Local History News: December 13, 2023

Field Note

MNHS staff provided a tour of collections storage, exhibit gallery, and classroom spaces to colleagues with the Somali Museum of Minnesota who are making plans to build a new museum space in the coming years. The Somali Museum project team included staff and building professionals.

Heritage Preservation Grants

The Grants Office seeks candidates to serve on the Minnesota Historical Society's Grants Review Committee
The Grants Review Committee (GRC) is a sub-committee of the Minnesota Historical Society's Executive Council. This committee recommends funding to the Executive Council for the Heritage Partnership Program, State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid, and special grant programs. The anticipated time commitment for GRC members is minor, with one to two public meetings per year. GRC members should have skills and/or knowledge to evaluate and apply criteria related to grant requirements and professional standards; work independently to read and analyze applications; communicate effectively during review meetings; contribute to an effective group process by being cooperative, constructive, and flexible; adhere to conflict of interest policy; have basic computer skills and ability to learn the application review process though MNHS' grant portal. The Grants Office will give first consideration to individuals who are knowledgeable about historic preservation or partnership development. There are three appointments available for a three-year term starting in January 2024. To be considered, please email carolyn.veeser-egbide@mnhs.org a letter of interest and resume by January 5, 2024. Please contact Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, Grants Manager, at 651-259-3469 or carolyn.veeser-egbide@mnhs.org with any questions.

State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid
This grant program supports historic preservation construction projects for publicly owned buildings in Minnesota. Eligible properties must be either listed in the National Register of Historic Places or determined to be eligible for listing by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office. The mandatory pre-application is due Friday, January 26, 2024, and the final application deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024. The pre-application process is a requirement of this grant program.  Learn more »

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 26, 2024, and the final application deadline is Friday, March 8, 2024. The pre-application process is a requirement of this grant program. For more information contact John. Learn more »

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, January 12, 2024.

Grants Office Webinar: State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid Program
December 21 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Yes, it's back! A funding resource for public entities (units of state and local government) that own a National Register or National Register-eligible property has returned. Learn about opportunities, project requirements, deadlines, and more during this upcoming webinar to see how MNHS can help fund your construction project. Presented by Design Reviewer John Beaty and Design Reviewer Ryan Maciej.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬ PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

From the Blog

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

20 Years in the Brinkhaus Livery Stable
Although the Chaska Historical Society has been in existence since 1980, our move to the Brinkhaus stable in 2003—After Y2K and 9/11, but before a myriad of other events—was a momentous time for the organization.
The historical society had had its home on the second and third floors of the Christian P. Klein mansion, located on the northeast corner of Fourth and Walnut Streets, since 1988. The space at the mansion was notable, not only because it was our first home, allowing volunteers to transfer to a central location the precious collections of artifacts and photographs they had stashed away in their garages and attics for safekeeping, but also because of the history the mansion itself lent to our existence. Often people would come visit us because of the opportunity it provided to see the heavy woodwork and hand-painted wallpaper inside the 1911 home. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• The People Who Lived in a Barn -  Hennepin History Museum
• Our Squadron in the Sky - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Then and Now with the Minnesota Digital Library and the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Changes to the Private Cemeteries Act - 106 Group
• Nine Things Children Are Great At - Museum Notes
• The power dynamics at the root of Iron Range history - MN Brown

From the Tube

This week's post is from New Prague Area Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

History of St Thomas
Learn about the Early History of St. Thomas and the amazing people who built this community.  Watch Video »

More MN Tube posts

• Episode 7: Cathee Vick - Hennepin History Museum
• The Last Bookseller pt 2 with Gary Goodman - Washington County Historical Society
• Red Lining and Racial Covenants with Phil Wheeler - History Center of Olmsted County History Center
• Windigo Point, the History,  located on Seagull Lake - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• Harstad Family History - Stevens County Historical Society
• The Significance of Eagles for Native Americans - Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
• On Strike, Shut It Down! "The Wisconsin TA Strike"- East Side Freedom Library

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Executive Director/Curator - Lake of the Woods County Historical Society, Baudette, MN
• Executive Director - Fillmore County Historical Society, Fountain, MN
• Executive Director - Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm, MN
• Alliance Coordinator - Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums - Remote
• Special Collections Librarian - Carleton College, Northfield, MN
• Curatorial Department Assistant, Global Contemporary Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art
  Minneapolis, MN
• Nature Center Program Director - Gunflint Trail Historical Society,  Grand Marais, MN
• Facilities Service Technician - Minnesota Children's Museum - St. Paul, MN
• Cultural Resource Historian - Minnesota Department of Transporation, St. Paul, MN

Instructor Openings
Rethos is looking for instructors for their classes. Instructors are contractors, tradespeople, architects, home inspectors, DIYers, handypeople, historians, and maybe you! They currently have a particular need for experts to teach basic home maintenance classes on topics like plumbing, electrical systems, weatherization, and heating/cooling. They're also looking for masonry and stucco experts to join our team. Email them if interested and for more information. A Rethos Education staff person will respond to you within a week of submission. EmilyN@rethos.org

REGIONAL

• Program Administrator - Center for Railroad Photography & Art, Madison, WI
• Event Coordinator - Wade House, Wisconsin Historical Society, Greenbush, WI
• Museum Maintenance Supervisor - Discovery World, Milwaukee, WI
• Development Officer - Great Plains Zoo & Delbridge Museum of Natural History, Sioux Falls, SD
• Technology and Online Resources Librarian - Black Hills State University, Spearfish, SD

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Facilities and Exhibit Technician - Kidzeum of Health and Science - Springfield, IL
• Education Programs and Bilingual Spanish Specialist - Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum - Chicago, IL
• Guest Experience Specialist (Seasonal) - Museum of Ice Cream - Chicago, IL
• University Archivist - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
• Archivist - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration, Ann Arbor, MI
• Manager of Security Services - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI
• Manager of Education - Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, PA
• Executive Director - National Museum of Industrial History, Bethlehem, PA
• Conservator, Head of Paintings - Conservation Lab, Ford Conservation Center, Omaha, NE
• Historian - U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, St. Louis, MO
• Education Manager - The Rabbit hOle KC, North Kansas City, MO
• Assistant Curator - Wellington County Museum and Archives, Fergus, ON

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Hennepin County Library.

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

Guided Timed Tours: Christmas at the Hubbard House - A Victorian Christmas Experience
December 9, 10, 16 & 17 - Mankato - @ 1 through 4 pm: Hubbard House - All-ages experience featuring Victorian Holiday décor with a special display of mittens, gloves, and muffs. Explore Victorian Holiday décor and traditions through Guided Tours beginning the top of every hour. Also, enjoy a festive scavenger hunt and Holiday Gift Shop. Cost: $7 members/$10 nonmembers. Learn more »

Exhibit Opening: Women's Equity and Gender Fluidity (3A's) Education, Finance and Real Estate
December 15 @ 6 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery - Come see the artwork of Donna Ray, 2023 MAAHMG Artist. The exhibition includes works of ceramics such as two- and three-dimensional objects and tiles with story vignettes exploring the issues of gender equality, landownership, education opportunities, and the socialization of women on three continents: Africa, Asia, and the Americas (the 3As). The exhibition runs from December 12, 2023, through February 3, 2024.  Learn more »

Film Showing: Legends, Heroes, Ghosts, and Gangsters
December 16 @ 1 to 2 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County History Center - Come the the History Center and watch the Minnesota Music History Channel's newsly completed full-length documentary putting the history of Minnesota together in a musical anthology. This project is an attempt to bring Minnesota’s rich historical past to life again in a musical anthology. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: Holiday Soiree 
December 28 @ 6 pm - South St. Paul: Dakota County Historical Society - This year’s Holiday Soiree will feature the Prohibition theme and guests are encouraged to come in their best prohibition attire. Each registration will include food and a 3-drink sampler as you visit, learn about prohibition history, and listen to background music from the era. A silent auction and raffle will be available throughout the night. Location: Hastings Golf Club. Cost: $50 member/$60 nonmember. Learn more »

Exhibit: Spirit of Place Gallery 
December 15 @ 5 to 7 pm - Grand Marais: Historic Cook County - Spirit of Place refers to “the unique, distinctive and cherished aspects of a place” – what it is that makes a place special. In her retrospective exhibit, Jayne Richards explores what that means to her with work both old and new. Location: Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. The exhibition runs from December 16, 2023, through January 7, 2024. Learn more »

Presentation series: Thomas Jefferson: Part 2
Wednesdays, January 10 through February 7 @ 12:30 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Ramsey County Library -  Join J.B. Andersen as he continues to examine the presidency of Thomas Jefferson, our Third President. He will look at the Louisiana Purchase, the Lewis and Clark Expedition (the route, the accomplishments, Jefferson's goals, Items not considered), little-known expeditions (Ouachiti River, Red River, Rocky Mountains, and Zebulon Pike in Minnesota), Thomas Jefferson and Native Americans and a whole lot more.  Cost: Free. Learn more »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Milaca Museum, operated by the Milaca Area Historical Society, Milaca MN.

Ethical Fundraising: Donors with Cognitive Impairment
December 14 – Online: Lilly Family School of Philanthropy - As awareness of Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, dementia, and other mental health challenges increase, fundraisers need to increase their knowledge of how to fundraise when a donor develops cognitive impairment. Learn how to recognize signs of cognitive impairment and the ethical fundraising practices associated with continuing a relationship with that donor. Cost: $19.74. Learn more »

What To Do When You Don't Get Funded    
December 18 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Grant Station - Alice Ruhnke will discuss what to do when you don’t get funded. You’ll see how you can use these challenging experiences to improve your proposals in the future, including the steps to take after you receive a rejection letter; common mistakes that lead to rejections in the first place (and how you can avoid making them); and, questions to ask to help you determine the best way to move forward. Cost: $39. Learn more »

Writing Capacity Building Grant Proposals
December 18 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Grant Station - Alice Ruhnke will define and discuss the fundamentals of capacity building grant proposals, using a practical approach with examples based on real experiences.  Cost: $69. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance
January 9, 2024 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - You will learn typical board responsibilities and explore the nuances of board authority and relationships. Participants take home Propel’s Nonprofit Board Governance workbook, which includes the Fiduciary Duties of Directors of Charitable Organizations. 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: $75. Learn more »

Virtual Summit: Doing History in Polarized Times
February 8 to 9, 2024 - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Despite broad public support for a full and honest portrayal of American history, fundamental divisions persist. How can the history field navigate disputes about the past, build on areas of consensus, and make the most of the coming U.S. 250th anniversary? This virtual summit will explore research, strategies, and case studies to help history-doers navigate today's fractious discourse. Learn more » 

TIPS & TOOLS

• Supporting the Next Generation, Part 1: Reflections - American Association for State and Local History
• Supporting the Next Generation, Part 2: Takeaways - American Association for State and Local History

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars Program                
The Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars 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 »

National Preservation Awards 
January 12, 2024 - (Deadline): National Trust for Historic Preservation - These awards are bestowed on distinguished individuals, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and corporations whose skill and determination have given new meaning to their communities through preservation and sustainability of our architectural and cultural heritage. Learn more » 

Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
January 12, 2024 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This grant program helps cultural institutions meet the complex challenge of preserving large and diverse holdings of humanities materials for future generations by supporting sustainable conservation measures that mitigate deterioration, prolong the useful life of collections, and support institutional resilience: the ability to anticipate and respond to disasters resulting from natural or human activity. Learn more »

National Trust Preservation Funds
February 1, 2024 - (Deadline): National Trust for Historic Preservation - These grants are intended to encourage preservation at the local level by supporting on-going preservation work and by providing seed money for preservation projects. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for preservation projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Learn more »

Landmarks of American History and Culture for K-12 Educators
February 14, 2024 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - Grants that support a series of one-week workshops for K-12 educators across the nation to enhance and strengthen humanities teaching. Learn more »

American Historical Association Research Grants
February 15, 2024 - (Deadline): American Historical Association - AHA members are eligible to apply for research grants with the aim of advancing the study and exploration of history in a diverse number of subject areas. Learn more »

Mosaic Scholarship
February 28, 2024 - (Deadline): The Society of American Archivists -  The scholarship provides financial and mentoring support to students of color pursuing graduate education in archival science, encourages students to pursue a career as an archivist, and promotes the diversification of the American archives profession. Learn more »

Cokie Roberts Research Fund for Women’s History 
May 15, 2024 - (Deadline): The National Archives Foundation - Awards up to $12,500 to support annual fellowships for applicants who will perform new research at the National Archives to elevate women’s history. Learn more »

News

NCSHPO Survey on the Rehab Standards - Respond by December 15
The National Conference of State Historic Preservation Officers (NCSHPO) and the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office are seeking input from individuals and groups who work with the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation. They have created a Stakeholder Survey specifically for frequent users of the Standards. The deadline for completing the survey is December 15, 2023. Your participation is greatly appreciated!  Additional details »

Fagen Fighters Museum near Granite Falls, Minnesota, opens new window on 'greatest generation'
West Central Tribune — Hundreds of people — military veterans and high school students among them — remembered Pearl Harbor Day on Thursday by stepping aboard the USS Essex aircraft carrier, where they were surrounded by fighter planes and uniformed sailors and Marines, and what looked like an endless view of the rolling Pacific Ocean. Continue reading »

Detroit Lakes teen restores WWI cannon at Becker County Museum
Detroit Lakes Tribune — Visitors to the Becker County Museum this week may notice a new addition to its exterior: A World War I Howitzer cannon, freshly restored, now rests on a concrete platform that was built just to the north of the museum's main entrance. Continue reading »

History Center makes final funding pitch as Olmsted County budget vote nears
Rochester Post Bulletin — Wayne Gannaway asked Olmsted County commissioners to consider a tweak to its 2024 budget during the next two weeks. “The History Center (of Olmsted County) reaches into every corner of the county, into every township,” the executive director of the center told the commissioners Thursday, during the county’s truth-in-taxation hearing. Continue reading »

Beltrami County Historical Society to acquire 1948 Great Northern Railway caboose
Bemidji Pioneer — The Beltrami County Historical Society is fundraising to cover the transportation costs of a historic 1948 Great Northern Railway caboose that will be permanently displayed at the History Center. Continue reading »

New St. Peter street named for historic Magner family
St. Peter Herald — "Brother against brother," "is a common refrain used to describe the American Civil War, but for Nicollet County’s Magner family, the phrase couldn’t be more true. And in honor of the family’s sacrifices and contributions to the local area, a newly acquired city street in St. Peter will be named after them. Continue reading »

Featured Book Spirits Dancing: The Night Sky, Indigenous Knowledge, and Living Connections to the Cosmos, Photography by Travis Novitsky, Text by Annette S. Lee. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book Launch event Location: Bell Museum, St. Paul, MN Date: December 13 @ 6 to 8 pm	Featured Article Minnesota History The Duluth homesteads: a successful experiment in community housing Volume 46, Issue 1, 1978	Featured Article MNopedia Willmar State Hospital 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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