Letter to Harry Goldie

The Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries chose to highlight this letter titled “Anti-Semitic letter to Harry Goldie from the American National Insurance Company.”

Read the letter below using the zoom tool in the viewer:


Background

This is a letter written in 1945 to Harry Goldie, principal developer of the Calhoun Beach Club building. Goldie was a University of Minnesota graduate, a businessman, and he was Jewish. Around the time this letter was written, Minneapolis was considered a hotbed of antisemitism thanks to various discriminatory practices. Jews in the area were denied membership in professional associations, denied coverage by insurance companies, turned away from jobs, and were legally prohibited from purchasing certain homes due to restrictive covenants.

This letter, under the guise of business advice, warns Goldie not to lease to Jewish people, clearly not realizing that Goldie himself was Jewish. While we don't have Goldie’s reply letter, we do know that the complex was eventually built and local politicians Hubert Humphrey and Walter Mondale were among the famous guests at the club's opening in 1946. The Calhoun Beach Club was an egalitarian social and athletic space that welcomed members regardless of race, religion, or sex, and remained quite successful for many years.

Significance

This item reminds us that antisemitism and blatant discrimination was an open practice during this time, so much so that this person felt completely comfortable giving unsolicited racist advice. We do not know Harry's direct reply to the correspondent, but we do know that he persevered in his business despite the obstacles against him.

The letter is significant to our organization because we document the lives of Jewish communities in the Upper Midwest. This letter represents the challenges that Jewish Minnesotans were faced with.

Why I Chose This

While I don't know if I would classify this as my favorite thing, it is something I enjoy sharing to have people reflect on this important history, reminding us that although we have come far since 1945, some things are in fact still the same. We are still battling discrimination against minority communities, and collective consciousness around this reality remains valuable.


About the Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives

The Berman Upper Midwest Jewish Archives document the lives of Jewish communities in Minnesota, North and South Dakota, and Western Wisconsin from the mid-19th century to the present. This includes collecting materials related to the everyday lives of Jewish families, Jewish-run businesses, religious communities, and advocacy organizations. Collections are open to the public and accessible at Elmer L. Andersen Library as part of the Archives and Special Collections at the University of Minnesota Libraries.


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