John Dwan Office Building facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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John Dwan Office Building
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The John Dwan Office Building from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | Two Harbors, Minnesota |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1898 |
| NRHP reference No. | 92000700 |
| Added to NRHP | June 11, 1992 |
The John Dwan Office Building is a historic place in Two Harbors, Minnesota. You can find it at 201 Waterfront Drive. Today, this old building is a museum about the famous company 3M.
Contents
The Story of the Building
Where 3M Began
This building is super important because it's where the company we know as 3M got its start! Back in 1902, a lawyer named John Dwan worked here. He wrote the official papers to create a new company called the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company.
Early Challenges for 3M
The people who started the company had a big idea. They wanted to dig up a mineral called corundum from the north shore of Lake Superior. They thought it would be great for making sandpaper. But things didn't go as planned. The mineral they found wasn't good for abrasives at all. Plus, the air near Lake Superior was very humid, which messed up their glue-making process.
The company almost failed! But they got help from a person named Lucius Pond Ordway. They also moved their business to Saint Paul. Most importantly, they changed their focus. Instead of mining, they started making abrasives using materials brought in from other places. This helped 3M survive and grow into the huge company it is today.
The 3M Birthplace Museum
What You Can See
The 3M Birthplace Museum is also known as the 3M Museum. The Lake County Historical Society runs it. When you visit, you can learn all about how the Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company began.
The museum shows off some of 3M's first products. These include things like sandpaper and the famous Scotch Tape. You can also see how the company later invented amazing things like Post-it Notes and Scotchgard.
Exploring the Past
Inside the museum, you'll find a recreated lawyer's office. It looks just like an office from the early 1900s! There's also a history section with old photos, cool items, and important papers.
You can even explore a recreated early lab. This shows what 3M's research and development work was like back then. It's a great way to see how scientists and inventors worked to create new things.
Hands-On Fun
The museum offers interactive programs where you can get hands-on. You can learn about the latest technology that 3M uses today. It's a fun way to see how science and innovation work.
3M has given over $100,000 to help fix up and improve the building. This shows how much they care about their history and sharing it with visitors.
See also
