Field Note

Local History Services visited with staff and volunteers at the Lac qui Parle County Historical Society in Madison, Minnesota on Friday, February 7. Local History Services staff helped them plan projects relating to some large photograph collections and assisted with IT needs.

Sign up for History Matters Day at the Capitol

Join us for History Matters Day at the Capitol on Thursday, February 27, 2025. This legislative session is vital for obtaining funding for history projects. Take the opportunity to meet with your legislators and share why history matters to you. History Matters Day at the Capitol provides a platform to highlight the efforts of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) and other history organizations. It encourages advocates to discuss with their legislators the importance of state funding to preserve our historical legacy. Sign up now »

Heritage Preservation Grants

Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
February 20 @ 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#

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, April 11, 2025.

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

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

Nellie Griswold Francis, the Women of Rondo, and Their Suffrage Crusade
It was 1921, and there was no better way to kick on a promising new year than with a bold declaration by a bold group of women from the Everywoman Progressive Council in Saint Paul's Rondo community. At 8 p.m. sharp, Union Hall, "was comfortably filled when the performance [of 'The Deacon's Awakening'] began." The one-act playlet told the story of an old-fashioned religious man opposed to equal voting rights for women. Deacon David Jones was upset that his daughter Ruth, a Howard University student and organizer of a club of "colored suffragists" was rallying women to vote in the 1920 presidential election. His family helped him understand and accept the positive social changes for women.  Nellie Griswold Francis, a suffragist, civil rights leader, and president of the Everywoman Progressive Council, directed and starred in the augmented play, written by Willis Richardson following the ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment on August 18, 1920. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• New in MDL: U.S. Representative Solomon G. Comstock’s correspondence with Civil War veterans - Minnesota Digital Library News
• New lumberjack history exposes plaid-clad myths - MN Brown
• 2025 North American Ice Diving Festival - Trident Sciences
• Hair Art at the Museum - Meeker County Historical Society
• Grant-in-Aid Awards, Karni Scholarship Winners - U of MN Libraries
• Henry Johnson's Snowmobile - Brandon History Center
• Abe Hall: Deputy Warden - Washington County 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

• The Richmond Old City Hall, a Story, Dr. Peter Rachleff - African American Registry
• Tracks in the Snow - Stearns History Museum
• Presentations from the Social Welfare History Archives and the Children’s Literature Research Collections - U of MN Libraries
• The FEMCO Farm Twin Silos & the Story of Frederick E. Murphy - Part 2 of 3
• Doug Johnson Part 2 on Commercial Fishing Trawlers on Lake of the Woods - Warroad Heritage Center
• Minn CWRT 2024 Symposium, Dr Lund - Slavery vs States Rights Seceding States’ Rationale for Disunion - Minnesota Civil War Round Tables
• Orphan Trains by Jan and Sid DeLeo - Brown County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Facilities Planner - MN History Center
• Volunteer Programs Manager - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Assistant Curator - Lake Superior Railroad Museum, Duluth, MN
• Walking Tour Coordinator - Preserve Minneapolis, Minneapolis, MN
• Learning Programs Coordinator - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Finance & Operations Associate - The American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN
• Tour guides and Desk attendants - Mayowood Historic Home, Rochester, MN
• Administrative & Project Specialist - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN
• Traveling Exhibits Installation Technician (Seasonal) - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN
• Director of Operations and Organizational Culture - Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul, MN
• Program Officer - Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, St. Paul, MN
• Statewide Summer Camp Staff - Bell Museum, Grand Rapids, MN

REGIONAL

• Marketing and Outreach Coordinator - Hoard Historical Museum, Fort Atkinson, WI
• Director of Development - New London Public Museum, New London, WI
• Associate Registrar - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI 
• Youth & Family Programs Learning Facilitator - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI 
• Facilities/Grounds Workers - Siouxland Heritage Museums, Sioux Falls, SD
• Museum and Visitor Services Associate - Journey Museum, Rapid City, SD
• Museum Site Managers - Historical Society of Pottawattamie County, Council Bluffs, IA
• Museum Educator - African American Museum of Iowa, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Director of Development - Friends of the New London Public Museum, New London, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Executive Director - Des Plaines History Center, Des Plaines, IL
• Curator - Glenview History Center Museum, Glenview Public Library, Glenview, IL
• Museum Archivist - McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington, IL
• Registrar, Exhibitions and Collections - Smart Museum of Art at the University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Historical Museum Summer Camp Counselor - Arlington Heights Park District, Arlington Heights, IL
• Executive Director - The Heritage and Research Center at Saint Mary's, Notre Dame, IN
• Project Manager, Marketing - Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers, IN
• Community Curator of Lenape Kinship Experience - Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers, IN
• Interpreter - Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Kalamazoo, MI
• Associate Registrar - Detroit Institute of Arts, Detroit, MI
• Historic Sites Building & Grounds Supervisor - Muskegon Historic Sites of the Lakeshore Museum Center, Muskegon, MI
• Collections Curator - Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
• Executive Director - Hardin County Historical Museums, Kenton, OH
• Group Tour Sales Manager - Weitzman National Museum of American Jewish History, Philadelphia, PA
• Partnerships and Visitor Growth Coordinator - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
• Communications Officer - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB
• Executive Director - Ottawa Museum Network, Ottawa, ON
• Communications and Marketing Specialist - Museum London, London, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Artist Collective Studio Fellowship - Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN
• Education Internship (Hybrid) - Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN
• Whitlock Research Fellowship - South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, SD 
• Intern - Forest Park Museum, Perry, IA
• Intern, History SEA - Waukegan Park District, Waukegan, IL
• Museum Intern - City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst, IL

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of Archives and Special Collections, Kathryn A. Martin Library, University of Minnesota Duluth.

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

Exhibit Opening - Making Room: Women’s Histories from the Northwest Architectural Archives
Now through May 30, 2025 - Minneapolis: Elmer L. Andersen Library - For more than 100 years, women have trained and worked as architects in Minnesota, yet their achievements remain largely unknown. Drawn from the collections of the Northwest Architectural Archives, this exhibit shines a light on the talented and determined women who made room for themselves in a field once reserved exclusively for men. Location: First floor gallery. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Digging Up the Past: An Introduction to Archaeology and What It Is 
February 20 @ 6 pm - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Archaeology is both the final and first step in the history of an artifact. Join RCHS Curator Jenna Nelson as she talks about how and why we do archaeology, the things we can learn, and what it means to history today. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. For more information call 507-332-2121.

Forestry in Southern Minnesota 
February 27 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Join Forestry Extension Professor and Educator Angela Gupta from the U of MN in a discussion regarding forestry in Southern Minnesota. Learn how trees and forests have changed over time and the potential challenges that climate change presents in our future. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

History Revealed – USS Indianapolis
February 27 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - St. Paul & Online: Ramsey County Historical Society - Join Ron Duffy, retired public radio producer, as he shares the story of the sinking of the USS Indianapolis in 1945 during World War II and his work interviewing four survivors. Learn more »

History & Art Talk about the exhibition The Black Vote
February 27 @ 6 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery - Join a discussion with Mica L. Anders, who will share her history research, and artists Charles Caldwell, Karen Caldwell, A. Drew Hammond, and Laura Marie, who will discuss their inspiration for their work that illuminates the historical events. Cost: Free. Learn more »

The Demise of Captain Kidd
March 1 @ 11 am to 12 pm - Becker: Sherburne History Center - Phyllis Scroggins will share her fascinating research on pirates and privateers in the 1600s, including the infamous Captain Kidd. Learn more »

A Supernatural Conversation
March 1 @ 12 to 2 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Supernatural Investigators of Minnesota (SIM) will present paranormal evidence that they have captured over the years, and will focus on their newest area of research, the dynamic field of Cold Case Investigation. SIMCrew Cold Case investigation has encompassed the cases of missing and murdered women in the Wright County area, spanning a timeline of over 50 years. Learn more »

Historical Society celebrates 90th anniversary
March 6 @ 7 to 9 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Celebrate their 90th anniversary at a special party, called "Linked to Local History." Everyone is welcome to come celebrate. Learn more »

Finding and Using Cemetery Records
March 8 @ 10 to 11:30 am - Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogy Center - If my ancestor isn’t listed on Find-a-Grave, how do I find out where they are buried? What sorts of records do cemeteries have, and how can they help me? Learn tips and tricks from a cemeterian on how cemeteries might advance and enhance your family history research. Cost: $30 members/$40 nonmembers. 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: Rural School Museum, Operated by the Pine City Area History Association, Pine City, Minnesota

Free Workshop: Historic Masonry Repair & Restoration: Brick & Stone
March 7 @ 9 am to 3:30 pm - New Hope: International Masonry Institute - For centuries, brick and stone have been essential building materials, valued for their durability and aesthetic appeal. However, exposure to weather, moisture, and improper repairs can cause deterioration, requiring skilled restoration techniques to preserve historic structures. This workshop covers material properties, common deterioration mechanisms, and best practices for restoration, including the formation of natural stone and the evolution of brick manufacturing. Participants will also explore the intersection of building restoration and technology, examining integrated software solutions for architectural preservation and maintenance. Local case studies will provide real-world insights into effective restoration processes. Following the educational lectures, join skilled, trained masonry instructors for a hands-on experience. We’ll also emphasize the importance of using trained craftworkers to execute high-quality masonry restoration and maintain the integrity of historic buildings.
Registration for the event is free. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided. Wear comfortable clothes you don't mind getting dirty and closed-toe shoes. Location: Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers Local Union 1 Apprenticeship Training Center. Cost: Free. Learn more »

History Hour Advocacy 
February 25 @ 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - The discussion will include: What’s the most important place for you to advocate for your organization—at the local, state, or national level? How do you engage your visitors, members, and supporters in advocating for your museum or historic site? Are government funds for your organization increasing or decreasing? Do you have tips to share about effective advocacy? Cost: Free. Learn more »

From Clear to Compelling: Writing Label Copy that Moves Visitors 
February 26 @ 10 am (CT) - Online: Texas Historical Commission Webinar - Make your label copy more compelling in this interactive workshop. We'll review the types and purposes of labels and explore how to write for visitor engagement. Beginners will learn how labels work together to create meaning. Experienced label writers will strengthen their skills in prompting different kinds of visitor response. Cost: Free. Learn more »

SEED: Provocation - What is DEAI when there is no 'DEAI’? 
February 27 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: SEED Trio - An open convening for museum educators to brainstorm how we use the new federally initiated constraints around diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion as inspiration to keep on doing the good and necessary work we do. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

TIPS & TOOLS

• Six Strategies for the Looming Crisis - American Association for State and Local History

UPCOMING CONFERENCES IN MINNESOTA

April 10 - 12, 2025, Minneapolis, MN Scholarships available.

April 22 - 24, 2025 White Bear Lake, MN

May 6 - 7, 2025 St. Paul, MN Scholarships available.

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Descendant and Family Stewardship Initiative
Letter of Intent - February 24 | Deadline - May 8:  National Trust for Historic Places - Supported by the Mellon Foundation, the Action Fund’s Descendant and Family Stewardship Initiative supports descendant community and family-led organizations to be leaders in the physical preservation, interpretative programming, management, and governance of historic African American places. Learn more »

Society of American Archivists Awards
Deadline - February 28: The Society of American Archivists seeks nominations for their C.F.W. Coker, Waldo Gifford Leland, Preservation Publication, Archival Innovator, and Theodore Calvin Pease Awards. 

The National Fund for Sacred Places 
Deadline - March 3:  National Trust for Historic Places & Partners for Sacred Places - This grant program is designed to support the preservation of historic houses of worship in the United States. It offers funding for critical repairs and restoration projects, helping communities sustain these important cultural and spiritual landmarks. Learn more »

Diversity Scholarship Program
Deadline - April 1: National Trust for Historic Preservation - This scholarship program provides registration for their PastForward Conference in September 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Learn more »

Cokie Roberts Fellowship for Women’s History
Deadline - April 14: National Archives Foundation - This fund will award up to $12,500 to support annual fellowships for applicants who will perform new research at the National Archives to elevate women’s history. Applicants can be based anywhere in the U.S. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Isanti County Historical Society Museum. (1982). View museum now »
This new section features slides taken of Minnesota history museums from the 1970s through the 1990s by David Nystuen, the MNHS Field Services Coordinator, and other Field Services representatives during that time period.

MN Digital Newspaper Hub - January 2025 content update
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 7,955 new issues and 133,225 new newspaper pages.
New publicly available titles & date spans:

• Minnesota free press (St. Peter, Minn.) 1857-1858
• St. Peter free press (St. Peter, Minn.) 1859
• St. Peter free press (St. Peter, Minn.) 1896-1912
• Nicollet County independent (St. Peter, Minn.) 1894-1896
• Lake City graphic-Republican (Lake City, Minn.) 1914-1917 added
• Zumbrota news (Zumbrota, Minn.) 1926-1932 added
• Duluth herald (Duluth, Minn.) 1953-1966 added
• Gaylord hub (Gaylord, Minn.) 1929-1942
• Silver Bay area shopper (Silver Bay, Minn.) 1981-1989
• Bay side shopper (Silver Bay, Minn.) 1989-2000
• St. Paul pioneer press (St. Paul, Minn.) 1949 centennial issue

New issues for the years 1977-2023 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library.

Archival Digitization Team Update for February
The Archival Digitization Team at MNHS converts analog materials into digital copies to enhance accessibility to collections, covering a range of items from manuscripts to audio and video cassettes. Learn more »

Published Media Content:

• Hubert Humphrey Sound Recordings
  (26 digital audio files, 970 MB)
• Gov. Orville Freeman Tapes & Films
  (37 digital video and 54 digital audio files, 1 TB)
• St. Paul Winter Carnival Association
  (5 digital video files, 4.3 GB)

• MNHS Institutional Archives Photos
  (38 folders; 673 photos/backs)
• Steele County District Court Criminal Registers
  (5 folders; 1,740 pages)
• Study Club records
  (5 folders; 368 pages)
• Credjafawn Social Club
  (1 folder + 3 reels; 1,847 pages)

Spring History Harvests
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County will be hosting a series of spring History Harvests in the communities of Barnesville, Hawley, Ulen, and Moorhead. HCSCC is hoping to interview people about built places in Clay County that have meaning to them. Anyone who has a story or a memory is invited to stop in and share, first-come, first-served. These buildings can still be standing or may be long gone. The interviews will be recorded and stored in the Clay County Archives. The stories about the places that result from the interviews will be shared with the public through the North Star Story Map. Learn more »

Preserving the past at Bloomington Historical Society
SunCurrent - A grant administered by the Minnesota Historical Society is helping the Bloomington Historical Society carry the community's past into the future. The local nonprofit organization was the recipient of a $2,550 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grant which was used to purchase new software that will help display the historical society's artifact collection in an online database. The funding is one of 30 grants of $10,000 or less awarded quarterly to help nonprofits, educational organizations, government units, and tribes to preserve and share Minnesota history. Continue reading »

Middle schoolers bring past to life in History Day competition
St. Peter Herald - On Friday, Feb. 7, dozens of students immersed community members and classmates in a wide range of pivotal historical moments during the school’s annual History Day competition. The event, a cornerstone of the seventh-grade curriculum, challenged students to research major historical events and figures and deliver educational exhibits, documentaries, websites or performances on their chosen topic. Continue reading »

Stearns History Museum Seeks Volunteers For New Program Helping Others Repair Homes
KNSI Radio - A place in St. Cloud committed to preserving history is looking for a few ‘handymen’ to help. The Stearns History Museum is teaming up with Reuse Minnesota and other organizations to teach local residents how to keep their homes’ original character and restore them to glory. The Fix-It Clinic classes will also focus on preserving items such as furniture or other heirlooms. But to do so, they need volunteers willing to pass along their knowledge. Continue reading »

Featured Book The Minneapolis Reckoning: Race, Violence, and the Politics of Policing in America, by Michelle S. Phelps. Princeton University Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History LandMarks: Worthington Armory and Community Building, Nobles County Volume 68, Issue 7, 2023	Featured Article MNopedia Women’s Advocates 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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