The Stone Arch Bridge – a Minneapolis icon – crosses the Mississippi River near downtown Minneapolis and St. Anthony Falls. Truly unique to our city, it is a timeless piece of architecture and history. Built in 1883 by railroad magnet, James J. Hill, it became the city’s most important and impressive railroad bridge. It was the starting point on our recent Travel Date as we continue to explore the wonderful sites in our back yard. This blog shares fascinating info, photos, and artwork.
Category Archives: Architecture
Nicollet Island on the Mississippi River (Travel), Mpls. MN USA
Nicollet Island is a tiny little island in Minneapolis on the Mississippi River. Home to private houses built on public park land, charming inns and venues in old industrial buildings, a huge iconic neon beer sign, and nature paths through wooded shorelines, it is a treasure to be explored! Find out more in this blog!
9/11 – New York City Remembered
9/11…New York City…Both conjure up strong memories in my mind and emotions in my heart. As scenes of the horrors of 9/11 have been reviewed on this 20th anniversary, I flash back to memories of my personal times in NYC. As a young woman – I lived and worked in Manhattan. Years later, as a tour leader – I led groups of students to explore this great city. In this blog, I revisit and remember this city and reflect on its great resiliency.
Mary Tyler Moore Sites in Mpls., MN USA
Our recent Travel Date to MTM-Land reminded us of Minneapolis’s touch with stardom in the 1970s when Mary Tyler Moore “turned the world on with her smile” in our fair city. The Mary Tyler Moore show is set in Minneapolis and there are 6 places to visit to get a reminder of show scenes – all seen and enjoyed by us – and shared with you – in this blog!
Foshay Tower: Art & Travel – Minneapolis, MN USA
The iconic Foshay Tower, downtown Minneapolis, MN provided a fun—and informative Travel Date. The 31st floor observation deck provided breathtaking views over the city. I learned that John Philips Sousa wrote a lively march for its opening gala! I discovered that my favorite George Washington sculpture at the Mia sat in the original lobby! And…my great uncle helped build it! More fun facts and great photos are on my blog.
Basilica of St. Mary: Art & Travel – Minneapolis, MN USA
St. Mary’s Basilica, the 1st basilica in the USA, was a stop on our latest Minneapolis Travel Date. Grand church architecture right out of my art history texts, a highlight was the current international exhibit of “Angels Unawares” – highlights on my blog.
Father of Waters, Mississippi: Art & Travel – Mpls. City Hall, MN, USA
“Father of Waters, Mississippi” reigns in the center of the Grand Rotunda of the Minneapolis (MN) City Hall. As a child, I visited this iconic statue with my dad, rubbing his big marble toe for good luck. My blog shares photos and fun facts about the statue plus the clock tower, the bells, the stained glass skylight and marble staircase that make up his grand home.
St. John’s Abbey & University: Art & Travel, Collegeville, MN USA
Continuing our Skip & Cher’s Backyard Travel Dates, we ventured “Farther Afield” this week to St. John’s University in central MN, USA. World famous for its Bible, architecture, pottery, bread and Benedictine philosophy, it was a delightful day trip out of St. Paul/Minneapolis. My blog shares our journey and the wonderful people we met in story and photos.
St. Paul City Hall & Ramsey Co. Courthouse – Art & Travel in St. Paul, MN USA
Our latest Travel Date to downtown St. Paul, MN included a self-guided tour of the St. Paul City Hall & Ramsey County Courthouse. An Art Deco architectural masterpiece inside and out, the interior features a 3 story onyx “Vision of Peace” statue and bronze relief doors of the history of the area. This blog shares fun facts and great photos of the treasures of this building!
Landmark Center & Rice Park, Art & Travel, St. Paul, MN USA
In this recent Travel Date to our own world class city of St. Paul, we visited Rice Park, the “front yard” of the historic, grand Landmark Center. We celebrated great native Minnesotans: cartoonist Charles Schultz’s Peanuts character sculptures throughout the park; and hockey legend, Coach Herb Brooks, with a culinary stop at a tavern named in his honor. Enjoy highlights in my blog!
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