Minnesota. Board of World's Fair Managers

On April 20, 1891, the Legislature passed an act establishing the Minnesota Board of World's Fair Managers [Laws 1891 c157] and authorizing the governor to appoint six managers to develop exhibits for the World's Columbian Exposition representing the natural resources, industrial development, and general progress of the state of Minnesota. An appropriation of $50,000 accompanied the legislation, however, it could not be used to construct a building or compensate the managers. On May 1, Governor William R. Merriam appointed D.A. Montfort, St. Paul, George N. Lamphere, Moorhead, Charles McCormack Reeve, Minneapolis, A.L. Ward, Fairmont, Jay LaDue, Luverne, and John J. Furlong, Austin, to the board. In August, the board held a convention of county and civic officials resulting in the authorization of a special subscription fund of $100,000 for construction of the Minnesota Building and its exhibits, with each county's quota based on its property tax base. By early 1893, slightly over $96,000 had been raised. On February 17, 1893, the Legislature provided an additional $100,000 [Laws 1893 c217] to reimburse both the pledges made through the subscription fund and the managers' expenses. The Minnesota Building was sold after the exposition; the exhibits were returned to the state and housed in a variety of state and private institutions.

On April 20, 1891, the Legislature passed an act establishing the Minnesota Board of World's Fair Managers [Laws 1891 c157] and authorizing the governor to appoint six managers to develop exhibits for the World's Columbian Exposition representing the natural resources, industrial development, and general progress of the state of Minnesota. An appropriation of $50,000 accompanied the legislation, however, it could not be used to construct a building or compensate the managers. On May 1, Governor William R. Merriam appointed D. A. Montfort, St. Paul, George N. Lamphere, Moorhead, Charles McCormack Reeve, Minneapolis, A. L. Ward, Fairmont, Jay LaDue, Luverne, and John J. Furlong, Austin, to the board. In August, the board held a convention of county and civic officials resulting in the authorization of a special subscription fund of $100,000 for construction of the Minnesota Building and its exhibits, with each county's quota based on its property tax base. By early 1893, slightly over $96,000 had been raised.

On February 17, 1893, the Legislature provided an additional $100,000 [Laws 1893 c217] to reimburse both the pledges made through the subscription fund and the managers' expenses. The Minnesota Building was sold after the exposition; the exhibits were returned to the state and housed in a variety of state and private institutions.