This collection encompasses 50-plus years of interviews, readings, speeches, and reports on the vibrant literary scene in Minnesota. Not only home to giants F. Scott Fitzgerald and Sinclair Lewis, our state has an array of incredible contemporary poets, novelists and playwrights. Their words make up majority of this collection.
Repeatedly being named the “Most Literate City in the United States,” the Twin Cities has played host to numerous visiting national writers via book tours, festivals, and lectures. Many recordings of these are also included.
This project was funded by the National Historical Publications & Records Commission.
April 19, 1979 - Veteran actors Hume Cronyn and Jessica Tandy, married for 36 years and currently performing together in "The Gin Game" speak to the National Press Club about their experiences in the acting profession.
April 24, 1979 -
April 27, 1979 -
May 1, 1979 - John Manning, a professor of Reading Instruction at the University of Minnesota, speaking at the Reading-Go-Round, a week-long series of seminars, workshops, and reading activities at the downtown Dayton's auditorium in Minneapolis. Manning discussed the importance of reading at home with children. This is a major portion of that talk. Dr. Manning is nationally-known as a consultant, researcher, and author in the field of teacher education with emphasis in beginning reading instruction.
May 14, 1979 - Southwest Minnesota author Frederick Manfred talks about his life as a novelist and reads from many of his works. His novels include "Scarlett Plume", "Conquering Horse", "Milk of Wolves" and "The Green Earth". From the KRSW Poets-In-Residence Series.
May 15, 1979 - Acclaimed poet Robert Bly's home is a farm near the Southwest Minnesota town of Madison, and he reads at nearby Southwest State University in Marshall. This appearance includes occasional dulcimer accompaniment as Bly performs and disect his own works as well as the works of others.
May 22, 1979 - Alan Dundes, professor of folklore at the University of California at Berkley speaks about the importance of folklore and how it is a scholarly discipline.
May 23, 1979 -
May 23, 1979 - MPR’s Nancy Fushan presents Playwright’s Laboratory, which showcases playwright Eric Anderson’s “Policy,” a drama written especially for radio, with assistance from the Minneapolis Playwrights' Lab. Following radio play, Archie Leyasmeyer, professor of English at University of Minnesota and president of Playwright’s Lab; Mark Frost, the play’s director; and listeners, share impressions and ask questions of playwright.
June 18, 1979 - Minnesota poet Joe Paddock reads “Frogs,” a raucous small-town happening in a narrative poem style. “Frogs” was written by a native of Southwest Minnesota.