Sesquicentennial Events: Past, Present and Future

On May 11, 2008, Minnesota reached its 150th anniversary as the 32nd state in the United States of America. We completed the official commemoration period on January 31, 2009, when the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission ended a nearly three-year run to help ensure that the Sesquicentennial was a yearlong, statewide commemoration and a catalyst, to learn from our past and connect all of us as Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.  
THANKS GO TO THE THOUSANDS OF MINNESOTANS who helped plan and implement hundreds of events and projects to honor this statehood milestone and both reflect on and plan for Minnesota’s future.

IF YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT WHAT WAS ACCOMPLISHED:

Check out the Sesquicentennial Final Report.

AND IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW WHAT MINNESOTANS HOPED AND PLANNED FOR THE NEXT 50 YEARS:

Check out the Sesquicentennial Plan for Our Future.

If you would like to contact someone about the Sesquicentennial:

• Sesquicentennial License Plates.  Special plates to commemorate the Sesquicentennial. These will be available for sale through 2010 through the state and local motor vehicle license offices. Commemorate Minnesota's 150 years of statehood with the new Sesquicentennial license plates. The plates are available at all deputy registrar offices. Cost is $35 plus an $8.50 filing fee. $25 of the cost is a minimum, one-time donation to the restoration of the State Capitol building. For more information go to http://www.dps.state.mn.us/dvs/index.html
  
  
• Sesquicentennial postage stamps. The United States Postal Service released a 42 cent commemorative stamp for Minnesota’s 150th anniversary in May, 2008.  Some post offices still have the stamps, so check with your local post office for availability.
  
  
• Sesquicentennial Welcome Signs. If you would like one of the highway welcome signs that were put up at state entrance highways for the Sesquicentennial, contact your local MnDOT District office to see if they have any available. http://www.dot.state.mn.us/information/districts.html
  
  
• Sesquicentennial Commemorative Medallion Coins.  There are a limited number of numbered silver medallions left for sale ($50) and enameled bronze medallions for sale ($10). All proceeds go towards the restoration of the State Capitol. If you are interested in purchasing a medallion, please contact Jane Leonard at jane@mn150years.org or call 651-303-5263.
  
  
• Grant report questions? Contact Jane Cunningham at jcunningham@mn150years.org
  
  
• Cookbook. Sesquicentennial Cookbooks with recipes from every county are still available in local bookstores and through the publisher, Nodin Press at http://www.nodinpress.com

Join us throughout 2008 as we lift up Minnesota – land of exceptional people and places!

©2007 Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission -   logo use