Minn. Historical Board Votes Unanimously To Keep Civil War Paintings In Capitol
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The battle over Civil War art at the Minnesota State Capitol is over -- and it appears Gov. Mark Dayton has lost this last round.
The Minnesota Historical Society's 30-member board voted unanimously Thursday to keep six Civil War paintings in the governor's office once the Capitol restoration project is completed next year.
The six paintings have been meticulously restored, revealing added details in the dramatic paintings of Minnesotans heroics during key Civil War battles.
Gov. Dayton's proposal to replace the paintings with art from other eras drew a furious response from the public and veterans groups.
Photo Gallery: State Capitol Civil War Paintings
"Veterans service organizations say thank you very much. In fact, for us in the American Legion, part of our constitution reads, 'to preserve the memories of our associations in the Great Wars,'" said Randy Tesdahl, executive director of the Minnesota American Legion.
The board did uphold the removal of other paintings, including two that have hung in the governor's reception area since the Capitol opened in 1905.
Native American groups complained that "Father Hennepin at St. Anthony Falls," and "The Signing of the Treaty at Traverse De Sioux" were offensive.
The paintings will be moved elsewhere in the Capitol and will be accompanied by additional exhibits to put them in their historic context.
That drew praise from Board Member Kurt Bluedog, an Army veteran and a Dakota tribal member.
"I was in support of moving them out, but as I sit in the meeting, I think there's a place for them, they still can be very educational," Bluedog said.
Two other paintings which were not original to the Capitol, and that the board considered as historically-inaccurate depictions of Minnesotans battling Native Americans, will be removed and put in storage.
Gov. Dayton, who wanted all the paintings gone, issued this statement Thursday: "It's their decision to make and I accept their decision."
The board says the search for replacement art to hang in the governor's reception area will begin soon.
