Times of Change
The early 20th century was full of many changes in society, characterized by many progressive ideas on how to solve America’s problems through social work, charities, legislation, and more. World War I also happened during this period, which brought even more transformation.
Progressive Era Social Work
Minneapolis Humane Society Annual Report, 1898
Fillmore County Poor Farm, c. 1900
Bethel Home for Women, est. 1901
Glen Lake Farm School for Boys report, 1911
First Report of the Infant Welfare Society, 1912
Charitable and Benevolent Organizations in St. Paul, 1913
Associated Charities of Minneapolis annual reports
Deaf education and community history materials
Amherst H. Wilder Charity collection
Women's Suffrage
Temperance and Prohibition
A Gospel Temperance Meeting poster, c. 1910
Willmar Six Years Dry pamphlet, c. 1910
Norwegian American temperance movement, c. 1910
Temperance parade in Minneapolis, 1910
Engebret E. Lobeck, Prohibition Candidate for Governor, 1912
Police officers and illegal liquor, 1930
⇒ More Temperance and Prohibition materials
World War I
First men drafted for World War I, Mora
Dr. Hagan's World War I Army unit
Amy Robbins Ware, Army Educational Corps
Food Thrift Series, U.S. Dept. of Agriculture
World War I parade in Northfield
Minnesota Commission of Public Safety
German "Alien Enemy" registration documents
Curated Resources
Minnesota History Timeline, Part 2
Part 2 of this timeline explores significant moments in the history and development of Minnesota from 1900 to 2020.
Primary Source Sets:
- Fey Brothers Automobiles
- Morgan Park: U.S. Steel's Company Town
- Temperance to Prohibition
- Traveling Library Services
- Twin Cities Leisure Activities
- Twin Cities Streetcars – The Rise and Fall
- Women’s Suffrage in Minnesota
- World War I on the Minnesota Home Front
War Stories: World War I exhibit
Witness the service and sacrifice of Minnesotans who lived through the Great War.
Fires of 1918 exhibit
Learn about the causes and effects of the worst natural disaster in Minnesota history.
About the Minnesota Digital Library
The Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) supports discovery and education through free access to unique digital collections shared by cultural heritage organizations from across the state of Minnesota. Our contributors include libraries, historical societies, museums, and archives. Begun in 2003, MDL includes digital content from over 200 participating organizations from across the state. Together we have digitized more than 60,000 photographs, postcards, maps, documents, letters, oral histories, and much more. These materials are available online in a free searchable database.
For more tips about teaching with MDL, visit our website or contact MDL staff.