We did it! We made it through our first major snowstorm of the season. Traffic made us late to work, we were chilled by the cold wind breezing past our cheeks, and we were forced to round up all of our warm winter weather accessories – hat, scarf, mittens, boots – check!

Rather than grimace, grumble, and grinch, let’s take some time to enjoy the beauty that Minnesota winter brings. To help you get past the pain in your elbow caused by excessive ice scraping, enjoy these simple, serene scenes of the north shore of Lake Superior. These images (from glass plate negatives) were produced by Walter J. Breckenridge, museum preparator and curator, in February of 1927.

From the Bell Museum of Natural History collection:

– Along the north shore of Lake Superior


– Ice along the north shore of Lake Superior


– Ice along the north shore of Lake Superior


– North shore of Lake Superior, looking over lake


– Grand Marais on the north shore of Lake Superior


– Lake Superior, north shore, snow plows


– Lake Superior, north shore, snow on highway


– Lake Superior, north shore, fishermen at Two Harbors


– Sledge dog

For images from the recent storm, view this MPR compilation.