Field Note

Grants Office staff enjoyed stepping out of the office to connect and network with colleagues at the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums' (MALHM) annual conference held in White Bear Lake, MN. This year's event marked the largest gathering to date, attracting approximately 240 attendees. The conference provided valuable opportunities for professional development, peer collaboration, and sharing of best practices within the local history community. Thank you to this year's host, the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, and co-hosts, the Washington County Historical Society and the Maplewood Area Historical Society. And a special thank you to the seven MNHS staff and three interns who presented in conference sessions!

Advocate for State History Funding

As the Minnesota Legislature works toward an agreement on the fiscal year 2026-27 biennial budget, now is the time to reach out to your elected officials and encourage them to support strong funding for state history initiatives. It’s easy and impactful to share personal stories with state representatives and senators about how funding for history has benefited you and your community. Email your elected officials and help ensure that they understand why Minnesota history matters.

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, 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. 

MAY Grants Open House
May 1 - Online: The Grants Office will hold a virtual Grants Office Open House using Google Meet from 2 to 3:30 pm in order to provide additional grants support to our communities. We encourage people to RSVP to Gillian with a short summary of what you want to talk about and she will try to ensure that someone helpful will be available. Learn more »

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the American Swedish Institute. Have a blog? Let us know!

The Return of an Iconic Treasure: Paulson Hall Mural
Pictorial Story of Emigration returns to Paulson Hall
Visitors to ASI are able to enjoy one of the most notable artworks from the ASI collection again, which was unavailable for viewing for months. Now, guests can see the fully restored mural by artist Bengt Engman adorning Paulson Hall in the Turnblad Mansion’s Lower Level.  

Originally installed in the space in 1983, the mural is a pictorial narrative depicting Swedish emigration to the United States. Bengt Engman, the artist behind the Paulson Hall mural, inherited his artistic talent from generations of Swedish painters. Under his father’s guidance, he learned the Dalmålning style of painting, a tradition passed down through the family line. The artwork spans four segments, each stretching an impressive 33 feet. In a further tribute to his heritage, Bengt sourced raw pigments from Sweden and meticulously ground them on-site at ASI in 1983 to be used in the mural. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• The Good Cheer Club - Meeker County Historical Society
• Communist Clarence Hathaway and His Powerful Impact on Minnesota Politics - Ramsey County Historical Society
• From the President - Danish American Center

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Koochiching County Historical Museum and Bronko Nagurski Museum. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Minn CWRT 2025 Symposium, Curt Fields/Gen. Grant, The Perspective of Paroling Confederate Prisoners - Minnesota Civil War Round Tables
• The Changing Environment of SE MN - History Center of Olmsted County
• Life & Legacy of Evelyn & Jerome Ackerman - Goldstein Museum of Design
• Grace Campbell and the Bank Robbery - Anoka County Historical Society

• Unstoppable: Norwegian Pioneers Educate Their Daughters - Giants of the Earth Heritage Center

   

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Cultural Resources Specialist - Bolton & Menk, Architectural History, Plymouth, MN 
• Assistant Curator of South & Southeast Asian Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Assistant or Associate Curator of Japanese & Korean Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Front Desk Assistant - The Museum of Russian Art, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Systems Analyst II - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Museum Operations Assistant - Chippewa Valley Museum, Menomonie, WI
• Folklore Village Executive Director - Folklore Village, Dodgeville, WI
• Museum Educator - Racine Heritage Museum, Racine, WI
• Guest Services Host - Old World Wisconsin, Eagle, WI
• Director of Development - New London Public Museum, New London, WI
• Museum Aide - Siouxland Heritage Museums, Sioux Falls, SD
• Coordinator of Education & Engagement - University of Iowa Pentacrest Museums, Iowa City, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Digital Asset Specialist - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL
• Director of Education Programs and Resources - Frank Lloyd Wright Trust - Chicago, IL
• Programs and Education Assistant - Cantigny Estate, Wheaton, IL
• Tinkering Camp Lead - DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, IL
• Tinkering Camp Coordinator - DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, IL
• Museum Education and Programs Assistant - Elmhurst History Museum, City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst, IL
• Senior Youth Program Manager - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Camp Program Manager - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Security Specialist - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Executive Director - Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute, IN
• Education & Engagement Coordinator - Lorain County Historical Society, Elyria, OH
• Guest Experience Associate - National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Columbus, OH
• Guest Operations Assistant & Museum Shop Coordinator - Massillon Museum, Massillon, OH 
• Facility and Building Manager - Ashland County Historical Society, Ashland, OH
• Digital Archivist - Miami University, Oxford, OH
• Editor in Chief - HSM Publications, Historical Society of Michigan, Waverly, MI
• Museum Registrar - Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI
• Executive Director - USS Silversides Submarine Museum, Muskegon, MI
• Museum Registrar - Kalamazoo Institute of Arts, Kalamazoo, MI
• Vice President for Museums - Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• Conservator of Decorative Arts and Sculpture - Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
• Maintenance Repairman 2 - Daniel Boone Homestead, Berks County, PA
• Collections Manager - Kauffman Museum, North Newton, KS
• Executive Director - The Mini Time Machine Museum of Miniatures, Tucson, AZ
• Community Engagement Director - Museum of Ontario Archaeology, London, ON
• Assistant Museum Curator - Jasper Cultural and Historical Centre, Maple Creek, SK
• Collections Assistant - Medalta in the Historic Clay District, Medicine Hat, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Social Media Intern - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Drayton Hall Fellowships - Drayton Hall, Charleston, SC

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Washington County Historical Society.

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

Student-Curated Art Exhibit: Our Cabinet of Curiosities  
May 2 @ 5 to 8 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County History Center - Experience extended History Center hours on the first Friday of each month. This month features a collaboration with MNSU Museum Studies students, who developed new exhibits, a children’s activity guide, accessibility initiatives, and the student-curated show "Our Cabinet of Curiosities," inspired by historic European collections. Cost: $15 members/$20 nonmembers. Learn more »

Polka & Pils
May 2 @ 6:30 to 8 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Join Jimi Jimi Jimi “The Polka Dancing Pirate!” for an energetic and fun-filled polka dance class suitable for beginners and those wanting to polish their skills for Deutsche Tage. Registration includes all three sessions on Fridays, May 2, 9, and 16. No partner needed; participants rotate partners during practice. Classes take place in the GAI Ballroom (not ADA accessible). Cost: $45-$90. Learn more »

Metis in Minnesota, A Story of Us All
May 3 @ 1 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Join historian Corinne Monjeau-Marz for a talk exploring the history and significance of the Metis people in Minnesota, their role as translators and traders during the Fur Trade, and their broader impact on Minnesota history. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Righting a Wrong-Smithsonian Poster Exhibit
May 3 - Detroit Lakes: Becker County Museum - The "Righting a Wrong" Smithsonian poster exhibition traces the story of Japanese nationals and Japanese Americans incarcerated during World War II, highlighting their experiences in camps, the prejudice they faced, and the fight for civil rights. The exhibit, based on the original at the National Museum of American History, centers on eight core questions that encourage dialogue about identity, immigration, courage, and what it means to be an American-issues as relevant today as they were 75 years ago. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Youth Mental Health First Aid
May 3 @ 9:30 am to 3 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - This free, accredited certification course is designed for adults who work with or care for youth ages 12–18. Participants will complete a self-paced online module before attending an in-person, instructor-led session to learn how to recognize and respond to signs of mental health challenges using the ALGEE action plan: Assess risk of suicide, Listen non-judgmentally, Give reassurance, Encourage professional help, and Encourage self-help. Lunch is provided, and registration is required due to limited seating. Cost: Free (registration required). Learn more »

Beginning Kransekake with Brenda Lewis
May 3 @ 10:30 am to 12:30 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Learn how to make the classic 18th-century Scandinavian wreath cake, Kransekake, in this beginner-friendly class led by Brenda Lewis, a decorated baker and successor to longtime instructor Lorraine Jasinski. The two-hour session includes demonstrations and hands-on participation, covering everything from grinding almonds to decorating the finished cake. Attendees will gain the skills to create their own chewy, almond-based celebration cakes for weddings, graduations, and special occasions. Cost: $45 members/$50 nonmembers. Learn more »

Bicycle Rally: Polish Constitution Anniversary
May 3 @ 1:30 to 4 pm - Columbia Heights: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - Join a family-friendly, non-competitive bike ride celebrating the Polish Constitution and Feast of Our Lady, Queen of Poland. The ride starts and ends at Huset Park, with grilled sausage served afterward. Bring your own bike. Location: Huset Park. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Baltic Americans and U.S. Soft Power During the Cold War
May 5 @ 5 to 6 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota - Join a conversation with Vincent Kancans, PhD Candidate in Germanic Studies, as he explores the hidden role of post-WWII migrants from the Baltic states and Eastern Europe in shaping U.S.-Soviet relations through soft power. The project highlights cultural 'proxy battles' like international hockey tournaments and political institutions such as the Captive Nations Committee, which substituted for open conflict and influenced American public opinion during the Cold War. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Family Fun Day: Cinco de Mayo
May 5 @ 12 to 3 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Celebrate Cinco de Mayo and Hispanic heritage with family-friendly activities including a scavenger hunt, piñatas, story time, and a loteria game. From 1 to 1:30 pm, join in to help break a piñata! This event is in partnership with Hispanic Outreach and Red Wing High School’s Hispanic Students United (H.S.U.), a student group created to represent and celebrate Hispanic culture. All are welcome. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Remembering the Lake Minnetonka Tornadoes of 1965
May 6 @ 7 pm (CT) – Mound: Lake Minnetonka Historical Society - Meteorologist Paul Huttner will discuss the science and impact of the devastating May 6, 1965 tornadoes that struck the Lake Minnetonka area. Sixty years ago, two F4 tornadoes killed three people, destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses, and forever changed the lake’s communities. Attendees can share memories and bring tornado-related artifacts or photos. Location: Gillespie Center. Cost: $10 members/$15 nonmembers. Learn more »

From the First Brick: It Changed My Life – Memoir Presentation by Lew Shaver
May 6 @ 6:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - Lew Shaver presents his memoir recounting fifty years of coaching wheelchair basketball at Southwest Minnesota State University, including national championships and his experiences working with athletes. Cost: Free will donation. Learn more »

America 250 Planning Open House
May 6 @ 5 pm - Eagan: Dakota County Historical Society – Open house for public feedback on planning for the America 250 event, with presentations at 5:15 pm and 6:15 pm. Children’s activities and light refreshments provided. Location: Lost Spur Golf and Event Center. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Annual Meeting
May 8 @ 5 to 7 pm - Cambridge: Isanti County Historical Society - Join the Isanti County Historical Society for their Annual Meeting featuring member updates, a meal, and a presentation by Doug Ohman, an avid metal detectorist who will share stories of unique finds across the Midwest, including Isanti County. Cost: Free. Learn more »

FAQs About Minnesota's State Flag and Seal
May 8 @ 6:30 pm - Jackson: Jackson County Historical Society - Anita Gaul, vice-chair of the State Emblems Redesign Commission, shares an insider’s view of the 2023–2024 process that created Minnesota’s new state flag and seal. Learn about the commission’s work, public input, and the meaning behind the new designs, which reflect Minnesota’s shared history, resources, and diverse communities. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Stripped of Citizenship: American-born Women, Marriage, and Expatriation in Minnesota
May 8 @ 2 to 3 pm - St. Peter: Nicollet County Historical Society - Historian Lori Ann Lahlum explores how federal legislation in 1907 caused American-born women to lose their citizenship when marrying alien men, with a focus on Minnesota’s unique records and the stories of these women. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Zumbro River Fiber Arts Exhibit Spotlight
May 8 @ 6:15 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the Zumbro River Fiber Arts Guild with a special exhibit spotlight. Doors open at 6:15 pm for a sneak peek and an opportunity to mingle and snack with the artists. At 7 pm, enjoy an engaging look back at 50 years of the Guild’s history and fiber arts contributions. Cost: Free members/$9 nonmembers. Learn more »

Exterior Painting Prep Hands-on Workshop
May 10 @ 12 to 4 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Join master craftsman Mark Johnston of Historic Design Consulting LLC for a rigorous, hands-on workshop covering essential steps for prepping your exterior painting project. Learn about site clearance, lead safety, scraping, caulking, and priming while working on a historic Queen Anne-style garage. Snacks and treats provided; bring your own beverage. Cost: $75. Location: 513 7th Avenue South, St. Cloud. Learn more »

Riverside Rendezvous & History Festival
May 10 & 11 @ 9 am to 5 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Step back in time with this living history festival featuring 18th- and 19th-century trades and traditions. Enjoy demonstrations such as blacksmithing, leatherworking, and candlemaking; live music by Hannah Flower, Curtis and Loretta, Skally Line, and the Roe Family Singers; and family-friendly contests including a Tomahawk Throwing Contest and Cane Pole Fishing Tournament. Moms get in free on Mother’s Day. Location: North Alexander Park. Cost: $5-10. Learn more »

Saving Your Stuff!
May 10 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Museum - Learn how to preserve cherished family items with Megan Brakob Narvey, Outreach Conservator at the Minnesota Historical Society. Discover the "ten agents of deterioration" and gain practical tips for caring for your heirlooms, followed by a Q&A session. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Suds on the St. Croix Exhibit Grand Opening
May 10 @ 3 to 5 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Celebrate the grand opening of the "Suds on the St. Croix" exhibit, showcasing the history of breweries in the St. Croix Valley. Explore stories of immigrants bringing brewing traditions, step behind the bar of a replica saloon, discover historic hotspots in Stillwater, learn how beer is made, and toast the craft brewing renaissance. Enjoy live music by local musician Scrapegoat. Learn more »

Romanian Women in Culture: A Legacy of Excellence
Every Sunday in May @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Explore the profound impact of Romanian women on the nation’s cultural heritage through weekly sessions highlighting their achievements in the arts, literature, music, and more. Their stories showcase courage, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of excellence, shaping Romania’s cultural identity and inspiring future generations. Cost: Free. Learn more »

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

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Settler's Square Museum, operated by the Marshall County Historical Society, Warren, MN.

Archival Hierarchy: Fonds, Series, Subseries, File, Item
May 5 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog - In this webinar, archivist Brittany Fox will demystify the archival hierarchy--fonds, series, subseries, file, and item--explaining the significance and practical application of each level with real-world examples. The session will address how to balance descriptive granularity with processing effort, considering time, collection complexity, and intended outcomes. It will also cover integration with the EAD schema, including its 12-nesting component limitation. Cost: Free. Learn more »

So Now What? Disposal of Materials After a Disaster
May 6 @ 12:30 to 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care – This special May Day webinar addresses the challenges small and mid-sized institutions face in safely disposing of collection materials after disasters. Participants will learn ways to protect volunteers, staff, and themselves; discover proper disposal methods for their communities; and hear a case study from the 9/11 Memorial Museum on health hazards associated with disaster response and recovered artifacts. Cost: Free. Learn more »

The Florence Price Archives: A Case Study
May 7 @ 11 am to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts – Learn about the preservation and significance of Florence Price’s archives, including their rediscovery and efforts to make them accessible. Presented by University of Arkansas archivists Er-Gene Kahng and Joshua Youngblood, this webinar highlights inclusive engagement in conservation. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preparedness Practices and Understanding Government Investigations & Inquiries 101
May 7 @ 1 to 2:30 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council on Foundations & Minnesota Council of Nonprofits – Join this complimentary session to learn about state and federal government investigations and assess your organization’s compliance and housekeeping practices, including records management, insurance review, and good governance. Cost: Free. Learn more »

One of Many Hats: Wearing In Your Education Hat and Making It Fit
May 14 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: PA Museums – Michael Madeja, Director of Education at the Independence Seaport Museum, explores how museum professionals can make the essential “education” hat more comfortable to wear. Discover resources, key questions for your organization, and practical tips to help you embrace and excel in the education role within your museum. Cost: $10. Learn more »

Putting It All Together: Preparing for 2026 at Small History Organizations
May 20 @ 11 am to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History – Learn about the Making History at 250 field guide, AASLH’s new handbook of low-resource programming ideas, and how to effectively apply these tools to your site or organization as you prepare for the 2026 Semiquincentennial. Cost: $45 members/$65 nonmembers. Learn more »

Safe Storage: Making Boxes and Mounts for Collections
May 20 & 21 @ 9 am to 5 pm (CT) - Minneapolis: Midwest Art Conservation Center - This 2-day hands-on workshop introduces a variety of stable and inert materials for collection storage and display. Participants will discuss the benefits of storage enclosures for physical protection, environmental buffering, air quality, and pollution control. Guided by templates, you’ll learn basic and custom box-making skills, create supports for collection items, and leave with a starter set of box-making tools. All materials provided. Location: American Swedish Institute. Cost: Free Minnesota Residents/$400 nonresidents. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• April Alert: Advocacy Activities, Updates on Federal Funding and IMLS - American Alliance of Museums

UPCOMING CONFERENCES IN MINNESOTA

June 4 - 6, 2025 Duluth, MN

May 27 - 31, 2025 Minneapolis, MN

May 6 - 7, 2025 St. Paul, MN

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Virginia McKnight Binger Heart of Community Honor 
Deadline - May 15: McKnight Foundation in partnership with the Minnesota Council of Foundations - This awards program celebrates seven everyday champions from across the state whose compassion and contributions serve as the heartbeat of our communities, and who inspire others to join in creating a more caring and connected state. Each honoree receives $10,000 in recognition of the significant impact they have had on the State of Minnesota and its communities. Learn more »

AMM Exhibit Professionals Conference Fellowship
Deadline - May 19: Association of Midwest Museums and Museum EXP announce the return of The Exhibit Professionals Conference Fellowship, featuring an all-inclusive experience to attend the AMM 2025 Conference in Davenport, Iowa. Professionals working in any exhibit discipline and located in one of the eight Midwest states of the AMM network are invited to apply. Learn more »

Ben & Jerry’s Foundation National Grassroots Organizing Program
Rolling Deadline - The National Grassroots Organizing Program (NGO) offers two-year unrestricted, general operating support grants of up to $30,000 per year, with an average grant size of $20,000 per year, to small (budgets under $350,000), constituent-led grassroots organizations throughout the United States and its territories. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Hinkly House Museum, Luverne, MN. (ca. 1970). 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.

Gammelgården opens for season on May 3; restoration of Pastor’s House is planned
Pioneer Press - Officials at the Gammelgården Museum in Scandia are undertaking a major restoration project starting this year. Many of the logs that make up the Prästgård, or Pastor’s House, which was built in 1868, have deteriorated and are in need of immediate repair, said Ann Rinkenberger, the director of the open-air museum. Continue reading »

In ‘Hmong Capital,’ Refugee Stories Are Told in Tapestry
New York Times - At museums in the Twin Cities, where Hmong families settled after a Vietnam proxy war in Laos, story cloths and other artifacts recount their history. Continue reading »

Trump administration cuts more than $1.3M in grants from Minnesota museums, institutions
Cloquet Pine Journal - The federal government is pulling museum grants from cultural institutions nationwide, including many in Minnesota. In April, the Institute of Museum and Library Services — the main federal funder of museums and libraries — told the Science Museum of Minnesota, the Walker Art Center, the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe, and the Ramsey County Historical Society their grants would be cut. Continue reading »

Sinking Bemidji parking lot offers clues into local past
KAXE - ...At the Beltrami County Historical Society, volunteer researchers Lois Jenkins and Ashton Loebs began digging into the historical records from that block. They found that it was once three addresses that comprised the Saar Motor Co. from the late 1940s until the lot was created sometime in the 1970s. The Saar Motor Co., according to historic phone directories, moved to Highway 2 beginning in the early '70s... Continue reading »

Featured Book The Day the World Burned (The Pine County Chronicles) by Kristina Shuey. Author Presentation & Signing Date: May 10 @ 1 to 3 pm Location: Pine County History Museum, Askov, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History Okabena: A Bank Robbery Revisited Volume 62, Issue 4, 2010	Featured Article MNopedia James J. Hill House Featured MNopedia Article	Minnesota Unraveled Part Two: Bringing Bison Home Episode 105

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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