Frame Minnesota

This story is all about our great state of Minnesota.

When our customer came across this remarkable 1853 map of the Minnesota Territory, he knew he couldn’t let it slip away. The map had been treasured by one family for generations before its owner, now in her nineties, made the decision to sell it. As a lifelong Minnesotan with a passion for preserving history, he purchased this incredible piece and entrusted us with framing it for the next chapter of its story.

Today, it hangs proudly in his business alongside a carefully curated collection of World War I and World War II memorabilia—a daily reminder that history is meant to be remembered, preserved, and shared.

🗺️ Did You Know?

One of the most fascinating details about this map is what isn’t on it. There is no North Dakota or South Dakota. In 1853, much of what is now both states was still part of the Minnesota Territory, while to the west sat the vast Nebraska Territory. When Minnesota became the 32nd state in 1858, its western boundary was redrawn to the familiar line we know today. The remaining land later became Dakota Territory, which was eventually divided into North Dakota and South Dakota in 1889.

We framed this extraordinary piece with one of my personal favorites—a luxurious black silk mat paired with a classic black frame. The rich texture of the silk quietly elevates the presentation while allowing every intricate detail of this nearly 175-year-old map to take center stage.

Some pieces decorate a wall.

Some preserve a memory.

And every once in a while, a piece tells the story of our great state of Minnesota—where we’ve been, how we’ve grown, and why preserving history matters.

❤️ We are honored to help ensure stories like this continue to be appreciated for generations to come.

🏈 Warning: Side effects of looking at this jersey may include humming the Vikings fight song, reminiscing about the days of the Met, and insisting they just don’t make football like they used to. 💜

Some jerseys represent a player.

This one represents an era.

Featuring the signatures of Alan Page, Carl Eller, Jim Marshall, and Gary Larsen—the legendary Purple People Eaters—this piece celebrates one of the most dominant defensive lines in NFL history.

To honor those legends, we kept the design bold and timeless. A rich purple suede background creates depth, while a sleek black frame lets the jersey and every autograph take center stage.

Because some memories deserve more than a closet.

They deserve a place of honor.

💜 SKOL.

Some pieces don’t just decorate a home—they become part of the story. ❤️

In 1987, this customer and her husband purchased their very first home together. Like so many of us, they wanted to fill it with pieces that felt personal and meaningful.

They met a talented stained glass artist from Germany who designed this beautiful window. During the consultation, she kept insisting the design simply had to have three colors. Her beautiful German accent made “third” sound like “terd,” and while they knew she was completely serious, they couldn’t help but laugh about it together on the drive home. Nearly 40 years later, that memory still makes her smile.

When it came time to leave that first home, the new owners didn’t want the stained glass. Thankfully, she did.

She brought it to us so we could help prepare it for its next chapter—reinforcing it with clear acrylic for strength and surrounding it with a handcrafted solid wood frame.

Soon it will hang in front of the sliding glass door of her new home, where sunlight will once again bring it to life.

One of the things we love most about what we do is that we’re rarely just preserving an object.

We’re preserving the laughter shared on a drive home.
The excitement of a first house.
The memory of an artist who insisted on three colors.
And the stories that deserve to keep shining for years to come.

Thank you for trusting us with such a special piece of your history. We hope every ray of sunlight that passes through it brings back a beautiful memory. ✨

⚠️ Grab your Kleenex for this one. ❤️🐾

Sometimes the stories behind the pieces we frame stay with us forever.

Gordon first walked into our shop looking for a mat that wedding guests could sign around his daughter’s wedding photo—a beautiful way to remember one of life’s happiest days. It also gave us the chance to meet Frankie, his incredible service dog.

Then life took an unexpected turn.

On the very day of his daughter’s wedding, Frankie lost his battle with liver cancer.

When Gordon was ready, he entrusted us with helping preserve Frankie’s memory. Together we created a tribute featuring Frankie’s photograph, a lock of his fur, his paw print, and the dates of a life filled with unwavering loyalty, comfort, and unconditional love.

The day Gordon returned to pick it up, he introduced us to Blue—his new service companion. It was a bittersweet moment that reminded us something beautiful: while no one can ever replace Frankie, love has an incredible way of making room for another faithful friend.

It was an honor to help tell Frankie’s story and preserve a piece of him that Gordon and his family can see every day.

Because the ones who leave paw prints on our hearts deserve a place on our walls. ❤️🐾