Field Note

MNHS' Grants Office was out at Brookdale Library in Brooklyn Center, MN for a Grant Information Session on the new grant program, "Commemorate 50 years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota." The presentation opened with Minnesota State Senators Tou Xiong (District 44) and Susan Pha (District 38) introducing the grant program to audience members.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: San Francisco Township District No. 22 School/Town Hall Stabilization and Repair
This 1917 one-room schoolhouse, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has been repaired for use as the Township's precinct and public meeting place. Repairs include infilling the basement, stabilizing corners, fixing foundation walls, installing drain tile, repointing limestone bricks, repairing chimney base and cracking, and adding new downspouts and windows. Community members also added an ADA-compliant wheelchair ramp as a grant match. This landmark reflects the Township's heritage and the value placed on education by early Swedish settlers. It served as a school until educational consolidation and now continues as a voting and meeting location.
Recipient: San Francisco Township
Funded Amount: $175,133
Project Details

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, October 11, 2024.

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the Anoka County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

Remember Them: Sgt. Peter Hedlund
Sergeant Peter Burr Hedlund was born in the microscopic community of Cedar, Minnesota, on February 16, 1944, and served in the United States Marine Corps during the Tểt Offensive of the Vietnam War. 

Known as “The Swede” by his fellow Marines, Sgt. Hedlund was a cook who belonged to the headquarters company of the 9th Engineer Battalion, 1st Marine Division. While driving a convoy truck loaded with critical supplies, Sgt. Hedlund’s vehicle was ambushed by the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) on February 7, 1968, not far from the besieged city of Huể. In a little-known engagement known as “The Road to the Graveyard,” Sgt. Hedlund and 19 other Marines lost their lives to enemy fire. Continue reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Park Puzzlers: Wirth, Gross and Minnehaha - Minneapolis Park History
• MDL publishes National History Day resource guide on Rights & Responsibilities - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Before the Libraries can preserve history, the processing archivists get to work - U of MN Libraries
• Rumble Bridge An Auditory Landmark of Lake Koronis - Paynesville Historical Society
• Back in time: Blackfeet visit Stillwater - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from Historic Cook County. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Getting Started in Genealogy with Amanda Lathrop Made with Clipchamp - Washington County Historical Society
• Shawn Hokuf: Air Corps Aviation of Bemidji, MN - Eighth Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota
• 2024 SMSC Wacipi - Sunday Afternoon - Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
• Teresa Marrone - The Beginners' guide to Dehydrating Food - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• Relationship to Watertown - Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
• Khushi Bhatt: Immigrant Stories - Immigration History Research Center, U of MN
• Pipestone's Historic District "Then & Now" and Historic Preservation - Pipestone County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Interpreter II - Ramsey & Hill Houses
• Program & Outreach Specialist, Native American Initiatives - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Visitor Assistant: Galleries or Box Office - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN
• Major Gifts Manager - Pavek Museum, St. Louis Park, MN
• Payroll and Benefits Administrator - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Museum Technician (General) - Sioux Indian Museum, Indian Arts and Crafts Board, U.S. Department of the Interior, Rapid City, SD 
• Archivist - Racine Heritage Museum, Racine, WI
• Executive Director - Racine Art Museum & Charles A. Wustum Museum of Fine Arts, Racine, WI
• Executive Director - Wisconsin Canoe Heritage Museum, Spooner, WI
• Assistant Director - Oshkosh Public Museum, Oshkosh, WI
• Education Coordinator - Manitowoc County Historical Society, Manitowoc, WI
• Operations Coordinator - Madeline Island Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, La Pointe, WI
• University Archivist - Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Metadata Librarian - Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Historic Tax Credit Reviewer - Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, Iowa Economic Development Authority, Des Moines, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Vice President of Communications, Marketing & Business Development - Illinois Holocaust Museum, Skokie, IL
• Manager of Exhibit Design - Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
• Senior Registrar for Collections - Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Executive Assistant - Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Out of School Time Educator - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Sales Associate - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Historic Site Interpreter - Corydon Capitol, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Corydon, IN
• Curator of Midwest Archaeology (Museum Curator) - Indiana University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN
• Director - Ross County Historical Society, Chillicothe, OH
• Director of Greenfield Village Operations - The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI
• Collection Inventory Registrar - University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, MI
• Collection Inventory Technician - University of Michigan Museum of Art, Ann Arbor, MI
• Historical Interpreter - Washtenaw County Parks and Recreation Commission County Parks Agency, Ann Arbor, MI
• Collections Manager - Sloan Museum of Discovery, Flint, MI
• Education & Events Coordinator - Frankenmuth Historical Association, Frankenmuth, MI
• Exhibitions Associate - Detroit Historical Society, Detroit, MI
• Director of Exhibitions - Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
• Director of Conservation - Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
• Digital Preservation Librarian - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA
• Site Administrator - Hawn State Park, Missouri State Parks, St. Genevieve, MO
• Database Administrator - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
• Museum Curator - Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archaeological Collections, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Saint Louis, MO
• Archives Technician - National Archives and Records Administration, Archival Operations, Independence, MO
• Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice - Sheldon Museum, Lincoln, NE
• Executive Director - Mid-America All-Indian Museum, City of Wichita, Wichita, KS
• Video Editor and Oral History Archive Manager - Yiddish Book Center, Amherst, MA 
• Senior Graphic Designer - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
• Director of Education & Exhibits - Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB
• Education Coordinator - Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• DPD Archival Intern - Department of Planning and Zoning, City of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, PA

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Minnesota Streetcar Museum.

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

Exhibit: Historic Photographs of Duluth
Open through August 31 - Duluth: The St. Louis County Historical Society - If you're curious about Duluth's past, now's your chance to explore it. The "Views of Duluth" exhibit includes old photos by Hugh McKenzie and other photographers from Duluth, showcasing the city's businesses and buildings from the 1900s. You'll get a glimpse into the everyday lives and fun activities of people from back then. Check out the spots and faces that have shaped Duluth's history. Learn more »

Presentation: Preserving Faribault’s Oldest Cemetery, Oak Ridge 
August 22 @ 7 pm - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Discover the history and preservation of Faribault's Oak Ridge Cemetery, the final resting place of early settlers. Uncover the stories of key individuals and families who shaped the area. The presentation will feature photos, headstone symbology, preservation methods, and future plans for the cemetery. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Presentation: Vintage Dresses in the MCHS Collection
August 22 @ 12 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - Jaimie Timm, the curator for MCHS, shares vintage dresses from their collection. MCHS opened a new exhibit at the Christ Episcopal Church with items from churches. This includes baptismal gowns, confirmation dresses, and wedding dresses. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: Old Fashioned Medicine Show
August 24 @ 1 to 4 pm Mankato: Hubbard House  - Step right up! Enjoy an afternoon of Vaudeville-type acts on the hour at 1, 2, and 3 pm with plenty to keep you entertained between shows including a world-renowned thought reader, palm readers, belly dancers, music, and more. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: Homes of the White Bear Lake Fire Department
August 26 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - White Bear Lake: White Bear Lake Area Historical Society & White Bear Lake Library - The City of White Bear Lake is getting ready to open the new Public Safety Building in August of 2024, which will become the fourth firehouse for the department. Discover the history and what other buildings and locations of the White Bear Lake Fire Department called home since 1888. Learn more »

Presentation: Vietnam Veterans Presentation Series
September 3, 4, 9 & 11 @ 6 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - Lyon County veterans, Ray Fox, Royal Hettling, Karl Porisch, and Rich Maurer will share about their military training, Vietnam service, and return from overseas. Cost: Free. Learn more »

• Tuesday, September 3: Ray Fox
• Wednesday, September 4: Royal Hettling
• Monday, September 9: Karl Porisch
• Wednesday, September 11: Rich Maurer

Presentation: St. Rose Academy: A Native American Boarding School on the Minnesota Prairie, 1884-1890
September 10 @ 6 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society Museum - The SHCJ sisters founded St. Rose Academy in Avoca, Minnesota in 1883. Bishop John Ireland secured a government contract in 1884 to educate Native American girls. Their House Journal provides insights into daily school life and challenges in the community. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: Who Lived Here? Longtime Linden Hills Residents and their Homes
September 12 @ 7 pm - Minneapolis: Linden Hills History Study Group - Through memories, research, and photographs, descendants of four families who put down roots in different parts of Linden Hills will compare and contrast their personal experiences and those of their forebears, building homes and navigating events of the Twentieth Century. Politicians, writers, publishers, businessmen, developers, church elders, and neighbors: we’ll find some of their challenges curious, and others very familiar. Location: St. John’s Episcopal Church. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

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

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Pickwick Mill managed by Pickwick Mill Inc., Pickwick, MN.
Photograph by Wikideas1 distributed under Creative Commons CC0 1.0 Universal Public Domain Dedication.

Exhibiting Your Collections
August 22 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Northeast Document Conservation Center - Cultural heritage organizations use their collections for public exhibitions, which poses preservation challenges. Exhibits offer outreach opportunities and promote collection advocacy. It's crucial to prepare collections for safe exhibition to maintain accessibility. This webinar emphasizes understanding exhibition risks and developing strategies for selection, space management, safe handling, and display techniques to mitigate these risks. Cost: $90. Learn more »

Empowering Effective Nonprofit Board Decision Making
August 22 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - The webinar will highlight ways to foster collaboration and create engagement among board members in order to harness the collective wisdom of the board and make informed and impactful decisions that advance your mission. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Introduction to Generative AI tools for research and writing
September 6 @ 12:15 to 1 pm - Online: U of MN Libraries - Have you heard all the buzz about the new generative AI tools like Chat GPT but are not sure how to use them (or if you should) in your research and writing? Or maybe you have experimented but are unsure. Learn about how these tools work, the pros and cons, and tips for incorporating them into your research and writing practice. The session is student-focused but open to the public. Cost: Free. Learn more »

How to Get Your Board to Fundraise
September 10 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Lyrasis - Join fundraising master trainer, Chad Barger, CFRE, for a workshop focused on equipping and motivating your board members to be great fundraisers. You’ll learn how to help them get over their fear of fundraising and develop the fundraising habit. Accountability and follow-through will also be discussed. The session includes tools and samples that you can use to start building a fundraising culture within your board. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Future Chat: Navigating the Culture Wars
September 12 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Alliance of Museums - Join the Center for the Future of Museums’ director, Elizabeth Merritt, for a new series, Future Chats. The series kicks off with Elizabeth hosting Julie Decker, Director/CEO of the Anchorage Museum, to discuss recent challenges museums face in the current culture wars. The session will cover pressures like protests, lawsuits, and threats to funding, and explore strategies for museums to navigate or counteract these issues. Following their discussion, participants will engage in virtual discussion groups to exchange experiences dealing with partisan pressures and to offer each other information and support. Learn more »

Open Source Software
September 16 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog Archivists & Historians - Discover why open-source software is ideal for archives in our upcoming webinar. They'll highlight its merits over proprietary options, emphasizing its role in enhancing archival management. Open-source software ensures the preservation and accessibility of collections through its flexibility, transparency, and community-led upgrades. It stands out for being constantly developed by a global community, making it a reliable and evolving choice for archivists committed to keeping their platforms updated and effective. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance
September 17 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - While this training is open to all, it is designed for those new to serving on a board or those who are contemplating joining a board. Cost: $85. Learn more »

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Oh Boy, SURVEYS!

The American Alliance of Museums requests data from museums for the National Snapshot of US Museums. The data will aid in creating advocacy and benchmarking resources for the field. This survey should be taken only by the CEO/Director of the museum or have been personally asked to take the survey on their behalf. Take Survey »

The Institute of Museum and Library Services is preparing for the 2025 National Museum Survey. The goal is to include museums of all types. Museums should update contact information to receive updates and information about the survey. Take Survey »

Funding & Awards

Spotlight on Humanities in Higher Education
October 1 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This grant program supports the exploration and development of small projects that would benefit underserved populations through the teaching and study of the humanities at small and medium-sized colleges and universities. NEH invites applications from two- and four-year institutions of higher education, as well as from nonprofit organizations, and state, local, or Native American Tribal governments aiming to advance the humanities at these institutions. Learn more »

Awards for Graduate Students
October 1 through December 31 - (Multiple Deadlines): Organization of American Historians is accepting applications for multiple awards for graduate students. Learn more »

Residential Fellowship Competition
October 3 - (Deadline): National Humanities Center - Scholars can apply for year- or semester-long fellowships or, if they work at one of the Center’s sponsoring institutions, may be eligible to participate in our month-long summer residency program. Applicants must have a doctorate or equivalent scholarly credentials. Mid-career and senior scholars are encouraged to apply. Emerging scholars with a strong record of peer-reviewed work may also apply. Learn more »

Civil Rights Grant Program
October 10 - (Deadline): The National Park Service - This Grant Program funds projects to document and preserve African American civil rights history. Administered by NPS, grants cover survey, research, interpretation, and conservation without requiring non-Federal match. Funding is available for physical preservation and historical research projects. Learn more »

Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Fellowships                
October 28 - (Deadline): Gilder Lehrman Institute provides annual short-term research fellowships to doctoral candidates, college and university faculty at every rank, and independent scholars working in the field of American history. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Preserving Upsala History
McCoy 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. Continue reading »

Music Educators Share Their Experiences at Beltrami County History Center
Lakeland PBS — The Beltrami County Historical Society held one of its brown bag history sessions on Thursday discussing the history of music of Beltrami County. The program offered a unique opportunity to hear firsthand from those who have dedicated their lives to fostering musical talent and education in the community. Watch Video »

Love for the lost: A small exhibit at the Weisman reimagines a moment of Black history
MPR — Eight portraits hang in a small gallery at the Weisman Art Museum. They are painted in sepia tones, giving them the appearance of an old family photograph. From their oval gilded frames, the people — children, mothers and fathers, husbands and wives, sisters and brothers — stare back. Continue reading »

Featured Book F. Scott Fitzgerald: A Composite Biography, Editors Niklas Salmose and David Rennie. University of Minnesota Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History A Sense of Recurring Uniqueness: Reviewing Local History Publications Volume 50, Issue 8, 1987	Featured Article MNopedia Die Volkszeitung financial fraud 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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