This summer, I was hired at the North Dakota State Archives as an intern working on manuscript collections donated by private individuals and organizations. I cataloged and digitized land patents, citizenship certificates, biographies, autobiographies, photographs, and short sketches of men and women from early North Dakota history.

These types of papers contain various elements, which create a comprehensive picture of lives that came and went in very different ways. Yet their stamp on North Dakota history cannot be taken for granted.

One of my favorite collections I worked on included some biographies that were done through the Fargo Forum. Consisting of four pages, these were intended “to obtain accurate knowledge of your life, when news stories justify inclusion of biographical matter pertaining to you.” This biography questionnaire is particularly unique because of the spotlight it shines on participants’ genealogical information.

These questionnaires were meant to inform future North Dakota-related stories. Now they are helping us fill in information about the lives of early North Dakota settlers.

Check out some examples below!

This first form contains information about Michael L. Keeley’s life filled out by his son, Ronald Keely.

Photo of Michael Keely that appeared with his obituary in the Oct. 31, 1957, Hazen Star.

Michael (Mike) Keeley was born Sept. 24, 1873, in Winnipeg, Canada, to John Keeley and Elizabeth Moran, both originally from Ireland. In 1902, he married Alice Gallagher in Hazen; they had their only son, Ronald Keeley, in 1912. Mike and Elizabeth were pillars in the community, working as ranchers and farmers and later owning and managing a hotel.

SHSND SA MSS 90033

A few fun elements of note:

1. Ronald didn’t know his mother’s birthday because “she won’t tell.”

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90033

2. Mike “gave the land [for] and solicited to build the” St. Martin’s Catholic Church.

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90033

3. Mike talks about the experiences of his mother, Elizabeth Dunlavey Dolan, working as “head cook” for the Northern Pacific Railway in Dickinson and then Medora. He mentions that Theodore Roosevelt and the Marquis de Morès were “frequent visitors” to her table at that time. But that “no one paid much attention to them then.”

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90033

This second questionnaire contains information about William Oscar Ward’s life filled out by his daughter, Belle (Ward) Shute.

William Oscar Ward. SHSND SA 2016-P-043

William Oscar Ward was born May 3, 1839, in Erie, Pennsylvania, to Jeremiah Ward and Emma Jeannette Loomis, both originally from the East Coast. He married Florence Jane Manley in 1869 and had seven children with her. A self-educated man, William fought in the Civil War and then worked as a rancher, farmer, and dairyman for most of his life.

SHSND SA MSS 90062

Some of his more interesting responses include the following:

1. Asked “Where were you as a child?”, William noted: “In the woods of Northwest Pa.”

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90062

2. William’s Civil War military record includes participation in Sherman’s March to Sea and the battles of Gettysburg and Vicksburg.

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90062

3. A letter from his daughter Belle regarding Jennette, his oldest daughter, notes that she and another girl were “the first students ever graduated from the Bismarck High School.”

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90062

4. William’s daughter listed “purposeful occupation, honesty, and justice” as his hobbies.
    

5. Other interests included “community advancement, a city parking system, and a Protestant cemetery for the city.”

   

   SHSND SA MSS 90062

It has been a joy to explore early North Dakota through the lives and stories people from the past took the time to write down for themselves or future generations. This aspect of history continues to intrigue me and pull me further into the world of archives. A big thanks to Manuscript Archivist Emily Kubischta and the rest of the State Archives and reference team for giving me space to learn and experience the personal side of history through these collections. 

This month, the State Archives marks American Archives Month by highlighting the memory keepers at work behind the scenes collecting, preserving, and sharing North Dakota’s documentary history. I asked some of our hardworking memory keepers—the amazing State Archives staff—what their favorite thing about being an archivist is and about the special moments that make this job worth doing. Check out their answers below!

Matt Ely, photo archivist

My favorite part of my job is working with obsolete photographic formats such as daguerreotypes, ambrotypes, and tintypes.

Daguerreotypes were the first commercially viable and publicly available style of photography and capture an image directly on a piece of metal, which is then housed in a case. Wet collodion direct positives, such as tintypes and ambrotypes, came next. These types of photography use the same process as daguerreotypes but capture images on a thin sheet of metal or a piece of glass respectively.

It’s very interesting to see how much photography has changed over the years, both in the process and the product. I think it’s great to work with historical photographs so closely, and it’s also neat that examples of these processes in our collections range from over 150 years ago to just a couple months old!

From left: An 1875 tintype of Ellen Malloy and Mollie Taggert next to one of Millie and Madeleine Hyatt at the Former Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Bismarck, created just this year by Kary Janousek from Fargo. SHSND SA 2010-P-025-00002, 2024-P-016-00013

Daniel Sauerwein, reference specialist

Working in reference allows me to use my research skills to assist people find records and answers to their questions. Helping them solve historical mysteries and leaving patrons better informed than when they entered is a great feeling. I especially enjoy aiding genealogy researchers and kids learn more about themselves and the history of North Dakota and its people. Working with the collections is also a wonderful part of being at the State Archives.

Megan Steele, local government records archivist

My favorite thing about being an archivist is browsing through the past. Seeing snapshots in time from someone else’s life can be an almost surreal realization. Second to that feeling is the joy and excitement I see when a volunteer or patron makes a connection or finds an interesting tidbit that they cannot wait to tell others about. I always encounter something fun or interesting when processing collections that makes me laugh or smile.

Sarah Walker, head of reference services

We take the term “memory keepers” quite seriously. The items held in our collections are direct collections and recollections of individuals who lived here, worked here, and loved here. We are keeping their memories alive for their family and friends and for future generations. How can you not get goosebumps thinking about that? What an honor to work in this field, at this agency, and help preserve the history of this state.

The author and coworker Lindsay Meidinger excited to capture oral histories for the State Archives’ collections while at the Stutsman County Courthouse State Historic Site in Jamestown, spring 2024.

Kylie Ward, newspaper archivist

As an archivist, my favorite part of the job is touching history. Our newspaper collection is extensive and having the opportunity to handle old papers from the late 1800s or early 1900s is always exciting. The pages are worn with age and detail the lives of countless North Dakotans who made an impact on their communities. From marriage announcements to crop harvests to the prices of products advertised—nearly every aspect of these historical newspapers is interesting to look through. One of my favorite finds is this cute dispatch from a dog show that ran in a 1950 edition of the Bowbells Tribune below.

Bowbells Tribune, March 9, 1950, p. 7

Ashley Thronson, reference specialist

As for me, my favorite thing about being an archivist is helping researchers access the State Archives' collections. So much history can be found within our collections, but it can be a confusing experience if you don’t know where to start looking or what topics/events we have information on. Talking to people about their research and helping them search our website and the resources we have available to navigate our collections is my favorite part of the job. Not only am I answering their questions, I am also helping patrons learn about the State Archives’ resources and teaching them skills they can take with them on their research journey.

Working at the North Dakota State Archives means interacting with our collections on every level. Our team of archivists processes incoming materials, often becoming experts on each collection they touch. Our reference team uses these collections to assist others in access and research, learning many tidbits along the way. Through scanning, skimming, and handling the documentary pages and files of our collections, our staff loves to acquire new knowledge about the many significant things that have happened in our state. Learn more about some of the cool collections staff have recently acquired or rediscovered below!

Lindsay Meidinger, deputy state archivist

Did you know the State Archives boasts nearly 10 miles of paper records and a staggering 56 terabytes of electronic records? With so many fascinating collections just steps away, it is quite hard to choose just one to feature in this blog post. So I decided to put my decision in the hands of a random number generator. The result? Folder 2 of Box 4, State Series 31530.

A plain brown box in the State Archives stacks contains information related to the agency’s past educational outreach efforts.

What’s inside this unassuming box? It details the activities of the State Historical Society of North Dakota’s education team! These records chronicle over 120 years of educational events and programming, revealing how history has been presented and shared across generations. This specific folder contains programs from 1989.

Box 4, Folder 2 features programs of educational events and symposiums from 1989.

One might wonder, “Why preserve this?” Well, these documents offer insights for researchers and staff, providing a look at the evolution of outreach and programming by highlighting popular topics, types of interactions, and collective memories. This information helps our current education team build on past projects.

Virginia Bjorness, head of technical services

Earlier this year, the State Archives received four digital publications from Michael Gustafson, all relating to the early history of Portal, North Dakota, and the Lanthorn family. Included in the quartet is a short booklet by Wesley C. Engstrom, titled “Merna's Penny Bank.” This digital booklet documents the struggles of the Union Bank of Portal during the 1920s and the tragic death of the bank manager, who had gifted the penny bank to Merna Lanthorn. Engstrom also includes excerpts from The International, the newspaper serving the Portal area at the time, along with pictures of the recently restored bank interior.

SHSND SA OCLC 1417163131

Emily Kubischta, manuscript archivist

The State Archives recently received the records of the Monday Club, a study club for Bismarck women that has operated since 1902 (MSS 11655). In addition to researching and presenting on assigned topics, club women made charitable contributions and worked to make Bismarck stronger. Even though the Monday Club bylaws set a limit capping membership at 20, the club women have a long list of contributions. Some of these include raising funds for the Sakakawea statue on the state Capitol grounds, assisting with the first state sale of Red Cross stamps, advocating for public health by asking for funding for a state tuberculosis sanatorium site and securing the first nurse for Bismarck schools, preparing the first MASH unit locally that was then replicated during World War I, and adopting a French orphan (for one year) after World War I. Included in the records is an album of photographs of the homes of early Monday Club members (early 1900s) and the homes of members in 2002. This album documents some of the historic residences in Bismarck, ties owners to the homes, and demonstrates the continuity of the organization through its many years of active service to the community.

Letters and a postcard photograph to members concerning the adoption of French orphan Marc Régnier in 1919. SHSND SA MSS 11655

The historic residences photograph album shows significant Bismarck homes of the time. SHSND SA MSS 11655

Larissa Harrison, state government archivist

You never know what information you will uncover in some collections. State Series 32566 is part of the Department of Transportation’s records. However, this series, covering the district of Grand Forks, includes letters of recommendations from the North Dakota Democratic and Republican parties from the 1930s to 1940s, reflecting the political cronyism of the period.

Greta Beck, audiovisual archivist

One of my favorite home movie collections at the State Archives was filmed by Clayton Maw who documented his family's everyday life and important moments in and around Kidder County from 1949 to 1970—all on 8 mm film. His films cover a wide variety of family milestones like weddings, birthday parties, and graduations, as well as more everyday events like reshingling a barn, stunt car races, harvesting a field, and playing cards.

Maw loved farming and had a passion for airplanes, hunting, and traveling with his family. These interests are visible in the footage he captured of hunting scenes, family vacations, the Bismarck Air Show, and aerial shots from an airplane of Bismarck and the Garrison Dam. Home movies tell a very personal story through the perspective of a family and give the viewer a more intimate look at what life was like when the films were made.

This still from Clayton Maw’s 8 mm film shows young children and a dog helping out on a family farm in Kidder County, circa 1955. SHSND SA MSS 11375-00001

3D scanning allows for the preservation of artifacts in digital form, safeguarding them against physical deterioration or damage. 3D modeling can be used to preserve digital replicas of delicate, rare, and ancient artifacts, enabling the storage and study of objects in far greater detail than traditional 2D images (Eve 2018; Garstki 2016; Graham 2012; Younan and Treadway 2015). In cases where artifacts suffer damage, the stored 3D digital model can assist in the restoration and repair of the affected parts. Conservationists can use digital models to plan and execute precise restoration work without directly handling the original, ensuring its protection (Eve 2018; Graham 2012).

The author 3D scans a pottery sherd from On-A-Slant Village near Mandan.

Digital archives can expand access to archaeological materials, with 3D scanning serving as a pivotal tool for museums to enhance the accessibility of their collections (Garstki 2016). By uploading 3D scans to websites, a virtual display can be fashioned, reaching viewers across the globe (Eve 2018; Graham 2012). This approach allows researchers, students, and the public to remotely explore collections, thereby democratizing access to knowledge. These models may enhance the research process, offering improved accessibility, detailed analysis, collaborative opportunities, and the capacity to conduct experiments. This, in turn, contributes to preservation efforts and educational initiatives. For the public, the virtual display may serve to cultivate interest and appreciation for history and cultural heritage (Garstki 2016; Montusiewicz, Barszcz, and Korga 2022; Younan and Treadway 2015).

Beyond generating models, 3D printing enables the production of tangible replicas of artifacts that can be used for educational, exhibition, and preservation purposes (Graham 2012; Montusiewicz, Barszcz, and Korga 2022). 3D printing enables the replication of rare and fragile objects suitable for hands-on activities, research, and preservation purposes. Handling physical artifacts allows for a more immersive learning experience than merely observing objects within glass display cases. These 3D-printed replicas also serve as accessible tools for individuals with visual or sensory impairments, enabling them to interact with the exhibits through touch (Montusiewicz, Barszcz, and Korga 2022). Moreover, by scanning and producing 3D replicas, museums can potentially loan out precious artifacts, preserving the originals while sharing their replicated forms (Graham 2012).

Since late 2020, the State Historical Society of North Dakota has utilized the Artec Space Spider 3D scanner to create diverse 3D models from a range of artifact categories. These include decorated Native American ceramic sherds and a stone axe, grooved maul, glass pendant, ground stone tool, and chipped stone tool. The agency plans to create a virtual display of these and other models on its website. However, a significant challenge associated with virtually displaying these 3D models is the potential for unauthorized reproduction and distribution. It's crucial to carefully consider copyright implications and the intended usage of these models before sharing them online. Access controls and usage agreements can help mitigate potential risks.

In conclusion, the digital accessibility of artifacts democratizes access to knowledge and invites a worldwide audience to engage in exploration and learning. Moreover, 3D printing empowers hands-on engagement with replicas, enriching educational experiences and promoting inclusivity among diverse communities, including those with sensory impairments.

References

Eve, Stuart. 2018. “Losing Our Senses, An Exploration of 3D Object Scanning.” Open Archaeology 4, no. 1: 114-22.

Garstki, Kevin. 2017. “Virtual Representation: The Production of 3D Digital Artifacts.” Journal of Archaeological Method and Theory, 24: 726-50.

Graham, Chelsea A. 2012. “Applications of Digitization to Museum Collections Management, Research, and Accessibility.” Master’s thesis, Lund University. https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/lup/publication/2543856.

Montusiewicz, Jerzy, Marcin Barszcz, and Sylwester Korga. 2022. “Preparation of 3D Models of Cultural Heritage Objects to be Recognized by Touch by the Blind—Case Studies.” Applied Sciences 12, no. 23: 11910. https://doi.org/10.3390/app122311910.

Younan, Sarah, and Cathy Treadaway. 2015. “Digital 3D Models of Heritage Artefacts: Towards A Digital Dream Space.” Digital Applications in Archaeology and Cultural Heritage 2, no. 4: 240-47.

It is not uncommon to put things in pockets and then forget about them. Who hasn’t found money in the pocket of a coat after not wearing it for ages? Occasionally, we also find things in the pockets of clothing items donated to the State Historical Society of North Dakota. As expected, handkerchiefs and gloves are the most common, but every so often something a little more interesting shows up.

This cute green wool coat was made by Steve Abraham, uncle of Carol Sieler. Sieler purchased the materials for the coat but didn’t have the time to make it herself. When her uncle, a professional tailor, was visiting he offered to make the coat for her. Armed with just a few measurements and a general description of a clutch coat with no buttons, he designed and sewed the coat. After wearing it, however, Sieler realized she needed buttons and asked a local seamstress to add buttonholes and buttons. Her uncle was very disappointed when he found out because these were not tailored buttonholes as he would have made.

Sieler’s story gave us great history behind the coat, but it was a fun surprise when we found money in one pocket. While only a dime, the discovery reminded me of the advice women were given prior to cellphones to always carry a dime (and later a quarter) to use in a pay phone in case they needed to call for help.

This green coat was tailor-made by the donor’s uncle in 1984. Found in the pocket: a single dime, which at one time was enough for a phone call. SHSND 2018.39.1

During World War I standard rations for American troops included cigarettes. Smoking helped to pass the time and was thought to help calm the nerves of soldiers in combat. This might explain why we found the remnants of a cigarette pack and two wooden matchsticks in the back pocket of a pair of U.S. Army uniform pants. This pair of pants was worn by Ralph J. Rubish of Fairmont. He enlisted May 5, 1917, at Wahpeton and was sent overseas Dec. 14, 1917, serving on the front line with Company I, 164th Regiment, 41st Infantry Division. Rubish survived the war and returned to farm in Richland County. He died in 1961 when he was 62.

The finds in this World War I uniform attest to a time when smoking was a widely practiced pastime. SHSND 15303.2

Blizzards in North Dakota are not uncommon and make travel difficult. In 1904, Henry H. Nelson and his mother got off the train in Streeter, expecting to be met by his uncle Charles Halvorson. But a blizzard kept Halvorson from meeting the train, forcing the family to find a hotel room for the night. The next day, wearing this raccoon fur coat, Halvorson arrived in Streeter with a sleigh and team of horses. Nelson said that he and his mother were wrapped up in bison robes while Halvorson, snug in his coat, led the team on foot through a blizzard across the prairie to his sod home. When our agency received the coat, we found two blocks and many smaller chunks of pressed tobacco in the pockets. Halvorson could have been a smoker and wanted to be prepared in case he got caught out in a blizzard. But the tobacco found in each pocket suggests it was placed there as an attempt to keep moths out of the fur. Using tobacco as a pest repellent was not uncommon in the past, though it actually attracts bugs, not repels them.

Our curators found chunks of pressed tobacco (right) in the pockets of this lovely fur coat. SHSND 2023.8.1

In 1970, Jane Nissen made an adorable coat for her daughter Susan Nissen. Susan, who grew up in Fargo, tells us that her mother was not only talented but also frugal. The outer cloth was recycled from a woman’s coat, and the lining was from a man’s overcoat. The coat design was based on one her mother saw in a Sears catalog. In the left breast pocket, we found a sticker in the shape of lips with the text, “Beauty shop ladies like red shiny lips.” There was no indication where Susan picked up this sticker but maybe it was a reward for being good while her mother spent time at a beauty shop.

We found a saucy sticker in a pocket of this 1970 coat. SHSND 2016.33.20

According to the backstory of the apron pictured below, the cloth was made in Germany in 1834 and brought to America in 1868. But the apron was sewn and embroidered with a chain stitch sewing machine. Chain stitch embroidery machines weren’t available until 1868. So while the cloth might have been made in Germany, the apron was most likely created later in the United States.

What is even more interesting is what we found in the pocket: a note and a dried geranium leaf. The note tells us that the leaf was taken from a plant salvaged by W.P. Duruz, a professor at Oregon State College (now Oregon State University). Duruz was the chief food and agricultural officer with the Third Army after World War II when he “liberated” the geranium from Adolf Hitler’s garden at Berchtesgaden. He donated the plant to Oregon State College. The undated note, written sometime prior to June 1960 when we received the apron, also states the geranium was blooming profusely in its new home. Unfortunately, we don’t know how or why Mrs. Hugh White of Pierre, South Dakota, ended up with the leaf or what connection the apron has to North Dakota.

The geranium leaf and note found in this apron’s pockets hold a fascinating connection to World War II. SHSND 14585.1-.2

As you can see from these examples, the contents of pockets can tell us a bit about the person who wore the garment or a little about the times in which the garment was worn. But even when only a sidenote to history, items in pockets are always a fun find for curators.

Pyrex kitchenware is near and dear to my heart. I personally started collecting pieces over a decade ago when my mother gifted me my grandmother’s turquoise Butterprint Cinderella bowl. Growing up, that bowl was frequently on the supper table filled with mashed potatoes or cucumber salad. Now it’s a treasure in my home used to serve my own family.

Who knew this Butterprint Cinderella bowl would spark my lifelong passion for Pyrex?

During my first tour of the museum collections after starting work at the State Historical Society in fall 2023, I was surprised to find a few sets of Pyrex in primary colors on the shelves. While I use my Pyrex daily, I had not taken the time to consider the impact of 1940s and 1950s Pyrex. I decided to dig beyond the surface beauty of these vibrantly colored bowls and discover how Pyrex revolutionized kitchens across the United States.

In my research I was excited to find that the Corning Museum of Glass in New York had extensively blogged about this very topic and even had an exhibition at that museum titled “America’s Favorite Dish: Celebrating a Century of Pyrex.” The Pyrex brand celebrated 100 years in 2015.

The Birth of Pyrex

Before diving into the kaleidoscopic range of this colorful kitchenware, we should understand Pyrex's origins. According to the Corning Museum of Glass, the Pyrex brand was introduced by Corning Glass Works (now Corning Inc.) in 1915. Initially, Pyrex was marketed as laboratory glassware, prized for its ability to withstand extreme temperature changes without breaking. The transition from laboratory to kitchenware was spearheaded by Bessie Littleton, wife of Corning scientist Jesse Littleton. After successfully baking a cake in a sawed-off battery jar, she inspired Corning to produce bakeware for the home cook.

In the late 1920s, Corning hired Lucy Maltby, a full-time scientist and home economist, to evaluate their products. Her work in the test kitchen resulted in a redesign of Pyrex bakeware: Handles were added, pan volume increased, and the bakeware’s diameter was adjusted so two cake pans could fit side by side in a standard oven. Maltby was an advocate for the consumer, her influence was everlasting.

Pyrex bread or loaf pan, 1950-1960. SHSND 2018.98.11

Pyrex quickly became a staple in the home, with ads assuring “no home can have too much Pyrex.” Its extensive line of platters, baking dishes, serving bowls, ramekins, tea pots, and measuring cups began popping up in department stores. You can see more wonderful examples of vintage Pyrex advertising on The Corning Museum of Glass website.

According to the company, Pyrex nursing bottles appeared on the scene in 1923. These baby bottles, fitted with a rubber nipple, were designed to be safely sterilized in boiling water to provide protection against germs.

8 Oz. Narrow Neck Pyrex Nursing Bottle, 1947-1956. SHSND 1986.173.209

Introducing Color: The Famous Four-Piece Mixing Bowl Set

Pyrex's initial offerings were clear glass, which while functional lacked the decorative appeal that would later define the brand. In the period following World War II, Pyrex began to develop products in opalware, a white opaque glass. It was hygienic, easy to clean, versatile, and a workhorse in the kitchen.

Then came color.

In 1945, Corning transformed kitchen aesthetics by applying colors to their opalware Pyrex bowls. The iconic four-piece Pyrex mixing bowl sets in primary colors stormed into kitchens. Each bowl was designed to nest perfectly within the other for easy storage. The smallest bowl was blue, followed by red, green, and yellow.

These colors reflected the postwar era's vibrant, forward-looking spirit. The set became a feature in many American households, cherished not only for its functionality but also for its beauty.

Pyrex mixing bowl set, Primary Colors, 1940-1950. The mixing bowl set in the State Museum’s collection is missing the small blue bowl. Given the wear on the bowls, it is clear this set was well used. SHSND 2018.98.1-3

Beyond the Mixing Bowls

While the mixing bowls were the stars, the Pyrex line quickly expanded to include refrigerator dishes, casseroles, and pie plates, also in primary colors. The refrigerator dishes, with their snug-fitting lids, were particularly popular, as they addressed a common need for food storage in an era before plastic containers became commonplace.

Pyrex Refrigerator Dishes, Primary Colors, 1950-1959. These dishes are smartly made, stacking neatly atop one another to conserve precious refrigerator space. SHSND 2013.92.49-51

Pyrex dishes were created with the mantra “bake, serve, store.” These products were more than just pretty; they were also durable and resistant to thermal shock. This meant they could go from the fridge to the oven to the table, a versatility that was revolutionary at the time. Hostess sets allowed for baking scalloped dishes in the large bowl, while individual meat pies or desserts could be prepared and served in the ramekins.

Hostess Covered Casserole and Table Set in red, 1949-1953. SHSND 2018.98.4

A Lasting Legacy

Pyrex has continually adapted to meet the tastes and needs of its consumers. After the Primary Color sets came the rise of patterns on turquoise and pink backgrounds in the 1950s, then earthy tones with bold designs in the 1960s and 1970s. The 1980s gave way to simple floral motifs and a more contemporary feel. Then came the clear glass revival of the 1990s, and what is old is new again. Today, Pyrex has a whole world of shapes, sizes, and colors to discover.

As we look back on the legacy of Pyrex, it’s clear these pieces are more than just kitchenware. They are symbols of a time when innovation met artistry, creating products that were both functional and delightful. There’s no denying the charm and historical significance of these colorful kitchen treasures.