Hennepin County Library's Minnesota Sesquicentennial exhibition, "Minnovation: 150 Years of Ingenuity," was awarded a Minnesota History Award by the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums at its annual meeting on Oct. 26 in St. Paul. This is the first year the Alliance has presented the annual award. 

 

The award recognizes excellence in the field of local history. The library was a winner in the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Award category. 

 

On display at Central Library's Cargill Hall May-August 2008, the "Minnovation" exhibit appealed to viewers of all ages, who learned about the history of Minnesota inventions, inventors and innovations; Minnesota locations where innovations were created; and the patent depository collection at Central Library. 

 

Before the exhibit, who knew twist ties were invented in Minnesota? Or that the University of Minnesota professor who invented the retractable seat belt was nicknamed "Crash" because he tested his own inventions?

 

"It was a fascinating subject full of extraordinary stories, and one of our most popular exhibits ever," said senior librarian Melinda Ludwiczak, who accepted the award on behalf of Hennepin County Library and was a member of the exhibit development team that also included librarians Walt Johnson and Heather Lawton and independent curator Anduin (Andy) Wilhide, Ph.D. candidate in Public History, University of Minnesota. 

 

Other Minnesota History Award winners in the Minnesota Sesquicentennial category were Jon Olson for the Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Wagon Train; the Ramsey County Historical Society, University UNITED, and the University Avenue History Group for "At the Center: 150 Years at Prior and University Avenues;" and Robert Waltz for "The Minnesota Heritage Songbook." In the Public Programs category, the Arlington Historical Society received an award for the Arlington Fire Hall Restoration Project.