If you’re me, sometimes you see an artifact and exclaim, “Look at this little guy!” I do not have a true definition for a little guy, but I do get a feeling—a charm, a delight, a sense of whimsy—whenever I come across one. Smallness is often a factor but not required. And in line with the Midwestern use of “guy,” being a little guy knows no gender. It’s just a little guy. You know them when you see them.

For your viewing pleasure, I have selected some of my favorite little guys preserved in the state’s museum collections and photographed them alongside a dime for scale.

1. Little but loud!

Male hippo. SHSND 1989.74.231 G

He’s just yelling. All he does is yell, and I love him. This hippo is one of a pair that belongs to a Noah’s Ark toy set. The set was made for and played with by children at the North Dakota School for the Deaf in Devils Lake sometime prior to 1969. Older students at the school crafted the set in their woodworking class. I like to imagine a student painting the eyes on this hippo to convey as much maniacal fervor as possible.

Our hippo with his more composed female partner. SHSND 1989.74.231 G

2. Get a load of these little guys!

Old lady on a donkey. SHSND 1990.25.101

The littlest guy on this list is in fact two little guys. Among a collection of very small santon terra-cotta figurines is an elderly lady riding a donkey. These santons, or “little saints,” were gifted to North Dakota as part of the French Gratitude Train. In 1948, French citizens filled train cars with a variety of items as an expression of gratitude for the food and clothing Americans sent them after World War II.

3. Whose little guy is this?

Purple guy. SHSND 2021.34.9

This little guy was made by donor Lauren Ritterbush of Bismarck when she was a teenager in the late 1970s. She made many similar stuffed creatures for her friends at this time.

What even is it? I do not know. But what I do know is that this guy is friend-shaped and brings me so much joy whenever I look at it. The blissful face, the little round ears—this guy is just here to hang out and have a nice time.

4. The best little guy in the West!

Slouching man block print. SHSND 2013.111.159

North Dakota artist Clell Gannon created this block print of a slouching man with a relatable “what am I even doing” energy sometime between 1920 and 1940. The sketches behind the print make it appear as if he’s walking through a cloud of spectral cats. According to a note on the backside, this fellow is named Holling A. Planey, possibly a character in one of Gannon’s comics.

5. The Little Guy

Former North Dakota Gov. Bill Guy. SHSND 2010.80.1

May I present a promotional button with a little depiction of North Dakota Gov. William Guy. Guy was born in Devils Lake and served as governor from 1961 to 1973. These buttons were given out as promotional items during the 2010 premiere of the documentary “The Charisma of Competence: The Achievement of William L. Guy.” Among the many, many buttons in our collections, this one is the only one I would call … a little Guy.

Want to see more little guys? Check out my colleague Lori Nohner’s post about things in the collection shaped like dogs! After all, what are dogs, really, but little guys.

The architectural work of the Ritterbush family has left a lasting impact on North Dakota. Responsible for a vast range of public spaces and civic buildings, their legacy touches all corners of the state. As interns this summer, we worked directly with the Ritterbush architectural drawings and family photograph collection at the State Archives, helping to scan and catalogue the agency’s holdings.

Migrating from New England in 1882, the Ritterbush-Dyer family settled in Oakes, where they met the Nichols family, early homesteaders in Dakota Territory. Robert A. Ritterbush married Ruth Nichols, a deeply involved community member active in teaching, homemaking, and the local church. The couple later moved to Bismarck, where they had two children, Robert H. and Elizabeth Ritterbush.

The Ritterbush family pictured at the Montana state line sign, circa 1930. From left: Robert A., Robert H., Elizabeth, and Ruth Ritterbush. The Ritterbushes celebrated art, nature, and adventure, and this was taken on one of their many road trips around North Dakota. SHSND SA 11636-02070

The Oakes High School Glee Club was organized by the local Presbyterian minister and consisted of male students, including Robert A. Ritterbush (front row, right), 1920. SHSND SA 11636-05113

Clarence Ritterbush, the younger brother of Robert A., was considered an unconventional gentleman. Standing 5 feet, 5 inches tall with an outgoing nature and dapper style, he remained an adventurous bachelor until the age of 58, when he settled down with his wife, Caroline (Boehrnsen) Ritterbush.

The brothers began their career at an early age. Robert A. and Clarence Ritterbush received training in construction and design from their contractor father in their hometown of Oakes. Rarely apart, the brothers attended the Ohio Mechanics Institute in Cincinnati, until the death of their father prompted their return. Enlisting in the Navy in 1917, the brothers served together in World War I before returning home to partner with their former mentor, Arthur Van Horn, to found the Van Horn-Ritterbush, Inc. architectural firm in Bismarck. Their firm quickly established a name and reputation around the state, with Robert A. writing in 1931 that 90% of buildings in downtown Bismarck were designed by Van Horn-Ritterbush.

Though this photograph has no story or date attached to it, it shows the brothers as they were throughout their youth—inseparable. Here, Robert A. (left) and Clarence Ritterbush pose while rowing a boat. SHSND SA 11636-01693

Even while living apart later in life, the brothers continued their partnership for decades. While working in cities such as Chicago and Skagway, Alaska, Clarence often sent sketches back to Bismarck, where Robert A. resided. Eventually their firm was passed down to Robert A.’s son Robert H. and took on the name Ritterbush Associates. Following in his father and uncle’s footsteps, Robert H. Ritterbush continued to grow the firm as a well-known and trusted name.

Like his father, Robert H. Ritterbush enlisted in the Navy. In this photo, father and son pose in their Navy uniforms from two global conflicts (World War I and World War II) decades apart, circa 1945. SHSND SA 11636-04830

Today, the Ritterbush legacy can still be seen on business streets across western and central North Dakota. Their highly detailed blueprints, donated by the Ritterbush Associates of Bismarck in 1985, highlight their meticulousness and dedication to construction and design. Sharing a passion for history, family, and photography, the family also amassed a vast collection of letters, portraits, and postcards from around the world. Many items are accompanied by a humorous story, revealing their humility in the face of success. The Ritterbushes are truly a family who represent the growth of North Dakota, its people and communities.