LibGuides: Historic Business Research: Overview

Overview

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

Research Options

Visit the MNHS Library
Original materials, records, and newspapers on microfilm are available on site and reference staff can help with research.
MNHS Research Services
Order copies of records, articles, or other specific materials from the MNHS collections.
Interlibrary Loan
MNHS loans out most microfilm materials. Contact your local library for more information and assistance with this service.
Online Research
Some items such as newspapers, articles, photos and objects are available online. Look for links within this guide.
Other Libraries
Many books listed in the Secondary Sources page can be borrowed from other libraries.