This lot is an early 1940s wood framed photograph album of the Minneapolis Municipal Hiking Club, otherwise known as the "Minnehikers". Over 100 vintage photographs from a 1942 bus tour to Western states including Sheridan, Wyoming, Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
On a winter day in December 1919, Minneapolis Park Superintendent Theodore Wirth drove from Lake Harriet to Minnehaha Park and saw the snow-covered beauty of the parks. But no one was in them. Determined to draw others outdoors, Wirth asked Frank Berry, Supervisor of Playgrounds, to come up with ideas to lure people to the parks. By January, the Minneapolis Municipal Hiking Club (Minnehikers) was established. The first hike on January 10, 1920 drew a crowd of 83 hikers who followed a three and one-half mile route from Minnehaha Falls to Riverside Park. The Club was a good way for members to make friends. At its high point, the Minnehikers had around 500 members. Some hikers even found marriage partners. Club records indicate that there were 45 marriages between Minnehikers in the 1920s. Summer trips to other parts of the U.S. were also part of the hiking calendar. The Club disbanded in 2010, ninety years after the first hike.
The WW2 era hinged wood cover fits nicely over the original vintage photo album pages, the center of the front cover has an arrow design multicolor wood inlay, handsomely crafted. The photographs are in very good condition, pages show their age with browning and foxing, no other damages noted. Overall measurements 11.5"L x 9"W x 1.5"D