Sep 28, 2007
For Immediate Release:
Stamp Commemorating Minnesota's 150th Anniversary Previewed Oct. 6 in Winona
Tane S. Danger
E-mail: tane@mn150years.orgSnail:
C/o Sesquicentennial Commission
240 Summit Ave
St. Paul, MN 5510
(651)-296-1870 (office)
(507)-469-1433 (cell)
In 2008, Minnesota will commemorate its 150th anniversary as the 32nd state in the United States of America. On Saturday, Oct. 6, citizens of the state will get a sneak peek of one anniversary highlight as the United States Postal Service, the Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission and Winona State University partner to preview the design of a Minnesota Statehood Commemorative Stamp which will be issued next year.
Who:
Anthony C. Williams, District Manager, Northland District, U.S. Postal Service
Cay Shea Hellervik, Chair, MN Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission
Dr. Judith Ramaley, President, Winona State University
Mark Peterson, Executive Director, Winona County Historical Society
When: 11 a.m. (CT), Saturday, Oct. 6, 2007
Where: Science Laboratory Atrium, Stark Hall, Winona State University, Winona, MN
Background: With the issuance of this stamp in 2008, the United States Postal Service commemorates the 150th year of Minnesota's statehood. The stamp design features a photograph by Park Rapids, MN photographer Richard Hamilton Smith at the city of Winona, in southeastern Minnesota. Winona was settled in 1851 and was once a major shipping center for wheat and lumber. By 1860, about 2,500 people resided in the Winona, making it one of the largest towns in Minnesota at the time. Today's population is almost 30,000. The view in the photograph is to the northwest. In the foreground is the MN-34/WI-54 bridge spanning the main channel of the Mississippi River. The islands above the bridge in the photo are part of the Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, which extends 261 miles along the Mississippi from Wabasha, MN to Rock Island, IL.
Beginning in January 2008, the Sesquicentennial will be a yearlong, statewide commemoration and a catalyst, to learn from our past and connect all Minnesotans in creating a thriving, innovative future.
The Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Commission, created by the Legislature in 2005, has selected four major theme areas for the 150th observances: Education, Innovation, Arts & Cultures, and Health & Wellness. In addition, they will be shining the spotlight on Minnesota's natural resources and our great outdoors heritage.
The Commission is joined in this effort by the Minnesota Historical Society, the University of Minnesota, and the Minnesota State College and University System as key players, along with Explore Minnesota Tourism and other state agencies and private and non-profit partners, in organizing Minnesota's 150th anniversary.
USPS Contact:
Pete Nowacki
612-349-4428, 612-747-8061
peter.j.nowacki@usps.gov
www.usps.com
Minnesota Sesquicentennial Commission Contact:
Tane Danger
651-296-1870
tane@mn150yrs.org
www.mn150yrs.org