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Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis
As enthusiasm for professional sports grew in Minnesota during the mid-twentieth century, Metropolitan Stadium, designed for baseball, became too small and had too few amenities to continue to attract professional teams. By the early 1970s, Minnesota's teams, seeking greater profits, began to demand a bigger and better venue. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome ("The Dome"), a covered, multi-purpose stadium built in downtown Minneapolis, served this purpose for thirty-one years.
In 1973, a Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Stadium Task Force studied options for a new facility. The city of Bloomington made its case for keeping the stadium there. State legislators, however, were reluctant to approve financing; they felt taxpayers would be unwilling to pay for a new ballpark.
The threat of the Twins and Vikings leaving Minnesota when their use agreements expired in 1975 prompted the legislature to reconsider the project. In 1977, State Representative Al Patton (DFL-Sartell) sponsored a no-site stadium bill. The bill authorized Governor Rudy Perpich to appoint a seven-member Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission (MSFC) to choose a location and design for a new stadium. The commission had three options: to spend up to $25 million to remodel Met Stadium for all sports; to spend up to $37.5 million to remodel it for baseball and build a new football stadium adjacent to it; or to spend up to $55 million to build a domed stadium in a new location.
The Minneapolis Chamber of Commerce Stadium Task Force created the Industry Square Development Corporation, which purchased a twenty-acre site on the east side of downtown Minneapolis for $14.5 million. The site strengthened the city's bid for the stadium.
The MSFC fielded eight proposals for the new facility. In December 1978, the commission voted 4–3 to approve the Minneapolis downtown site.
The architectural firms of Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and Setter, Leach & Lindstrom, Inc. won the building design contract. The engineering firm of Geiger Berger Associates designed the roof. Construction began in December 1979; Minnesota workers performed most of the labor.
The ten-acre, air-supported domed roof took four months to build. Crews inflated it for the first time on October 2, 1981, using twenty ninety-horsepower fans. Made of two layers of woven fiberglass fabric separated by a cushion of air, the Teflon-coated roof proved to be no match for the heavy snow and ice of Minnesota's winters. It collapsed four times, the first just six weeks after its completion.
The completed structure, financed through bond sales and hospitality taxes, cost $55 million. Officials named the stadium in honor of former Vice President Hubert H. Humphrey, an avid sports fan.
On April 6, 1982, the Twins played their first regular season game inside the Metrodome against the Seattle Mariners. The Vikings’ first indoor season opened September 12 against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
The Metrodome hosted many premier events, including the 1985 All-Star Game and, on October 17, 1987, the first World Series game ever played indoors. The Dome will always be associated with the Twins' 1987 and 1991 World Series wins. The Minnesota Timberwolves basketball team played their 1989–1990 inaugural season there. The Dome welcomed Super Bowl XXVI and two National Collegiate Athletic Association Final Four basketball tournaments.
Local college and high school athletes also played at the Metrodome. The University of Minnesota's Golden Gophers played football, baseball, and softball there. Many high school games moved to the Dome when the Halloween Blizzard of 1991 closed outdoor fields. Rollerbladers, runners, and walkers took advantage of the stadium's concourse during the winter months.
The Metrodome served as a music venue for concerts by Paul McCartney, Pink Floyd, the Rolling Stones, and many others. It became a movie set in 1993 for the film "Little Big League."
By the late 1990s, the multi-purpose Metrodome no longer met the needs of Minnesota's professional teams. The Twins played their last game on October 11, 2009, against the Yankees, moving to Target Field the following season. In 2009, the MSFC and the Vikings agreed to name the field, "Mall of America Field." The Vikings won their last game at the Dome on December 29, 2013, against the Detroit Lions. Crews demolished the Metrodome in 2014 to make way for U.S. Bank Stadium.

Bibliography
Ballparks.com. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/MinnesotaVikings/
Baseball Almanac. 1987 World Series.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1987ws.shtml
Baseball Almanac. 1991 World Series.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1991ws.shtml
ESPN Baseball. Griffith Dies After Developing Kidney Infection.
http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/1999/1020/124107.html
Haven, Chris. "Mission Accomplished." Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 24, 2014.
Klobuchar, Amy.Uncovering the Dome: Was the Public Interest Served in Minnesota's 10-Year Political Brawl Over the Metrodome? Minneapolis: Bolger Publishing, 1982.
Mona, Dave, comp. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Souvenir Book: A Pictorial History of the Twins, Vikings, Gophers, Millers, Saints–and Metrodome! Minneapolis: MSP Publications, 1982.
Mason, Tyler. “Remembering the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome: 1982–2013.” Fox Sports, December 29, 2013.
http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-1982-2013-122913
Metrodome Opening Souvenir Section. Minneapolis Tribune, March 28, 1982.
Minnesota Legislature. Metrodome History.
https://www.leg.state.mn.us/webcontent/lrl/issues/FootballStadium/MSFC_metrodome_history.pdf
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Laws of Minnesota for 1977: Chapter 89.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/?id=89&doctype=Chapter&year=1977&type=0
Setlist.fm. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Concert Setlists.
http://www.setlist.fm/venue/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-minneapolis-mn-usa-3bd62414.html
Thornley, Stew. “Building the Metrodome.” Construction Bulletin 241, no. 10 (March 5, 1993): 8–10, 12, 19.
——— . Society for American Baseball Research. Metrodome (Minneapolis).
http://sabr.org/bioproj/park/b6255f4d
Twinsbaseball.com. History of the Metrodome.
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/min_ballpark_history.jsp
Weiner, Jay. "Vikings' Mall of America Field: A Story of Branding, Regionalism and Historic Irony." MinnPost, August 27, 2010.
https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2010/08/vikings-mall-america-field-story-branding-regionalism-and-historic-irony
Related Resources
Primary
All-Star Baseball Game (56th: 1985: Minneapolis). Official Program, 1985 All-Star Game. [New York?] NY: Major League Baseball Promotion Corp., 1985.
Associated Press. "Perpich Signs Stadium Bill." Minneapolis Tribune, May 17, 1977.
"The Great Domed Stadium Debate." Minneapolis Star special section, January 15, 1973.
Men's College Basketball Championship, 1992. Minneapolis: Skyway Publications, Inc., 1992.
"Metrodome: Ten Eventful Years." St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 13, 1992.
Minnesota Vikings. Final Game at Mall of America Field: Vikings Playbook: Vikings vs. Lions, Sunday, December 29, 2013, Mall of America Field. Minnesota: Minnesota Vikings, 2013.
"Minnesotans Fear Loss of Pro Teams if No Stadium Built." Minneapolis Tribune, March 24, 1976.
"Panel Picks Downtown Stadium." Minneapolis Tribune, December 2, 1978.
Pianin, Eric. "Drafting of Stadium Compromise Droops." Minneapolis Star, March 24, 1976.
——— . "Stadium Bill Gains on Teams' Promises." Minneapolis Star, March 23, 1976.
Proposals for new stadium, 1977–1978
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Proposals, reports, correspondence, maps, photographs, and related documents submitted for consideration of stadium sites in Eagan, Bloomington, and St. Paul.
Published Records and Reports, 1954, 1974–1992
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00735.xml
Description: Published proposals, recommendations, evaluations, marketing studies, and reports covering such topics as stadium location, legislation, environmental impact, economic impact, finances, and marketing.
Staff Research and Background Files, 1974–1979
Minnesota Legislature, Senate Counsel
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Files relating to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, 1977–1978, and other projects.
Super Bowl XXVI Task Force Records, 1991–1992
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Committee reports, agendas, press kits, news releases, printed materials, newspaper clipping files, and correspondence detailing the activities of a task force organized to promote Super Bowl XXVI, held at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome on January 26, 1992.
Wilson, Betty. "Governor Says Stadium Needed to Keep Teams." Minneapolis Star, April 9, 1975.
Web
CBS News. Metrodome Collapses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8eV96EulJc
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
http://www.msfa.com/
Minnesota Historical Society. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome: Newspapers.
http://libguides.mnhs.org/metrodome/newspapers
On Demand News. Stadium Demolition: Explosives Set Off at Minnesota Vikings' Metrodome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya1-E-2_7ek
Reierson, Sondra. "Remembering 'The Dome.'" Collections Up Close Podcast and Blog, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, July 22, 2016.
http://discussions.mnhs.org/collections/2016/07/remembering-%E2%80%9Cthe-dome%E2%80%9D/
Richard, Kevin. Ballpark Digest. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome/Minnesota Golden Gophers.
http://ballparkdigest.com/201204124721/college-baseball/visits/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-minnesota-gophers
Related Images
A section of turf used in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome baseball field, near the center field sign reading "408 ft." The angled edge of this section met the permanently adhered center field turf. This piece was removed from the rolling track of the lower deck seating whenever the deck was lowered for football and other small (rectangular) field games in 2013.
The last home plate used for baseball games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before the stadium's demolition. The plate was used during amateur and youth baseball games between 2010 and 2013. The professional baseball franchise, the Minnesota Twins, left the "Dome" for their new home at Target Field in 2010 and took their final home plate to the new ballpark.

Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, Minneapolis

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Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
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.jpg)
1985 MLB All-Star Game at the Metrodome
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Ticket stub for the Paul McCartney World Tour concert at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
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Felt Minnesota Vikings pennant
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Cotton bandana given to volunteers when the AIDS quilt was shown at the Metrodome
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Ticket to the final Minnesota Twins game played at the Metrodome
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Superbowl XXVI admission ticket
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Minnesota Timberwolves ticket
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Pair of Metrodome row seats
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Sample from the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome roof
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Section of turf used in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
A section of turf used in the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome baseball field, near the center field sign reading "408 ft." The angled edge of this section met the permanently adhered center field turf. This piece was removed from the rolling track of the lower deck seating whenever the deck was lowered for football and other small (rectangular) field games in 2013.
All rights reserved
Holding Location
More Information

Last home plate used for baseball games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome
The last home plate used for baseball games at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minnesota, before the stadium's demolition. The plate was used during amateur and youth baseball games between 2010 and 2013. The professional baseball franchise, the Minnesota Twins, left the "Dome" for their new home at Target Field in 2010 and took their final home plate to the new ballpark.
All rights reserved
Holding Location
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Interior of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

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Last Minnesota Twins game at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome

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Related Articles
Turning Point
In 1977, the Minnesota State Legislature approves a no-site stadium bill, which ends years of debate and permits plans to be made for a new indoor sports facility.
Chronology
1977
1978
December 1979
April 6, 1982
September 12, 1982
1985
October 17, 1987
October 25, 1987
1989
1991
January 26, 1992
March 1992
March 2001
October 2009
October 11, 2009
December 29, 2013
Bibliography
Ballparks.com. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.
http://football.ballparks.com/NFL/MinnesotaVikings/
Baseball Almanac. 1987 World Series.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1987ws.shtml
Baseball Almanac. 1991 World Series.
http://www.baseball-almanac.com/ws/yr1991ws.shtml
ESPN Baseball. Griffith Dies After Developing Kidney Infection.
http://static.espn.go.com/mlb/news/1999/1020/124107.html
Haven, Chris. "Mission Accomplished." Minneapolis Star Tribune, February 24, 2014.
Klobuchar, Amy.Uncovering the Dome: Was the Public Interest Served in Minnesota's 10-Year Political Brawl Over the Metrodome? Minneapolis: Bolger Publishing, 1982.
Mona, Dave, comp. The Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Souvenir Book: A Pictorial History of the Twins, Vikings, Gophers, Millers, Saints–and Metrodome! Minneapolis: MSP Publications, 1982.
Mason, Tyler. “Remembering the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome: 1982–2013.” Fox Sports, December 29, 2013.
http://www.foxsports.com/north/story/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-1982-2013-122913
Metrodome Opening Souvenir Section. Minneapolis Tribune, March 28, 1982.
Minnesota Legislature. Metrodome History.
https://www.leg.state.mn.us/webcontent/lrl/issues/FootballStadium/MSFC_metrodome_history.pdf
The Office of the Revisor of Statutes. Laws of Minnesota for 1977: Chapter 89.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/laws/?id=89&doctype=Chapter&year=1977&type=0
Setlist.fm. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome Concert Setlists.
http://www.setlist.fm/venue/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-minneapolis-mn-usa-3bd62414.html
Thornley, Stew. “Building the Metrodome.” Construction Bulletin 241, no. 10 (March 5, 1993): 8–10, 12, 19.
——— . Society for American Baseball Research. Metrodome (Minneapolis).
http://sabr.org/bioproj/park/b6255f4d
Twinsbaseball.com. History of the Metrodome.
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/min/ballpark/min_ballpark_history.jsp
Weiner, Jay. "Vikings' Mall of America Field: A Story of Branding, Regionalism and Historic Irony." MinnPost, August 27, 2010.
https://www.minnpost.com/politics-policy/2010/08/vikings-mall-america-field-story-branding-regionalism-and-historic-irony
Related Resources
Primary
All-Star Baseball Game (56th: 1985: Minneapolis). Official Program, 1985 All-Star Game. [New York?] NY: Major League Baseball Promotion Corp., 1985.
Associated Press. "Perpich Signs Stadium Bill." Minneapolis Tribune, May 17, 1977.
"The Great Domed Stadium Debate." Minneapolis Star special section, January 15, 1973.
Men's College Basketball Championship, 1992. Minneapolis: Skyway Publications, Inc., 1992.
"Metrodome: Ten Eventful Years." St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 13, 1992.
Minnesota Vikings. Final Game at Mall of America Field: Vikings Playbook: Vikings vs. Lions, Sunday, December 29, 2013, Mall of America Field. Minnesota: Minnesota Vikings, 2013.
"Minnesotans Fear Loss of Pro Teams if No Stadium Built." Minneapolis Tribune, March 24, 1976.
"Panel Picks Downtown Stadium." Minneapolis Tribune, December 2, 1978.
Pianin, Eric. "Drafting of Stadium Compromise Droops." Minneapolis Star, March 24, 1976.
——— . "Stadium Bill Gains on Teams' Promises." Minneapolis Star, March 23, 1976.
Proposals for new stadium, 1977–1978
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Proposals, reports, correspondence, maps, photographs, and related documents submitted for consideration of stadium sites in Eagan, Bloomington, and St. Paul.
Published Records and Reports, 1954, 1974–1992
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gr00735.xml
Description: Published proposals, recommendations, evaluations, marketing studies, and reports covering such topics as stadium location, legislation, environmental impact, economic impact, finances, and marketing.
Staff Research and Background Files, 1974–1979
Minnesota Legislature, Senate Counsel
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Files relating to the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, 1977–1978, and other projects.
Super Bowl XXVI Task Force Records, 1991–1992
Manuscript Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Committee reports, agendas, press kits, news releases, printed materials, newspaper clipping files, and correspondence detailing the activities of a task force organized to promote Super Bowl XXVI, held at the Hubert Humphrey Metrodome on January 26, 1992.
Wilson, Betty. "Governor Says Stadium Needed to Keep Teams." Minneapolis Star, April 9, 1975.
Web
CBS News. Metrodome Collapses.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8eV96EulJc
Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission.
http://www.msfa.com/
Minnesota Historical Society. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome: Newspapers.
http://libguides.mnhs.org/metrodome/newspapers
On Demand News. Stadium Demolition: Explosives Set Off at Minnesota Vikings' Metrodome.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ya1-E-2_7ek
Reierson, Sondra. "Remembering 'The Dome.'" Collections Up Close Podcast and Blog, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, July 22, 2016.
http://discussions.mnhs.org/collections/2016/07/remembering-%E2%80%9Cthe-dome%E2%80%9D/
Richard, Kevin. Ballpark Digest. Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome/Minnesota Golden Gophers.
http://ballparkdigest.com/201204124721/college-baseball/visits/hubert-h-humphrey-metrodome-minnesota-gophers