Minnesota State Capitol

Picture of the Past

Today, July 2, marks the 163th anniversary of the First Minnesota Infantry's charge down Cemetery Ridge, successfully preventing a Confederate brigade from breaking through the Union line, changing the outcome of the Battle of Gettysburg. Outnumbered more than five to one, the regiment's 82% casualty rate was the largest loss for any Union regiment in a single battle during the war.

For decades after its dismissal from service, the veterans of the regiment had reunions in locations both in Minnesota and on the Gettysburg battlefield. This photograph shows the reunion group in 1917 outside the second state capitol building. Attendees wore reunion ribbons and regimental pins. Being 54 years after the war, the men in this picture are elderly but remain dignified.

Image:
Reunion of 1st Minnesota Volunteers. 1917. Minnesota Historical Society.

Some lovely carved marble flowers on the undersides of the exterior arches!

Weekend Walk: Judicial Plaza

As we continue our virtual “walk” through the monuments and memorials, we will make a loop clockwise around the upper and lower capitol malls, focusing on sites that have not been featured in past postings.

Across Cedar Street from the capitol is the Minnesota Judicial Center. Originally built in 1915 to house the Minnesota Historical Society, the building was renovated and expanded in 1988 when MNHS moved out and the Courts moved in. Part of that project was the creation of the Plaza as a way to create cohesive space between the Judicial Center and the State Capitol. It was designed by Richard Fleischner, funded by the Minnesota Percent for the Arts in Public Places program and was installed in 1990. It combines green space with stones and geometric shapes representing Greek ruins and includes an amphitheater.
It is a beautiful spot for building visitors and staff to sit and have lunch!

The Minnesota State Capitol is CLOSED today in observance of Juneteenth.

Photo: Roy Wilkins Memorial on the capitol's lower mall.