As the state’s sesquicentennial draws closer, two banners are making their way across Minnesota. These banners will make stops at libraries in every county in Minnesota before returning to St. Paul on May 11, 2008, for the 150th anniversary of statehood.
Each library is requested to find a way to bring the banner from one library to another. The surrounding libraries have been very creative in their delivery system trying to make it unique to their community. Some southeastern libraries have used horseback, wagon train, and Rochester Public Library is using Mayo One to bring the banner to their library.
Library Director Bonnie Adams decided to highlight area veterans, as her husband, brothers and daughter have served in the military, deliver the banner to the library. She spoke with Navy Vietnam Veteran Wayne Aarsvold and he agreed to contact some area veterans to ride their motorcycles to the Rochester Public Library Thursday evening to collect the banner.
Members of the Kasson City Council, Library Board and Library Director Adams will be on hand at the library to receive the banner from the veterans Thursdsay evening. Dodge County Historical Society will be present on Friday the 18th to help honor the 150 year statehood of Minnesota. The Minnesota Sesquicentennial banner will be displayed at Kasson Public Library all day Friday, April 18th, 10-5 and Saturday, April 19th 10-11 am.
Each banner is accompanied by a leather-bound journal in which visitors can write thoughts about Minnesota and the sesquicentennial. People are invited to sign the journal at any Kasson Public Library on Friday, April 18th.
In addition to creating interest in the sesquicentennial, the banners’ journey is intended to highlight the importance of public libraries in Minnesotans’ daily lives. “Libraries were picked to be the official host of this special sesquicentennial banner and journal because libraries are essential to our civic and economic life as a state and in our local communities,” said Sesquicentennial Commission Executive Director Jane Leonard.
The banners and the journal will be presented to Gov. Tim Pawlenty at Statehood Weekend in May, and eventually will find a home with the Minnesota Historical Society.
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