Association, December 3, 1937-Feb. 13, 1941; April 14, 1941- April 23, 1970. 5 volumes. | |||||||||||
| Includes articles of incorporation and bylaws. | |||||||||||
| Board of Directors, 1947-1950. | |||||||||||
| Includes correspondence, financial information, and related material. | |||||||||||
| Executive Committee, September 5, 1951-December 17, 1969. | |||||||||||
| Includes correspondence and budget information for 1970 and 1971 carnivals. | |||||||||||
| Correspondence found loose in Minute Books, 1939-1955. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.3B | 2 | St. Paul Winter Carnival Association, April 23, 1970-May 23, 1972. | |||||||||
| Includes memoranda, financial information, and bylaws. | |||||||||||
| Michael J. Galvin (President, 1970-1971; Chairman, 1972), 1970-1972. 6 folders | |||||||||||
| Includes correspondence, publicity, memoranda, and related material. | |||||||||||
| Board of Directors and Executive Committee: | |||||||||||
| Includes memoranda, reports, budgets and financial information, resolutions, bylaws, and related material. | |||||||||||
| May 9, 1972-August 24, 1983. 12 folders | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.4F | 3 | September 21, 1983-August 22, 1991. 10 folders | |||||||||
| Festival Cabinet, June 19, 1984-February 27, 1991. | |||||||||||
| Includes memoranda, rosters, and financial information. "The Festival Cabinet is responsible for working with the various event vice presidents, who run the various events comprising the festival" (Board of Directors Minutes, Annual Meeting, May 16, 1991, p. 4). | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.5B | 4 | St. Paul Outdoor Sports Carnival Association, Inc., 1917. | |||||||||
| Includes letters describing events; photocopies from the L. N. Scott papers listing box office receipts from two pageants and from "The Blue Paradise" at the Metropolitan theater in St. Paul; and an advertisement for the New York Hippodrome Show with Charlotte ("Queen of the Steel Runners") and John Philip Sousa and his band. | |||||||||||
| St. Paul Winter Sports Carnival, 1938. | |||||||||||
| St. Paul Winter Carnival Association, 1939-1968. 31 folders | |||||||||||
| Files kept by the Midway Club (St. Paul) concerning the Club's activities in the Winter Carnival. Includes minutes, correspondence, financial information on the Winter Carnival, memoranda, newspaper clippings, and related material. | |||||||||||
| Financial statements, 1971-1978. | |||||||||||
| Membership and button campaign, 1946. 1 volume. | |||||||||||
| Fun key, 1948-1950. 3 volumes. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.6F | 5 | Administration files: | |||||||||
| The central office files (1966-1982) are arranged chronologically and, within each year, alphabetically. The files contain correspondence, Board of Directors' minutes, events files, financial information, membership data, parade and royalty information, program development materials, publicity, schedules, and related records. The filing system varies from year to year. The events files contain correspondence with business and city officials regarding such matters as coronations (king and queen), parades (units, bands, marching clubs), promotions, contests (talent, ice fishing, hot air balloon race, sled dog race, ski events, speed skating, etc.), and appearances by the royal court (out-state Minnesota, Tournament of Roses, etc.). | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.6F | 5 | A-P, 1966. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.7B | 6 | P-W, 1966. | |||||||||
| A-D, 1967. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.8F | 7 | D-W, 1967. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.9B | 8 | A-O, 1968. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.10F | 9 | P-W, 1968. | |||||||||
| A-H, 1969. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.11B | 10 | I-W, 1969. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.12F | 11 | A-S, 1970. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.13B | 12 | S-W, 1970. | |||||||||
| A-F, 1971. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.18.14F | 13 | G-Q, 1971. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.1B | 14 | Q-W, 1971. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.2F | 15 | A-M, 1972. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.3B | 16 | M-W, 1972. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.4F | 17 | A-I, 1973. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.5B | 18 | I-T, 1973. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.6F | 19 | T-W, 1973. | |||||||||
| A-F, 1974. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.7B | 20 | F-W, 1974. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.8F | 21 | B-P, 1975. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.9B | 22 | Q-W, 1975. | |||||||||
| A-E, 1976. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.10F | 23 | F-W, 1976. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.11B | 24 | Events, 1976. | |||||||||
| A-I, 1977. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.12F | 25 | I-W, 1977. | |||||||||
| Includes festivals. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.13B | 26 | A-M, 1978. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 151.K.19.14F | 27 | M-W, 1978. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.13.8F | 28 | Events, 1978. | |||||||||
| A-C, 1979. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.13.9B | 29 | C-P, 1979. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.13.10F | 30 | P-W, 1979. | |||||||||
| Events, A-I, 1982. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.14.1B | 31 | Events, I-W, 1982. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.14.1B | 31 | Printed Material: | |||||||||
| Many of the files are incomplete. | |||||||||||
| Frank Madden, "The Rollicking Realm of Boreas: A Legend," 1937. | |||||||||||
| Winter carnival souvenir programs, 1937-1979. | |||||||||||
| Many contain photographs and history of the carnival. | |||||||||||
| Queen of the Snows coronation programs, 1938-1976. | |||||||||||
| Winter carnival programs, 1940-1982. | |||||||||||
| Souvenir photograph albums, 1939-1942. | |||||||||||
| Photographed by the Kenneth M. Wright Studios, these albums were meant to be mailed. | |||||||||||
| Ski jump programs and score cards, 1939-1955. | |||||||||||
| Majorette championship programs, 1947-1960. | |||||||||||
| Court of Boreas luncheon programs, 1947-1965. | |||||||||||
| Northern Pacific testimonial luncheon programs, 1954-1970. | |||||||||||
| Square Dance convention program (12th annual national convention), 1963. | |||||||||||
| Treasure Hunters guide, 1987. | |||||||||||
| Miscellaneous printed material, 1916-1980. | |||||||||||
| Snowmobile races, 1964-1969. | |||||||||||
| In 1964 and 1965 snowmobile races were held in St. Paul. In 1966, to commemorate a dog sled race from Winnipeg, Canada as part of the 1916 carnival, a similar race using snowmobiles was instituted. The International 500 Snowmobile Race continued until 1982. There are two papers recounting the Red River Day Race Sled Derby (1917) and the Great Snowmobile Race (1966). The files include correspondence, race information, statistics, lists of participants, regulations, correspondence with manufacturers, and related records. | |||||||||||
| International 500 Snowmobile Race: | |||||||||||
| In series by year. Includes committee minutes and correspondence, budget information, publicity information and news releases, correspondence with participants, information on race officials and forms, rules and regulations, driver rosters, violations and disqualifications, reviews and reports, route plans and sheriff correspondence, manufacturer's correspondence, and related information. The amount of information varies from year to year. | |||||||||||
| 2 folders. | Edward M. (Ned) Smith's correspondence, clippings, and slides, 1965-1967. | ||||||||||
| Smith was the 1967 race chairman. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.14.2F | 32 | 1969-1975. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.14.3B | 33 | 1975-1977. | |||||||||
| Also includes correspondence and minutes of the International Cross Country Snowmobile Federation (1975-1977). | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 147.D.14.4F | 34 | 1978-1982. | |||||||||
| Schmidt North Country Speed and Drag Race nationals, 1983. 2 folders | |||||||||||
| In 1983, because of budget restrictions, the snowmobile race was changed to a local race on Lake Phalen. Includes correspondence, race entries, repair estimates, and information on an insurance claim filed by a driver. | |||||||||||
| World Snowmobile Racing Foundation (Hartland, Wis.). 3 folders | |||||||||||
| Includes newsletters, correspondence, and insurance information needed from the foundation. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 152.F.6.2F | 35 | Nushka Club, 1890. | |||||||||
| Historical sketch about the club's formation in 1885 to promote the interests of the St. Paul Winter Carnival. The booklet includes photographs and a list of members. | |||||||||||
| Biographies of the Royal Court, 1971-1979. 9 folders | |||||||||||
| Mildred Leighton, "Winter Carnival Song," undated. | |||||||||||
| Sheet and manuscript music. | |||||||||||
| Perception Task Force, 1990-1992. | |||||||||||
| Includes minutes and correspondence of a task force organized to review and update the carnival legend and activities. | |||||||||||
| Booklet research material. | |||||||||||
| Royal family protocol, 1987. 1 volume. | |||||||||||
| Royal Guards membership and winter carnival roster, 1987-1988. | |||||||||||
| Legends of the carnival. 12 folders | |||||||||||
| Includes legends pertaining to all individuals of the royal family. | |||||||||||
| 1887 Ice palace rendering, by Bob Olsen. | |||||||||||
| Collectors and collections. | |||||||||||
| Photographs (historic). | |||||||||||
| Postcards, photographs, and stickers, 1939. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 152.F.6.2F | 35 | Miscellaneous: | |||||||||
| "Ice Palace and Snow Carnival, St. Paul," Chas. D. Whitall & Co., Minneapolis, 1886. | |||||||||||
| Small album of souvenir photographs. | |||||||||||
| St. Paul Winter Carnival official centennial calendar, 1986. | |||||||||||
| Proclamation of King Borealis to Richard L. Gorman, [1888?]. | |||||||||||
| Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone (House of Vulcan): | |||||||||||
| Membership application and brochure, 1992. | |||||||||||
| Membership rosters, 1971-1979, 1986-1992. 16 volumes. | |||||||||||
| Includes constitution and bylaws. | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.5B-1 | 45 | Scrapbook, 1954-1992. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.4.8F-2 | 36 | Scrapbooks: | |||||||||
| In fragile condition. These scrapbooks contain newspaper clippings, photographs, promotional materials, letters, and some memorabilia. In chronological order. | |||||||||||
| 1940, 1941. 6 scrapbooks. | |||||||||||
| 1941 scrapbooks titled "A Review of the Greater 1941 Saint Paul Winter Carnival compliments of Vulcan Rex Ruler of Flames." | |||||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.1B-1 | 37 | 1947-1949. 3 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.1B-2 | 38 | 1951-1953. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.2F-1 | 39 | 1955-1956. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.2F-2 | 40 | 1957-1958. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.3B-1 | 41 | 1959-1960. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.3B-2 | 42 | 1961-1962. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.4F-1 | 43 | 1963-1964. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.4F-2 | 44 | 1965-1966. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.5B-1 | 45 | 1967-1968. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Box | |||||||||||
| 142.H.5.5B-2 | 46 | 1968, 1978. 2 scrapbooks. | |||||||||
| Clover-Leaf milk carton Winter Carnival advertisement, circa 1978-1979. | |||||||||||
| Attached to a loose page, possibly meant for a scrapbook. | |||||||||||
| St. Paul Dispatch Winter Carnival Edition, 1889. | |||||||||||
| In fragile condition. Pages have been separated and placed in Mylar sleeves. | |||||||||||
| Features color illustrations on coated paper of the Winter Carnival and a Washburn Mill Company advertisement. | |||||||||||
RELATED MATERIALS
CATALOG HEADINGS
This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
- Topics:
- Associations, institutions, etc. -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Community leadership -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Community organizations -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Ice palaces -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Parades -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Recreation -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Snowmobile racing -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Snowmobiles -- Minnesota.
- Speed skating -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Winter festivals -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Winter sports -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.
- Places:
- Saint Paul (Minn.) -- Social life and customs.
- Saint Paul (Minn.) -- Biography.
- Organizations:
- International Cross Country Snowmobile Federation.
- International 500 Snowmobile Race.
- World Snowmobile Racing Federation (Hartland, Wis.).
- Midway Club (Saint Paul, Minn.).
- Nushka Club (Saint Paul, Minn.).
- Imperial Order of Fire and Brimstone.
- St. Paul Winter Carnival.
- Olsen, Robert Arthur, 1952-.
- Types of Documentation:
- Minutes (administrative records).
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