The Mitchell Hamline
History Center

The History Center in development

In December, 2015, Hamline University and William Mitchell College of Law signed a historic agreement combining William Mitchell and Hamline University School of Law into one law school, Mitchell Hamline School of Law. The goal of the agreement was to produce a “merger of equals” that would build on the complementary missions and strengths of both law schools. The combination agreement established a “strong, visible and long-term relationship” between Hamline University and Mitchell Hamline School of Law.

As part of this agreement, Hamline University and William Mitchell agreed to establish a permanent history center at Mitchell Hamline School of Law that would reflect the origins, mission, programs, and contributions of the students, faculty, staff, and alumni of both law schools. In 2016, Mitchell Hamline President and Dean Mark Gordon convened a Mitchell Hamline History Center Committee composed of alumni, emeritus and current faculty, and staff members from both legacy schools, co-chaired by senior faculty members from each school, to plan and establish this center, its exhibits and programs.

The Mitchell Hamline History Center is in the early stages of its development. With the help of small grants made by the Minnesota Historical Society out of Minnesota’s Legacy Fund, the committee has been doing long-term planning for a permanent center, as well as short-term programming while the permanent center is being developed.