Minnesota State Fair History · Begin your self-guided tour of Minnesota State Fair history ... if you wanted a full meal at the fair, ... included peanuts, watermelon, popcorn and

Minnesota State Fair

HistoryWalking Tour

Two new sTops!

welcome To The minnesoTa sTaTe Fair. welcome To The minnesoTa sTaTe Fair. This History Walking and Mobile Tour was developed by the Minnesota State Fair Foundation and the Minnesota Historical Society. It’s your guide to some of the State Fair’s most historically significant spots.

complete eight stops and earn a prize. • Start your tour at any of the 13 stops. • Use the map on the last page of this brochure to find your way.• Use the hole punch at each stop to punch out the

corresponding number in your brochure.• Once you’ve punched each stop, bring your brochure to

the J.V. Bailey House or the Minnesota Historical Society booth in the NW quadrant of the lower level of the Grandstand by 8 p.m.

• Complete eight stops and collect one free prize. Complete all 12 stops and collect two prizes! (while supplies last).

J.V. Bailey house Built 1911, restored 2006 Then: The State Fair’s green thumbs once planted themselves at the J.V. Bailey House. Greenhouse superintendents and grounds-keepers resided at the 1911 American foursquare-style home from 1916-2004. The house is named for J.V. Bailey, founder of Bailey Nurseries, Superintendent of Horticulture (1912-1932) and an Agricultural Society Board Member (1924-1934).

now: The Bailey House is home to the Minnesota State Fair Foundation. Stop by to learn how you can support the future of the Minnesota State Fair.

Question: If you had the opportunity to live in the Bailey House, would you do it?

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hear history! Enjoy listening to Minnesota State Fair history through personal memories on an easy-to-use mobile tour. Listen to it as a companion to the brochure or separately at a later time.

intro to mobile Tour Begin your self-guided tour of Minnesota State Fair history by scanning the QR code below, or entering www.mnhs.org/tours/statefair into your mobile browser.

You can also listen to the tour by dialing 1-877-411-4123 and following the prompts.

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01 - Introduction02 - J.V. Bailey House03 - Space Tower04 - 4-H Building05 - Fine Arts Center06 - Machinery Hill07 - Food at the Fair

08 - Politics at the Fair09 - Grandstand10 - Heritage Square11 - Horse Barn12 - DNR Building13 - Agriculture Horticulture

Building

space Tower Built 1965 Then: Built smack-dab in the middle of the space race in 1965, the State Fair’s Space Tower was modeled after the Space Needle in Seattle, Wash., but is only half as tall as that Evergreen State icon. Hop aboard the Space Tower’s revolving observation capsule and you’ll rise 33 stories above the fairgrounds while enjoying a 360-degree view. Ever hear of Googie Architecture? That’s the type of futuristic design used to create the Space Tower. The Googie style sports lots of glass, steel and upswept roofs—structures that look like they’re straight out of a Jetsons cartoon!

now: In the early ‘80s, Errol Kantor was determined to fulfill a lifelong dream of owning an attraction at the fair—he ended up buying the Space Tower. Today, Kantor still owns and operates the Space Tower. Every year the tower gives fair visitors breathtaking views of the fair and the downtowns of Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Question: You are designing a ride for the State Fair. What theme will you use for the ride?


4-h Building opened 1939, Dedicated 1940 Then: The Works Progress Administration constructed this gleaming white Art Deco-style building at the end of the Great Depression. Concrete in the building’s horizontal base and central tower conveys a sense of strength meant to boost morale during those challenging economic times. The 4-H symbol, a four-leaf clover, greets visitors outside the main entrance. The “H” in each clover’s leaf represents one area of personal development central to the youth organization: head, heart, hands and health.

now: Thousands of young Minnesotans flock to the 4-H building every summer to showcase the results of their hard work. Some present livestock while others exhibit projects that feature technology, art, gardening, photography, quilting and more. The upstairs dormitories are filled with 4-H participants excited to make new friends from around the state. They’re also excited to compete for a ribbon!

Question: Are the four Hs (Head, Heart, Hands and Health) reflected in any way in or on the 4-H building?


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Fine arts center Built 1907 Then: The State Fair has featured fine art since the 1880s. Through the years, visitors have viewed works created by Minnesota artists as well as international masters like Matisse, O’Keefe and Picasso. In 1980, fine art found a permanent home inside this former Dairy Building, one of the three oldest buildings on the fairgrounds.

now: Every year the Fine Arts Center features an exhibition of painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, glass and textiles all created by Minnesota artists. Only works selected in a juried competition are displayed. Top winners receive monetary awards. Some have even gone on to international acclaim!

Question: What artwork in the Fine Arts Center reflects Minnesota to you?


machinery hill 1905 or earlier Then: For more than 100 years, Minnesota farmers have found the latest and greatest in agricultural equipment atop Machinery Hill. In its prime, nearly 80 acres displayed farm implements and vehicles that gave visitors a glimpse into the future of farming. Countless kids were in awe of the giant tractors and combines!

now: New agricultural and industrial equipment still finds a home on Machinery Hill. It also now features the Little Farm Hands exhibit, a fun place for kids to learn about agriculture from the field to the grocery store.

Question: How does learning about the history of Machinery Hill change the way you see it today?


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Food at the Fair since the Beginning of the FairThen: In the early days, if you wanted a full meal at the fair, you had to bring your own. The first foods available for purchase included peanuts, watermelon, popcorn and lemonade. Around the 1900s, churches started pitching tents for sit-down meals, such as roast chicken and gravy, prepared at home and trans-ported to the fair. With the arrival of WWII, fair visitors were introduced to foods from around the world, like falafel and chow mein.

now: Eating is an all-day activity. Visitors check off their yearly must-haves like corn dogs, mini donuts and cheese curds, then try the most outrageous new additions, such as deep-fried candy bars and bacon ice cream. Food on-a-stick has become synonymous with the State Fair, and with good reason. With portable versions of cheeseburgers, walleye or even tater tot hot dish, it’s much easier to eat on the go!

Question: What’s your “must have” food to eat at the fair every year?


politics at the Fair 1856-present Then: Politics and the Minnesota State Fair have been intertwined from the very beginning. Back in 1856, Governor Alexander Ramsey opened the second territorial fair, held at Fort Snelling, with a rousing speech that promoted agriculture. In 1901, thousands of Minnesotans heard Theodore Roosevelt utter the famous line “Speak softly and carry a big stick,” which became known as “the Minnesota speech.” In fact, political speeches were the main event at the fair until the 1920s when political speeches took a backseat to more thrilling offerings at the fair like train wrecks and airplane aerobatics.

now: Though you won’t hear a lot of formal speeches anymore, politics remain prominent at the Great Minnesota Get-Together. Every year you can spot politicos rubbing elbows with voters or campaigning for upcoming elections. The fair gives the public a chance to address politicians face to face with ideas, concerns or advice.

Question: If you were running for public office, how would you attract fair visitors to your campaign booth?


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heritage square opened 1975 Then: In the early 1960s this site catered to teens. First called the Teen Fair and later the Young America Center, it was a wildly successful spot where teens danced to rock n’ roll bands, watched fashion shows, enjoyed custom car shows and generally just hung out. By the 1970s, the site was ready for a new idea. Heritage Square opened in 1975 and was greatly expanded in 1976 to celebrate the Bicentennial.

now: Visitors travel back to the 18th and 19th centuries to discover an authentic log cabin, an original Royal American Shows train car, the State Fair History Museum and much more.

Question: Heritage Square brings history to life. How would you bring something from your history to life?


Grandstand Built 1909 Then: The Grandstand boasts a grand history: it has hosted horse races, baseball games, airplane stunt shows and auto races. President Theodore Roosevelt first uttered his famous phrase “speak softly and carry a big stick” at the Grandstand in 1901. In 1906, the legendary harness-racing horse Dan Patch set a world record: one mile in one minute, 55 seconds. The original Grandstand was built out of wood in 1885 and torn down in 1908. Today’s Grandstand opened in 1909 and was expanded in the 1930s.

now: The Grandstand remains a premier outdoor concert venue that attracts national performers from KISS to Tim McGraw. The Grandstand is also home to one of the fair’s great shopping hubs.

Question: What’s your favorite memory at the Grandstand?


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Dnr BuildingBuilt 1934 Then: The early 1900s brought a new exhibit: an aquarium full of live native fish. The popular exhibit roamed the fair without a permanent location until 1934, when the Department of Conservation log cabin was built. Visitors could even see wolves, coyotes and bears there. When the named changed to the Department of Natural Resources in 1971, the fair revitalized the exhibit, turning the formal south lawn garden and fountain into wetlands and a mesmerizing fish pond.

now: Each year, the exhibit informs over 500,000 guests about stewardship of our natural resources in the areas of outdoor recreation, conservation and sustainable commercial use. Current topics include hunting regulations, protection against invasive species and fire safety with Smokey the Bear.

Question: What is your favorite fish in the DNR fish pond?


horse Barn Built 1937 Then: The Horse Barn dates back to the late 1930s and was built by the Works Progress Administration (WPA), a federal program that created jobs for people during the Great Depression. Typical of WPA architecture, the poured-concrete and steel barn is ornamented with relief sculpture above the windows. The imagery beautifully reflects what takes place inside the building.

now: Visitors are encouraged to stop in to meet and learn about horses. The Horse Barn also features the “Aisle of Breeds,” where visitors can discover Appaloosas, Pintabians and Rocky Mountain Saddle horses to name a few. All the horses are awaiting their chance to walk proudly in shows at the Warner Coliseum.

Question: You’ve been hired as a judge in the horse shows. Which horse gets your blue ribbon?


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agriculture horticulture Building Built 1947 Then: Agricultural displays were a mainstay of the fair throughout its history. In 1885, both agriculture and horticulture exhibits were presented in the “Main Building” alongside many other fair exhibits. By 1901, this division received a structure of its own. In 1947, a new, Art Deco-inspired Agriculture Horticulture Building was constructed and is still used for its original intent. The structure was designed to mirror the style of some slightly earlier State Fair buildings such as the Horse Barn, Sheep & Poultry Barn and the 4-H Building.

now: The Ag-Hort Building, as many refer to it today, still impresses passersby with its central tower (lit up at night!) and eight exhibit halls. Popular as always, visitors come to see the multitude of flower shows, honey displays and demonstrations, and the traditional fruits and vegetable exhibits, all loved throughout the fair’s history.

Fun Fact: If you could name a new Minnesota apple, what would it be called?


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AgStar Arena

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minnesota state Fair history walking and mobile Tour map

after completing the tour, remember to pickup your prize at either the J.V. Bailey house or minnesota historical society booth.

The Minnesota State Fair Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that preserves and improves State Fair buildings, grounds and educational experiences.

www.msffoundation.org

Established in 1849, the Minnesota Historical Society preserves and shares Minnesota history through museum exhibits, historic sites, libraries and collections, educational programs and book publishing.

www.mnhs.org

Made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.

like sTaTe Fair hisTory? VisiT...The state Fair history museumheritage square

share your state Fair memories:www.mnhs.org/statefair

The state Fair online archives:www.msffoundation.org

Documents

Minnesota State Fair History · Begin your self-guided tour of Minnesota State Fair history ... if you wanted a full meal at the fair, ... included peanuts, watermelon, popcorn and