Minnesota Territorial Centennial Committee.

In 1947 the Minnesota Legislature passed an act designating 1949 as a year commemorating the centennial of Minnesota's establishment as a territory on March 3, 1849. The legislature appropriated $150,000 to fund the endeavor, to be expended in 1948 and 1949. Administrative responsibility for planning and executing the events, radio broadcasts, and publications that would comprise the year-long celebration was delegated to the Minnesota Historical Society. The Society, in turn, established a centennial committee to carry out the legislative mandate and hired J. M. Nolte as its director. The committee was charged both to plan and direct statewide celebrations and other activities, and to assist local communities in planning and presenting local and regional celebrations.

One significant outcome was the creation of extensive K-12 school curricula on Minnesota history. Others included signage and other publicity denoting historic sites and trails, and a directory of Minnesota-related films. Local endeavors included a focus on the centennial at county fairs, community celebrations, and the work of local service clubs during 1949. Perhaps the most durable outcome was the establishment or strengthening of the network of county historical societies throughout Minnesota.

The committee disbanded in 1950.

From the guide to the Minnesota territorial centennial files., 1945-1950., (Minnesota Historical Society)