Project to Document Early Jewish Settlers in Minnesota records

In the fall of 1980 Dr. Marilyn Chiat began research on the material culture of Minnesota's early Jewish settlers: synagogues, cemeteries, and ceremonial and folk art, focusing on the time period 1881-1924. No formal study or effort to record this material had been done before. The National Conference of Christians and Jews provided initial support, and early grants were made by the General Mills Foundation, the Joseph Foundation, the Greater Minneapolis Section of the National Council of Jewish Women, and the Minnesota Historical Society, with the research continuing through 1989. Initially the project focused on rural Jewish settlers because of the precariousness of their data but eventually it broadened to include the entire state of Minnesota. The aims were to write a history of Jews in Minnesota as well as a collection of interdisciplinary essays, create a traveling historical exhibit, and sponsor public forums in which to discuss the project's findings. Field trips were made to towns on the Iron Range and eventually to several areas of the state. Oral history interviews were conducted, both with Jews and with non-Jews who had contact with or were familiar with the Jewish community. Artifacts were photographed and described, as were family photographs. Relevant documents, community histories, and clippings were copied, especially those that dealt with business pioneers.

The project did not succeed in achieving all of its goals, but a collection of oral histories, photographs and documents was created. Interpretive essays written by Marilyn Chiat and her research assistance Chester Proshan gave context to the research findings. This collection was deeded to the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest in 1989.