The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-01-21
OLDEST STATE SOCIETY
ANNUAL MEET MINNESOTA
HISTORICAL BODY
Dinner to DR.. FoIWeII AOne of
the Features of the
Sessions
ASSOCIATED Press Dispatchl

st. Paul, January 1.-THE annual
meeting of the Minnesota Historical
Society, which started here today,
marks the seventy second annual
session since the organization Of the
society. This is said to be the oldest
organization in the state. The soci-
ETY. was formally organized November
Is, 1S49, in the office Of Charles Kill
gore Smith. secretary of the territory
Of Minnesota. alexander Ramsey
was elected president and Mr.. Smith,
secretary.
-Thetobject of the society, accord
ing to it's act Of incorporation, was
the collection and preservation of a
library in which manuscripts, antiq-
uities Indian curiosities and all other
material pertaining to social, political
and natural history Of the state, be
placed on file for permanent preser
walton. The organization, according
to Scion J. Buck, superintendent, has
out grown the stage of mere insti-
tuition for the collection Of relics, and
now is. one of the functioning depart
ments of the state.
More Than 10000 Books Listed
More than 10000 books are listed
as being on the shelves of the library
and which were referred TO more than
$500 persons during the past year.
These books deal in science, art and
literature and were used alike by
superintendent said. The society
daily is receiving many requests for
information on scientific and natural
questions which the staff supplies
without charge. In addition to this
service, the society provides exhibits
of historical value to the student and
the general public alike, which is
viewed by thousands of persons year
ly.
Dinner To Or. FoIwelI
The meeting today will conclude
with a subscription dinner tonight in
honor of DR.. William Watts Folwell,
president emeritus of the University
of Minnesota and vice president Of
the society, who has just completed
the first volume of his history Of
Minnesota. Governor J. A. o. Preus
will act as POSTMASTER. Brief toasts
will be given by L. D. Coffman, pres
ident University Of Minnesota; c. w.
Ames, president st. Paul Institute;
Clarence w. Alvord, editor, Missis-
sippi Vally Historical Review; Fred
erick G.. Ingersoll, member of the
SoohSh VI ShS obS.S'y, anu IASo IL
Snyder, president, board of regents
of the University. The response will
be made by DR.. Folwell.
The annual address will be given
following the dinner at $3.50 pm. by
Joseph Schafer, superintendent of the
State Historical Society of Wisconsin
His subject will be "The Microscopic
Method as Applied to History" The
program for the day included these
forenoon addresses: 1.-THE Historical
Work of Hereditary and Patriotic So
cieties'' by w. M. Babcock, Jr., cura-
tor Museum, Historical Society: "The
Field for Local and Special Historical
Societies." n. W. G. Vail, librarian;
and discussion led by Joseph Schafer
Mrs. Frank Jerrard, chairman, Sibley
House committee: Daughters Amer
lean Revolution; Joseph A. Jackson,
st. Paul: Mary V. Carney, ST. Paul
and f. e. Pearson, secretary Pipe
stone county Old Settlers association
In the afternoon the following his
torical papers were to be read: Min
nesota Territorial Politics and the
Constitution Convention" William
Anderson, assistant professor of Po-
litical Science, University of Minneso-
ia; "Cleng Pearson and Norwegian
Immigration, Theodore c. Blegen, as
sistant professor of history, Hamline
University, and the political Career
of Ignatious Donnelly", John D. Hicks
professor of history, Hamline Uni
versity.