Business and Industry | Page 28

Farm Crisis, 1979–1987

Minnesota’s farmers enjoyed an economic boom in the 1970s. Land values soared, United States exports of agricultural products grew, and farmers gained access to easy credit to expand their operations. When the 1980s brought a sharp decline in exports and land values, rising production costs, and higher interest rates on loans, many farmers found themselves in serious financial trouble. The farm crisis of the 1980s caused many farm foreclosures and bankruptcies—the worst economic conditions the agricultural sector had seen since the Great Depression.

Meeting of the Minnesota Chicano Federation

Meeting of the Minnesota Chicano Federation at the Mexican American Cultural and Educational Center, St. Paul, March 1975.

Gown with bustle and train

Two- toned blue and teal taffeta bustled and trained silk gown attributed to Mary G. Worley, a dressmaker in St. Paul, Minnesota, ca. 1875.

Wedding gown

Silk taffeta wedding gown, Lina Christianson, 1880.

Net and Satin Dress

Sequined net and satin dress attributed to Hattie H. McGahn, 1918–1923.

Bodice

Chiffon bodice with lace made by Caroline Mundahl, 1915–1917

Rose Crelley Boyd

Rose Boyd operated the largest dressmaking business in Minneapolis between 1886 and 1917, employing between 40–100 seamstresses, fitters, designers and tailors and creating gowns for Minnesota's fashion elite.

Satin gown

Brocaded satin gown. Made by dressmaker Elizabeth Elser, Minneapolis, Minnesota, ca. 1911–1914.

Evening gown

Debutante's floor-length evening gown with short train. White net studded with glass beads over grayish pink silk crepe chiffon over pale yellowish pink silk taffeta. Made by Helen Gjertsen, Dayton's Department store dressmaker, Minneapolis, Minnesota, ca. 1912.

Lavender satin dress

Lavender satin dress made by dressmaker Caroline Mundahl, St. Paul, 1910–1913.

Gale Family Library