This trip was way too short

After the museum, it was time to head to the airport. We were sorry to leave so soon; there was much more to explore in Minneapolis-Saint Paul.

For example, what's the story behind this Curling Club?! (Turns out it's the St. Paul Curling Club: "Founded in 1912, the St. Paul Curling Club is the largest curling club in the country with over 1,200 members." Who knew?!)

And we doubt it's true most of the year, but at least in mid- to late-October, the Twin Cities looks a lot like Portland, with similar architecture and similar trees:

Minneapolis tree

Portland tree. Separated at birth?!

Fortunately, getting to the airport was much easier than trying to leave it. Our Lyft driver just dropped us off at Terminal 2; we didn't have to wander around any parking garages:

And then we waited for our flight in the Delta Sky Club along with these fine people:

Minneapolis Institute of Art - More Art!

In addition to the Vietnam War exhibit, there was so much more to see.

Notice Elvis, the Lone Ranger and Tonto, the priest with his pants down, the pregnant "virgin":

Vatican Cafe, Jim Doenomie, 2014

The curation for this piece reads, "In 1875 Cheyenne and Kiowa warriors were forced to surrender to the United States government and then incarcerated thousands of miles from their homes on the plains...Plains men had historically illustrated their accomplishments on large animal hides. When hides became scarce, they transferred their skills to paper, often using sketchbooks or the ruled pages of accounting ledgers":

Books of drawings, Attributed to Ohet toint, circa 1870-90

About a year ago, we enjoyed a car exhibit at the Portland Art Museum, where we first met the Tatra, aka the Nazi killer:

Tatra T87 sedan, Hans Ledwinka, designed 1936, manufactured 1948

The museum has an extensive collection of African artifacts, as well as artifacts and information about the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade:

An Art Deco phonograph:

RCA Vitor Special portable phonograph, John Vassos, circa 1935

The curation for this piece reads, "While many artists were celebrating America's vastness and natural beauty, John Frederick Peto painted hyperrealistic trompe l'oeil (fool-the-eye) still lifes. Their somber mood and humble subjects speak of a nation still blighted by the destruction of the Civil War (1861-65). Affixed to this worn wooden door are objects that invite reflection on Abraham Lincoln's life: an image of the assassinated president, his birth and death dates, the nickname Abe. The 25-cent paper money and the coin resembling an Indian Head penny were privately issued Civil War currency":

Reminiscences of 1865, John Frederick Peto, 1904

Another Art Deco piece:

Covered tureen, Gisela Falke von Lilienstein, circa 1902

Minneapolis Institute of Art - Vietnam War Exhibit

On Sunday, we visited the Minneapolis Institute of Art--wow, what a place! It's huge, as in the size of a New York City or Chicago museum, a museum you can wander through for days. We had only about three hours, so definitely didn't see it all.

Here's a view of the exterior, "borrowed" from a postcard:

From a postcard: View from 24th St. and Stevens Ave., 2006; Michael Graves, designer; Philip Prowse photo; McKim, Mead, and White, architects

Here's a scale model of the "original scheme" of the building:

McKim, Mead, and White; American (New York, New York), 1879-1961; Model of original scheme for the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts, c. 1912; Wood, plaster, and paint

The featured temporary exhibit is called "Artists Respond: American Art and the Vietnam War, 1965-1975." And here is an article discussing the news printer that is clacking along outside the exhibit.

It was interesting to revisit an event that was so all-encompassing in our childhood. Anyone else remember living rooms like this one?

And we both remember art like this--and of course, it echoes our current situation in the border detention camps:

This piece, titled "1A," is in response to the racist Selective Service. The "...title testifies to the personal impact of the draft, especially in African American communities, which were disproportionately affected by it for much of the conflict":

1A, Timothy Washington, 1972

San Diego was represented in the exhibit. "Headquarters of the 11th Naval District, May 4, 1972, San Diego":

29 Arrests, Fred Lonidier, 1972

There is a large Hmong community in the Twin Cities. The curation for these pieces reads in part, "In 1961, four years before the U.S. sent troops to Vietnam, the CIA funded a 'secret war' in Laos against Communist forces. The Hmong served as the CIA's surrogate army, essentially fighting a covert American war. The conflict had devastating effects on the Hmong, with tens of thousands killed during the war or dying while attempting to flee postwar. Despite their service to the U.S. government, the soldiers who fought in what is now called the Secret War are not recognized as U.S veterans, and they receive no associated benefits...That denial 'drives these men to buy their own uniform, medals, and ribbons to insert themselves into the U.S. military and its history. The uniforms they wear serve as a reminder of their service and their desire to be recognized by the United States military'":

Hmong Veterans, Pao Houa Her, 2012 - 2014

Conference

On Saturday, I attended the Follow Black Women Conference, held at the Amherst H. Wilder Foundation. Here is my not-very-good photo of the building:

Catrice Jackson is the organizer of this annual conference. From the website, the whys of this conference are:

• Black and brown people are emotionally, spiritually and literally dying because of racism.
• THIS conference will move you beyond theory into intentional action. 
• This conference won't dance around the taboo issues of racism and oppression.
• We will not be sugar-coating the truth by talking about diversity and inclusion.
• We will stare racism and white supremacy in the face and unflinchingly dig up its lethal roots to talk candidly about how racism is detrimental to the lives of black and brown people.
• This conference will be relevant, real and raw.
• THIS conference is for people who are sick and tired of talking about racism in theory and who are ready to do their own personal anti-racism work.
• This conference is for those who are ready to take swift and strategic action to dismantle white supremacy.
• This conference is for those who are ready to advance the women's movement by listening to and following the brilliant and unapologetic leadership of black women. 
• This conference is for black women who are ready to lead their own personal and social revolution. 
• This conference is for ALL women who are ready to create space for black women to lead and to be the wind beneath their wings. 

The speakers and their topics were:

• Sandy Broadus, attorney--No Is A Complete Sentence: Strategies For Black Women to Reclaim Their Time 
• Rachel Cargle, writer and lecturer--Root to Rise: The Ancestral Figures of Anti Racism-Work
• Layla Saad, ancestress, writer, and speaker: Become a Good Ancestor
• Fawntice Finesse, sound healer--Heal With Sounds: Sound Bath Meditation for Support & Inner Peace (for Black women)
• Catrice M. Jackson, Transcending White Guilt: From Fragility to Resiliency  (for White women)

The event was sobering and enlightening, and it was a gift to be allowed to be there. The day started with Catrice having the White women move to the back of the room. The speakers spoke and interacted with the Black women (except the final session directed to White women). White women reported coming away with the following insights:

• Black women know White women better than White women know themselves
• There are no exceptional White women
• White women must give up their scarcity mindset. Stop hoarding resources, support, opportunities--there is enough for everyone.
• Black women are not a monolith; follow, learn from, support, and amplify as many as you can
• Black women have a right to take up space
• White women need to get out of Black women's way and/or use our white privilege to support them
• White women need to know which weapons we use to harm Black women and guard against using them

Capitol Building

According to Wikipedia, the Minnesota State Capitol Building "...was built by Butler-Ryan Construction and designed by Cass Gilbert and modeled after the larger Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome. The dome is the largest unsupported marble dome in the world, as Saint Peter's is made of concrete. However, like all capitols with domes in the US it is also inspired by the idea of domed capitols originating with the United States Capitol dome. Work began on the capitol in 1896, its corner-stone laid July 27, 1898, and construction was completed in 1905."

An interesting website was put together to pay homage to as many of the original workers as possible. Many fascinating stories and interactive maps are available.

The Capitol Building was recently renovated, in a major project that lasted from 2013 until 2017. Beautifully done:

These gold statues are the Quadriga. "Created in 1906 by Daniel Chester French (the same sculptor responsible for Lincoln at the Lincoln Memorial in Washington) and Edward Potter, 'Quadriga: Progress of the State' stands at the base of the Minnesota State Capitol’s dome. The sculpture shows a man on a chariot driving four horses and flanked by two women. The man represents the state’s drive for progress and prosperity. The four horses represent the forces of nature (earth, fire, water and air) and are controlled by the two women who represent industry and agriculture (or civilization collectively)."

Sculptors: Daniel Chester French and Edward Potter; dedicated in 1906

The interior of the dome:

Another view; looking up from first floor:

A plaque about Minnesota being part of the "Old Northwest." I guess we live in the New Northwest:

There are many plaques to Minnesota soldiers throughout the space, including this one to the 13th Minnesota All Volunteer Infantry, 1898 - 1899:

There was also an exhibit about the Native peoples that the Americans displaced and broke treaties with. Here are two placards from that exhibit.

This one is from a quote by "Dakota doctor and writer Ohiyesa (Charles Alexander Eastman), recalling his uncle's description of American values in the 1860s":

This one is from a quote by "Dakota Chief Passing Hail, describing conditions at the Crow Creek Reservation, 1866":

The Minnesota House of Representatives Chamber. From mnhs.org, "The Senate and House meet in regular session each biennium for a total not exceeding 120 legislative days." They were not in session while we were in town and won't meet again until February 2020.

Closeup of the image above the speaker's desk. Her pedestal reads, "The trail of the pioneer bore the footprints of liberty."

Minnesota State Senate Chamber:

Minnesota State Supreme Court Chamber:

The Governor's Reception Room, featuring a painting by Howard Pyle:

Battle of Nashville, Howard Pyle, 1861 - 1865

A kitty cat decorating a marble bench:

Capitol Mall

After checking into our hotel, we explored the mall and building of the Minnesota State Capitol. The mall extends over 18 acres and includes many memorials and monuments. For a complete list (and the origin of the quotes on this page), click here.

Here are some of the memorials and monuments that we saw.

"Since 1881, 217 Minnesota firefighters have died in the line of duty...The grid of weathering steel columns rusts over time - a process reflecting oxidation of fire. Names of Minnesota's fallen firefighters are inscribed on the columns with room in the grid for additional columns and inscriptions in the future, making it a living monument. The wall greeting visitors to the site is inscribed with names of the 791 fire departments throughout the state":

Minnesota Fallen Firefighters Memorial

A closeup:

Sculptor of original bronze statue: Douglas O. Freeman; Architect: Leo A Daly; Engineer: Westwood Professional Services; dedicated on September 30, 2012

In honor of Vietnam War veterans, with a plaque that reads, "Why do you forget us?"

Monument to the Living

Here is the Monument to the Living from the back (the flag in the far right of the photo is at half-staff in honor of U.S. Congressman Elijah Cummings, who died the day before we arrived in Minnesota):

Sculptor: Rodger M. Brodin; dedicated on May 22, 1982

This memorial was "...built to commemorate the Hmong, Lao and other combat veterans and their American advisors, trainers, volunteers and forgotten heroes who served and fought to maintain peace and freedom in Southeast Asia":

Special Forces in Laos Memorial

Closeup of one of the panels:

Sculptor: Marjorie Pitz; Site Design: Kathryn Ryan and Greg Brown, AECOM; dedicated on June 11, 2016

"The 46 central elements in this sculpture composition is a 'Spiral for Justice,' representing the 46 years of Roy Wilkins' leadership of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) in its fight for social and economic justice for all Americans":

Roy Wilkins Memorial

This memorial was inspired by a Roy Wilkins quote: "We must truly see others as ourselves and all as our nation - our common and glorious heritage built upon man and his freedom. For this is what our country is about."

Sculptor: Curtis Patterson; dedicated November1995

"The bronze statues represent Lindbergh as a boy dreaming of flying and as a man who accomplished that dream, honoring the Minnesota aviator who made the first solo trans-Atlantic airplane flight in 1927." The squirrel is not mentioned:

Charles Lindbergh. Sculptor: Paul T. Granlund; dedicated in 1985

"'It was once said that the moral test of Government is how that Government treats those who are in the dawn of life, children; those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly; and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy, and the handicapped.' -- Hubert H. Humphrey, 1977. Humphrey served as Mayor of the City of Minneapolis from 1945-1948, as United States Senator from 1971-1978, and Vice-President of the United States from 1965-1969":

Hubert H. Humphrey Memorial. Sculptors: Jeff and Anna Koh Varilla; Site Design: Jeff Martin, DSU; dedicated on
August 4, 2012

A view of downtown Saint Paul from the capitol steps:

This woman dancing with her scarf made us feel like we'd never left home:

Best Western Plus Capitol Ridge

We spent our two nights in Minneapolis-Saint Paul at the Best Western Plus Capitol Ridge.

In general, the Twin Cities seems like a pretty flat place. But there was at least one ridge, they put the Minnesota State Capitol Building on it, and our hotel was about two blocks away from that--and thus its name.

Not a lovely building:

But the lobby was comfortable:

Photo from the Internet

And the onsite restaurant, Peddlers Pub, was quite good for a hotel eatery. We had one dinner and two breakfasts here:

Photo from the Internet

Our room was fine:

By day, we had a view of an abandoned Sears building:

And some of the nearby state office buildings:

By night, we were treated to a low-rider show. To be honest, the cars were amazing, and hey, it was free:

Our hotel was also very close to the Cathedral of Saint Paul:

Here it is again through the leaves: