M’haha Window on “History Detectives”

Duluth’s “Minnehaha” Tiffany window (sometimes referred to as the “Hiawatha” window) designed by Duluth’s Ann Weston-and a watercolor associated with it-will be featured on next week’s “History Detectives” on PBS North. Look for Wade Lawrence, former director of Glensheen, for his expert analysis of the window.

Here are the air times/dates/PBS description:

Tuesday, June 28 – 7pm on PBS North
Tuesday, June 28 – midnight on PBS North
Saturday, July 2 – 6pm on PBS 2ndChance
Sunday, July 3 – 5pm on PBS North

“A local Duluth link pops up in the new season of History Detectives. In the second episode airing June 28, History Detective Gwen Wright traces a cherished family heirloom, a watercolor, to the world of Tiffany stained glass. Find out how Tiffany opened a window of opportunity for early 20th Century women and its connection to a female Duluth artist.”

Some background for the uninitiated (from the forthcoming “Lost Duluth”)

Duluthian Ann Weston designed this Tiffany window of Minnehaha, commissioned by the St. Louis County Women’s Auxilliary (predecessor of the St. Louis County Historical Society) to represent Duluth and St. Louis County in the 1893 World’s Fair in Chicago.

After the fair it was presented as a gift to the Duluth Public Library and was installed in the library’s rooms within the Temple Opera Block.

A new library was built in 1902. As the library prepared to move to its new location the Minnehaha window went missing. Edward P. Alexander, an owner of the Temple Opera Block, claimed the window belonged to the building-and took it home. After public outcry, he returned the window to the libray as “his gift.”

In 1904 another Tiffany window honoring Daniel Greysolon Sieur du Luht was commissioned to hang in balance with the Minnehaha at the new library, and once again Ann Weston designed it. They hung together in the 1902 DPL until 1982; they now hang side-by-side at the Duluth Depot.