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About This Database

Information about photographs, artwork, posters, and fine art photographs from the collections of the Minnesota Historical Society are included in this database. These historical collections visually represent Minnesotans, their lives, landscapes, leisure and occupations from the pre-territorial period to the present.

Not all objects have been entered into the database.

As of August 10, 2009, 205,823 objects in the Society's collections have been added to the Visual Resources Database. 140,624 of those entered have a corresponding digital image. The following collection areas have been entered:

• Photographs: All photographs of places and subjects plus portraits of some of Minnesota's most prominent citizens. We have entered portraits of persons whose last names begin with the letters, A-K, and are continuing through the remainder of the alphabet.
• Art: Approximately 95% of all the artwork in the collection.
• Posters: All posters in the Society's collection.
• Fine Art Photographs: All of the fine art photographs in the collection.

As the Minnesota Historical Society continues to enter data, more photographs, artwork, posters, and fine art photographs will be made available on this database.

Help locating objects not already cataloged in the database can be found by contacting the Library located at the Minnesota History Center.

Not all of the photograph albums and groups of photographs catalogued as collections are available on the Visual Resources Database. Information on these photographs can be found in the library catalog.

Digital copies of the objects may be ordered directly online. Permission and license to use photographic reproductions may involve a use fee for commercial use.

The Visual Resources Database was funded in part with support from the Onan Foundation.