MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM (SAINT PAUL, MINN.):

An Inventory of Its Records at the Minnesota Historical Society

Manuscripts Collection

Part or all of this collection is restricted.
For details, please see restrictions.

OVERVIEW


	Creator:	Minnesota Children's Museum (Saint Paul, Minn.), creator.
	Title:	Minnesota Children's Museum records.
	Dates:	1979-2016.
	Language:	Materials in English.
	Abstract:	Organizational records created by the Minnesota Children's Museum. Includes newsletters, annual reports, clippings, exhibit and educational records, financial and administrative records, organizational histories, development and marketing materials, records regarding the move from Minneapolis to Saint Paul and new museum space design in the early 1990s, audiovisual materials, and oral history interviews of museum founders.
	Quantity:	13.50 cubic feet (14 boxes and 2 oversize folders, unboxed).
	Location:	See Detailed Description for shelf locations.

The Minnesota Children’s Museum was founded in downtown Minneapolis on December 12, 1981 as a hands on, interactive learning museum. Originally known as the Minnesota’s AwareHouse, the founders included Marialice Harwood, Kate Donaldson, and Suzanne Payne.

By 1985, the Children's Museum outgrew its space and relocated to a blacksmith's shop in Bandana Square in St. Paul. The new site provided 18,000 square feet of gallery space, and greatly expanded yearly visitors.

In September 1995, the Museum once again relocated to a newly built facility in downtown St. Paul on West 7th Street. In 2005, the Museum redesigned and expanded its exhibition space.

In 2012, the Minnesota Children's Museum founded a satellite location in Rochester. In 2015, the Museum launched a significant renovation, expansion, and redesign of its St. Paul location gallery space, amenities, and exhibit design, which was completed in 2017.

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ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

Access Restrictions:

Unprocessed audiovisual acquisitions and digital acquisitions are unavailable.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Minnesota Children's Museum Records. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: 17,820

Processing Information:

Processed by: Leif Kopietz, September 2021

Catalog ID number: 9989800739704294

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION


Location	Box
133.B.16.1B	1	Board of Directors lists and directories, 1979-2008. 2 folders.


		1992-1994 Construction plans and fundraising documents for new building at 10 West 7th Street, 1991-1994.


		Contents donated to the Children's Museum and the Minnesota Historical Society, photographs, short history, 1980s-1990s, 2015.


		Pre-opening and opening, 1979-1981. 3 folders.


		Press books, 1981-1988. 6 folders.


Location	Box
133.B.16.2F	2	Exhibits, special events, classes, performances, volunteers, and staff slides, 1992-1994. 2 35mm slide storage boxes.


		Itasca AwareHouse years: Minneapolis and prep for Bandana, January 1982-February 1985. 2 folders.


		Bandana blacksmith site, February 1985-1990. 2 folders.


Location	Box
133.B.16.3B	3	At Bandana site and pre-downtown St. Paul, January 1991-September 1995. 3 folders.


		Downtown St. Paul, 1995-2014. 2 folders.


		Anniversaries: 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th.


		A Toast to the Twin Cities, fundraising programs, 1982-1989.


		Exhibit designs, 1990s-2000s. 7 folders.


Location	Box
133.B.16.4F	4	Exhibit designs, 1993-1997. 3 folders.


		Archives, 1985-1994.


		Exhibit history, December 1992.


		Incorporation:
			Joint written action of the Board of Directors and Voting Members, 1979.
			Written action of the Board of Directors, 1979.
			Board of Directors, 1980-1983.
			Bylaws, 1979-early 1980s.
			Articles of incorporation, 1979-1988.
			Exempt status transfer of securities, undated.


Site selection general information:
	Planning Committee: Science Museum affair, 1979-1980.
	Planning Committee, 1979-1981. 2 folders.
	Planning Committee: Endorsements-proposal to elicit community response, 1979-1981.
	Planning Committee: Children's Communications Exchange, 1980.
	Planning Committee: Smile Factory, 1980.
	Site Selection, 1980, 1983-1984. 3 folders.
	Itasca:
		Cuningham, John, 1980-1982.
		Exhibit master plans, 1980.
		Stationery samples.
		Volunteer publications, 1983.
		Promotion "Ticket" Program, 1980.
		Opening, 1981.
		Promotions, public relations, 1981-1983.
		Plans and drawings-miscellaneous, 1981-1984.
		Freidman, David, 1983.
	Button designs, undated.
	Exhibit folders, undated.
	Exhibit publications, 1980s-1990s.
	General information brochures, 1980s-1990s.
	Group visits, undated, 1982.
	Institute of Museum Services, General Operating Support Award, 1990.
	Invitations, undated, 1980s.
	Membership and fundraising brochures, undated, 1980s.
	Programs in collaboration, undated, 1986-1990.
	Program publications, undated, 1981.
	Volunteer handbook, approximately 1985.


		Bandana Square stationery, approximately 1985-1995.


		Letters: Bush Administration and mayor James Scheibel, 1991-1992.


		Photograph file development plans, 1992.


		Photograph requests, 1992.


		Cheerios box, 1996.


		Early executive directors and staff, 1981-1986.


Location	Box
133.B.16.5B	5	Bandana Square statistics, 1990-1996.


		Publications, 1991-1996.


		Clippings, 1991-1992, 1994. 4 folders.


		Cultural diversity initiative, 1991-1993.


		Strategic planning and Bridge Fund plan, 1994.


		A New hope for Minnesota Children's Museum: capital campaign case for support, June 1994.


		Construction correspondence, Arvantitis, 1994.


		Financial and administrative:
			Trial balance, December 31, 1982-December 31, 1988. 9 folders.
			First Bank line of credit, 1983-1985.
			General ledgers, 1982-1988. 85 folders.
Location	Box
133.B.16.6F	6		Legal, incorporation, tax documents, 1979, 1981-1982, 1990.
			Audit, 1987-1988. 2 folders.
			Balance sheet, post-audit December 31, 1988.
			Budget, 1983-1990. 8 folders.
			Cash flow, 1988.
			Cash receipts, 1980-1981. 2 folders.
			Cash receipts journal, 1982-1986. 5 folders.
			Cash receipts, 1987.
			Cash reports (cash receipts journal), 1987.
			Cash receipts, 1988.
			Chart of accounts, June 30, 1982.
			Chart of accounts for coding, January 31, 1983.
			Chart of accounts, March 31, 1983.
			Depreciation schedule, 1985.
			Financial statements, December 1980-December 1982. 4 folders.
			Financial statements and accountants' compilation report, December 31, 1982.
			Insurance, before 1987.
			PHP - insurance, 1985-1987.
			Workmen's compensation - insurance, 1980-1986.
			Directors and Officers Liability Insurance Building, 1979-1985.
			Building liability insurance, 1984-1987.
			Certificates of insurance, 1984-1986.
			Journal report, 1983-1985. 25 folders.
			Journal list, July 1988-December 1988. 5 folders.
			Simma, Flottemesch & Orenstein, Ltd. Correspondence, 1981-1989. 2 folders.
			Stock transfers, 1982-1988.
			Taxes, 1979-1984. 6 folders.
Location	Box
133.B.16.7B	7		Taxes, 1985-1987. 3 folders.


		Exhibits, 1991.


		Miscellaneous-new museum, 1989-1995.


		St. Paul site selection, 1990-1991.


		Request for proposal, 1992.


		Architect selection, 1992-1995.


		Construction Business Associates, Ltd. (CBA), 1992.


		Construction financing, 1992.


		State funding, 1994.


		Focus group report to aid the Children's Museum in planning for the new museum, prepared by James W. Harris, May 1992.


		Programmatic master plan, Minnesota Children's Museum, June 1992.


		Minnesota Children's Museum: Executive Summary Architectural Program, July 21, 1992.


		Minnesota Children's Museum, Gallery Preview, May 1994.


		Minnesota Children's Museum, Earth World, 1995.


		Minnesota Children's Museum, One World, approximately 1995.


		Minnesota Children's Museum, World Works, The Invention Gallery, approximately 1995.


		Clippings, 1995.


		"Lives of the Children," 1995.


		Move and sale materials, 1995.


		Opening weekend visitor guide, 1995.


		Invitations to events, 1995-1999.


		Letters from museum artists, 1996.


		Clippings, 1996.


		Association of Youth Museums, 1996.


		Preliminary case statements, 1998.


		Development plan, 1992.


		Exhibit budget, 1994.


		Minnesota Children's Museum: growing up and reaching out, strategic plan, 2000-2004.


		Capital Campaign, 2000-2004.


		Exhibits and education:
			Exhibits:
				Cityscapes, 1980-1983.
				Star Tribune Exhibit, 1980.
				Computer Area, 1980-1989.
				The Puffett Show: Children's Museum grand opening, 1995.
				Creative Center, 1981-1982.
				Electron Microscope, 1981-1982.
				Miriam Perlman Exhibit prints, 1982-1983.
				Remo Saracini, 1982.
				Kinetic Sculptures, March 5-April 4, 1982.
				Early correspondence, 1982-1984.
				Legos, 1982-1983?
				Dental Area, 1985-1989.
				Kids' Clinic, 1985-1989.
				Train, 1986.
				Space Shuttle: design/construction, 1986.
				Bank Exhibit, 1986.
				Space Shuttle, 1986-1987.
				Crest/Proctor & Gamble, 1987.
				Nike Locker Room, 1987-1988.
				Post Office, 1987-1990.
Location	Box
133.B.16.8F	8			About the House, 1987-1991.
				Amaze in Space, 1988-1991.
				Habitot summary, 1989.
				Recycling in Residence, 1989-1990.
				Recycling in Residence: A Newspaper House, 1990.
				In a Child's Garden, 1990.
				Vital Signs, 1991.
				Accessibility Project, 1991.
				10th Birthday, 1992.
				Outside the Dream, 1992.
				Hands Can! 1993.
				Gateway to China, 1993.
				Inflatable Playables, 1994.
				Making Memories, 1994.
				The Magic School Bus, 1994.
				Smarter Than You Think, 1995.
				Raceways, 1994.
				A Very Moving Party, June 11, 1995.
				Honoring Our Children, undated.
			Education:
				Dragon Hunt, undated.
				Math Spaces in Museum Places:
					Evaluation, undated.
					Program, 1988.
					Correspondence, press releases, 1988-1990.
					Dissemination (MSMP), 1989.
					Agreements, 1989.
					Title II budget, 1989.
					Grant proposal, 1988.
					Schools: Subs and stips, 1988-1989.
					Title II grant study, 1989.
					Teacher workshop, 1989.
					Group visits, 1989.
					Final report, 1989.
					Family math, 1989-1990.
				Teacher's Program guides, 1990-1994.


		Newschool, Children's Museum and Kare 11, 1990.


Location	Box
Shelf S-9-B (Room B105.7)	13	Newschool, Stories 1-8, Children's Museum and Kare 11, 1990. 4 videocassettes (VHS).
			RESTRICTED.
			UNPROCESSED.


Location	Box
133.B.16.8F	8	Project development manual, Minnesota Children's Museum, approximately 1991.


		The Children's Museum, Maze Curriculum Project, approximately 1986.


		Outside the Dream: Child Poverty in America exhibit, 1992.


		Development and marketing:
			Attendance records, 1981-1987.
			Original funding proposal, 1977-1981. 2 folders.
			Draft Executive Director position, 1980.
			Boing! manual, approximately 1979.
			Boing! magazine and newspaper, 1979, 1981.
			Boing! newspaper, Vol. 2, No. 5, 1980?
			Boing! newspaper, Vol. 3, No. 4, May-June 1981.
			Boing! legal and financial information, 1980-1981.
			Boing! distribution information, 1980-1982.
			Case summary, 1980, 1982-1983. 3 folders.
			Press releases, 1981-1982, 1984-1987. 6 folders.
			Bat boy/girl contest, 1983.
			Bremer proposal, 1981.
			Challenge Campaign, 1981.
			A Toast to the Twin Cities, 1982-1989. 8 folders.
			Children's Cable Consortium, 1983.
			Bandana Square proposal, 1984.
			Education Department proposal, March 1984.
			A Study and marketing strategy of school group visits, 1984.
			Itasca lease termination negotiations, 1984-1986.
			The Children's Museum moves to Bandana Square, 1986.
			Kid's Day, Nickelodeon, 1987.
			SuperAmerica proposal, 1987.
			Cookbook, 1988.
Location	Box
133.B.16.9B	9		Phone survey (membership), 1988.
			Zip code survey, 1988.
			Fundraising, 1987.
			Fundraising Campaign, 1987.
			Fundraising, 1988-1989. 2 folders.
			The Children's Museum Store plan, late 1988-early 1989.
			Attendance records, 1988-1991.
			Marketing plan, 1988-1990. 3 folders.
			Maritz Marketing Research, Inc., October 1989.
			Long range plan, 1989-1993.
			Pippi Longstocking Benefit, 1990.
			Marketing: surveys, etc., 1990-1991.
			Materials, 1991.
			Events, 1992.
			Annual Fund, 1992.
			Fundraising, 1993.
			Materials, 1994.
			Memberships, 1994-1995.
			Press clippings, 1995.
			Brochures, 1995-1996.


		Minnesota Children's Museum move and grand opening, 1994-1995.


		Fred Rogers at Minnesota Children's Museum and Association of Youth Museums Conference photographs, May 1-2, 1995.


		Last day at Bandana Square photographs, 1995.


		Groundbreaking and construction photographs, 1994.


		Exhibits, 1987-1989. 3 folders.


		Creativity of the Young Child, 2002-2004.


		Minnesota Children's Museum, Gallery preview, October 1993.


		Exhibit, programming, events, and staff photographs:
			Photographs, 1994.
			Bus + 1 carport, undated.
			Expansion photographs, 1990s.
			Annual report cover, 1992.
			Karen Dummer photograph, 1990s.
			TIF signing, 1992.
			Logo alphabet, 1990.
			Outside the Dream contact sheets, February 1992.
			Miscellaneous event photographs, 1990s.
			Bandana Square, undated.
			Motorcycle photographs, undated.
			Bandana opening, 1985.
			Bandana construction, 1985.
			Board Members, 1980s-1990s.
Location	Box
133.B.16.10F	10		Stare set-up, Bandana Square, undated.
			Crane, undated.
			Benefit programs, 1990-1991.
			Garden general, undated, 1991.
			Hands Can! opening, approximately 1993.
			Kids On Air, 1987, 1990.
			Short story contest, 1991.
			Expansion, 1991-1992.
			Trading Places, undated.
			Grand opening, 1990-1991.
			Great Escapes construction, 1990.
			Habitot opening, 1989.
			Habitot general, 1989.
			Great Escapes, approximately 1990.
			Kids On Air opening, 1987.
			Bandana building, 1990.
			Raceways photographs, 1994.
			Vital Signs photograph, undated.
			Great Escapes photograph, early 1990s.
			Garden: 25 Days of Fun photograph, undated.
			Habitot parent-child photograph, undated.
			Garden store photograph, undated.
			Television studio photograph, undated.
			Miscellaneous negatives and slides, 1980s-1990s.
			Crane, undated.
			Princess Alexandra visit, British Festival, 1985.
			General classes and programs, undated, 1980s-1990s.
			Bubble Festival negatives, 1980s.
			Program, undated.
			Kites, 1986.
			Art Camp, undated.
			Heart of the Earth Dancers, May 1986.
			Como Zoo, 1983, 1986.
			Air Fair, 1988.
			Programs, 1988.
			Volunteers, undated.
			About the House, 1986.
			Zounds! 1988.
			Train, undated.
			Bank Store, late 1980s.
			Habitot, 1989.
			Castle, 1985.
			Theater performances slides, 1983-1984.
			Itasca construction opening photographs and negatives, 1980-1981.
			Old AwareHouse photographs, 1983.
			Bear Day, 1986.
			Ted's Train Time negatives, undated.
			Butterflies and Beetles, undated.
			Dental and Health Program photographs, undated.
			Sally Ride Class and Art Activity negatives, 1990.
			Robot Class, 1986-1987.
			Beatrix Potter Class, 1980s.
			Halloween Class Makeup, 1986.
			"I have a dream" t-shirt, 1988-1989.
			Photographs and slides of volunteers, 1980s.
			Post Office, undated.
			Toddlers-True Fort, 1980s.
			Topo, 1980s.
			Nike exhibit, undated.
			Kaleidoscope, August 1990.
			Lego, 1980s.
			Medz, 1985.
			Toast, 1985-1987, 1989. 4 folders.
			National Book Week, November 1985.
			Book Week prints and negatives, 1986.
			Book Week: celebrity readers, 1987-1989.


		Children's Museum of Minnesota proposal, 1979.


		Early history Children's Museum of Minnesota notes, 1970s.


		Children's museums in the United States, 1977-1980.


		Executive Committee, 1979-1982.


		The Infant-toddler Exhibit, 1990-1991.


		Bylaws and articles of incorporation, 1979.


		Bandana Square lease agreement and information, 1985.


		Development publicity, press clippings, 1980s-1990s.


		Pamphlets, 1990s, 2001.


		Newsletters, 1982-1994. 2 folders.


		Annual reports, 1986-2014.
			The years 1987 and 1998 are missing.


		Children's Museum of Minnesota 25 year history, 2006-2007.


		Muse/News, July 1980.
			Newsletter.


		Miscellaneous programs, brochures, and pamphlets, 1980s-2000s.


Location	Box
136.C.11.8F-2	11	Habitot exhibit materials: ribbon roll and stamp, undated.


		Bandana Square posters, 1980s-1990s.


		Minnesota Children's Museum promotional book, 2002.


		25th Anniversary artwork, 2004.


Location	Folder
106.I.2.11	1	25th Anniversary artwork, 2004.


		Poster: "Help the Children's Museum grow up to be big and strong," mid-1990s.


Location	Box
108.E.17.3	12	Architectural drawings. 7 rolls.
			Habitot exhibit, Bandana Square, 1988.
			Kids on Air exhibit, 1988.
			About the House, 1988.
			Garden exhibit, Bandana Square, 1989.
			Winsor Faricy, blacksmith shop, Bandana Square renovations, 1984.
			Colorful sketch of block 25, April 30, 1991.
			Architectural rendering showing exterior colors, 10 W. 7th Street, 1999.


Location	Folder
A2/ov8 Drawer 4	2	Exhibit posters:
			Suess! An Exhibition, September 23, 1999-January 16, 2000.
			Night Journeys: An Adventure in the World of Sleep and Dreams, early 2000s.
			The World of Peter Rabbit! approximately 1993.
			Peter Rabbit, Warne & Co., 100th Anniversary, 1993.
			Inflatable Playables, January-June 1994.
			Alphabet Design, approximately 1990.
			About the House, September 10, 1989.
			TV - F/X: TV special effects at the Minnesota Children's Museum, early 1990s.
			Making Memories, early 1990s.
			Minnesota's AwareHouse, early 1980s.
			Vital Signs, approximately 1991.
			Can You Tell Me How To Get to Sesame Street? September 28, 2002-January 19, 2003.
			Playing Together: Games, July 13-October 20, 1996.
			Castle, 1985.


Location	Box
Shelf S-9-B (Room B105.7)	13	Promotional audiovisual and oral history interviews:
			RESTRICTED.
			UNPROCESSED.
			Children's Museum: One World, Habitot, Newton's Apple Chromakey Segment, August 30, 1995. 1 videocassette (Beta).
			"At the Children's Museum," Midmorning, Minnesota Public Radio, 1990s. 2 audiocassettes.
			Minnesota Children's Museum: Habitot, Graphics, and One World: C.3 Programs, June 1995. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			Minnesota Children's Museum general footage, approximately 1995-1996. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			Play to learn at the Minnesota Children's Museum, 2003. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			St. Paul PED Children's Museum video presentation, 1992. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			Minnesota Children's Museum loop tape, KSTP TV, 1990s. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			Minnesota Children's Museum Capital Campaign, early 1990s. 1 videocassette (VHS).
			In a child's garden, 1992. 1 videocassette (VHS).
Location	Box
B152.6.F.7	14		Minnesota Children's Museum founders oral history interviews: Suzanne Payne, Kate Donaldson, and Marialice Harwood, 2016. 1 compact disc (CD).
			Hmong interview: Chang Yer and Dua Yang, late 2000s. 1 video disc (DVD).
			Minnesota Children's Museum Farmers Market photographs for Hmong @ Heart, July 2008. 1 compact disc (CD).

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:: Children's museums -- Minnesota -- Saint Paul.; Children's museums -- Minnesota -- Rochester.; Museum exhibits.; Museum techniques.; Museums -- Administration.; Museums -- Management.

Persons:: Payne, Suzanne, author.; Harwood, Marialice, author.; Donaldson, Kate, author.

Document Types:: Administrative records.; Exhibit scripts.; Newsletters.; Audiocassettes.; Videocassettes.; Compact discs.; DVDs.

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MINNESOTA CHILDREN'S MUSEUM (SAINT PAUL, MINN.):

OVERVIEW

HISTORICAL NOTE

ADMINISTRATIVE INFORMATION

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

CATALOG HEADINGS