The Guide consists of brief descriptions of each manuscript collection at the Center. Most entries have a link to a more detailed inventory.
In addition to this alphabetical list, these collections are also searchable through our Library catalog, MnPals. Common keyword terms include the following words: agriculture, business, churches, depression, economics, education, ethnicity, government, legislation, maps, medicine, Norwegian, photographs, politics, railroads, Red River Valley, social welfare, veterans, women's organizations, and world wars. To refine your search, include the words "northwest Minnesota" in your search. For example, "agriculture northwest Minnesota." For further information, contact the Center.
A | B | C | D | E - L | M - Q | R - V | W - Z
AABYE STORE, PERLEY, MN. RECORDS, 1890-1906. 10 in. S2778 (See Inventory).
Mr. Andrew Aabye founded the Aabye Store in 1880. His general store was one of the first buildings in Perley, MN. Records include photographs, news clippings, and day books.
ADA, MINNESOTA COOPERATIVE CREAMERY. RECORDS, 1920-1956. .5 ft. S856 (See Inventory)
Annual reports, minute books, financial records and other related records of the Ada Co-op, which was established in 1920, are contained in this collection.
ADAMS, JOSHUA EDWIN. PAPERS, 1933-1955. 2.5 in. S2795 (See Inventory)
Mr. Adams, born in 1851, practiced law and was active in the governmental activities in Moorhead. His papers include three suits, three estate cases, and three land abstracts for land annexes to the city of Moorhead.
AGASSIZ WOMEN'S POLITICAL CAUCUS. RECORDS, 1982- . 1.75 ft. S2734 (See Inventory)
The AWPC is a nonpartisan political organization whose primary purpose is to educate women in political activities and to recruit, support, and endorse qualified women to run for elective offices. Records include by-laws, newsletters, correspondence, organizational literature, program brochures, and three scrapbooks.
ALBJERG, VICTOR L. AUTOBIOGRAPHY, 1892-1973. 1 vol. .05 in. S2657
The manuscript deals chiefly with Albjerg's education as a historian and the teaching positions he held in Minnesota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Illinois. He taught at Moorhead State Teachers College, Norbert College, and Purdue University.
ALTRUSA CLUB, MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA. RECORDS, 1960- . 2.5 ft. S2685 (See Inventory)
Altrusa Club members represent executive, business, and professional women organized in order to promote common interests as well as civic and national understanding and betterment. Records include minutes, newsletters, reports, and correspondence.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY PROFESSORS. RECORDS, 1956-1976. 4 ft. S2647 (See Inventory)
Policy statements and correspondence from the national headquarters and Minnesota State Conference, internal documents including meetings, memos, and local, state, and national constitutions and amendments are included in this collection.
AMERICAN ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY WOMEN, MOORHEAD, MINNESOTA. RECORDS, 1927- . 5 ft. S2682 (See Inventory)
AAUW is an organization whose members are women graduates of colleges and universities; it promotes and supports higher education and equity for women. This collection consists of records kept by the local AAUW branch and includes minutes, financial records, yearbooks, newsletters, correspondence, and scrapbooks.
AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY, CLAY COUNTY UNIT. RECORDS, 1975-1986. 2.5 in. S4612 (See Inventory)
Records include Board of Director lists and meeting minutes, by-laws, standing committees, committee reports, and treasurer's reports.
AMERICAN CRYSTAL SUGAR COMPANY. SUGAR BEET RESEARCH FILES, 1930-. 6 ft. S5037 (See Inventory)
This collection consists of numerous research publications concerning sugarbeet cultivation, which were organized in the 1950s at the Colorado research facility, and numbered, 1 thru 1318. The remainder of the collection consists of several hundred photographs of sugarbeet fields, test plots, beet equipment, research slides, and plant operations in various parts of the upper Midwest and western United States. In addition, there is a set of charts that show the extent of sugarbeet acreage in various parts of the American Crystal company’s growing areas plus newsletters.
AN AMERICAN COMMUNIST: KARL EMIL NYGARD. MASTERS THESIS, 2000. .25 in. S5035
This thesis by Pamela Brunfelt is the story of Karl Emil Nygard who was elected mayor of Crosby, Minnesota in 1932. At that time he was the only communist elected to an executive level office in the United States.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, LOCAL 382. RECORDS, 1951-1980. 2.5 in. S2796 (See Inventory)
Records include correspondence, newspaper clippings, and copies of pictures of local bands.
AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MUSICIANS, LOCAL 583. RECORDS, 1912-1922. 2 vols. S2640 (See Inventory)
This collection includes meeting minutes, membership lists, and financial records.
AMERICAN LEGION AUXILIARY OF MINNESOTA, NINTH DISTRICT. RECORDS, 1928-1947. 2 in. S230 (See Inventory)
This women's patriotic organization promotes Americanism, community service, national defense, and child welfare. Records consist of meeting minutes, newspaper clippings, programs of district and state conventions, reports, and one scrapbook.
THE AMPHION CHORUS OF FARGO-MOORHEAD. RECORDS, 1930-1952. 2.5 in. S2752 (See Inventory)
The Amphion Chorus was a one-hundred member male chorus that was heralded as the "Men of the West on Wings of Song". The records include concert schedules, programs, newspaper clippings, and snapshots of the chorus members on tour.
ANDERSON, J. A. ("TURP") (1902- ). PAPERS, 1945-1953. .5 ft. S226 (See Inventory)
Minnesota state legislator (1949-1953) from New York Mills in Otter Tail County. Correspondence, bills, and related legislative materials are included in his papers.
ANDERSON, MAGNUS. DIARY, 1890. 25 pgs. S5000
Short description of journey from Norway to the United States in 1890, translated from the original Norwegian by descendents of the author.
ANDERSON, WILFERD AND VIOLET. FARM RECORDS, 1939-1967. .5 ft. S719 (See Inventory)
The Andersons farmed in the Hitterdal area. The farm records include income tax copies, purchase statements, and detailed farm account ledgers.
THE BAKERS-CENTER FOR WOMEN. RECORDS, 1976-1983. 1.25 ft. S2746 (See Inventory)
The Center was organized in Fargo in 1976 to provide support groups, a place for women to meet, educational projects, and referral services for women. The records include correspondence, financial records, membership lists, newsletters, programs, and resource material.
BASFORD, HARRY. (1908-1974). PAPERS, 1948-1973. 8 ft. S245 (See Inventory)
Minnesota state legislator (1949-1961), founder of the Grass Roots Fund for Farmers, and president of the Becker County Farmer's Union. Correspondence, clippings, legislative materials, and papers relating to the Grass Roots Fund for Farmers movement are included.
BEAUCHAMP, DAVID J. (1940- ). PAPERS, 1975-1978. 2.5 ft. S2671 (See Inventory)
Mr. Beauchamp is a North Dakota native. From 1969-1974 he was a staff member at Moorhead State University. From 1974-1978 he served in the Minnesota State Legislature for Clay County. The collection consists of the papers he gathered during his years in public office.
BECKER, MINNESOTA COUNTY DIRECTORY. 1974. 1 vol. S4862
Directory listing rural residents as well as showing the ownership of tracts of land in Becker County in 1974.
BERGESON, BURNETT J. (1915- ). PAPERS, 1953-1962. 10 in. S846 (See Inventory)
Mr. Bergeson was a Minnesota state legislator for Norman and Mahnomen counties (1955-1961) and a former member of the DFL Agricultural Committee. His collection contains correspondence, legislative reports, copies of acts and bills, and news clippings related to his years in office.
BERTEL, BIRGER L. (1886-1963). MANUSCRIPT. .25 in. S2629
Birger L. Bertel wrote a reminiscence of his childhood in Nebraska and the family move to Pillager, Minnesota in 1900. He describes work with threshing crews harvesting wheat in North Dakota. Bertel moved to Fargo in 1908 and wrote about his employment at the Union Transfer Company and finally his purchase of the company. The manuscript is titled "Things Remembered."
BJORNAAS, HAAKON. PHOTOGRAPH COLLECTION 1907-1925. 3 ft. S4852 (See Inventory)
A major collection of 1100 photographic prints and 450 glass negatives. Most of the photographs were taken by Haakon Bjornaas (1884-1949), a traveling photographer. The collection includes numerous prints of communities and sites in northwest Minnesota, including Fergus Falls, Baudette, Cook, Tower, White Earth, Roosevelt, and other towns in the early years of the 20th century. A number of prints of North Dakota communities are also in the collection. Selected images from this collection can be viewed at the Minnesota Digital Library website.
BINFORD GUIDE. 1971-1989. 3 ft. S4945.
Collection of locally published magazines containing community information on the Fargo-Moorhead area. The Binford Guide was published by Moorhead resident Howard Binford from 1971 until his death in 1989.
BOZE, ADREN L. (1903-1964). PAPERS, 1937-1945. .5 ft. S264 (See Inventory)
Minnesota state legislator (1939-1947) from Detroit Lakes in Becker County. Correspondence, clippings, campaign material, and related legislative files are included.
BREWSTER, CHARLES. DIARY, 1854-1859. 1 roll of microfilm. S5014.
Brief entries regarding Brewster's work as surveyor for the Boston and New York Central Railroad (1854) and for the Illinois Central Railroad (1855); his settlement in Sibley County, Minnesota (1856) and construction of a log cabin on his claim; steamboat travels on the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers; social and pioneer life in Sibley County (Minn.). and in Illinois; and social life, church attendance, and trips to other New England towns and cities while in Portsmouth, New Hampshire (1857), and in Boston, Massachusetts, where he opened a store in 1859. (MHS Microfilm 345).
BUCKBOARD WHIP. NEWSLETTERS, 1935-1937. 2.5 in. S4953
Newsletters of Company 2705 of the Civilian Conservation Corps, which operated nearly Bagley, Minnesota. The Center’s copies are photocopies from the mimeographed originals that are preserved at the Bagley Public Library.
BURRILL FAMILY HISTORIES. MEMOIRS. .5 in. S5023
This collection consists of two volumes of memoirs by the Burrill family in which one volume discusses early farming near Hawley, Minnesota.
BYSTROM FAMILY PAPERS. LETTERS. .25 in. S5027
Two letters from the Bystrom family. A 1918 letter is promoting the campaign for Governor Burnquist. A letter dated 1945 relates weather conditions, crop information, and low prices for the summer of 1945.
CAMPFIRE GIRLS, INC. RECORDS, 1925- . 11.5 ft. S2643 (See Inventory)
Minute books, business records, scrapbooks, and correspondence are contained in this collection from the Red River Valley Camp Fire Council, the Clay County Camp Fire Council, the Camp Trowbridge program, and the Blue Bird organization.
CASS-CLAY CREAMERY, INC. RECORDS, 1934-1984. 8.5 ft. S4677 (See Inventory)
The Cass-Clay Cooperative Creamery Association opened for business in 1935. It has expanded its number of products and its locations to include 30 branch plants. The records include company background material and history, by-laws and articles of incorporation, state and federal reports, stockholder lists, accounts, payroll records, and photographs.
CATHOLIC DAUGHTERS OF AMERICA, ST. MARY’S, MOORHEAD, CHAPTER. RECORDS, 1964-1991. 3 ft. S4976. (See Inventory)
Correspondence, minutes, newsletters, scrapbooks, and program materials of local Catholic women’s group in Moorhead.
CHAPIN, EARL. PAPERS, 1875-1939. 4 in. S867 (See Inventory)
This collection is an unpublished manuscript history of Roseau County, Minnesota. It consists of notes, research film, news clippings, and other related materials collected by Earl Chapin, a newspaperman and historian from Roseau.
CHESTON, MARY GODLEY STARR. (1882- ). MANUSCRIPT, "SEEDTIME AT ULLMAN", 1902. .5 in. S269
Unpublished manuscript reminiscence of a former teacher in the Norwegian community of Ullman, Norman County, Minnesota.
CHRISTIANSON, DONNA ANDRAE. (1931- ). PAPERS, 1969. .5 ft. S266
Minnesota state legislator (1969) from Halstad in Norman County, appointed to fill out the term of her husband, Marvin E. Christianson, who died in office. Correspondence, photographs, and clippings are included.
CHRISTIANSON, MARVIN E. (1928-1969). PAPERS, 1964-1969. .5 ft. S265 (See Inventory)
Minnesota state legislator from Halstad in Norman County. Elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 1965 from Legislative District 65, he served in 1967 from District 66a. Mr. Christianson died while in office and was replaced by his wife, Donna Christianson. The collection contains correspondence, campaign materials, and clippings.
Records of the Christianson Farm in Hickory Township, southeast Pennington County, which remained in the hands of the family for more than nine decades. The farm was cultivated in small grains and maintained herds of dairy and beef cattle.
CHURCHES UNITED FOR THE HOMELESS. RECORDS, 1987-1998. 1 ft. S5001 (See Inventory)
Minute books, financial records, membership lists, and newsletters of Fargo-Moorhead churches that provide shelter and services to the homeless in the local communities.
CLAY COUNTY. "SOME PHASES OF THE GEOGRAPHY OF CLAY COUNTY." Typescript, 24 pp. with illustrations. S4919
Copy of senior thesis by Moorhead State Teachers College student John J. Brula, describing the physical geography and climate of Clay County. A small section also describes early county agriculture.
CLAY COUNTY AGRICULTURAL EXTENSION OFFICE. ANNUAL REPORTS, 1914-1950. 3 ft. S4972 (See Inventory)
Established in Clay County in 1913, the Clay County Agricultural Extension Office existed until 1922, when funding for it was cut. The office reopened in 1934. The annual reports for the office thus run from 1914 to 1922, then each year from 1934. The reports contain summaries of the agricultural agent’s work with county farmers. Reports by the county 4-H agent are also appended to the agent’s summaries. Originals of these reports are filed in the Clay County Courthouse, County Extension Office.
CLAY COUNTY DEMOCRATIC FARMER-LABOR PARTY. RECORDS, 1972-1995. 9 in. S2790 (See Inventory)
The records include campaign material, DFL constitution, meeting minutes, press releases, and DFL convention material.
CLAY COUNTY DISTRICT COURT. NATURALIZATION RECORDS, 1872-1954. 8 reels of microfilm. S4859 (See Inventory)
Record books from the Clay County Courthouse, recording naturalization information from 1872 to 1954 including: Declaration of Intention and petitions for citizenship by immigrants living in Clay County; applications to take the Oath of Allegiance to the U.S.; copies of Final Citizenship Papers. The books are indexed in a general index volume, arranged by family name. The record books were microfilmed by the Minnesota Historical Society.
CLAY COUNTY FAMILY COURT SERVICE. RECORDS, 1972-1978. .5 ft. S2603 (See Inventory)
The collection from this social service agency includes copies of annual reports.
CLAY COUNTY 11th JUDICIAL DISTRICT CALENDAR OF CASES. RECORDS, 1882. 2.5 in. S810
This collection contains the calendar of cases for the November general term of 1882, Clay County, 11th Judicial District Court. Included are civil cases, appeal cases, and criminal cases.
CLAY COUNTY PLAT BOOK AND RURAL DIRECTORY. 1951. 1 vol. S4853
Plat books, showing the ownership of tracts of land in Clay County in 1951. The plats are arraigned in order by township, and the volume also has various useful statistics and other information about the county.
CLAY COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING SERVICE. RECORDS, 1977-1978. .5 ft. S2601 (See Inventory)
This collection contains policy manuals, planning reports, and the annual report for 1977.
CLAY COUNTY RED CROSS. RECORDS, 1914-1916, 1933-1970, 1977. 1.25 ft. S847 (See Inventory)
Correspondence, news clippings, photographs, minutes of meetings, financial records, fund drive statements, enrollment lists, requirements and regulations of this agency are contained in this collection.
CLAY COUNTY TAX LIST. GUIDE, 1872-1955. 21 pages. Guide to 2,880 vols. S802
This was a community service project completed by the Historical Center for the City of Moorhead. The volumes of tax lists (1872-1955) are for the towns and townships of Clay County. Included are: Alliance, Barnesville, Barnesville Village, Comstock, Cromwell, Dilworth, Eglon, Elkton, Elmwood, Felton, Felton Village, Flowing, Georgetown, Georgetown Village, Glyndon, Goose Prairie, Hagen, Hawley, Hawley Village, Highland Grove, Hitterdal, Holy Cross, Humboldt, Keene, Kent, Kurtz, Moland, Morken, Moorhead, Oakport, Parke, Riverton, Sabin, Skree, Spring Prairie, Tansem, Ulen, Ulen Village, Viding. These records are located at the Clay County Courthouse; the Northwest Center has only an inventory for them.
CLAY, MINNESOTA COUNTY DIRECTORIES. 1964, 1970, 1974, 1976, 1979. 4 vol. S4863
Directories listing rural residents as well as showing the ownership of tracts of land in Clay County for various years.
CLAY SUNDAY PRESS. NEWSPAPER, 1947-1953. 4 rolls of microfilm. S4899
Weekly newspaper for Clay County, Minnesota, emphasizing news of smaller towns and rural areas. Center has issues for period February 2, 1947 to November 28, 1953.
COMMUNITY ACCESS TELEVISION OF MOORHEAD. PAPERS, 1975-1993. 3 ft. S4955 (See Inventory)
Records regarding cable television service in Moorhead including minutes of the Advisory Committee, correspondence, government regulations and the local newsletter.
COMMUNITY ARCHIVES COLLECTION. PAPERS, 1979- . 8 ft. S4810 (See Inventory)
Public records of a variety of Moorhead and Clay County government and social service agencies including the Clay County Board of Commissioners, Clay County Planning Commission, Moorhead City Council, Moorhead Public Library Board, Clay-Wilkin Opportunity Council, and Buffalo-Red River Watershed District. Records include agendas, minutes and annual reports. Collection is periodically updated by the transfer of records from the Moorhead Public Library to this Center.
COMSTOCK, SOLOMON G. (1842-1933). PAPERS, 1872-1939. 35 ft. S248 (See Inventory)
Solomon G. Comstock was a pioneer Moorhead resident, arriving in 1871. He was the first county attorney for Clay County and held similar posts in Pembina and Stutsman Counties in Dakota Territory. He was elected to the state legislature in 1875 and served until 1888. He was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1888 and served until 1891. He was president of the Northwest Land Co. (1883-1914) and worked closely with James J. Hill plotting townships in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Montana. He was also actively involved in several Valley enterprises and helped establish a state normal school in Moorhead, now Moorhead State University.
COMSTOCK HOUSE. CORRESPONDENCE AND FAMILY EPHEMERA, 1891-1975. 6 ft. S5055 (See Inventory)
Materials kept at the Comstock House state historic site in Moorhead, containing correspondence of the Comstock family, including letters written by Solomon Comstock, his wife Sarah, his son George and daughter Ada, various postcards received by the Comstock family, magazines from the early 19th century that mention the Comstocks, and a set of maps of various towns in North Dakota in which the Comstock family had investments. Also contains twelve taped interviews conducted in the 1970s with people who knew members of the Comstock family.
CORBID, JOHN R. PAPERS, 1974-1980. 3 ft. S2675 (See Inventory)
Mr. Corbid served in the Minnesota State Legislature from Marshall County from 1974-1980. This collection consists of materials Mr. Corbid accumulated during that time. Before his election in 1974, Mr. Corbid was a teacher at Oklee, Minnesota.
COUNTRY PRESS. NEWSPAPER, 1930-1947. 6 rolls of microfilm. S5002
The Country Press was the premier newspaper for rural Clay County through much of the mid-20th century. The Center currently has holdings for 1930 through 1947.
DAUGHTERS OF PRAIRIE VIEW PIONEERS, PRAIRIE VIEW TOWNSHIP, WILKIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA. REMINISCENCES, 1942-1978. .4 ft. S2635 (See Inventory)
The Daughters of Prairie View Pioneers was organized in 1942 so that daughters of pioneers who settled in Prairie View Township could meet and reminisce about the past. Included in the records are family histories and "American Letters", a collection of letters to John Holt from his family and friends in Norway.
DAUNER, MARVIN. PAPERS, 1974-1986. 2 ft. S4812 (See Inventory)
Records of Mr. Dauner during his terms as a member of the Clay County Board of Commissioners. The materials include some personal correspondence, and official records of Clay County's Planning Commission, the Housing Authority, the Highway Board, and the Welfare Board. A number of special reports and studies on land use, water quality and social services of Clay County are also included.
DeGROAT, FRANK H. (1916-1989). PAPERS, 1963-1975. 4.25 ft. S716 (See Inventory)
Minnesota State Legislator (1962-1976) from Lake Park in Becker County. The collection contains clippings, reports, genealogical information, Indian Affairs Commission files, and other related legislative files.
DELTA KAPPA GAMMA SOCIETY, MOORHEAD CHAPTER. RECORDS, 1942- . 2 ft. 3 in. S2717 (See Inventory)
The purpose of this society is to unite women educators and to advance the professional interests and positions of women in education. Records include annual chapter reports, by-laws, constitution, financial reports, minutes, chapter reports, and three scrapbooks.
DETROIT LAKES, MINNESOTA. RECORDS, 1873-1903. 1 vol. 1 in. S2641
This volume is titled Town Clerk's Record. It contains a record of the proceedings of town meetings and of the Board of Supervisors from January 15, 1873 to March 1, 1881. It also lists the elected officers, records town orders issued, and serves as a register of claims and bonds allowed by the board of audit.
DISTRICT 23 SCHOOL MASTER'S CLUB. RECORDS, 1929-1972. 5 in. S2688 (See
Inventory)
This club was formed in Moorhead in 1929 with the purpose of creating a club for male
teachers and school administrators. The club structure was very informal with no written
constitution. The records include correspondence and minutes of the club.
Minnesota state legislator (1959-1972) from Moorhead in Clay County. The collection contains correspondence, legislative materials, and campaign literature.
DRAHMANN GENERAL MERCHANDISE STORE. RECORDS, 1877-1925. 4 ft. S2648 (See
Inventory)
The records consist of ledgers from 1901-1908 and a few business letters from 1877-1925.
The Drahmann store started business near Rush Lake, Minnesota in 1876, but later moved to
Perham probably to take advantage of the Northern Pacific railroad.