**UPDATE** The Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force logo subcommittee met January 12, 2012 to narrow the selection down to the Top 3 Finalists. There were 45 submissions. The Finalists were presented to the full Task Force during the monthly meeting that was held immediately after the subcommittee meeting, but the Task Force did not reach a consensus. The finalists will receive guidance on requested tweaks from the Task Force and will take this matter up again during their February meeting to finalize a selection. All members of the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force were impressed by the number and quality of the submissions and thanks everybody for taking the time to enter the contest.
JOINT-NEWS RELEASE:
Secretary of State Mark Ritchie
Phone: (651) 201-1332
Email: [email protected]
State Rep. Dean Urdahl
Phone: (651) 296-4344
Email: [email protected]
Civil War Commemoration Task Force Unveils Logo Contest and More
ST. PAUL – Nov. 22, 2011 - The Civil War Commemoration Task Force invites Minnesotans to participate in a logo contest and develop an icon to be used in commemorating the war’s 150th anniversary. Logo designs must depict both Minnesota and the Civil War. The deadline for submission is 5 p.m., Dec. 30. A task force subcommittee will review the submitted logos and announce a winner on Jan. 10.
“It will be interesting to see how citizens combine visual elements of Minnesota and the Civil War,” said Rep. Dean Urdahl, R-Acton Township, task force co-chair. “I anticipate people will find creative ways to make that connection and I look forward to reviewing the submissions.”
Documents must measure 8.5 inches by 11 inches and be smaller than 10 megabytes in size. The contest is open to all ages. Logo contest entries must be submitted electronically in a PDF format and emailed to [email protected]. For further information call (651) 259-3130 for more information.
The task force has also planned other events that share Minnesota’s connection with the Civil War such as:
- designing a website (address to be determined);
- preparing to issue “This Week in the Civil War” press releases;
- planning tours of Dakota War sites for next summer;
- making links available to schools for Civil War curriculum, as well as other educational opportunities;
- encouraging performances of Civil War-era music.
“It is my hope that the many events planned by the task force and others commemorating the sacrifices made by Minnesotans to defend the Constitution and preserve the Union will motivate our generation to greater civil engagement,” said Secretary of State Mark Ritchie, task force co-chair.
The task force consists of six state officials and up to nine at-large citizens, serving through 2015.
Contest Rules and Logo Examples
Editors note:
Ritchie and Urdahl are co-chairs of the Civil War Commemoration Task Force, which is in the process of developing plans to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the historic war. A public logo contest is underway now and a number of other events will follow during the next few years.
The Civil War was Urdahl’s specialty during the 35 years he taught American history at New London-Spicer. His uniform is a replica of those worn by enlisted Civil War soldiers. The cap Urdahl displays bears the insignia of Minnesota’s Company B infantry regiment based at Fort Ridgley in south-central Minnesota.
