The "Education Not Politics" exhibit is a project of the Digital Initiatives Department of the North Dakota State Library (NDSL). The exhibit primarily uses content and information from NDSL's Political Prairie Fire digital collection, which is dedicated to the Nonpartisan League (NPL) and Independent Voters Association (IVA) era of North Dakota history (circa 1910s-1930s). The collection is hosted on Digital Horizons.
The title of this exhibit is derived from a quote from Minnie J. Nielson that appeared in a Fargo Forum and Daily Republican article on January 11, 1919. After Neil C. Macdonald had been escorted out of the state superintendent's office, a reporter asked Nielson about Governor Lynn J. Frazier's recent address to the legislature recommending the creation of a new education board, which would strip away powers from her office. She replied with:
"My business is education, not politics. I do not care to discuss the situation at this time."
If there are any questions or comments about this exhibit (or others), contact the Digital Initiatives Department or the North Dakota State Library.
Many of these resources and programs are funded under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
