Historic Business Research

In addition to being economic drivers, businesses are vital parts of local communities and families.  This guide provides a brief overview to different ways to research the history of Minnesota businesses, including:

• Business Filings & Licenses: Records filed with state or local authorities, including incorporation papers and permits to operate.
• Taxes & Census: Often tied to the physical location, these records can provide information about business value, volume, employees, etc. 
• Legal History & Courts: These records include details of goods/services; information about location(s), finances, and holdings; and insight into customer and/or labor relations.  
• Directories & Maps: Tools for locating businesses and putting them into context with their neighbors/neighborhoods.
• Business Records: Records of specific businesses, large and small
• Books/Articles: Corporate histories, articles, internal company publications, newspapers, etc. 
• Images, Artifacts, Advertising: Visual materials related to MN businesses
• More: Minnesota Business History materials held in locations other than MNHS

Jenny McElroy
Reference Librarian

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