[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 65 (Thursday, May 6, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E898-E899]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




              150TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. BRUCE F. VENTO

                              of minnesota

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 6, 1999

  Mr. VENTO. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the 150th 
anniversary of the territory of Minnesota and the counties of Dakota, 
Washington and Ramsey, the St. Paul Pioneer Press, the Minnesota 
Historical Society and Gibbs Farm in Falcon Heights, Each of these 
institutions have contributed to the culture and societal foundation of 
our great state!
  The Saint Paul Pioneer Press has been a reliable source of 
information and communication for St. Paul and the surrounding 
communities. I commend them on their objectivity and thorough coverage 
of important events throughout Minnesota and the world and for spawning 
many rival newspapers, especially the Minneapolis Star Tribune.
  The Gibbs Farm serves as a reminder of the origins of Minnesota. The 
original fabric of the Gibbs Farm, now in an urban setting, continues 
to teach and entertain our citizens with weekly events, and acts as a 
window into history. This is an unique and valuable resource for many 
citizens in the urban area.
  The Minnesota Historical Society has become an icon in Minnesota; a 
treasure of information and preservation advocacy about who we are and 
where we have come from Exhibit symbolize important events of our past, 
and educate us on the importance of the future. Several exhibits 
planned for the fall will be centered around the sesquicentennial 
celebrations.
  Even as a territory, Minnesotas' first counties took shape before the 
formation of our state. The lines that were drawn established more than 
boundaries. The community spirit we feel today was forged in the early 
years of our existence and these first counties--Ramsey, Dakota, and 
Washington--reflect our leaders heritage and geographic governance, 
then and now.
  As a former teacher, i understand the importance of learning from 
history. The origins of our great state are important to our citizens 
today, and these institutions have played an important role in shaping 
and crafting the state. Physical reminders and symbolic entities 
encapsulate the heart and soul and the essence of what it is to be a 
Minnesota, As we employ the inspiration and lessons from our past, may 
we put them to such a good use as our antecedents.
  Mr. Speaker, I submit for the Record an article from the April 25th 
edition of the St. Paul Pioneer Press highlighting this historical 
landmark.

150th anniversaries celebrate heritage, spur optimistic discussions of 
                                 future

                          (By Heather Johnson)

       Twin Cities native Leah Otto was intrigued that St. Paul's 
     designation as territorial capital 150 years ago in 1849 
     helped spur a boom that more than tripled the city's 
     population in five years--from 1,358 in 1850 to 4,716 in 
     1855.
       That tidbit was among the facts she gleaned while doing 
     research for the city's sesquicentennial.
       Such trivia is what Otto, assistant director of marketing 
     and promotions for St. Paul, hopes will be shared throughout 
     the year as the city celebrates its history as the capital 
     of, first, the Minnesota Territory and, since 1858, the state 
     of Minnesota.
       Since that initial burst of growth, she said, the city has 
     kept thriving, a sign residents continue to feel St. Paul's 
     pull.
       St. Paul isn't alone in pausing this year to reflect on 
     accomplishments and goals with explorations of the past, 
     assessments of the present and optimistic discussions about 
     the future. 1999 also marks the 150th anniversary of the 
     organization of the Minnesota Territory and Washington, 
     Ramsey and Dakota counties, as well as the Minnesota 
     Historical Society, Gibbs Farm in Falcon Heights and the St. 
     Paul Pioneer Press.
       ``There's a lot to commemorate,'' said Priscilla Farnham, 
     executive director of the

[[Page E899]]

     Ramsey County Historical Society, speaking of the Gibbs 
     historic site and the other sesquicentennial celebrators.
       While they all share a common thread--growing together--
     each has had a distinct role in Minnesota history. The 
     sesquicentennial is the perfect time, say celebration 
     organizers, to educate people about those rules.
       ``It gives us an opportunity or an excuse to look back on 
     the past,'' said Brian Horrigan, curator for ``Tales of the 
     Territory Minnesota 1849-1958,'' an exhibit that will open 
     this fall at the historical society's Minnesota History 
     Center. ``It's important for people to understand the 
     connection between the present and the past.''
       One goal is to dispel common misconceptions about the 
     state's heritage, he said.
       ``I think people think in polar terms, that here were white 
     settlers and Indians, when in fact there was a mix of people 
     here,'' Horrigan said.
       Also, he said, not all Minnesotans see the 150th 
     anniversary of the Minnesota Territory as worthy of 
     celebration.
       ``It was like an earthquake or a tidal wave--it was 
     catastrophic for the Indians,'' he said of the population 
     boom in the mid-1800s.
       Recognizing such perspectives is part of a new way of 
     viewing history, Horrigan said. It recognizes that 
     ``Minnesota'' existed before it had its name, he said.
       We're trying to bring Minnesota more in line with this new 
     Western history, looking at the history of settlement not as 
     history of triumphant conquering of the land. This is a much 
     more complex story,'' he said.
       While paying tribute to the territory, the society also is 
     celebrating its creation, which preceded the state it serves 
     by nine years.
       Gibbs Farm this year is attempting something similar as it 
     focuses on the Dakota Indians.
       ``Most people don't have a clue what sort of society they 
     had,'' Farnham said. ``It was a very fine culture. They had 
     the very highest standards of workmanship. They were very 
     efficient gardeners . . . I think it's just we plain don't 
     know, and that's part of what I see our role is in 
     commemorating the 150th anniversary.''
       Gibbs Farm, established by Jane BeDow Gibbs and her 
     husband, Herman Gibbs, is open May 1 through Oct. 31 and 
     features special events each weekend.
       ``One of the things we are going to be doing this summer is 
     breaking ground to build a replica of the original sod house, 
     which was built in 1849,'' Franham said. An interpretation of 
     Jane Gibbs' association with the Dakota Indians will also be 
     added, she said and the creation of a Dakota bark lodge will 
     demonstrate Dakota heritage.
       St. Paul and the three East Metro counties are also 
     showcasing their heritage.
       ``We're celebrating our distinguished past and our 
     promising future,'' said St. Paul's Otto. ``We're celebrating 
     what we have. We're celebrating what brings personality and 
     charm to St. Paul.''
       That includes hosting, along with the Pioneer Press, 150 
     Pioneer Parties throughout the city. Events will span the 
     whole year and include the city and surrounding area.
       The Pioneer Press' role shows its continuing commitment to 
     the community, said Marti Buscaglia, Pioneer Press vice 
     president for market development.
       ``We have had a relationship with the community for 150 
     years and have been very much a part of that community, both 
     in forming it and being its voice and its mirror,'' Buscaglia 
     said. ``As we go forward, it's important for us to continue 
     that relationship with the community and to really serve as 
     the local paper for St. Paul and the surrounding suburbs . . 
     . to get to know our customers better, find out what their 
     needs are and be able to give them what it is they want from 
     their newspaper and from the newspaper as a corporate 
     citizen. ''
       At the county level, Ramsey is encouraging residents to 
     volunteer at events.
       Ramsey County is very community oriented,'' said Ramsey 
     County Commissioner Victoria Reinhardt. ``There's nothing 
     more community oriented than celebrating your history.''
       Residents can learn a lot along the way, she said.
       ``A lot of people are surprised--It's like `150 years? 
     Really?'1A'' she said.
       As for the future, ensuring that St. Paul and Ramsey County 
     remain economically strong is a goal, Reinhardt said.
       In Washington County, organizers are celebrating the area's 
     opportunities as well as its past, said Washington County 
     Commissioner Dick Stafford.
       ``We can drive, in a few miles, from lakes and streams to 
     oil refineries and moderate to million-dollar homes,'' 
     Stafford said. ``We've got every kind of industry you can 
     imagine and every kind of recreation you can imagine . . . 
     You've got every ethnic background you can think of, you've 
     got every profession you can think of. It's probably a great 
     microcosm of America.''
       Dakota County's sesquicentennial is ``a work in progress,'' 
     said Patrice Bataglia, county commissioner and co-chair of 
     the project. Besides celebrating, the county hopes to educate 
     residents, she said.
       ``What's so important is that it's the fastest-growing 
     county,'' Bataglia said, citing the thousands of people who 
     move to the area each year. ``So many people who are moving 
     to Dakota County are looking for an identify with Dakota 
     County.''
       Reinhardt believes everyone can benefit from 150th 
     anniversary celebrations.
       ``You really need to look back in order to know how you got 
     to where you are and figure out where you want to be,'' said 
     the Ramsey County commissioner.
       ``It's a celebration of our ancestors and our history, but 
     more important than that, it's looking at how far we've 
     come.''

     

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