Afton Historical Society Press

Afton Press is a not-for-profit publisher of exceptional books that explore and celebrate the history, culture, and achievements of Minnesota. We are presently committed to creating wholly new and original books on Minnesota art and history subjects by leading Minnesota art historians. No other regional press is filling this significant need. Our books reach high standards of scholarship, literary value, design, and production. They help strengthen and build communities and inspire readers of all ages to seek out new horizons. Afton Press was created to illuminate and preserve Minnesota's history for present and future generations of inquisitive readers that are interested in exploring the state's cultural treasures.

Afton Press was founded in 1993 by W. Duncan MacMillan and Patricia Condon Johnston McDonald. We published our first book in 1994, The Shape of Things: The Art of Francis Lee Jaques by Patricia Johnston. The Shape of Things won both a Minnesota book award and a Midwest Independent Publishers Award. We have since published sixty-some notable books that explore and celebrate Minnesota history and culture for general readers, scholars, and classroom use—books that continue to win both regional and national publishing awards.

In 2018, the direction of Afton Press resumed under the leadership of Ian Graham Leask. His business and literary acumen has proven invaluable as we honor our past by continuing to publish stunning history and art books about Minnesota's visual arts. Leask also envisions advancing Afton Press by expanding publication to include the performing arts. Historical documentation of Minnesota's vibrant dance, theater, and opera scene/community deserves being captured in book format. This is something we our implementing with our Fall 2022 publication, Grace & Grit: Ballet in Minnesota by Georgia Finnegan.