The venerable St. Paul Winter Carnival is digging out its treasure trove of historic keepsakes and knick-knacks, and if you're keen on owning a slice of Minnesota's frosty heritage, you're in luck. According to FOX 9, the St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation is auctioning off memorabilia from the attic of the Landmark Center to fund this year's festivities.
From etched lithography stones dating back to the 1880s to vintage posters and banners, the auction is a 'clean out of attic' affair aimed at bridging funding gaps before next month's carnival. "Rather than it being just piled up here at the Landmark Center for no one to enjoy, it can get on the walls of people who love the Winter Carnival," St. Paul Festival and Heritage Foundation CEO Lisa Jacobson told FOX 9. The first sale ended on December 20, fetching about $8,000, with the organization planning to auction 50 pieces a month.
For history buffs and carnival enthusiasts, this is an opportunity to snag relics such as knighting certificates, Vulcan coats, and an array of other collectibles that have been tucked away, gathering dust. "There’s some really cool stuff we’re trying to make available," remarked Tom Barrett, a Winter Carnival history expert and former Vulcanus Rex as he assisted the festival staff. His comments were captured by the Pioneer Press.
The non-profit organization is not just looking to raise funds but also aims to declutter their leased storage space. Items that don't carry the nostalgic value for the public will be recycled or disposed of sensibly. "Our goal is to digitize," Barrett mentioned, delving into the future of countless papers and photographs. But until then, Barrett hopes that the auction pieces will resonate with folks by evoking fond Winter Carnival memories.
