Everyday Life in 1970s Minnesota Through Flip Schulke’s Lens

These photos by Flip Schulke offer a vivid and intimate look at everyday life in Minnesota during the 1970s. Best known for his powerful documentation of the civil rights movement, Schulke also captured the quieter rhythms of small-town and rural America as part of the EPA’s Documerica project.

His images of Minnesota, particularly around New Ulm, reveal ordinary people, local landscapes, community activities, and the changing face of American life in the decade. Through his observant and humanistic lens, these photos preserve a valuable visual record of midwestern life more than fifty years ago.

A newly created park downtown on Minnesota Street in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Accordionist in a Polka band at the Gibbon Ballroom at Gibbon, Minnesota, 20 miles north of New Ulm, circa 1970s

Adults looking over bargain merchandise placed in the street on the sidewalks by merchants in New Ulm, Minnesota, during their annual summer Crazy Days sale, circa 1970s

Auctioneer asking for bids at an auction of household goods in a residential area, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Audience at an auction of household goods in a residential area, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s.

Audience at an auction of household goods in a residential area, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Beer steins are raised as the Concord Singers practice singing German songs in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Family enjoys a Fourth of July holiday in a park at Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, which is 12 miles west of New Ulm, circa 1970s

German immigrant Hans Strzyso is the chief baker at Madsens Supermarket. He specializes in all types of decorated cakes and ethnic German baked goods which are made fresh daily, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Happy woman who is attending Gibbon Polka Days at Gibbon Ballroom in Gibbon, Minnesota, 20 miles north of New Ulm, circa 1970s

Interior of the 3m Co.(Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) plant showing an employee working on one of the products, circa 1970s

Members of the Concord Singers drink beer at the Turner Club in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Parking meter checker stands by his police vehicle which is imprinted with the German word for police (Polizei), New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Participants in a Kiddies Parade, an annual event held early in the evening during the summer in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

People looking over bargains among merchandise placed in Minnesota street and on sidewalks by merchants in New Ulm Minnesota, during their annual Crazy Days sale, circa 1970s

Person attending Gibbon Polka Days at Gibbon Ballroom in Gibbon, Minnesota, 20 miles north of New Ulm, takes time out for refreshment, circa 1970s

Polka dancers at the Gibbon Ballroom in Gibbon, Minnesota 20 miles north of New Ulm, circa 1970s

Polka dancing at the Gibbon Ballroom in Gibbon, Minnesota 20 miles north of New Ulm, circa 1970s

Religion plays an important part in the lives of residents, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Religion plays an important part in the lives of residents, New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Senior citizens find that New Ulm, Minnesota, is a good place to retire, circa 1970s

Senior citizens in New Ulm, Minnesota, making a quilt, circa 1970s

Signpost in the yard of the Domeier Grocery Store, a neighborhood business, on South Minnesota Street in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Student in one of the art and painting classes taught by Otto Pfeiffer in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Teenage worker detasseling corn in a field during the summer near New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Teenagers beginning their summer day detasseling corn in fields near New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Teenagers leaving their transportation are about to begin their summer day detasseling corn in fields near New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Teenagers look at sale merchandise during a Crazy Days promotion by merchants on Minnesota Street in Downtown New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

The Citizens Bank building in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

This 50-year-old popcorn stand is a fixture in the community of New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

This 50-year-old popcorn stand is a fixture in the community of New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Young people of New Ulm, Minnesota, spending a Sunday swimming and boating at Clear Lake three miles west of town, circa 1970s

Youngster unknowingly has shared her ice cream stick with the dog as she watches judging during the Kiddies Parade in Johnson Park in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Youngsters pose at Izzy-Dorry's roller rink in New Ulm, Minnesota, circa 1970s

Youths congregate around the front steps of a home in New Ulm, Minnesota, to decide what to do on a summer day, circa 1970s