The Minnesota History Center is hosting Girlhood (It’s complicated), an exhibit created by the National Museum of American History and the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service. Featuring interactive displays, media components, and over 100 objects from the Smithsonian collection, this powerful exhibit explores how young women have continuously influenced politics, education, work, health, and fashion.

To celebrate the exhibit coming to Saint Paul, the Minnesota History Center has partnered with the Saint Paul Public Library to host a series of book clubs featuring books about girlhood by Minnesota authors.

Our next featured book is The Girl in Building C by Mary Krugerud. “In October 1943, sixteen-year-old Marilyn Barnes was told that her recent bout of pneumonia was in fact tuberculosis. She entered Ah-gwah-ching State Sanatorium at Walker, Minnesota, for what she thought would be a short stay. In January, her tuberculosis spread, and she nearly died. Her recovery required many months of bed rest and medical care.” The Girl in Building C is a masterfully researched non-fiction featuring excerpts from letters that highlight the lived experience of someone at Ah-Gwah-Ching State Sanatorium.

This event is free and open to the public and registration is not required, but attendees are encouraged to RSVP. Tickets are not required for admission.