Field Note

Staff from MNHS Local History Services and the exhibits team met with Cathedral of Saint Paul staff and volunteers to discuss ideas for updating the museum gallery.

History Matters Day at the Capitol is February 27

Save the Date: Speak up for history during History Matters Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 27, 2025. The 2025 legislative session will be an important year for funding history initiatives. Plan to visit with your legislators and let them know why history matters to you.

Stay tuned for more information on registration and about a webinar in the weeks prior to the event focused on tips and strategies for talking with elected officials about support for history.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Heritage Partnership Program Grant 
Heritage Partnership Program grants build the capacity of two or more eligible organizations to work together on their shared goals for Minnesota’s history. The mandatory pre-application is due Friday, January 24, 2025, and the final application deadline is Friday, March 7, 2025. The pre-application process is a requirement of this grant program. For more information contact John. Learn more »

Spotlighted Heritage Partnership Program Grant: Mutual Disaster Assistance Program Development
The Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums (MALHM) worked with the History Center of Olmsted County, Kandiyohi County Historical Society, Beltrami County Historical Society and vendor Midwest Art Conservation Center (MACC) to host 3 wet salvage workshops, equipping participants with skills needed to handle water-related collections emergencies. Participants left equipped to pass along the skills they learned to fellow staff & volunteers at their home organizations. The program included a two-part “Write Your Own Emergency Plan” workshop for organizations looking to develop their own emergency plans.
Recipient: Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums
Funded Amount: $38,526

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, January 10, 2025.

Grants Office Webinar: Museum Lighting Projects
Thursday, December 19 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Museum lights are an integral part of the visitor experience and can help with the long-term preservation of your collection. This webinar will explain how to use the grants program to plan and install updated lighting in your museum, including the different requirements for both non-historic buildings and buildings listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Presented by Outreach Conservator Megan Brakob Narvey.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬  PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the History Center of Olmsted County. Have a blog? Let us know!

The Super Power You've Always Had: Old Photos, Family Memories, and that Mix Tape of 80's Classics

Research on nostalgia suggests that reminiscing is not just pleasurable, it’s also good for you.

This is a special time of the year. A time for meeting friends and family over eggnog and reminiscing. Most of us look back fondly on holiday memories. Perhaps we recall shopping for presents with mom at Dayton’s or EA Knowlton’s or of taking the family on an enchanted Christmas tour of Mayowood. Sometimes a TV show, like Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, or hearing Bing Crosby will transport our imagination into the past. It turns out, those moments of nostalgia are not mere sentimentality.
Through dozens of research studies, Dr. Clay Routledge of North Dakota State University, along with other social scientists, have found that nostalgia is an important psychological resource “that helps individuals cope with life’s stressors, build strong relationships, find and maintain meaning in life, and become more creative and inspired” (Harvard Business Review, April 2021). Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• First Written Account of Pope County & encounters with the people who were already here - Pope County Historical Society
• Cokato Through Audrey's Eyes -  Cokato Museum
• Memories of Growing Up in Prior Lake - Scott County Historical Society
• Origin of the KA Shield  - Kraus-Anderson
• Correcting the Record for Jeannette Frank - U of MN Libraries
• Local Cold War connections remind that some wars never end - Minnesota Brown
• Fred Flint – owner of Stillwater’s streetcar line - Washington County Historical Society
• How it Was - Robbinsdale Historical Society 
  
  

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Linden Hills History Study Group. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Daniel and Alina Rimbu - Heritage Organization of Romanian-Americans in Minnesota
• Bookends Online Edition: Laura Hansen - Wadena County Historical Society
• The Orphan’s Barn – Lake Park Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• RCHS St. Paul Building Permits,  Find Yours! - Ramsey County Historical Society
• Pearl and Walter Hanse: Hall of Honor - Stevens County History Museum

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Museum Textile Conservator - Paisley Park
• Chair of Media Arts - Minneapolis College of Art and Design, Minneapolis, MN
• Archeologist - Minnesota Department of Transportation, St. Paul, MN

REGIONAL

• Education & Programming Coordinator - Wisconsin Maritime Museum, Manitowoc, WI
• Special Projects Preparator - John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
• Preparator/Registrar - South Dakota Art Museum, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD  
• Curatorial Assistant - Floyd County Museum, Charles City, IA
• Exhibits Technician - National Mississippi River Museum & Aquarium,  Dubuque, IA 

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Site Superintendent 2 - James C Helfrich Game Propagation Center, Illinois DNR, Lincoln, IL 
• Museum Theatre System Technician - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
• Guest Experience Specialist - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
• Executive Director - American Library Association, Chicago, IL
• North Regional Program Developer/Interpretive Naturalist - Limberlost and Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Sites, Indiana State Museum, Geneva, IN
• AV Systems Technician - Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN 
• Security Specialist - Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN
• Museum Educator - Floyd County Library, New Albany, IN
• Marketing and Graphic Design Specialist - National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo, OH
• Grants Manager - Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
• Director of Marketing & Communications - Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, OH
• Senior Principal Investigator, Architectural Historian - Gray & Pape, Cincinnati, OH
• Deputy Director for Curatorial Affairs - Columbus Museum of Art, Columbus, OH
• Director of Advancement - Heritage Museum of Newaygo County, Newaygo, MI
• Social Media Coordinator - Impression 5 Science Center, Lansing, MI
• Sawmill Interpreter - Historic Mill Creek, Mackinaw City, MI
• Museum Educator 2 - Erie Maritime Museum, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Erie, PA
• Assistant Exhibits Preparator - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
• Archaeology Collections Assistant - University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS
• Advisor, Truth and Reconciliation - Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, ON
• Senior Digital Preservation Specialist - This position is part of the National Archives and Records Administration, Remote
• Senior Historic Preservation Specialist - EDR, Remote

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Historic Preservation Intern - State Historic Preservation Office, Department of Education, Pierre, SD
• Museum Collections Intern - National Park Service, Omaha, NE

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Little Canada Historical Society.

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

Funk, Folk, Punk, and More! Places that Brought Minneapolis Music to The World
December 11 @ 6:30 to 8 pm - Online: Hennepin History Museum - Explore Minneapolis's diverse and vibrant music history with local historian Kristen Zschomler as she takes you on a musical and geographical journey through the city’s rich sonic heritage to explore the social factors that lead to the development of so many influential musical genres. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Genealogy Hour
December 12 @ 5:30 pm - Litchfield: Meeker County Museum - An informal gathering for genealogists. Use this time to work on your own family tree or to connect with other family historians. All are welcome, no matter your skills or were your family roots are from. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Christmas in the County 
December 14 @ 11 am to 4 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - Featuring family fun for everyone. Enjoy a bake sale, raffle drawing at 3 pm, and a silent auction until 3:30 pm in the Pioneer Building. Experience horse-drawn wagon rides, a chili lunch, kids' activities, and the chance to visit with Mrs. Claus. Learn more » 

Christmas Kneipe & Sing-Along
December 14 @ 4 to 9 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season to enjoy a beer or glass of Glühwein in the GAI Ratskeller. Drop in throughout the evening—we'll be singing German Christmas songs and enjoying good cheer in cozy surroundings—the definition of Gemütlichkeit! Cost: Free. Learn more »

HMong Batik Workshops
December 14 & 21 @ 10 am to 2 pm - St. Paul: Hmong Museum - Experience the beauty and tradition of Moob (HMong) batik facilitated by artist Ka Oskar Ly as an effort to reclaim this ancestral craft. Cost: $40. Learn more »

Like skiing? Thank a Norwegian!
December 14 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Life-long skier Roger Wangan will give the history of this remarkable gift from Norwegians. Roger will give an entertaining overview of Norwegian determination and their contributions to skiing. If you aren’t a skier already, he can also tell you about “Soft Skiing,” skiing instruction for older adults who really want to take part in this Norwegian tradition. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Festival of Trees Make & Take Event - Ornament Making
December 14 @ 10 to 11 am - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - The Festival of Trees is in full swing, and Saturdays are for a variety of make-and-take programs. This ornament-making event is for all ages, and no registration or materials are necessary. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Celebrate St. Nicholas
December 14 @ 1 to 4 pm - History Center of Olmsted County - Ever wonder how the Stoppel family may have celebrated Christmas? Their German heritage may have included Sankt Nikolaus, a beloved figure in German culture. The tradition of St. Nicholas is deeply rooted in German culture and is celebrated with great enthusiasm, especially in the southern regions of Germany. Children of all ages will enjoy celebrating a Stoppel German Christmas at the History Center with crafts, hot cocoa, cookies, and Christmas caroling with the Lady Slippers Quartet and the Rochester Chorale Symphony. Learn more » 

Minnesota Remembers The Battle of The Bulge
December 17 @ 7 to 8 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum - Settle into the rich storytelling of Alex Kershaw and hear his accounts of specific Minnesotans who fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Woodland Winter Walk at LeDuc
December 21 @ 5 to 9 pm - Hastings: LeDuc Historic Estate - Come celebrate Winter Solstice at LeDuc. Enjoy a seat around a campfire, s'mores, hot cocoa, and an open house self-guided tour of the LeDuc Estate and grounds in winter to celebrate the Solstice. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Family History Group
December 21 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Becker: Sherburne History Center - Monthly discussion group that gathers at the Sherburne History Center to learn about family history research and discuss their project. Learn more »

Romanian Happy Hour
January 17, 2025 @ 6:30 pm - Minneapolis: Heritage Organization of Romanian-Americans in Minnesota - Every third Friday of the month get together with other Romanians, Moldovans and friends; meet new people. Events organized, but not sponsored by HORA. Anyone is welcome. There will be no happy hour in December due to the holidays. Location Malcom Yards Market. Learn more »

Winter Exhibit: Folklore in the Forest
Through February 3 - Waseca: Waseca County Historical Society - Wander through the Folklore in the Forest exhibit and discover the enchanting traditions of German, Scandinavian, and Irish cultures, all brought to life through beautifully decorated Christmas trees. At the end of your journey through the forest, peer into a woodworker’s shop and experience the craftsmanship that brought local family traditions to life. 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: Red Wing Marine Museum, housed in the former main pumping station of the Red Wing Waterworks, Red Wing, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

Volunteer to be a Regional History Day Judge!
National History Day in Minnesota encourages students in grades 6-12 to engage in in-depth research and critical analysis on historical topics. This year’s theme is “Rights and Responsibilities in History.” Judging for History Day offers a valuable opportunity to connect with the local community and positively impact students across Minnesota.

As a judge, you will review entries in your preferred category, evaluate student projects, provide written feedback, and select projects to advance to the state competition. All volunteers must register in advance and attend a judge orientation. Both virtual and in-person judging opportunities are available. Sign up today! 
Learn more »

History Day Hullabaloo Research Open House Events
National History Day in Minnesota invites you to dig deeper into the theme "Rights and Responsibilities in History." History Day Hullabaloo is a research open house to get the details you need for your project. Drop in throughout the day to get one-on-one help from a History Day staff member or mentor. You can also attend mini-lessons on a range of topics and view sample projects. Learn more »

• December 14 @ 11 am to 3 pm - Rondo Public Library (St. Paul)
• December 16 @ 3 to 7 pm - Mississippi Library (Fridley)
• December 20 @ 9 am to 12 pm - Livingston Lord Library at Minnesota State University Moorhead
• January 8 @ 3 to 7 pm - Ramsey County Library (Roseville)
• January 9 @ 3 to 7 pm - Memorial Library at Minnesota State University, Mankato
• January 11 @ 11 am to 3 pm - Duluth Public Library (Duluth)
• January 11 @ 11 am to 3 pm - Minneapolis Central Library (Minneapolis)
• January 14 @ 3 to 7 pm - Hayden Heights Public Library (St. Paul)
• January 16 @ 3 to 7 pm - Eden Prairie Public Library (Eden Prairie)
• January 18 @ 1 to 5 pm - Wilson Library at the University of Minnesota (Minneapolis)
• January 21 @ 3 to 7 pm - Wildwood Public Library (Mahtomedi)
• January 26 @ 12 to 4 pm - Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center (St. Paul)
• January 30 @ 4 to 8 pm - Virtual Hullabaloo (Zoom event)
• February 1 @ 11 am to 3 pm - Minneapolis Central Library (Minneapolis)

250 Con
February 27 & 28, 2025 - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Join in for 250 Con, a pivotal event as organizations prepare for the 250th anniversary of the United States! With less than two years left, it's time for history enthusiasts to solidify their plans for this transformative occasion. Major initiatives are already in motion, and the impact of the Semiquincentennial will depend on our collective efforts. The two-day event will feature a keynote conversation with leaders from the Library of Congress, National Archives, and Smithsonian, along with presentations on key initiatives, breakout sessions for networking, and a virtual meet-and-greet with state 250th commissions. Don’t miss the chance to get involved and generate enthusiasm for this once-in-a-generation event. Cost: $50 members/$75 nonmembers. Learn more »

Celebrating USCIS Naturalization Ceremonies Webinar
December 12 @ 12:30 – 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: Institute of Museum and Library Services - This webinar will cover highlights of historic and recent naturalization ceremonies, offering best practices for local museums and libraries to partner with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for hosting these events. This webinar will share insights on the history of naturalization ceremonies and special USCIS partnerships, followed by a Q&A session. This event is part of a federal partnership aimed at providing citizenship and immigration information to museum and library professionals. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Getting Published
December 12 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Independent Museum Professionals - With all your hard work and experience, do you have something to share with your colleagues? Writing for professional magazines, journals and books not only strengthens our field’s resources but it also builds your skills as a professional and raises your profile. Join two editors for a discussion on how to start and maintain your writing projects. Cost: Free. Register »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Museums and Rural Schools - Museum Studies at Tufts University

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

The Eric DeLony Industrial Heritage Preservation Grant Fund
March 1, 2025 - (Deadline): Society for Industrial Archeology - Grants from $1000 to $3000 for the study, documentation, recordation, and/or preservation of significant historic industrial sites, structures, and objects. Awards are made to nonprofit organizations and qualified individuals. Learn more »

Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars Program                
September 15, 2025 - (Deadline): This program supports scholarly research projects using materials from the Libraries’ rare and special collections. Named for former governor and University of Minnesota regent Elmer L. Andersen, the new program honors the Governor’s passion for collecting and for expanding the use of the collections. The program is available to scholars, including faculty, graduate, postgraduate, and independent researchers, using the collections in the Department of Archives and Special Collections. This program is not available to currently enrolled University of Minnesota graduate or undergraduate students or UM faculty.

The program will provide support for research projects that require the use of one or more of the collections. Awards range from $500 to $2,000 and provide funds for travel, housing, and other research-related costs. The final research product (e.g., journal article, documentary film) must acknowledge the Libraries’ support and be deposited with the University Libraries. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

What's New in the Archives - November 2024
In addition to our newly cataloged materials, newly digitized collections or parts of collections, and recently updated finding aids, we are also celebrating our colleague David B. Peterson who has been with the MNHS for 38 years and is retiring this week.

New This Month
Newly added accessions this month include the Gilbert William Gutknecht Jr. Congressional Papers; the Hennepin County Maple Plain Records; and the United States Army Minnesota Cavalry Regiment Company H Record Books.

Collections with additions or added digital content include the C. C. (Christopher Columbus) Andrews and Family Papers; the Burlington Northern Clown Club and Band Records; the Education Department, State Board of Vocational-Technical Education Minutes; the Northern Pacific Railway Company Engineering Department Records; the Ramsey County, St. Paul, Independent School District No. 625 Records; the Ramsey County, St. Paul, Police Department Identification Photograph Cards; the Robert C. Bruce Productions Films; the State University Board Minutes; the Paul David Wellstone Campaign Records; and records from various Winona County School Districts. In addition, there are many newly encoded finding aids that are now available online for the first time. Learn more »

Historic Chippewa Village in Montevideo, Minnesota, adds Iverson Cabin to facilities
West Central Tribune — The as-of-yet untold story of a pioneer family’s start in Chippewa County rolled onto the grounds of the Historic Chippewa Village in Montevideo on Friday. Those responsible for the addition to the historic site admit the building looks pretty ugly, but they promise that will change in the coming year or two, as the Chippewa County Historical Society unwraps the siding and other weather-worn materials that have kept the two-story Iverson Log Cabin undercover for more than 75 years. Continue Reading »

Pearl Harbor attack gun may leave Minnesota Capitol grounds for new museum home
MPR — For 66 years on the Minnesota Capitol grounds, a 50-caliber gun with a barrel mouth 4 inches wide has served as a reminder of the distant Pearl Harbor attack on Dec. 7, 1941 that drew the United States into World War II. Minnesota’s connection to that event in history is that a St. Paul-based reservist crew helped man the gun on the USS Ward destroyer that day. They’re credited with firing the first shots in defense of Pearl Harbor, sinking a Japanese midget submarine. Continue Reading »

Stolen ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland in 'The Wizard of Oz' are auctioned for $28 million
WCCO News — A pair of iconic ruby slippers that were worn by Judy Garland in "The Wizard of Oz" and stolen from a museum nearly two decades ago sold for a winning bid of $28 million at auction Saturday. Heritage Auctions had estimated that they would fetch $3 million or more, but the fast-paced bidding far outpaced that amount within seconds and tripled it within minutes. A few bidders making offers by phone volleyed back and forth for 15 minutes as the price climbed to the final, eye-popping sum. Continue Reading »

Featured Book Quilts of Sherburne County This hardcover photobook contains quilts submitted by people all over Sherburne County, MN, as well as quilts from the Sherburne County Historical Society collections.	Featured Article Minnesota History Short and Sweet: Sherman Holbert's Mid-Century Mille Lacs Lake Maple Syrup Experiment Volume 66, Issue 2, 2018	Featured Article MNopedia Origins of the Minneapolis Homeless Shelter Movement 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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