Contact: Cedar Imboden Phillips

Hennepin History Museum

626.272.1909 (cell)

cedar.phillips@hennepinhistory.org

Minneapolis, MN: High Wheels!, an exhibition curated by the Cycling Museum of Minnesota will be on view at Hennepin History Museum March 29 through June 26, 2016.

Minneapolis' love affair with cycling began in the 1880s when the high wheel bicycle became widely available. In this decade, thousands of high wheels hit the streets, the first cycling clubs began to meet, and Minneapolis gained national prominence as a hot bed for six-day racing. While we may view the awkward looking high wheel as impossible to ride, this bicycle laid the groundwork for the even larger cycling boom of the 1890s and was a crucial stage in the development of today's bicycle.

High Wheels! is the latest exhibition to be presented Hennepin History Museum's Our Hennepin County gallery. According to Hennepin History Museum executive director Cedar Imboden Phillips, the gallery provides an opportunity to create and strengthen relationships between local arts and cultural organizations with a historical bent. "Cycling Museum of Minnesota brings a new curatorial voice into our space," Phillips notes, "and in turn we can help share their work and mission with a broader audience. The story of high wheel bicycles is a topic that is going to resonate strongly with our visitors, and we are thrilled to work with them on this exhibition."

High Wheels! is accompanied by a robust calendar of public programs and activities. An opening party, free and open to the public, is scheduled for Thursday, March 31, from 5 to 8 pm.

About Hennepin History Museum: Founded in 1938 as the Hennepin County Historical Society, Minneapolis-based Hennepin History Museum is dedicated to bringing the diverse history of Hennepin County and its residents to life through exhibitions, library, collections, publications, and educational programs. For more information, visit hennepinhistory.org or call 612.870.1329.

Visiting Information: Hennepin History Museum, located at 2303 Third Avenue in Minneapolis, is open Tuesday 10-2, Wednesday 1-5, Thursday 1-8, and Friday through Sunday 1-5. Admission is $5; $3 for seniors and students. The first Thursday of the month is always free. Visiting the museum at this time does require the use of stairs

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