Local History News: May 15, 2024

Joe Hoover

May 15, 2024

Field Note

Willmar HRAC Meeting-Staff and committee members

The Grants Office and Local History Services attended the Spring meeting of the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) on Friday, May 3, 2024. Kandiyohi County Historical Society, a Legacy grant recipient, hosted the meeting at their historic Sperry House. The HRAC meets each Spring ahead of the annual large grants round to review policies and procedures for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Large Grant Deadline
Pre-applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants large grant round (requests over $10,000) will be due Friday, May 31, 2024. This is a required part of the large grant application process. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, July 12, 2024.

Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
May 16, 2024 - 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: In this webinar, you will learn what you need to do to register for a grants portal login, how to apply, what the grant programs offer, what the programs can fund, and which resources are available for applicants. If you have never applied for a grant before or would like to hear about the basic process again, this webinar is for you.
Presented by Grants Associate Gillian Maguire
meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com, Phone in: (‪US‬)‪+1 386-361-3086‬

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from Hennepin History Museum. Have a blog? Let us know!

Bill of sale for Slye family slave called London, Rehoboth, Massachusetts, 1722

The Power of Paper
I’m sure you’re aware that Hennepin History Museum has an archive of historic documents and photos, but we also have digital collections. Although we don’t have a digital collection on our website, items are available on other platforms like the Hennepin County Library (HCLIB) and the Minnesota Digital Library (MDL). Our holdings are also viewable on MNCollections.org

The Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) has a contributor’s choice collection which features “favorite” or unique items from the collections of participating institutions. Archivists, including myself, have highlighted an item in our collections that we feel has historical value. When I was asked to contribute to this collection, there was no question in my mind about sharing the slave bill of sale in our collection on the MDL platform. Continue Reading »

From the Tube

This week's post is from Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

Job Opportunities

Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.

MNHS

Site Manager II - Oliver Kelley Farm
Guest Services Assistant II - MN History Center

LOCAL

Archival Collection Specialist Consultant - Roseau County Historical Society & Museum, Roseau, MN
Publishing and Authorship Librarian - Kathryn A. Martin Library, University of Minnesota, Duluth, MN
Director of Exhibit Project Management - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
Traveling Exhibits Logistics Coordinator (Includes Fabrication) - Minnesota Children’s Museum, St. Paul, MN
Associate Curator of American Paintings - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Website Content Manager - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Assistant Mechanical Crew Chief - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Public Relations Manager - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
The Works Museum - Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

Museum Director - Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, WI
Collections Assistant - Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, WI
Education Coordinator - Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, WI
Site Manager - Villa Louis, Wisconsin Historical Society, Prairie du Chien, WI
Registrar-Maritime Collections Specialist - Wisconsin Historical Society, Manitowoc, WI
Digital Content Coordinator - Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, Madison, WI
Custodian - Circus World Museum - Wisconsin Historical Society, Baraboo, WI
Audiovisual Preservation Specialist - Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Development Coordinator - Sioux City Public Museum, Sioux City, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Executive Director - Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
Historic Site Manager - Indiana State Museum, New Harmony, IN
Executive Director - Freetown Village, Indianapolis, IN
RFP, "Constitutionally Speaking" (published 2001) Units of Study update and additional development - Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN
Engagement Specialist - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
Museum Presenter - County of Monroe, Monroe, MI
Museum Interpreter - Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, MI
Historic Sites Building & Grounds Supervisor - Lakeshore Museum Center, Muskegon, MI
Archivist - Winnipeg's Contemporary Dancers, Winnipeg, MB
Executive Director - Lacombe Museum, Lacombe, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

MNHS Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

Oral History Intern - Minnesota Historical Society

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Group of women in nurse uniforms sitting on and around wagon in front of hospital building
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Scott County Historical Society.

Submit your history organization's news and events to localhistorynews@mnhs.org.

Presentation: Concrete and the Building of Minneapolis & Saint Paul
May 15 @ - 6:45 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Society for Industrial Archeology (SIA) is holding its 52nd Annual Conference in Minneapolis, MN. To launch the conference, SIA is hosting a public presentation on Wednesday evening, May 15, by architectural historian Brian McMahon, titled “Concrete and the Building of Minneapolis & Saint Paul.” Trained as an architect, Brian McMahon is an independent architectural historian. His award-winning book, The Ford Century in Minnesota, was published by the University of Minnesota Press in 2016. McMahon’s presentation is free and open to the public, and all are welcome. The conference runs from May 15 through 19. Location: Doty Boardroom at the Minneapolis Central Library. Learn more »

Event: Duluth Preservation Awards Ceremony
May 16 @ 6 pm - Duluth: Duluth Preservation Alliance - Celebrate the preservation and restorations of homes and buildings in Duluth as over a dozen property owners are awarded for preserving and maintaining their historic homes, buildings, and structures. Location: Duluth Masonic Temple. The ceremony will be followed by a reception and an exclusive tour of Old Central High School. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Tour: Doors Open Minneapolis - Peek Inside More Than 100 Buildings
May 18 & 19 @ 10 am to 5 pm - Minneapolis: Rethos - Do you like to explore Minneapolis buildings and businesses? Have you ever wondered what they look like behind the scenes? You can explore more than 100 of the most intriguing and iconic buildings in Minneapolis this weekend for free. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop: Intro to Masonry: Materials, Methods and Maintenance
May 18 @ 9 am to 1 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Learn about masonry at this hands-on, information-packed workshop taught by John Beaty, design reviewer for the Minnesota Historical Society. An expert in the repair of historic masonry, John will share his knowledge and expertise with workshop attendees, covering everything from the ins and outs of masonry to how to identify problem areas and what to do about them. Geared for both residential and commercial property owners. Location: Rainbow Wellness Collective. Cost: $20 members/$30 nonmembers. Learn more »

Annual Meeting:
May 19 @ 1:30 pm - Blaine: Anoka County Historical Society - This year's speaker is Rebecca Gillette, Community Engagement Lead of Mapping Prejudice. Operated by the U of M, this program has worked to document the racial covenants on property abstracts by creating interactive maps for Hennepin, Ramsey, Dakota--and now Anoka County. Gillette will discuss the project, her story, and how you can be more involved. Location: Northtown Library. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop: Reuse for Real Estate
May 22 @ 12 to 1 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Calling all real estate professionals and those in related fields! Curious about reuse in real estate, its resources and benefits? Then this class is for you! The in-person workshop will be taught by Emily Barker of Reuse Minnesota. Emily will introduce real estate professionals and others to reuse-related resources in the state, where to find them and why they are essential to building a more sustainable future. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: Archaeology in Mower County: Beyond the Quarry
May 23 @ 12 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - Professor Hoffman is leading a team of archaeologists from Hamline University as they search Mower County for previously unknown archaeological sites. Following the presentation, local residents are encouraged to discuss specific sites with members of the Hamline team. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Discussion Panel: Social & Psychological Impact of Institutionalization on Children
May 23 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Owatonna: Steele County Historical Society - Join the discussion on the social and psychological impact of institutionalization through case study records of children at the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children. This deep dive into the children’s family history and living environments prior to and throughout the institutionalization will provide insight into some of the long-term effects that some children experienced. Location: Owatonna Arts Center. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Your Legacy: Family, Church, and Charity
May 23 @ 4 pm - Albert Lea: Freeborn County Historical Museum - Jacob Thompson, from Thrivent Financial, will be presenting "Are there people and organizations you care about and want to help financially?" Learn strategies for leaving a legacy. Explore spontaneous, intentional and strategic/planned giving. See examples of people who have established legacy gift strategies. Learn about foundations for charitable giving. Cost: Free. For more information call 507-373-8003.

Tour: Beltrami County New Deal Bus Tour
June 1 @ 10 am to 3 pm - Bemidji: Beltrami County History Center - Journey through Beltrami County's New Deal history! Explore projects funded by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Works Progress Administration (WPA), and other New Deal initiatives, largely from the comfort of a climate-controlled bus. Discover the lasting impact of these programs on our local communities as we visit historic sites in Kelliher, Blackduck, and Bemidji. Cost: $50. Lunch is included. Learn more »

Event: G.I. Jive: a 1940s USO-style Celebration
June 7 @ 6 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - With its unique historic vibe, the G.I. Jive will be a one-of-a-kind public event celebrating the past, present, and future of local history while remembering our local WWII veterans. Immerse yourself into a WWII USO-style celebration with music by The Southern Minnesota Big Band, swing dance demonstrations, a canteen-inspired box lunch, a 1940s costume contest, and other activities and entertainment right out of the “War Years.” Cost: $35 in advance/$45 at the door. Learn more »

2024 Beer Garden lineup
Glensheen announces their 2024 Beer Garden lineup at the historic Congdon estate. Free Wednesday Night events are one of the ways Glensheen gives back by welcoming the community to enjoy the grounds through a series of events hosted on the property each year. Summer events are the best way to experience Glensheen’s gardens in full bloom and enjoy everything the grounds have to offer. Learn more »

June 5: Earth Rider (with Oasis Del Norte Food Truck)
June 12: Ursa Minor (with Oasis Del Norte Food Truck)
June 19: Castle Danger (with The Rambler Food Truck)
June 26: Bent Paddle (with The Rambler Food Truck)

Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Submit an event »

Continuing Education

Exterior of the Martin T. Gunderson House
Highlighted Museum: M.T. Gunderson Home, operated by the Kenyon Area Historical Society, Kenyon, MN
.Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

10 Ways AI Will Change Archives
May 16 @ 1 pm – Online: LYRASIS - Learn how AI has the potential to enhance accessibility in archives. Cost: $50 members/$75 nonmembers. Learn more »

Digitization: Planning for Success
May 23 @ 1 to 3 pm – Online: Northeast Document Conservation Center - This session covers digitization project stages; selection criteria for conversions; and handling considerations for vulnerable media. Cost: $95. Learn more »

Practical Strategies for the Care of Film and Glass Negatives
June 4 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - Aiming to provide collections care professionals from small and mid-sized institutions with practical strategies for effectively managing and preserving film and glass negatives, this webinar will emphasize pragmatic advice, resourceful solutions, and cost-effective measures to ensure the longevity and integrity of these valuable collections. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Universal/Inclusive Design
June 5 @ 11 am (CT) - Online: Independent Museum Professionals - As independent museum professionals, it’s essential for us to know how we can help our clients meet—and exceed—accessibility requirements, creating better, richer experiences for all. Part presentation and part discussion, this webinar will help you learn how to make your projects accessible to the widest range of people. The speakers bring deep expertise and experience. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

Seven awesome accessibility features at the Museum - Canadian Museum for Human Rights

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Museum Assessment Program (MAP) Follow Up Visit Opportunity
June 28 - (Deadline): MAP offers a special Follow Up Opportunity for museums that have participated in a MAP in 2014 or later. Museum Assessment Program helps small and mid-sized museums strengthen operations, plan for the future, and meet national standards through self-study and a site visit from a peer reviewer. Learn more »

Small Grants Aid Public School Music and Arts Programs in 44 States
July 2 - (Deadline): California Casualty Music & Arts Grant Program - These grants provide support for K-12 public schools negatively impacted by reduced budgets whose music and arts programs are in jeopardy or in great need of funding. This program is available in many states including Minnesota. Learn more »

Cultural Expression Grants
July 12 - (Deadline): Minnesota State Arts Board - This pilot program supports activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations, etc. Funds could also be used to deepen or pass on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation. Learn more »

Additional Funding Opportunities »

News

MN Digital Newspaper Hub - April content update
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 6,265 new issues and 99,237 new newspaper pages.

New publicly available titles & date spans:

Starbuck times (Starbuck, Minn.) 1915-1923 added
Long Prairie leader (Long Prairie, Minn.) 1927-1940 added
Nordstern (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1923-1924 added
Saint Croix union (Stillwater, Minn.) 1854-1857
Farmers independent (Bagley, Minn.) 1921-1936
Lake City graphic (Lake City, Minn.) 1884-1887 added
Graphic sentinel (Lake City, Minn.) 1887-1899
Le Roy independent (LeRoy, Minn.) 1901-1934

New issues for the years 2002-2023 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library.

So Minnesota: Maple Lake man has one of the largest collections of WWII memorabilia
KSTP News – A Maple Lake man has one of the largest collections of World War II memorabilia in the country. Over the decades, Al Muller has collected 10,000 books and 6,000 autographs, including signatures of presidents and U.S. generals. “The Greatest Generation is an understatement,” Muller said. “The whole thing is preserving history.” The ultimate destination of Muller’s collection will be the Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum slated to open in Little Falls in 2026. Watch video »

$100K for ruby slippers? Minnesota lawmakers put seed money into acquisition of Dorothy's footwear
MPR – Minnesota lawmakers are primed to put some green toward a possible acquisition of the ruby slippers of “Wizard of Oz” fame. A bill now staged for final House and Senate votes earmarks $100,000 in dedicated sales tax proceeds to help with a possible purchase of the famous shoes. The pot of money it would be drawn from is devoted to efforts to preserve or promote aspects of Minnesota’s historical legacy. Continue reading »

Owatonna opens time capsule tucked in the high school a century ago
Star Tribune – ...The [Steele County Historical] society and the district are in the midst of negotiating possession over each item—some of the community-centric documents will stay at the historical society, while items belonging to the school district will either go on display at a museum inside the new Owatonna High School or be part of a new district office to be built at the former high school's site... Continue reading »

Back Roads: Milan museum is a must
The Land – Downtown Milan, Minn. sports two buildings with a common façade and a shingled awning. The buildings have the large plate glass windows of their business days. The south side is still a business: Billy Maple Tree’s, a gift shop. The north side bears a name that may seem strange — unless you are Norwegian: Arv Hus Museum. Continue reading »

Savage’s history lived by Mayor Williams
Sun – ...Later, as director of the county system, Williams guided development of a permanent Savage library to replace a rented strip mall space. It includes the Heritage Room, a partnership between the library system, the city and the Dan Patch Historical Society. It was recently expanded, said Williams, a founding member of the historical society. “People love the history — just love it,” she said... Continue reading »


Featured Book Power and Light by Will Weaver. Calumet Editions. Author Event Date: @ 9:30 am Location: Aurora Center for the Arts, Fosston, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History How Far We Have Come: A Report on the 20th-century Radicalism in Minnesota Project Volume 51, Issue 4, 1988	Featured Article MNopedia Jewish Social Welfare Groups, 1871–2012 Featured MNopedia Article


Minnesota History Organizations Directory • County, Chapters, and Local • Statewide/Topical Historical • Regional History Coalitions • Professional Organizations	Minnesota Main Streets Reinvigorate your community's commercial district.	Preservation Specialists Directory Look up products or services.

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