Twin Cities Museum

Twin Cities Museum

Location	Model City
No. of Buildings	1
Architecture
Architect	Albert Kelsey
Dimensions	86' x 60'

St. Paul and Minneapolis, the Twin Cities of the Northwest, were represented on the Model City by a municipal museum erected and maintained at the joint expense of the two cities.

Description

Next to model city hall is the Twin City museum, in which St. Paul and Minneapolis joined hands to make an exhibit of their industries and municipal attractions, in which rivalry was subordinated to the spirit of mutual purpose to exploit the commercial and civic greatness of the two as a unit, and the attractions of Minnesota as a State. The building is Greek classic in style, with two Corinthian columns supporting an entablature, above which is a projecting cornice and square roof. The right and left wings are uniform after the style of Greek temples, with flat roofs and destitute of ornamentation. Entering the museum by a short flight of steps the visitor is confronted by a panoramic painting of a vivid perspective, in which the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul appear, with a view that also comprehends fourteen miles of country. In this example of very effective scenography a lengthy vista of the Mississippi is seen far above the Falls of St. Anthony, and is followed as the stream dashes over that famous cascade and sweeps the foreground as it flows by St. Paul on its way southward, bearing lumber rafts and boats characteristic of the industries that thrive by reason of the river. On a wall in the center gallery is a picture of the chapel of St. Paul, erected by Rev. Lucian Goltier, Oct., 1841, the first building on the site of St. Paul and from which the city takes its name. There is also in this room a model of the Pillsbury Library, given to the city of Minneapolis by Governor John S. Pillsbury as an annex to the Public Library. The left wing is devoted to an exhibit by Minneapolis, in which the principal object is a model of the milling district of the city. The Falls of St. Anthony are also shown, as are mills, bridges, principal buildings, and a large amount of statistical information and general historical data are given, showing the growth and commercial importance of the city. The right wing contains St. Paul's display, which, excepting a model of Minnesota's beautiful capitol and grounds, is confined almost entirely to photographs. These, however, are so large and clear that they very fully satisfy the interest of visitors. St. Paul is especially proud of her success in combating the smoke nuisance and presents photographs to show the wholesome change that has been accomplished. Other pictures illustrate the city's public bathing pavilion, boys and girls' gymnasium, her new hospital, and Como Park. There is also a water-color drawing of South St. Paul, which has been converted from an unsightly district into one of the most beautiful and healthful, thus demonstrating what civic pride may do when once fully aroused to public need.

The primary purpose of the exhibit was to show the municipal progress made by the two cities and incidentally to teach the older cities that the movement towards municipal and industrial betterment was not to be measured by length of years.

After the Fair

"Perspectives of St. Paul, Minneapolis and Vicinity" by John Jaeger & Charles Shepley is currently located in the Minneapolis Central Library, 4th floor