Field Note

On Tuesday, February 4, MNHS held its All-Staff Get-Together at the Minnesota History Center. Hundreds of staff from across the state gathered for presentations and team-building activities.

TOMORROW!
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

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

MARCH Grants Open House
March 6 - Online: The Grants Office will hold a virtual Grants Office Open House using Google Meet from 2 to 3:30 pm in order to provide additional grants support to our communities. We encourage people to RSVP to Gillian with a short summary of what you want to talk about and she will try to ensure that someone helpful will be available. Learn more »

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

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

William Thornton Montgomery - African American Farmer of the Red River Valley
Farmer William Thornton Montgomery had more land than any other African American in Dakota Territory. From about 1881-1900, he owned 1,020 acres two miles north of Christine, ND (about 20 miles south of Fargo) plus more land in Cass County and Manitoba. Local newspapers describe him as “a most worthy man,” and “the greatest Colored farmer of the Northwest.” 
 
W. T. Montgomery had a fascinating life. He was well educated (against the law) as an enslaved child. He served in the US Navy in the Civil War. His family bought the plantation where they were once enslaved, and for a time they were among the wealthiest merchant-planters in Mississippi. William’s appointments as a postmaster and a constable in 1867 make him likely the first African American to hold public office in Mississippi. He moved to Dakota Territory in 1881 because he was pessimistic about the prospects of African Americans receiving fair treatment in the South. Continue reading »

More MN Blog posts

• A Water Tower, a Pavilion and Three National Historic Sites: Clarence Wigington and the Architectural Legacy He Left to the People of St. Paul - Ramsey County Historical Society
• Doors Open Minneapolis Thrives on Community and Corporate Support - Rethos
• New in MDL: U.S. Representative Solomon G. Comstock’s correspondence with Civil War veterans - Minnesota Digital Library News
• G.A.R. Encampment Comes to Litchfield, part 2 - Meeker County Historical Society
• The Pitcher & Bowl - Wright County Historical Society
• Edith Robbins Daniel - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Sebastian Simonet: artist - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Pipestone County Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• The FEMCO Farm Twin Silos & the Story of Frederick E. Murphy: Part 3 of 3 - Minnesota Bricks
• We Live On - Stories of Radical Connection - Telling Queer History
• Seeking a New Understanding of Minnesota's Role in the Underground Railroad - History Center of Olmsted County
• Minnesota State Historic Preservation Review Board Meeting February 18, 2025 - Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office
• Episode 2: From exclusion to inclusion - Stearns History Museum
• ‘Danger in Familiarities!’ Relationship Advice From Social Workers & What I Did for Love - U of MN Libraries
• Doug Johnson Part 2 on Commercial Fishing Trawlers on Lake of the Woods - Warroad Heritage Center
• What's In a Name Part 5: Bald Eagle Lake - White Bear Lake Area Historical Society
• Minn CWRT 2024 Symposium, Dr Manning, Civil War Contraband Camps, Emancipation as a Refugee Crisis - Minnesota Civil War Round Tables

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Interpreter I - Jeffers Petroglyphs

LOCAL

• Request for Proposal, 75th Anniversary Publications - M.A. Mortenson Company, Twin Cities Metro, MN
• Manager of Guest Services and Administration - Hennepin History Museum, Minneapolis, MN
• Art Storage Technician - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Director of Development - The American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN
• WordPress Developer (Contract) - Diverse Emerging Music Organization - Twin Cities Metro/Remote
• Azure DevOps Developer (Contract) - Diverse Emerging Music Organization - Twin Cities Metro/Remote
• Center for the Arts Assistant Manager - City of Bloomington, Bloomington, MN

REGIONAL

• Library Conservator - Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Education and Security Specialist - University Museums, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
• Microfilm Digitization Assistant - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Custodian - Circus World Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, Baraboo, WI
• Tram Operator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Mechanic - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Education Facilitator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Experience Facilitator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Historic Gardener - Black Point Estate, Wisconsin Historical Society, Lake Geneva, WI
• Historic Bartender - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Guest Services Host - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Animal Encounters Facilitator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Historic Brewer - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Animal Care Assistant - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Camp Counselor - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Custodian - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
• Facilities Repair Worker-ADV - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Auxiliary Groups Senior Manager - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
• Curator - Smart Museum of Art, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Director of Exhibits - Discovery Center Museum, Rockford, IL
• Communications & Development Manager - DeKalb County History Center, Sycamore, IL
• Museum Archivist - McLean County Museum of History, Bloomington, IL
• Preservation Planner - City of Geneva, Geneva, IL
• Exhibit Manager & Technician - Fair Oaks Farms, Fair Oaks, IN
• Farm & Horticulture Coordinator - Hale Farm and Village, Cleveland, OH
• Cataloger - Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH
• Collections Manager - Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH
• Collections Specialist, History - Ohio History Connection, Cleveland, OH
• African American History Archivist - Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH
• Web & Digital Marketing Specialist - National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Columbus, OH
• Chief Executive Officer - Sauder Village, Archbold, OH
• Collections Curator - Northern Michigan University, Marquette, MI
• Director of Donor Relations - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
• Pharmacy Museum Research Assistant - Saint Joseph's University, Philadelphia, PA
• Historic Incentives Coordinator (Historic Preservation & Building Rehab Reviewer) - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
• Collections Manager - Spencer Museum of Art, Lawrence, KS
• Executive Director - Ottawa Museum Network, Ottawa, ON
• Communications and Marketing Specialist - Museum London London, ON
• Advertising & Events Coordinator - Devil's Coulee Dinosaur Museum, Warner, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Public History Internship - Historic Indian Agency House at Fort Winnebago, Portage, WI
• Underrepresented Artists' Historic Sites Research Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote
• African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund (AACHAF) Mapping Project Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote
• Conserving Black Modernism Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote
• SQL Report Writer Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote
• Community Preservation Research Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote

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.

History Partners Memory Cafe
Second and Fourth Tuesdays of the Month ​- Owatonna: Steele County Historical Society - This free program is open to people living with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers. This in-person program, which provides a social activity in a safe environment, connects family and friends with community services in the area. If you are new to the program, please call 507-451-1420.​ Cost: Free. Learn more »

Romanian Spring Traditions
Sundays in March @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Join them every Sunday in March to learn about the March 1 tradition of Martisor, the legend of Baba Dochia and the significance of Mucenici, the pretzel made with walnut and honey. Learn more »

Fairy Rings & Fables
Through June 14 - Chaska: Andersen Horticultural Library - Explore the enchanted forest of Andersen Horticultural Library and discover the bewitching botany and wondrous wildlife of familiar fairy tales and folklore. Inside you’ll find countless enchanting treasures from AHL’s collections, featuring flower fairies, fantastical fungi, and more. Learn more »

From Norway to Minnesota: A Dialogue with the Norwegian Parliamentary Delegation
February 26 @ 5 to 7:30 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Join Norway House for an exclusive reception and discussion featuring members of the Norwegian Parliamentary Delegation, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and leading experts in sustainability and clean energy. This timely conversation will explore key global challenges, with a primary focus on clean energy, sustainability, and U.S.-Norway collaboration, along with possible discussion on security, NATO, and transatlantic relations. Cost: Free, but registration required. Learn more »

The Great Minnesota Book Club: Slavery’s Reach
February 27 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Maplewood: Maplewood Area Historical Society - Gather with fellow book enthusiasts as they feature Slavery’s Reach by Christopher P. Lehman. Learn more »

German Storytime
March 1 @ 10:30 to 11:15 am - Minneapolis: Germanic-American Institute - Join in for a fun-filled storytime auf deutsch. Children and their families will immerse themselves in stories, songs, and activities that foster language skills. Location: Mayflower Church. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Film Series - On Eagle’s Wings: Minnesota’s Sacred Music
March 6 @ 2 to 3 pm - St. Peter: Treaty Site History Center - This one-hour documentary explores the dramatic shift in sacred music, beginning in the 1960s, when major Christian religions attempted to engage the congregation. Minnesota is home to a significant number of highly accomplished songwriters and musicians who have helped bring new music to many faiths. Cost: Members Free/$3 nonmembers. Learn more »

History Revealed: Vikings in the Attic with Eric Dregni
March 6 @ 1 to 2:30 pm - Minneapolis: Ramsey County Historical Society and Norway House - Join Eric Dregni at the Kaffebar at Norway House for a presentation on his book, Vikings in the Attic, where he explores the unique history and traditions of Scandinavia’s Midwest colony. Dregni, who has deep familial ties to Norway, shares captivating tales from his experiences living in Trondheim and his adventures in Nordic culture. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Finding Females: A Genealogy Workshop Adventure
March 8 @ 2 to 4 pm - Becker: Sherburne History Center - In this program, look at resources for finding female ancestors - a difficult task for many of us. Explore mostly free, online sources. Geared for beginners, but any experience level is welcome. Location: Becker Public Library. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Introduction to Family Search.org
March 8 @ 10 to 11 am - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Local expert Steve Barthel will introduce the free familysearch.org website, showcasing its extensive collection of Catholic and Protestant church registers and governmental records. Participants will learn to navigate the Family Tree, use diacritical marks, and understand the differences between a FamilySearch Center and a FamilySearch Affiliate Library, with a Q&A session to follow. Learn more »

A Historic Fashion Show Fit for a Queen!
March 9 @ 1 to 4 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Experience the opulence during this educational fashion show that will feature the work of Joy Melcher, a fashion historian and designer of historic clothing from Osage, Iowa. Joy has created costumes and period clothing for theatrical organizations and museums, including Lincoln Center, the New York City Opera, and the Smithsonian Institute. Her designs are also featured on an upcoming Netflix special. This year's show draws inspiration from the opulence and frivolity of the Queen Marie Antoinette era. Location: Rochester Event Center. Cost: $35. Learn more »

Sleuth Your Stoop – Become a House Detective. How to Begin!
March 10 @ 7 to 9 pm - Minneapolis: Linden Hills History Study Group - You live in an older house in the Twin Cities. Local historian Kathy Kullberg will share the tools and resources to find answers and other interesting details of your building’s history. By the end of the evening, you will be equipped for your own sleuthing. Location: St. John's Episcopal Church. Learn more »

Civil War Roundtable - The Destiny of the Capitol...Suspended by a Hair: Washington, D.C. in Peril from November 1860-April 1861
March 13 @ 1:30 pm - Litchfield: Meeker County Museum and GAR Hall - Washington, D.C. was located between two slave states, Virginia and Maryland. Following Lincoln’s election, the city’s fate was uncertain until the arrival of the first volunteer infantry regiments from New York and Massachusetts in late April 1861. Cost: Members Free/$3 nonmembers. Learn more »

Women Airforce Service Pilots Presentation
March 13 @ 7 pm (CT) - Rochester & Online: History Center of Olmsted County -  During Women's History Month, Frederick Beseler will present the story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) of World War II. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Finding Your Family: An African American Genealogy Workshop
March 15 @ 11 am to 12 pm CDT - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - Join in for a workshop led by archivist Michele Pollard, where you'll learn how to explore your genealogy and uncover your family’s history. Discover how to effectively navigate Ancestry.com, FamilySearch.org, and the National Archives to find your African American ancestors. 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: Rushford Depot Museum, operated by the Rushford Historical Society, Rushford, MN.
Photograph by Jonathunder, distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2.

4th Annual Dakota and Ojibwe Language Symposium
March 3 & 4 - Carlton: Minnesota Indian Affairs Council’s Language Revitalization Working Group & Minnesota Humanities Center - The goal of the symposium is to bring people working in Dakota and Ojibwe language revitalization together. They will use this time 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. By bringing people together, they hope this symposium serves as an opportunity for individuals to network with other Dakota and Ojibwe language professionals. Location: Black Bear Casino Resort. Cost: $30. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Budgeting
March 4 @ 9 to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel NonProfits - 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: $85. Learn more »

C2C Care Course Practical Risk Assessment for Small and Mid-Sized Cultural Heritage Institutions
March 5 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - Risk assessments are crucial for heritage institutions in emergency and business continuity planning, enabling participants to identify and evaluate potential risks specific to their institution. By utilizing existing knowledge and guidance from various sectors, participants will be equipped to prioritize risks based on their institution's key functions and assess their potential impact. Cost: $149. Learn more »

State and Local History Resources at the American Folklife Center  
March 5 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Join staff members of the American Folklife Center (AFC) at the Library of Congress for a free virtual tour of its resources, activities, and research opportunities as well as guidance on how to access, explore and utilize its vast archival collection, much of it now available online. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Saving Your Stuff: An Introduction to Preserving the Things You Value 
March 6 @ 10 to 11 am (CT) - Online: Texas Historical Commission - Megan Brakob Narvey, the Outreach Conservator at Minnesota Historical Society, will explain the "ten agents of deterioration" and how to preserve and protect the things you value. This presentation serves as an introduction to preservation for those volunteering, new to the field, and those who are new to preserving personal objects for future generations. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Workshop: Collections Management Fundamentals and Policies
March 10, 14, 21, & 28 - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - This course is designed to introduce you to the basics of responsible collections management. Specifically, how it can be done ethically, how it can be done sustainably, and how it supports your future work. Cost: $75 members/$90 nonmembers. Learn more »

Drinking in History: Why Main Streets?
March 10 @ 7 to 9 pm - St. Paul: Rethos - Rethos is the Coordinating Program for Main Street America in Minnesota. An asset-based economic development program that uses historic preservation as a core strategy for downtown revitalization, Minnesota Main Streets leads locally. The MN Main Streets program provides resources for local programs to learn, grow, and act, but ultimately decisions are made, and actions led, by a team of community stakeholders and local staff. The Main Street Approach works in any size community or urban neighborhood district. Join us to hear from a MN Main Streets expert, Rethos' Director of Community Programs Emily Kurash Casey. Location: Waldmann Brewery. Cost: $10. Learn more »

Museums and Civic Season: Inspiring Community Connections 
March 13 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - This session will feature insights from Made By Us partners who have participated in Civic Season, a nationwide initiative connecting communities to history and civic engagement, sharing their experiences and programming ideas. Cost: $10 members/$15 nonmembers. Learn more »

National NAGPRA Program: Notices under NAGPRA
March 21 @ 12 to 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: National Park Service - The third in a series of 10 webinars. Registration is required. Register once and attend any session. Mark your calendars and bring your questions. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Keeping public history accessible: the NCPH Labor Task Force - National Council on Public History
  • Labor Resources for Public History Employees
  • Labor Resources for Public History Employers

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

AARP Purpose Prize Award
Deadline: February 28 - This AARP award is a one-of-a-kind national award that honors people age 50-plus who are using their life experience to make a better future for us all. The award recognizes nonprofit founders with $75,000 for their organizations and a year of supports and resources to help broaden their impact. Learn more »

Al Larvick Conservation Fund
Deadline: June 1 - This Fund operates a grant program for the conservation of home and amateur audiovisual materials (moving image: analog film and video only) and their digital capture. Grants are open to individuals, institutions, and organizations. The program currently makes grants up to $5,000 under two separate categories: The Al Larvick Regional Grant which is limited to collections reflecting life in the upper Midwest states of North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Montana, and the Al Larvick National Grant which is limited to works recorded within the United States and primarily outside of North Dakota. Learn more »

Folk Arts & Cultures and Native Arts & Cultures Programs
Margaret A. Cargill Philanthropies - An invitation-based grantmaking process focusing on native and folk arts and cultures supporting the intergenerational transmission of artistic skill and cultural knowledge. Learn more »

McKnight Foundation: Arts & Culture Grant Program
This program aims to empower Minnesota's working artists and culture bearers, recognizing their vital role in fostering creativity, diversity, and justice in the community. Through a mix of grantmaking, fellowships, and collaboration, the program supports structures that equip artists to practice, produce, and lead. Learn more »

Northwest Area Foundation
An invitation-based grantmaking process focusing on building racial, social, and economic justice for Native Americans, communities of color, immigrants, refugees, and people in rural areas. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Cottonwood County Historical Society Museum, Windom, MN. (1982). View additional photos on Instagram »
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.

Let's Talk Periods: Share Your Story for Our Community's History
Beltrami County Historical Society - Half of the population experiences menstruation, yet it’s rarely discussed. The Beltrami County Historical Society is hosting “Women’s History, Period. (The Evolution of Menstruation)” from May 26 to 31, 2025, and seeks personal stories from the community to document these experiences. The event will also feature a mobile exhibit, a virtual book talk with author Abby Norman, and discussions on menstrual health with various professionals. Learn more »

Rice County continues to maintain historic cemetery with centuries-old graves
Faribault Daily News - In September 2022, the Rice County Board of Commissioners were moved by a presentation from the chairman of the Friends of the Old Prairieville Cemetery. They unanimously agreed the county government would take charge of the historic cemetery. Continue reading »

Owatonna library uncovers forgotten 1930s paintings in attic ahead of 125th anniversary
Owatonna Peoples Press - After more than a century in operation, the Owatonna Public Library was bound to have a bit of clutter in its attic. Continue reading »

Eden Prairie seeks to document its untold Indigenous history
Eden Prairie Local News - Long before Eden Prairie’s documented history of immigrant settlers began in the mid-1800s, another story unfolded along the area’s rivers, hills, and streams – a story largely untold. While books chronicle the arrival of newcomers, the voices and experiences of the Indigenous people who called this land home for generations remain whisper-quiet. Continue reading »

Featured Book The War at Home: Minnesota During the Great War, 1914-1920 by Greg Gaut. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book launch event  Date: March 11 @ 7 pm Location: Magers and Quinn Booksellers, Minneapolis, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History Newspaper snapshot: The Appeal (African American) Volume 67, Issue 3, 2020	Featured Article MNopedia Governorship of Jesse Ventura 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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