Staff from the Grants Office and Local History Services met staff from the Basilica of St. Mary and their contractors on March 18 to get an update on the status of their large Legacy grant for a structural assessment of the Basilica's masonry. They are seen in this photo observing exterior cracks and crack monitor mechanisms. The project will document and assess existing conditions of the masonry structure within the attic and bell towers. This work will help determine and prioritize future repairs to the 1907 Neoclassical building designed by architect Emmanuel Louis Masqueray.
Sandstone Public School Building Roof Stabilization
Recipient: City of Sandstone
Amount funded: $398,022
Project Details
MNHS Announces October Round of Legacy Small Grants
Recipients received 30 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants, ($10,000 and less) totaling $286,714 in 18 counties. Learn more »
Large Grant Deadline
Pre-applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants large grant round (requests over $10,000) will be due Friday, July 18, 2025*. This is a required part of the large grant application process. Contact the Grants Office with questions.
* Pending funding approval by the Minnesota Legislature and Governor. This date is subject to change.
Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is this Friday, April 11, 2025.
Grants Office Webinar: Letters of Critical Review
April 17 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Letters of Critical Review are a required application component for a range of research and writing-based grant projects, including exhibits, books, films, and web content. In this webinar, we'll provide an overview of what these letters are, discuss strategies for obtaining them, and explain how to effectively utilize the feedback you receive.
Key Topics:
This 45-minute webinar will provide attendees with the knowledge needed to navigate the Letters of Critical Review process and strengthen their research-based grant proposals. Presented by Grants Specialist John Fulton.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: (US) +1 386-361-3086 PIN: 420 891 978#
Grants Office YouTube Playlist »
This week's blog post is from the Beltrami County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
History at Risk: The Urgent Need to Protect America's Cultural Memory
Is Our History in Jeopardy?
Across the nation, cultural institutions are confronting a systematic erosion of federal support. Recent actions by the administration have dismantled the very structures that sustain museums, archives, and libraries—institutions that safeguard our collective memory.
As the Executive Director of the Beltrami County Historical Society (BCHS), I feel compelled to speak out on behalf of our institution, our community, and our future.
This is not merely a budgetary issue. This is a crisis of values—one that jeopardizes the integrity of American history and the accessibility of our shared heritage.
How Are These Cuts Impacting Minnesota?
Continue Reading »
This week's post is from the Koochiching County Historical Museum and Bronko Nagurski Museum. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
Image used with permission. From the collections of the St. Louis County Historical Society
Submit your history organization's news and events to localhistorynews@mnhs.org.
Sherburne History Center Trailhead Bird Walks
April 10 @ 7:30 to 10 am - Becker: Sherburne History Center - Learn birding techniques and the importance of habitat and phenology from Master Naturalist Dean Kleinhans. Use of binoculars, spotting scopes, cameras and cell phone apps will be covered. Dress appropriately for a two-hour hike along mostly gravel and dirt/grass trails. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Saturday Genealogy - Land Records
April 12 @ 10 am to 12 pm (CT) - Elbow Lake/Online: Grant County Historical Society - Holly Wevley, the Grant County Recorder, will help direct finding the land that our ancestors owned and lived on. Wevley will help decipher confusing legal descriptions. Come with your questions and find out more about the resources the County Recorder office has for family research. Learn more »
BECHS History Book Club Sessions: To Banish Forever by Cathy Coats
April 12, May 17 & June 21 @ 1 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - BECHS History Book Club is a quarterly book club that goes beyond a classic group book read and discussion. Over three months, while participants read the book, additional monthly sessions will include a discussion of the book’s setting and social history, a special presentation on a related historical topic, and conclude with a group book discussion. Cost: $50 for the 3-part series. Learn more »
Telegraphy Cowboys: Dots, Dashes, and the Western Expansion
April 12 @ 1 to 2 pm - Minnesota Transportation Museum - Join Dr. Luis Felipe Eguiarte Souza, Curator at the Pavek Museum, for an insightful lecture on the history of the telegraph and discover how this groundbreaking technology played a pivotal role in the United States’ westward expansion. Don’t miss the opportunity to uncover how these ‘telegraph cowboys’ bridged vast distances, shaping the future of the American West. Cost: $11. Learn more »
Annual Meeting of the Cokato Historical Society
April 15 @ 6:30 pm - Cokato: Cokato Historical Society - Travel back in American history with Minnesota author Dean Urdahl as he discusses his historical novel-turned-movie Uprising at the Cokato Historical Society’s Annual Meeting. A brief business meeting will precede his program. Cost: Free. Learn more »
The Rise and Fall of the Berlin Wall
April 15 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - Frank Sachs, a retired educator with 45 years of experience in teaching will discuss the significance of the Berlin Wall and its fall in 1989 as a pivotal moment in the Cold War. Experience an insightful exploration of its impact on the decline of communist power in Eastern Europe and the reunification of Germany. Cost: Pay as you can. Learn more »
Dinkytown: Then and Now
April 16 @ 5 to 7 pm - Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, U of MN - Explore Dinkytown history and student movements through shadow puppets, a film premier, and small group discussion. Appetizers will be provided from Wally’s. Location: Pillsbury Hall. Learn More »
The Changing Environment of Minnesota
April 17 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - A member from the University of MN Forestry and Agriculture will highlight the changing environment of MN and the impact on trees and agriculture. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »
Taopi the 'Wounded Man'
April 17 @ 6 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Executive Director Dave Nichols will talk about Taopi's life and legacy, including how Taopi earned his name during the Battle of Pine Coulee, his experience on a reservation near the Lower Sioux Agency, and his role during the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. For more information call 507-332-2121.
‘Media Makers’ Panel Featuring Local Women in Media
April 19 @ 10 to 11 am - Bemidji: Beltrami County Historical Society - An insightful panel featuring three influential women in northern Minnesota’s media landscape will take place, showcasing Larissa Donovan, Annalise Braught, and Meghan Jewett. They will share their career journeys, discuss the challenges and opportunities for women in media, and provide valuable advice for aspiring journalists. This event offers a unique opportunity to engage with local media leaders and ask your questions during the discussion. Cost: Free. Learn more »
2025 Heritage Family – Schoonover Family
April 19 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Shoreview: Shoreview Historical Society - Join in honoring the Schoonover Family as the 2025 Heritage Family of the Year. Celebrate their contributions to the community at this special event. Learn more »
The Page Act of 1875: Rethinking Its Significance 150 Years Later
April 22 @ 3:30 to 5 pm (CT) - Online: Immigration History Research Center, U of MN - Commemorate the 150th anniversary of the Page Act of 1875, which marked the federal government’s first effort to limit Asian immigration, particularly targeting Chinese migrant women. This event will explore the significance of the Page Act in US immigration and Asian American history, focusing on the politics of race, gender, and class based on recent scholarship. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Good to Know: Challenges by German Nationals living in the US
April 22 @ 7 pm - Online: Germanic-American Institute - Join Barbara Muller, Honorary Consul of the Federal Republic of Germany, for an informative virtual presentation designed to address key topics relevant to German nationals living in the United States. Stay informed about important legal updates and gain insights into matters such as birth certificates, naming laws that differ between Germany and the US, marriage and divorce certificates, dual citizenship, and inheritance law. Special attention will be given to changes in German naming laws and the Declaration of German citizenship for individuals born before January 1, 1975, to a German mother and a non-German father. Learn more »
Exhibit Opening: Selma 70
April 24 @ 6 to 8 pm - St. Paul: Ramsey County Historical Society - Join in for the opening of the Selma 70 exhibit, featuring a panel discussion with participants that made this impactful pilgrimage from Saint Paul to Selma, commemorating the 50th Anniversary of “Bloody Sunday.” Explore the ongoing fight for civil rights and justice through their reflections and experiences. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: 1912 Saum Historic School Museum & Community Center, Battle Township, MN.
May 9 @ 9 am to 12 pm - Online: Twin Cities Archives Roundtable (TCART) - At the spring meeting, attendees will participate in the TCART biannual business meeting, including elections for Communications Officer and Membership Officer/Secretary. There will be a special presentation by Tom Steman, the archivist at St. Cloud University, discussing his repository's migration to Access to Memory. They'll also break into small discussion groups to explore finding aids and migration projects, concluding with an opportunity for members to share their recent work and accomplishments. You don't need to be a member of TCART to attend. Cost: Free. Register now »
AASLH Speed Networking: Career Pathways
April 11 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Are you a student in history, public history, or museum studies, or new to the field? Join the online AASLH Speed Networking event to hear from professionals about their career paths in museums and historic sites. You’ll have the chance to ask questions and connect with other new professionals. This event is ideal for students nearing graduation, those in the field for two years or less, and anyone considering a career change. Cost: $5 members/$10 nonmembers. Learn more »
What’s the Fee?
April 15 @ 11 am (CT) - Online: Association of Academic Museums and Galleries - A discussion of complexities of museum pay structures, salary transparency, and advocacy for fair compensation. Cost: Free. Learn more »
DHPSNY: Archives Are Not Neutral
April 17 @ 12 pm - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - While conventional wisdom holds that archivists should refrain from taking subjective stances in their work, there have been increasing calls in the field to recognize that the historical record from which archives are drawn is far from neutral. How can we expect archivists to remain objective when engaging with politically fraught materials that are potentially held within institutions founded on principles that do not reflect current societal values? CCAHA Director of Preservation Services, Dyani Feige, discusses the importance of recognizing that our own positions impact the work we do in collections fields. Learn more »
Strengthening History Communication: Reframing the Value of History and Your Institution
April 24 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - This half-day virtual workshop will help history practitioners at institutions of all types and sizes learn how to communicate about their work more effectively. Whether you need to write fundraising letters, make advocacy calls, speak with the media, or simply update your website, this workshop is for you. Cost: $100 members/$150 nonmembers. Learn more »
Strategy, Planning, and Outcomes: Bridging your strategy work with ground level impacts
April 30 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Join us to explore the connections between organizational strategy and service impacts. You will walk away from this webinar with an understanding of the nine gears of effective nonprofits, strategy planning frameworks, and the practical application of outcomes development. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Navigating Uncertainty: Financial Therapy Tools for Reducing Anxiety and Building Well-Being
April 30 @ 1:30 to 3:30 pm - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - This session addresses financial anxiety in today's uncertain economic climate. It introduces financial therapy fundamentals, distinguishes between financial anxiety and stress, and presents research-based strategies for enhancing financial well-being. Participants will learn practical interventions, including the "worry hour" technique, to manage financial anxiety and support healthy money mindsets. Cost: $50 members/$70 nonmembers. Learn more »
Iowa Museum Association Conference
April 28 & 29 - Cedar Rapids, IA: Museums are evolving into vital spaces for community well-being, addressing challenges like political polarization and mental health concerns. This event highlights innovative ideas and best practices for creating transformative, inclusive museum experiences. Keynote speaker Dr. John H. Falk, a renowned expert on free-choice learning, will present a dynamic session and provide insights from his latest book, "Leaning into Value: Becoming a User-Focused Museum." Location: National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library. Learn more »
Museums in Action: Invite Congress to Visit Your Museum
May 29 @ 1 to 3 pm - Online: American Alliance of Museums - Inviting local, state, and federal elected officials to your museum showcases the vital work that museums do, from exhibitions to community engagement. Since 2012, the #InviteCongress campaign has encouraged museums to welcome legislators for a firsthand look at their impact. Engaging with these officials is crucial, especially as funding and support for museums are actively considered in Congress. Learn more »
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June 4 - 6, 2025 |
April 22 - 24, 2025 |
May 6 - 7, 2025 |
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Grant Opportunity for Individuals and Organizations: Cultural Expression
Deadline - June 6: Minnesota State Arts Board - Cultural Expression provides project grants to support 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, or language. 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. Applicants may request between $5,000 - $35,000. There will be a free Virtual Information Session and Q & A on May 7. It will be recorded and available for later viewing. Learn more »
Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
Deadline - May 1: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Do you need support for your preservation project? Do you live in a town of 10,000 or less? These grants encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns, including for planning and educational outreach projects. Funding ranges from $2,500 to $15,000. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Pope County Museum, Glenwood, MN. (1981). View additional photos on Instagram »
This new section features slides taken of Minnesota history museums from the 1970s through the 1990s by David Nystuen, the MNHS Field Services Coordinator, and other Field Services representatives during that time period.
The Data Rescue Project is an initiative aimed at preserving and safeguarding crucial public data that may be at risk due to changes in government policy or funding. Volunteers, including scientists, data experts, and concerned citizens, work collaboratively to download, archive, and share vital datasets to ensure continued access and usability. By fostering transparency and accountability, The Data Rescue Project empowers communities and researchers to maintain access to essential information that supports informed decision-making. Libraries supporting data rescue » | Visit the project »
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) has announced the selection of 25 emerging leaders as Fellows for the 2025 History Leadership Institute (HLI) Seminar. This prestigious program, which has been a cornerstone of professional development for history professionals since 1959, will take place at its new location—the Mill City Museum of the Minnesota Historical Society in Minneapolis, Minnesota—from June 16 to June 27, 2025, with additional virtual sessions before and after the seminar. Congratulations to our own Gillian Maguire here at the Minnesota Historical Society's Grants Office for making the list! Applications for the 2026 HLI Seminar will open in Fall 2025. Learn more about the program »
A wide variety of functions and topics, useful for a breadth of research topics, are represented in records added to the State Archives this month. The tribal relations files received from the Natural Resources Department are especially valuable because of the content, comprehensiveness and lengthy date span. The other records continue existing record series, many dating from the 1970s, preserved in the State Archives. Learn more »
Local View: Glensheen a reminder that history creates community
Duluth News Tribune - I chose the University of Minnesota Duluth on a whim after always following intuition over logic. I didn’t know what I wanted to do; not many people do at 18 years old. My sophomore year, I took an “Introduction to Public History” class. A buddy of mine was in it. She knew exactly what she wanted to do and told me about her future plans. I was inspired and felt that same intuition to choose public history as my second major. The main difference between public history and regular history is that public history is made for the average person, in places like museums. Continue reading »
More Than a Funeral...Voices of the Red River Valley
Tom Pence - Petra Gunderson-Leith is the Archivist at the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. Our initial interest was to talk about the history of the first cemetery in Moorhead, Prairie Home Cemetery, and our conversation soon meandered to other cemeteries in the area. Listen to Podcast »
Grant County Historical Museum preserves the history of rural Minnesota
Prairie Public - Minnesota is filled with museums that tell the story of the state's rich history. The Grant County Historical Museum and Veterans Memorial Hall in Elbow Lake, MN, is one of these museums. Nestled on the western side of Minnesota, the museum hopes to not only preserve the history of rural Minnesota, but help people appreciate the past and learn from it. Watch Video »
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Featured BookPale Horse at Plum Run, The First Minnesota at Gettysburg by Brian Leehan. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Author Event |
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Leprosy in Minnesota |
Minnesota UnraveledLife Underground: Fallout Shelters in Minnesota
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Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
Preservation Specialists Directory |
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