Field Note

Staff from Local History Services and the Grants Office gathered for their twice monthly department meeting both in-person and online for updates and discussions on the week's events. Honestly, it was much more raucous than it looks. 

Above: Nary School Legacy Grants: Conditioning and Floor Remediation, Windows Interior Repairs, Repair and Replacement of Nary School Windows, and Nary School Historic Structure Report Recipient: Helga Township

History Matters Day at the Capitol is Thursday, February 29

Register Now for History Matters Day at the Capitol

Speak up for history! Join MNHS to show your support for history initiatives beginning at 9 am on February 29. This hybrid event will take place at the Minnesota State Capitol in Room G19 and will be live streamed on Zoom.

During History Matters Day at the Capitol, you can connect with your representatives to say thank you and urge them to provide strong support for asset preservation, facilities improvement, and historic preservation grants. Register today to attend either in person at the Minnesota State Capitol or virtually via Zoom!

Heritage Preservation Grants

Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
February 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 process again, this webinar is for you. Presented by Grants Associate Gillian Maguire.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬  PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

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

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from Minnesota Digital Library News. Have a blog? Let us know!

New MDL Contributor: Rondo Center of Diverse Expression
Rondo Avenue was a commercial-residential street just outside of the central core of St. Paul. It was home to small businesses, streetcars and busses, professional offices and services, community centers, churches, and much, much more. People of many ethnicities lived in the area, but by the 1930s, nearly half of the neighborhood’s population was Black. In 1964, the neighborhood was destroyed to make room for the new Interstate Highway 94. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• ‘To sing very soon’: 100-year-old book donated to Andersen Horticultural Library -  U of MN Libraries
• The Big Time City Band - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Our Archiving Process - Chaska Historical Society
• ASI in the Community: Comic Creators Program - American Swedish Institute
• Minnesota Pandemic Oral History - Hennepin History Museum
• 106 Group’s Exciting New Chapter: A Move to Vandalia Tower - 106 Group

From the Tube

This week's post is from Phyllis Wheatley Community Center. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Azania Tripp: 2023 MAAHMG Artist In Residence - MAAHMG
• Review Board Meeting February 6, 2024 - Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office
• The Red Light Crusades: Persecution of Prostitution - Koochiching County Historical Museum
• Valentine's Day History in Anoka County - Anoka County Historical Society
• 2024 Sunday SMSC Winter Wacipi -  Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community
• Mankato Music Scene with Pete Steiner - Blue Earth County Historical Society
• THE NELLIES: Amy Farber Teal - Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum
• The Skone Barn – A Carver County Minnesota Masterpiece - Minnesota Bricks
• Beware the Night Crawler, by Jim Jensen - Brown County Historical Society

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Event Coordinator & Membership Program Associate - MN History Center
• Program Supervisor - Historic Forestville
• Exhibit Designer - MN History Center
• Interpreter II - Ramsey and Hill House

LOCAL

• Supervisor - End-O-Line Railroad Park and Museum, Murray County, Currie, MN
• Collections Assistant - Crow Wing County Historical Society, Brainerd, MN
• Request for Proposals: Collections Storage Upgrade - Lyon County Historical Society, Marshall, MN
• Request for Proposals: Gangster Research - White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, White Bear Lake, MN
• Request for Proposals: Construction Documents for Church Roof, Dome, and Tower Restoration - St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Duluth, MN
• Education Manager - The Works Museum, Bloomington, MN
• Marketing and Communications Manager - The Works Museum, Bloomington, MN
• Freedom School Program Manager - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
• KAYSC Positive Behavior Intervention Specialist - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
• Head of Access Services and Media Librarian - University of St. Thomas, Twin Cities Metro

REGIONAL

• Director of Museum and Cultural Affairs - Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD
• University Outreach Coordinator - Crazy Horse Memorial, Crazy Horse, SD
• Marketing Specialist - Wisconsin Veterans Museum, State of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
• Laboratory Coordinator/Archaeology Curator - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Collections Move Technician -  Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Head of Interpretation - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Art Museum Educator - John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Sheboygan, WI
• Visitor Service Manager - Heritage Hill State Historical Park, Green Bay, WI
• Program Associate—1900 Farm/1850 Farm Domestic Lead - Living History Farms, Urbandale, IA
• Client Project Manager - McCullough Creative, Dubuque, IA
• History Education Specialist - State Historical Society of Iowa Education and Publications Team, Des Moines, IA
• President/CEO - Putnam Museum & Science Center, Davenport, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Volunteer Services Assistant - Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center, Skokie, IL
• Gallery Manager - Curator of Arts II - University of Illinois Springfield, Springfield, IL
• Conservation Resident - Northwestern University, Evanston, IL
• Director, Southwest Field Office - Indiana Landmarks, Evansville, IN
• Project Registrar - Billy Ireland Cartoon Library and Museum, Ohio State University, Columbus, OH
• Director - American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH
• Museum Director - Kent State University, Kent, OH
• Advancement Officer - Kalamazoo Institute of Arts Art, Kalamazoo, MI
• Museum Technician - Keweenaw National Historical Park, National Park Service, Calumet, MI
• Chief Growth and Strategy Officer - Museum of the American Revolution, Philadelphia, PA
• Archives Technician - National Archives and Records Administration, Kansas City, MO
• Researcher - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
• Researcher (1 year term) - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
• Archivist - Shingwauk Kinoomaage Gamig, Sault Ste. Marie, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Freedom School Servant Leader Intern - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
• Internship for Inventory Project - Vesterheim, Decorah, IA
• CLIR digitization intern - African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA
• IMLS Collection Intern - African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Archives Intern, Summer -  Northwestern Mutual, Milwaukee, WI
• Historic Sites and Museum Intern - Macon County Conservation District, Decatur, IL
• Summer Internships, Central Regional Office - Indiana Landmarks, Indianapolis, IN

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

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

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

Presentation: Immigration Then and Now in SE MN
February 15 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Phil Wheeler of Southeastern Minnesota Interfaith Immigrant Legal Defense will discuss the history of immigration in the Southeast region. This fact-filled talk will focus on the benefits to the region and the legal challenges faced by new immigrants navigating the current immigration system. Cost: $5. Learn more »

Presentation: Whistling Well Farm
February 15 @ 5:30 to 7 pm - Lakeland: Denmark Township Historical Society - Discover the fascinating details about the local apple farm, Whistling Well, by joining Charlie Johnson of Whistling Well Farm and the Denmark Township Historical Society. Gain insights into Whistling Well and explore two books authored by Johnson. Location: Valley Library. Learn more »

Author Presentation: The Heart of the Heartland: Norwegian American Community in the Twin Cities
February 15 @ 1 to 2:30 pm (CT) - Online: East Side Freedom Library - Author David C. Mauk will take an in-depth look at the Norwegian American community of Minneapolis–St. Paul and its deep and complex role in the economic, political, and cultural life of the Twin Cities over more than 170 years. Cost: Free. Learn more »

How the Irish Made Canada a Nation by Invading it
February 15 @ 7 pm Cannon Valley Civil War Roundtable - Presenter Tim Madigan of Northfield will speak about the Fenian Raids of 1866--battling in Eastern Canada and Minnesota with men getting as far as St. Albans, VT. Location: Northfield Township Hall.  For more information email them.

Presentation: Blue Earth County’s Main Streets – Mankato
February 17 @ 1 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County History Center - Discover the history of Mankato's Front Street. This program is in conjunction with their latest exhibit, Blue Earth County’s Main Streets. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Author Presentation: Tall Tales of Le Sueur
February 20 @ 6  pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County History Center - Local author Jason Lee Willis talks about his book Tall Tales of Le Sueur. Willis brings to life Pierre Charles Le Sueur through some of the tall tales that have been written about him throughout history. Cost: Free members/$10 nonmembers. Learn more »

Presentation: Black Pioneers of Washington County – who were they?
February 22 @ 7 pm (CT) - Stillwater & Online: Washington County Heritage Center - Executive Director Brent Peterson will be presenting stories about Black pioneers in the St. Croix Valley and the early trails that they blazed in a multitude of social and entrepreneurial arenas. Learn more »

Presentation: James E. McGrath: What became of his lumber fortune?
February 20 @ 7 pm (CT) - Stillwater & Online: Washington County Heritage Center - Bill McGrath will talk about his grandfather, James E. McGrath, considered Stillwater’s “last lumber baron.” James McGrath’s story is a rags-to-riches tale full of adventure and eventually, mystery.  McGrath’s grandson Bill raises several questions about the conflicted legacy James left behind, including his enigmatic disappearance and death. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Dawson Bank Museum, Dawson, MN.
KQED - Postcards The Dawson Bank Museum - Watch video »

Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit
The American Association for State and Local History's free "Interpreting African American History and Culture Resource Kit" is made up of AASLH conference sessions, webinars, History News, technical leaflets, and books that address topics such as working with descendant communities, celebrating Juneteenth, interpreting slavery for a variety of audiences, and the impact of the Black Lives Matter movement on museum practice. Check it out »

Digitization for Small Institutions
February 15 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Lyrasis - Participants will learn about starting a digitization program. The session covers the basics of project planning, equipment selection, digitization preparation, care, and during digitization. This includes technical information relevant to getting started with digitization, such as metadata, file format selection, compression, and more. The class also covers quality control, access, and basic concepts of digital preservation as relevant to small institutions planning digital projects. Cost: $100 members/$125 nonmembers. Learn more »

Dakota and Ojibwe Languages Symposium
February 29 to March 1 - Welch: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council’s Language Revitalization Working Group &  Minnesota Humanities Center - The goal of the two-day symposium is to bring people working in Dakota and Ojibwe language revitalization together. This time will be used to celebrate successes, highlight the current state of the field, shape future language revitalization efforts, and elevate the visibility of Indigenous languages throughout the state of Minnesota. Cost: $30. Location: Treasure Island Resort and Casino. Learn more »

Foundations of Community Engagement
March 4 - Online course: Museum Study - Do you have good relationships with all the groups you serve in your community? This 4-week online professional development course is designed to prompt thinking about why community engagement is important and to begin to develop a practical understanding of how to engage with people and communities in ethical, meaningful, and empowering ways. It draws from leading thought in community engaged practice to provide the necessary concepts, information, and practical tools to begin developing an approach to effective and meaningful community engagement. Cost: $400. Learn more »

Basics of AV Preservation 
March 5 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Minitex and the Minnesota Digital Library - The class will be presented by Alyssa Magnone from the Northeast Document Conservation Center (NEDCC). This class is geared toward libraries, historical societies, museums, and archives. If you have audiovisual materials in your collection such as cassettes, VHS, or reel-to-reel film this is for you. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Beginner Grantseeking
March 5 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - St. Paul & Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Explore and develop the skills needed for effective grantseeking. This training is specifically designed to help you gain important grantseeking competencies and skills related to researching, identifying, and matching funding resources to meet specific needs. Cost: $95 members/$135 nonmembers. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Budgeting
March 5 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Budgeting can seem overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Learn to use budgeting as another tool for you to tell the story of your organization’s plans, priorities, and aspirations. Propel’s 10-step budgeting process will also highlight ways to engage your board as well as staff across the organization. Cost: $75. Learn more »

SAVE THE DATE: Arrangement and Description: Fundamentals
April 18 & 19 @ 9 am to 5 pm - Minneapolis: Society of American Archivists - This two-day in-person course hosted at Minneapolis Institute of Art introduces the basic principles, concepts, and tools that archivists use to establish both physical and intellectual control over archival records. 
Instructors Pam Hackbart-Dean and Mary McRobinson will help students:

• Apply the common arrangement of various types of collections and material formats.
• Identify the essential elements of a finding aid.
• Evaluate and understand the day-to-day decisions made in arranging and describing archival materials.
• And more!

It counts toward the in-person requirement for the A&D program. Learn more & Register »

TIPS & TOOLS

• To Make Blockbuster Shows, Museums Are Turning to Focus Groups - NY Times

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Deadline Extended for Gale Family Library Legacy Research Fellowships
MARCH 1 - (Deadline): The competitive fellowship is designed to support research on Minnesota history that is conducted at the Gale Family Library at the Minnesota History Center. Fellows will work at the library and interact with MNHS staff. The fellowship is open to any post-college Minnesota scholar, public historian, journalist, writer, filmmaker or humanist who is engaged in Minnesota-related scholarship that draws on Gale Family Library resources and adds to the body of knowledge and interpretation of pre- and post-statehood history. Independent scholars and scholars — including graduate students — who are not eligible for funding through employment at academic institutions are especially encouraged to apply.  Among the criteria for a successful application is the project’s potential to educate and engage the public and scholarly audiences about Minnesota history and cultural heritage. For more information, including application instructions, visit the Legacy Research Fellowships website. Learn more »

21st Century Museum Professionals Program
March 1 - (Deadline) - Institute of Museum and Library Services - This grant program advances the growth and development of a diverse workforce of museum professionals. Learn more »

Native American Library Services: Basic Grants
March 1 - (Deadline) - Institute of Museum and Library Services - This program is designed to assist Native American tribes in improving core library services for their communities. Learn more »

American Latino Museum Internship and Fellowship Initiative
March 1 - (Deadline) - Institute of Museum and Library Services - This initiative is designed to provide opportunities for internships and fellowships at American Latino museums for students enrolled in Institutions of Higher Education, including Hispanic-Serving Institutions. The initiative will nurture students carrying out studies relating to American Latino life, art, history, and culture. Learn more »

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Fund for Historic Interiors
March 1 - (Deadline): National Trust for Historic Preservation - The purpose of the fund is to assist in the preservation, restoration, and interpretation of historic interiors. Grants generally range from $2,500 to $15,000. Learn more »

Challenge America Grants
April 27 – (Deadline): National Endowment for the Arts - This grant program offers support primarily to small organizations for projects in all artistic disciplines that extend the reach of the arts to groups/communities with rich and dynamic artistic and cultural contributions to share that are underserved. Learn more »

News

Why We Still Need Black History Month - Dr. Irma, Yusef Mgeni, Reiko Ho, Dr. Deborah 
Insight News - Today's episode we focus on the preservation and celebration of Black History. We have guests Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon, who is a museum anthropologist and the founder and CEO of The African Diaspora Museology Institute, Inc. She taught anthropology at Savannah State University and has worked for many years on museum and cultural heritage projects in several states. (mic issues- turn up sound) Watch Video »

Black Histories of the Northern Plains: Episode One Overview
Prairie Public TV - Episode one of "Black Histories of the Northern Plains" is an overview of how the plains were formed, geographically and culturally speaking, and when the first Black settlers arrived in the northern plains. The image of Black people in Minnesota and the Dakotas doesn't always spring to mind when thinking about this area. But this series will provide stories that people aren't familiar with, as well as perspective on the struggles these first Black settlers faced when arriving in the upper Midwest. Watch Video »

Plymouth's Old Town Hall to Reopen This Summer
CCX Media Community News - After shuttering its doors during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Plymouth Historical Society is planning to reopen its Old Town Hall this summer. It will operate as a museum and a research library. “What we’re really excited about is making this building relevant again using programming, using the collections, telling the history of Plymouth,” said Ryan Barland, historical site coordinator for the city of Plymouth. Watch video »

Stewards of Marine Mills History make official introductions
Country Messenger - Following in the more than 100-year legacy of the Marine Civic Club that disbanded in 2023, the Stewards of Marine Mills History made official introductions to the Marine on St. Croix City Council at their Jan. 11 meeting. Representing the group was Lisa Dochniak who introduced the club, its plans moving forward, and how they intend to keep the work of the Marine Civic Club going. Continue reading » 

'Dear Redhead' Exhibit Showcases One of Morrison County's Best Artists
Lakeland PBS - The “Dear Redhead” exhibit at the Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Museum in Little Falls displays some of the work of Wes Sod. While Sod's name might not be immediately recognizable, many in Morrison County are familiar with his art. Wes Sod's work is as versatile as it gets. Watch video »

Featured Book Indigenous Oral History Manual: Canada and the United States, by Winona Wheeler, Charles E. Trimble, Mary Kay Quinlan, Barbara W. Sommer. Routledge. Minnesota Independent Scholars' Forum Presents: The Indigenous Oral History Manual: Canada and the United States Time: February 24 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm Location: Shoreview Library, Shoreview, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History Valentines Volume 47, Issue 8, 1981	Featured Article MNopedia African American Students at Gustavus Adolphus College, 1963–1982 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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