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Donald and Sara Lindberg Collection

 Collection
Identifier: Mss 3139

Scope and Content

This collection is made up of correspondence, manuscripts, and research notes compiled by Donald and Sara Lindberg, much of which focuses on the early history of Dakota Territory politics, newspaper publishing, and early Fargo history. It has been subdivided into three series:

The Correspondence Series is made up of letters sent from both Don and Sara Lindberg and reflect their interests in historic and literary history. It contains a set of letters sent to Sara Lindberg, from Father Charles L. Hughes, of St. Arnold’s Church in Milnor, North Dakota. Much of them discuss books on order from the Northern School Supply, but reflect a personal friendship. Another set of letters can also be found sent to Sara Lindberg, from Richard Critchfield. There are letters between Don Lindberg and Dr. Anderson W. Donan, in regard to his research into Col. Peter Donan in 1973. A second set of letters from 1972-1977, are between Don Lindberg and Richford Edwards and Majorie Edwards Brush, a son and granddaughter of A. W. Edwards, early Fargo newspaper editor.

The Manuscript Series are made up of several unpublished manuscripts written by Don Lindberg. They reflect his research interest, with some dating back to his early years as a student at Minot State Teachers College. The oldest manuscript is “Glacier Maid” [1962], about gold mining near Minot, North Dakota, accompanied by a supporting document entitled “Cyanide Treatment of The Denbigh Gold Sands”, by Duane L. Purves [1932]. The manuscript entitled, “Fargo, The Early Years in Dakota”, is 246 pages, and split into two folders. It is a compilation of notes on early Fargo taken during years of research by Mr. Lindberg. There is also an essay about Thorstina Sigridur Jackson Walters, a historian and author known for her research into the Icelandic settlements in North America. Sara was involved in compiling and editing many of the manuscripts.

The Ephemera and Newspaper Clippings Series is mostly comprised of items of interest collected and saved by the Lindberg’s, including a copy of the Chautauqua, a publication produced in 1986 for a Grand Forks performance touching on historical North Dakota figures. There is another folder that has a poster for North Dakota Humanities Council Historical Speakers’ Bureau, and clippings about the Forum Communications and the printing business.

Dates

  • 1932, 1962, 1970-2023

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

Institute owns the copyrights to this collection.

Biography

Donald Lindberg was born June 16, 1939 in Rolette, North Dakota. He graduated from Minot State Teachers College. He taught history at Crookston, Minnesota, Wild Rose, Willow City, and Fargo South High School in Fargo, North Dakota. He was married to Sara McDonald, born in Towner, North Dakota on January 22, 1941. She graduated from Minot State College, and worked for Minnesota State University Moorhead bookstore, as well as Northern School Supply in Fargo. She also was involved with the Fargo-Moorhead American Association of University Women. Donald and Sara, are the parents of two daughters. Don passed away on March 14, 2023.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Abstract

This collection contains correspondence, manuscripts, and research notes compiled by Donald and Sara Lindberg, much of which focuses on the early history of Dakota Territory politics, newspaper publishing, and early Fargo history.

Provenance

Donated by Donald and Sara Lindberg in 2014, 2023, 2024 (Acc.2017-006irs Acc. 2023-34irs).

Related Documents

A digitized version of “Fargo, The Early Years in Dakota”, is mounted on-line at: https://library.ndsu.edu/ir/handle/10365/29052

Separated Maps

"Fargo, D.T. 1880: Diagram of the Business Centre of Fargo, Cass, D.T.", added to the Institute for Regional Studies Map Collection (Map 765). Digitized version on Digital Horizons at:

https://digitalhorizonsonline.org/digital/collection/ndsu-histor/id/2906/rec/1

"Progress Map Showing Major Glacial Drift Aquifers in North Dakota and Estimated Potential Yields, North Dakota State Water Commission" - added to the Institute for Regional Studies Map Collection (Map 766).

Property Rights

The Institute for Regional Studies owns the property rights to this collection.
Title
Finding Aid to the Donald and Sara Lindberg Collection
Description rules
Appm
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Institute for Regional Studies Repository

Contact:
West Building N
3551 7th Avenue North
Fargo North Dakota 58102 United States