International Institute of Minnesota

Christmas party at the International Institute’s first location at 584 Rice Street in St. Paul. The image was included in the 1921 annual report for the year of December 1919– December 1920. Photography by Brown’s Photo Studio, St. Paul. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Bess Leuthold Beebe, president of the International Institute of Minnesota’s board of directors. Taken from the institute’s 1921 annual report. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

This December 4, 1932 event called the “Peace Review” was sponsored by the International Institute and held at the downtown St. Paul YWCA at 123 West Fifth Street. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.
Holding location: International Institute of Minnesota

Class photo of an English class at the International Institute. Caption from the St. Paul Pioneer Press: “Lou Ngew, left, Chin Yuk Hing, and Chin Yuk Cue are being taught reading by Miss Shirley Flatiage Institute English Instructor Oct. 3, 1938.” Photograph used with the permission of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Free citizenship training class at the YWCA location of the International Institute in St. Paul. Roster taken from Pioneer Press article, “Free Citizenship Training Class at Intl. Inst, July 22, 1940. Pictured are (left to right): “Samuel Yep, Mrs Sofia Chistopean, Russian; Mr. Charles Nordun, Norse; Mrs. Anna Grasse, Hungarian; Miss Margaret Wichauff, German; Mr. Albert Johnson, instructor (from WPA staff); Mr. Anton Anderson, Swedish; Mrs. Mary Katzmark, Polish; Mrs. Olga Erickson, Swedish; Mrs. Mary Orsagna, Italian; Miss Katherine Reagan, Scotland; Mrs. Rose Serratore, Italian.” Photograph used with the permission of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

Former International Institute in St. Paul Executive Secretary, Alice Lilliequist Sickels, signing copies of her book, Around the World in St. Paul. The book detailed the history of the International Institute in St. Paul starting the Festival of Nations. The event was the Folk Arts Fair held at the International Institute located in the downtown YWCA in St. Paul. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

“Two members of the Overseas Brides Club practice making chicken soup with the help of a director of the Institute. It’s part of the program of making good citizens of immigrants coming to St. Paul…left to right, Mrs. J. W. Jorgenson (addresses omitted) director of the International Institute, lends a hand in cooking chicken soup for Mrs. E. G. Du Chene, while Mrs. Samuel L. Mac Kinney, reads on. Both of the brides are from France.” Photo and caption from “Home Countries Enemies, But Students Friendly,” November 8, 1947. Photograph used with the permission of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

1949 photo of the International Institute in downtown St. Paul. The building at 183 W. Kellogg is the second building from the right, at the former intersection of Kellogg and Exchange Street. The Institute moved into the building in June of 1946. This is now the site of the St. Paul RiverCentre.

Small flags were given to students of the International Institute’s classes in English and American citizenship to be used on Thanksgiving. Pictured are George Semeniuk (left) from Ukraine, Elizabeth Stoerzle from Germany, Kathryn Ramsay from Finland, and Kathryn Simos, an instructor of the citizenship class. Photograph published in the St. Paul Pioneer Press on November 17, 1947. Used with the permission of the St. Paul Pioneer Press.

St. Paul International Institute Board of Directors’ President, Katherine Skiles Klein (second from right, standing). Included in this group were five immigrants going to St. Paul: Max and Helena Kurzfield (Poland), Leontine Treastas, Marija Skutans, and Johannes Theodor Raestas (Latvia). Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Storytelling session at the International Institute as part of a Danish folk dance party, December 11, 1959.

International Institute building at 183 W. Kellogg, St. Paul, 1970. This photo was taken before demolition to make way for the St. Paul Civic Center. Note the artistic rendering of a geranium in a pot on the corner of the building. The red geranium was called an “international flower” and was an important symbol to the International Institute in St. Paul. Photographer Lucy Jackson Habermann.

International Institute of Minnesota building at 1694 Como Avenue in St. Paul; photographed in 1973. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Korean dancers at the International Institute of Minnesota, 1694 Como Avenue, St. Paul, 1975. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Party and potluck held in 1976 at the International Institute in St. Paul. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Hmong students wearing traditional clothes at a class party and potluck, 1976. Photo taken inside the International Institute of Minnesota in St. Paul. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Citizenship ceremony, 1979. Photo taken of International Institute of Minnesota clients and citizenship students at unknown location. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

1979 groundbreaking for the International Institute of Minnesota Nationality Cultural Center addition. Taken outside the International Institute of Minnesota at 1694 Como Avenue in St. Paul. Institute members are dressed in traditional costumes. In the center, with the shovel, is Gretchen Quie (then-Governor Quie’s wife), International Institute Board Member Earl Bell (left), and Board Member Edward Bruno (right). Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Robert Hoyle (left), executive director; Jane Graupman, education director; Julie Bursik, staff attorney; John Borden, casework supervisor. Photo taken in the entryway to the International Institute of Minnesota in St. Paul. (Note: Robert Hoyle retired in 2005. John Borden was the Executive Director from 2005-2010, and Jane Graupman became executive director in 2010.) Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.

Nursing assistants’ class graduation party, 2018. Students standing in back. English and Nursing Instructors sitting in front. Photo taken in the Hall of Nations at the International Institute of Minnesota in St. Paul. Used with the permission of the International Institute of Minnesota.