Christopher Columbus Memorial, St. Paul
The Christopher Columbus Memorial in St. Paul, on the grounds of the State Capitol. Photograph by Peter DeCarlo, 2019. On June 10, 2020, a group of protesters tore down the statue; its plinth remained intact.
Bibliography
138.68 Supervision of Preservation. 2019 Minnesota State Statutes. Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/138.68
Allen, Clark, Omar, Olson, Slocum and others. HF 1676, “A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing the American Indian and Indigenous Peoples Day…,” February 16, 2017.
http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS90/HF1676.0.pdf
Associated Press and MPR News Staff. “Minnesota Protesters Pull Down Columbus Statue at Capitol.” MPR News, June 10, 2020.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/10/minnesota-protesters-pull-down-columbus-statue-at-capitol
Bakst, Brian. “Political Tension Rises After Columbus Statue Falls.” MPR News, June 11, 2020.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/11/political-tension-rises-after-columbus-statue-falls
Bodnar, John. Remaking America: Public Memory, Commemoration, and Patriotism in the Twentieth Century. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992.
——— . “Remembering the Immigrant Experience in American Culture.” Journal of American Ethnic History 15, no. 1 (Fall 1995): 3–27.
Boller, Jay. “Wanna Swap St. Paul’s Columbus Statue for a Prince One? Sign This Petition.” City Pages, August 25, 2017.
Originally found at: http://www.citypages.com/music/wanna-swap-st-pauls-columbus-statue-for-a-prince-one-sign-this-petition/441720223
+138
Charles Brioschi papers, [ca. 1926]–1941
Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Architectural drawings of Christopher Columbus monuments in St. Paul (1930–1931) and in Chicago (1932–1933), done in collaboration with St. Paul architect Clarence H. Johnston and the Cold Spring Granite Company of Cold Spring, Minnesota; and other materials related to St. Paul sculptor Brioschi, including biographical items, a speech supporting the establishment of Columbus Day (1926), specifications for a Floyd B. Olson memorial monument in St. Paul (ca. 1936?), and drawings for a Brioschi mausoleum (1930).
Collins, Bob. “Lawmakers Seek History Update On Capitol’s Columbus Statue.” MPR News, March 11, 2015.
https://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2015/03/lawmakers-seek-history-update-on-capitols-columbus-statue
Columbus Memorial Association of Minnesota. Columbus: Dedication of the Columbus Memorial; St. Paul, Minn., October 12, 1931. [St. Paul, MN: N.p.], 1931.
Columbus Memorial Association of Saint Paul, Inc. [flyer], ca. 2005. Columbus Memorial files, Columbus donation. Minnesota State Capitol Historic Site Archives, St. Paul.
Daniels, Roger. Coming To America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. 2nd edition. New York: Harper Perennial, 2002.
Ford, Guy Stanton. “Notes and Documents: The Columbus Celebration.” Minnesota History 13, no. 1 (March 1932): 83–85.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/13/v13i01p083-085.pdf
Grow, Doug. “One Way to Mark Holiday: Columbus Protestors Hit the Avenues.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 12, 1992.
Holmquist, June Drenning, ed. They Chose Minnesota: A Survey of the State’s Ethnic Groups. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1981.
“Italian Envoys To Statue Fete Hailed In City.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 12, 1931.
“Italians Conclude Celebration Held at Capitol City.” Hibbing Daily Tribune, October 13, 1931.
Jacobson, Matthew Frye. Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1998.
Johnson, Ben. “Christopher Columbus Statue at State Capitol Due for Historic Correction?” City Pages, March 12, 2015.
Originally found at: http://www.citypages.com/news/christopher-columbus-statue-at-state-capitol-due-for-historic-correction-6564940
Kessler, Pat. “Thousands Sign Petition To Replace Columbus Statue with Prince.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, September 6, 2017.
Mearhoff, Sarah. “‘We Are Still Here’: Minnesota Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day in St. Paul.” Duluth News Tribune, October 14, 2019.
Melekin, Wintana. “To Governor Dayton and the State Legislature: Replace Columbus Statue w/ One Chosen by Native Community on Capitol Lawn & Prince Somewhere Else.” Organize For, undated petition.
Melo, Frederick. “Columbus’ ‘Legacy’ Takes Hits During St. Paul’s First-ever Indigenous Peoples Day.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 11, 2015.
https://www.twincities.com/2015/10/11/columbus-legacy-takes-hits-during-st-pauls-first-ever-indigenous-peoples-day
Moore, Martha T. “In Wake of Charlottesville, New Scrutiny for Native American Statues.” Stateline (PEW Charitable Trusts), July 27, 2018.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/07/27/in-wake-of-charlottesville-new-scrutiny-for-native-american-statues
MPR News Staff. “Gatherings for Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota.” MPR News, October 11, 2019.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/10/11/gatherings-for-indigenous-peoples-day-in-minnesota
Murphy, Esme. “‘We Are Not Invisible: Minnesota Among Handful of States Honoring Indigenous’ Peoples Day, Not Columbus Day.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, October 14, 2019.
Murphy, Heather, and Aimee Ortiz. “More Localities Drop Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 13, 2019.
Pease, Brian (Minnesota State Capitol historic site manager). Interview with the author, October 9, 2019.
Records of Governor Floyd B. Olson, 1931–1936
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: General correspondence, subject files on public policy matters, files on state departments and agencies, federal department files, and organizations’ files.
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gov036.xml
Roediger, David R. Working Towards Whiteness: How America’s Immigrants Became White; The Strange Journey from Ellis Island to the Suburbs. New York: Basic Books, 2005.
Stannard, David E. American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
State of Minnesota. Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation, October 7, 2016.
Originally found at: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/2016_10_10_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_tcm1055-259680.pdf
Tinker, Tink, and Mark Freeland. “Thief, Slave Trader, Murderer: Christopher Columbus and Caribbean Population Decline.” Wicazo Sa Review 23, no. 1 (Spring 2008): 25–50.
“Thousands Sign Petition To Replace Columbus Statue with Prince.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, September 6, 2017.
“To The Deathless Spirit Of Great Adventure: Columbus Statue, Facing Homeland, Noted as Shrine.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 13, 1931.
Trouillot, Michel-Rolph. Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1995.
“Twin Cities Recognize Indigenous People’s Day.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, October 12, 2015.
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/10/12/twin-cities-recognize-indigenous-peoples-day
Vellon, Peter G. A Great Conspiracy Against Our Race: Italian Immigrant Newspapers and the Construction of Whiteness in the Early 20th Century. New York: New York University Press, 2014.
Vento, Andrea, and Kurt Vento. Interview with the author, November 5, 2019.
Related Images
.jpg?width=200&height=200&name=IMG_9888%20(1).jpg)
A statue of Christopher Columbus—part of a memorial on the grounds of the Minnesota State Capitol—lies on the ground after a group including self-identified members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) tore it down on June 10, 2020. Photograph by Tony Webster; CC BY 2.0.
The Christopher Columbus statue outside the Minnesota State Capitol sits on a flatbed truck after a group including self-identified members of the American Indian Movement (AIM) tore it down on June 10, 2020. Photograph by Tony Webster; CC BY-SA 2.0.
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Chronology
1492
late 1600s
1837
1880
1924
1927
1931
1949
1967
1992
1992
2015
ca. 2018
2019
2020
Bibliography
138.68 Supervision of Preservation. 2019 Minnesota State Statutes. Office of the Revisor of Statutes.
https://www.revisor.mn.gov/statutes/cite/138.68
Allen, Clark, Omar, Olson, Slocum and others. HF 1676, “A bill for an act relating to state government; establishing the American Indian and Indigenous Peoples Day…,” February 16, 2017.
http://wdoc.house.leg.state.mn.us/leg/LS90/HF1676.0.pdf
Associated Press and MPR News Staff. “Minnesota Protesters Pull Down Columbus Statue at Capitol.” MPR News, June 10, 2020.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/10/minnesota-protesters-pull-down-columbus-statue-at-capitol
Bakst, Brian. “Political Tension Rises After Columbus Statue Falls.” MPR News, June 11, 2020.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2020/06/11/political-tension-rises-after-columbus-statue-falls
Bodnar, John. Remaking America: Public Memory, Commemoration, and Patriotism in the Twentieth Century. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press, 1992.
——— . “Remembering the Immigrant Experience in American Culture.” Journal of American Ethnic History 15, no. 1 (Fall 1995): 3–27.
Boller, Jay. “Wanna Swap St. Paul’s Columbus Statue for a Prince One? Sign This Petition.” City Pages, August 25, 2017.
Originally found at: http://www.citypages.com/music/wanna-swap-st-pauls-columbus-statue-for-a-prince-one-sign-this-petition/441720223
+138
Charles Brioschi papers, [ca. 1926]–1941
Manuscripts Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: Architectural drawings of Christopher Columbus monuments in St. Paul (1930–1931) and in Chicago (1932–1933), done in collaboration with St. Paul architect Clarence H. Johnston and the Cold Spring Granite Company of Cold Spring, Minnesota; and other materials related to St. Paul sculptor Brioschi, including biographical items, a speech supporting the establishment of Columbus Day (1926), specifications for a Floyd B. Olson memorial monument in St. Paul (ca. 1936?), and drawings for a Brioschi mausoleum (1930).
Collins, Bob. “Lawmakers Seek History Update On Capitol’s Columbus Statue.” MPR News, March 11, 2015.
https://blogs.mprnews.org/newscut/2015/03/lawmakers-seek-history-update-on-capitols-columbus-statue
Columbus Memorial Association of Minnesota. Columbus: Dedication of the Columbus Memorial; St. Paul, Minn., October 12, 1931. [St. Paul, MN: N.p.], 1931.
Columbus Memorial Association of Saint Paul, Inc. [flyer], ca. 2005. Columbus Memorial files, Columbus donation. Minnesota State Capitol Historic Site Archives, St. Paul.
Daniels, Roger. Coming To America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. 2nd edition. New York: Harper Perennial, 2002.
Ford, Guy Stanton. “Notes and Documents: The Columbus Celebration.” Minnesota History 13, no. 1 (March 1932): 83–85.
http://collections.mnhs.org/MNHistoryMagazine/articles/13/v13i01p083-085.pdf
Grow, Doug. “One Way to Mark Holiday: Columbus Protestors Hit the Avenues.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 12, 1992.
Holmquist, June Drenning, ed. They Chose Minnesota: A Survey of the State’s Ethnic Groups. St. Paul: Minnesota Historical Society Press, 1981.
“Italian Envoys To Statue Fete Hailed In City.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 12, 1931.
“Italians Conclude Celebration Held at Capitol City.” Hibbing Daily Tribune, October 13, 1931.
Jacobson, Matthew Frye. Whiteness of a Different Color: European Immigrants and the Alchemy of Race. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 1998.
Johnson, Ben. “Christopher Columbus Statue at State Capitol Due for Historic Correction?” City Pages, March 12, 2015.
Originally found at: http://www.citypages.com/news/christopher-columbus-statue-at-state-capitol-due-for-historic-correction-6564940
Kessler, Pat. “Thousands Sign Petition To Replace Columbus Statue with Prince.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, September 6, 2017.
Mearhoff, Sarah. “‘We Are Still Here’: Minnesota Celebrates Indigenous Peoples Day in St. Paul.” Duluth News Tribune, October 14, 2019.
Melekin, Wintana. “To Governor Dayton and the State Legislature: Replace Columbus Statue w/ One Chosen by Native Community on Capitol Lawn & Prince Somewhere Else.” Organize For, undated petition.
Melo, Frederick. “Columbus’ ‘Legacy’ Takes Hits During St. Paul’s First-ever Indigenous Peoples Day.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 11, 2015.
https://www.twincities.com/2015/10/11/columbus-legacy-takes-hits-during-st-pauls-first-ever-indigenous-peoples-day
Moore, Martha T. “In Wake of Charlottesville, New Scrutiny for Native American Statues.” Stateline (PEW Charitable Trusts), July 27, 2018.
http://www.pewtrusts.org/en/research-and-analysis/blogs/stateline/2018/07/27/in-wake-of-charlottesville-new-scrutiny-for-native-american-statues
MPR News Staff. “Gatherings for Indigenous Peoples Day in Minnesota.” MPR News, October 11, 2019.
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2019/10/11/gatherings-for-indigenous-peoples-day-in-minnesota
Murphy, Esme. “‘We Are Not Invisible: Minnesota Among Handful of States Honoring Indigenous’ Peoples Day, Not Columbus Day.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, October 14, 2019.
Murphy, Heather, and Aimee Ortiz. “More Localities Drop Columbus Day for Indigenous Peoples’ Day.” Minneapolis Star Tribune, October 13, 2019.
Pease, Brian (Minnesota State Capitol historic site manager). Interview with the author, October 9, 2019.
Records of Governor Floyd B. Olson, 1931–1936
State Archives Collection, Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul
Description: General correspondence, subject files on public policy matters, files on state departments and agencies, federal department files, and organizations’ files.
http://www2.mnhs.org/library/findaids/gov036.xml
Roediger, David R. Working Towards Whiteness: How America’s Immigrants Became White; The Strange Journey from Ellis Island to the Suburbs. New York: Basic Books, 2005.
Stannard, David E. American Holocaust: The Conquest of the New World. New York: Oxford University Press, 1992.
State of Minnesota. Indigenous Peoples Day Proclamation, October 7, 2016.
Originally found at: https://mn.gov/governor/assets/2016_10_10_Indigenous_Peoples_Day_tcm1055-259680.pdf
Tinker, Tink, and Mark Freeland. “Thief, Slave Trader, Murderer: Christopher Columbus and Caribbean Population Decline.” Wicazo Sa Review 23, no. 1 (Spring 2008): 25–50.
“Thousands Sign Petition To Replace Columbus Statue with Prince.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, September 6, 2017.
“To The Deathless Spirit Of Great Adventure: Columbus Statue, Facing Homeland, Noted as Shrine.” St. Paul Pioneer Press, October 13, 1931.
Trouillot, Michel-Rolph. Silencing the Past: Power and the Production of History. Boston, MA: Beacon Press, 1995.
“Twin Cities Recognize Indigenous People’s Day.” WCCO CBS Minnesota, October 12, 2015.
https://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2015/10/12/twin-cities-recognize-indigenous-peoples-day
Vellon, Peter G. A Great Conspiracy Against Our Race: Italian Immigrant Newspapers and the Construction of Whiteness in the Early 20th Century. New York: New York University Press, 2014.
Vento, Andrea, and Kurt Vento. Interview with the author, November 5, 2019.