As the state’s sesquicentennial draws closer, two ambassadors are making their way across Minnesota. These emissaries are banners that 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 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.
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.
In addition to creating interest in the sesquicentennial, the banners’ journey is intended to highlight the importance of public libraries in Minnesotans’ daily lives.
“We picked libraries 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.
“Public libraries are lifelong learning labs, filled with the information and knowledge we need to grow as individuals, to start and grow businesses, and to share a civic life with our fellow citizens who gather in those public spaces."
The first banner began its journey this past May at the Rural Summit in Brainerd. Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, Former First Lady Jane Freeman (whose husband, Gov. Orville Freeman, was governor during the state's centennial in 1958) and Sesquicentennial Commission Vice Chairperson Reatha Clark King were among the first to sign the accompanying journal.
The banners were made and donated by Visual Impact Signs, Inc. which is helping the Sesquicentennial Commission develop the Sesquicentennial Community Spirit program to debut in August 2008.
To find out more about the sesquicentennial visit http://www.mn150years.org/.
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