Local History Services staff was at the grand reopening of the City of Plymouth History Center. The museum underwent a remarkable transformation during the pandemic closure. The museum has been revitalized with new interpretive exhibits, a research center, and a lounge for oral history recordings. Kudos to the Historic Site Coordinator, Ryan Barland who successfully guided this transformative process.
Notice to Solicit Nominees to Historic Resources Advisory Committee
The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks candidates for service on the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC). Committee members recommend funding to MNHS' Board and provide policy guidance for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program, funded by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. There are two open appointments with the term starting on January 1, 2025. To be considered, please send 1) a letter of interest stating the reason(s) why you want to serve on the HRAC and 2) a resume by Monday, September 2, 2024, to carolyn.veeser-egbide@mnhs.org. For more information on becoming a Historic Resources Advisory Committee member, visit the website.
If you have questions, please get in touch with Carolyn.
NEW GRANT PROGRAM: Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota
August 23 (Required Pre-Application Deadline) - Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota is a competitive grant program funded by the State’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. It will provide historical and cultural heritage grants to cultural community organizations, historical organizations, and veterans organizations statewide. Grants may range from $10,001-$100,000 and are specifically for activities related to the commemoration of 50 years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota, a momentous occasion in our state's history. Email questions to Gillian Maguire. Learn more »
You are invited to attend a virtual information meeting for the Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota Grant Program!
MNHS Grants Office will host two one-hour webinar meetings via Zoom on August 8, 2024 from 1 to 2 pm and August 13 from 6 to 7 pm to assist applicants in preparing an application. All prospective applicants are encouraged to attend one of these informational meetings, but attendance is not required. No RSVP required.
Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
August 15 @ 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 Specialist Gillian Maguire
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 Blue Earth County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
Remembering Butternut
How many small towns have been planned with great hope, served a community for several years, and then gradually disappeared? One of those is Butternut, in Butternut Valley Township. Although it still appears on maps and road signs, there is little to be seen. Even the church closed in 2020.
The General Store was one of the last businesses to close. It began as a cooperative in 1894 and was run as such until 1948 when it was purchased by Oscar Julalen, finally closing in 1977. Continue Reading »
This week's post is from the Fridley Historical Society. 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 Beltrami County Historical Society.
Submit your history organization's news and events to localhistorynews@mnhs.org.
Event: Days of Yesteryear
August 10 & 11 @ 8 am to 5 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County & Mechanical History Round Table - Step onto the Ralph Stoppel grounds and be transported to a bygone era. Witness the marvels of yesteryear with thrilling live demonstrations. Check out the steam tractors, threshing of oats or participate in hands-on activities like broom making and woodworking. There is something for everyone. Learn more »
38th Annual New London to New Brighton Antique Car Run
August 10 @ 2:30 pm(ish) - Anoka: Anoka County History Center - The Antique Car Run from New London to New Brighton commemorates the historic 1896 "London to Brighton Veteran Car Run." This event showcases early automobile technology, featuring steam, gasoline, and electric cars with different designs and transmissions. It offers a unique opportunity to see these vintage vehicles in action, providing a firsthand experience of automotive history. Learn more »
A Raucous Ramble Around Minnehaha Falls
August 13 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - Explore the history of Minnehaha Falls with a one-mile guided walk led by Karen Cooper, author of "When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey." Discover the colorful anecdotes and historical significance of the Falls, meeting at Longfellow House. Cost: $10 – $14. Learn more »
Event: World Honey Bee Day Pollinator Party 2.0
August 17 @ 11 am to 5 pm - Janesville: Waseca County History Center & Hofmann Apiaries
Meet local honey producers and walk restored prairie and pollinator garden. Tour the historic restored honey house and wax shed and explore the historic Hofmann Apiaries site.
Live music with Arsenault & Pengra from 1 to 3 pm. Learn more »
Presentation: The Electoral College and Anoka County
August 20 @ 5:30 pm - Anoka: Anoka County History Center - Article II, Section 1 of the Constitution establishes the Electoral College as the method of electing the President and Vice President of the United States. Since the state began, Anoka County has had five such electors. Mel Aanerud of Ham Lake was one of the state electors in 2020. In his presentation, Mel explains the history of the Electoral College, how it works, why it was established, and how the 2020 experience was different from others. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Presentation: History on the River: River Refuge Centennial
August 29 @ 4 to 5:30 pm and 6 to 7:30 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Established in 1924 to be a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants and a breeding place for migratory birds, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge now covers more than 240,000 acres and extends roughly 261 miles of the Mississippi River across four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa. Part of the event series, History on the River Cruises. Cost: $35 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Submit an event »
Highlighted Museum: Phelps Mill, operated by Otter Tail County, Underwood, MN.
Photograph by Elizabeth A. Armour, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
August 20 @ 1 to 4 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota Alliance for Heritage Response (MN-AHR) - Librarians need to be prepared for emergencies and disasters in the library. Join in for an afternoon of hands-on emergency response and planning focused on libraries. Hosted by and located at the Minnesota Fire Museum. The session will cover fire safety, hands-on fire extinguisher practice, AED training, and emergency planning for libraries. This is a free opportunity for any person who works or volunteers in a library. There is a registration cap of 30 people. Learn more »
Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance
August 20 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This workshop is right for you if you are new to the nonprofit sector, nonprofit finance, or your position as staff or board member. Cost: $85. Learn more »
Stopping Stones: Honoring Enslaved Ancestors at Log Cabin Village in Fort Worth, Texas
August 21 @ 10 to 11 am (CT) - Online: Texas Historical Commission - In 2023, Log Cabin Village honored the lives of two individuals enslaved at the Port Sullivan Plantation Home that today serves as the Village’s main entrance and museum store. During this webinar, Village staff Rena Lawrence and Shae Nawoj will share the research that led to the installation of two memorial Stopping Stones and the ways such efforts can be used to tell the stories of our enslaved ancestors in a meaningful and relevant way. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Creating Timely and Culturally Relevant Sports Interpretation
August 22 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Interpreting Sports Founder and CEO Kathryn Leann Harris will walk you through the steps of identifying culturally relevant sports narratives from your own community such as local teams and fandoms and how to connect these stories to larger American history themes such as women’s history, military history, technology, Indigenous history, and civil rights. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
Old Collection, New Pride: Fresh Takes to Diversify Programming
August 23 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Museum Association of New York - Discover how niche museums creatively connect their collections to LGBTQ-friendly community events, inspiring inclusive programming. Learn from The Whaling Museum's use of historic archives in family programs with drag performers, and the Corning Museum of Glass's efforts to enhance inclusivity through community engagement. Gain insights, strategies, and practical tips to celebrate gender diversity through your collection. Cost: Free. Learn more »
From Endangered Place to Community Asset: Updates on Three “11 Most Endangered” Historic Places
August 28 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Join Preservation Leadership Forum for a conversation about what happens after a site is placed on the 11 Most list. Hear from representatives of Harada House in Riverside, California (Listed in 2020), L.V. Hull Home and Studio in Kosciusko, Mississippi (Listed in 2023), and the Cindy Walker House in Mexia, Texas (Listed in 2024) about how these once private homes are being transformed into centers of community life, and learn from the challenges they have found along the way. Learn more »
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Hometown Grants
T-Mobile - Applications are open for grants of up to $50,000 each to revitalize community spaces in towns with 50,000 people or less. Applications are open on a quarterly basis. Learn more »
Underrepresented Communities Grant Program
August 29 – (Deadline): National Park Service - This grant program supports the survey, inventory, and designation of historic properties associated with communities currently underrepresented in the National Register of Historic Places and among National Historic Landmarks. Learn more »
2024 Mike Colalillo Medal of Honor Scholarship
September 30 - (Deadline): Veterans Memorial Hall, St. Louis County Historical Society - This scholarship is open to any full-time student in a higher education institution in St. Louis County, or a resident who is a full-time student enrolled elsewhere. Scholarship applicants are required to submit a 4 to 10-page double-spaced research paper on a topic relevant to veterans of St. Louis County, MN. Amount: $1,500. See a full list of requirements and learn more »
Fall 2024 Grants for MN Girls
October 1 - (Deadline): Ann Bancroft Foundation - Grants are available for Minnesota Girls in grades K-12 to connect them to opportunities beyond their everyday worlds. From horseback riding to starting a business, community gardening to pre-college trips, camps to exploring music and art lessons - the possibilities are limitless. Learn more »
Recorded Sound Preservation and Music-Related Research Funded
November 1 -(Deadline): GRAMMY Museum Grants Program -These grants support efforts that advance the archiving and preservation of the music and recorded sound heritage of North America and for research projects related to the impact of music on the human condition. Learn more »
Discovery and Access to Congressional Records Collections
August 15: Draft | November 7: Final - (Deadlines): National Historical Publications & Records Commission - The National Historical Publications and Records Commission is seeking collaborative applications to develop models for addressing challenges in processing, preserving, and accessing Congressional Records. They encourage applications involving multiple entities actively working to improve the field. Learn more »
Translation Project Fellowships
January 16, 2025 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Arts - These grants support projects for the translation of specific works of prose, poetry, or drama from other languages into English. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Awards Opportunities »
—
A research team from Purdue University and Indiana University-Indianapolis wants to understand the challenges found in museum and library workers when working with disturbing situations, objects, and narratives. Participate »
What's New list from archival cataloging
This month includes newly cataloged materials, newly digitized collections or parts of collections, and recently updated finding aids. Completion of another important inventory conversion project, the Eastern Railway Company of Minnesota. Now there is a modern, easy-to-use online inventory created from an amalgamation of difficult-to-use typescript paper box lists and inventory sheets made years ago in the Minnesota Historical Society's pre-computer era. The collection (bulk 1889-1907) consists of 64 boxes and 8 rolls of microfilm and is part of the Society's massive Great Northern Railway Company Records collection.
In addition, newly added accessions this month include the Minnesota Statewide Independent Living Council. Other collections with additions or added digital content include the Abraham Lincoln certificate of appointment of David S. Schultz (August 7, 1861); the Faribault State School and Hospital, Individual School Records; the Governor's Proclamations; the Hennepin County Independent School District No. 273 (Edina) Records; the Legislature, House, Committee Books; the Legislature, Senate, Committee Books; the James McLaughlin Papers; the Mille Lacs County, Princeton Birth, and Death Records; the Public Safety Department, Criminal Apprehension Bureau, Criminal History Files; and the United States, Office of Indian Affairs, Sioux and Chippewa annuity rolls. Additionally, many newly encoded finding aids are now available online for the first time. Learn more »
Are plans for the Somali Museum in flux?
Spokesman-Recorder – The Somali Museum of Minnesota hopes to open a Somali cultural center to display its 1,500-piece collection in a new museum on Franklin Avenue. What will ultimately be built, however, remains in question. As museum representatives work with their consultants and their board on a vision, they are not entirely sure whether they will build a new museum on Franklin Avenue. Some neighbors oppose a new museum proposal because it could destroy a historic resource and gentrify the neighborhood. Continue reading »
Preserving Upsala history
Morrison County Record – More than three years after a fire closed the Borgstrom House in Upsala, the historic building with its rich collection is once again opening its doors to the public during Upsala Heritage Day. Board Members Sandy McMillion and Dianne Staricka said people will have the opportunity to tour the Borgstrom House during Upsala Heritage Day, Saturday, Aug. 10, from noon to 3 pm. It’s the large white house by Borgstrom Park near Birch Street in Upsala, McMillion said. Continue reading »
|
|
|
Featured BookTwin Cities Snapshots: History Through the Lens of the St. Paul Pioneer Press, with Nick Woltman and Molly Ballis Pediment Publishing. |
Featured Article
|
Featured Article
Purple Rain (film and album) |
|
||
|
||
Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
Preservation Specialists Directory |
Subscribe to Local History News
Use Local History News as part of your online tools to stay connected to your colleagues while working from home. Know someone who could benefit from this newsletter?
Have them sign up »
