Field Note

MNHS Local History Services recently checked the progress of the Hull Rehabilitation on the 1906 Steamboat "Minnehaha," part of the former Twin Cities Rapid Transit Company/Twin City Lines multimodal network. In 1926 it was scuttled due to declining ridership and financial losses. In 1980 it was raised from Lake Minnetonka's depths and subsequently restored. It was put back into service in 1996 and today is a beloved icon of Lake Minnetonka. The Museum of Lake Minnetonka (now part of the new Lake Minnetonka Historical Society) received a Legacy Grant from MNHS to help fund the current work on the hull. Unfortunately, the Minnehaha no longer has a place to launch on Lake Minnetonka. To return to the water, a new launch site needs be found.
 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Preserving the Minnesota Orchestra’s Concert Broadcast History, Phase II
As a result of this grant, the Minnesota Orchestra successfully digitized and preserved 205 performances from its archival collection of broadcast concert recordings from the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s. Prior to this project, those recordings existed only in unstable formats. This second phase of a multi-year effort allowed them to complete the digitization of concerts that were led by three of the Minnesota Orchestra’s most impactful music directors (Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, Neville Marriner, and Edo de Waart) as well as additional concert recordings deemed to be historic or especially imperiled. In addition to the musical record, many of these broadcast concerts also feature intermission interviews with guest artists, guest conductors, and other notable personalities that may be a rich source of information for researchers and others.
The master files (and access copies) were distributed to the Minnesota Orchestra’s library, Minnesota Public Radio’s Digital Media Archive, and the University of Minnesota Performing Arts Archive.
Recipient: Minnesota Orchestral Association
Funding Amount: $130,250
Project Details

NEW GRANT PROGRAM
Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota
August 23 (Required Pre-Application Deadline) - Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota is a competitive grant program funded by the State’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. It will provide historical and cultural heritage grants to cultural community organizations, historical organizations, and veterans organizations statewide. Grants may range from $10,001-$100,000 and are specifically for activities related to the commemoration of 50 years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota, a momentous occasion in our state's history. Email questions to Gillian Maguire. Learn more »

AUGUST Grants Open House
August 1 - 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 Forest Lake Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

4th of July History
Forest Lake has long celebrated the Fourth of July, even before its beloved parade first filed down Lake Street. The earliest mention of the day’s festivities appeared in the Stillwater Daily Gazette in 1898 under the Forest Lake area happenings: “The Fourth of July was celebrated here; during the day by races of many kinds and other sports, and in the evening by fireworks and a ball at Hotel Leon [located then in the spot where Reub’s Tire Shop is today].” Races, sports, and dancing certainly carried the day for many years, as evidenced by American Legion programs from the 1920s.

But what about the parade? While the Legion commemorates its 100th year of sponsoring the Fourth of July celebrations, the origin of the parade itself is still a bit shrouded. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Rudolph Lehmicke – Washington County probate judge - Washington County Historical Society
• Decisions, Destiny, and Dreams: Plympton’s Reserve, St. Paul’s Founding, and Desnoyer’s New Bridge Square - Ramsey County Historical Society
• Mrs. Ann Dooley published in the Morton Enterprise December 13, 1918 - Renville County Historical Society
• Celebrating the Legacy of Zins Hardware & Implement - Nicollet County Historical Society
• Now Showing: The University Film Society - U of MN Libraries

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• George L. Chesley Pipestone Photographer - Pipestone County Museum
• Devilment - Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
• Cooking Flatbread with Nancy Gulbranson - Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
• Kashubian Folklore - Kashubian Cultural Institute and Polish Museum
• Kaisen Mo: Immigrant Stories - Immigration History Research Center, U of MN
• The Minnesotan Who Invented the Paper Bag (with handles) - MinneCulture
• An Evening with Rochester Recordings - History Center of Olmsted County
• Sophie Wirth The Camp That's Near the Lake - White Bear Lake Area Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Farm Maintenance Technician - Oliver Kelley Farm
• Program Supervisor - Oliver Kelley Farm
• Creative Services Manager - History Center

LOCAL

• Two positions for Stories of Connection Project - Loppet Foundation, Minneapolis, MN
  • Arts Curator & Community Liaison
  • Environmental Education & Justice Specialist
• Donor Relations Coordinator - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Lifelong Learning and Accessibility Programs Coordinator - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Lead Educator - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Collections Move Technician, Cultural Sciences (Anthropology) - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Collections Move Technician, Natural Sciences - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Sales and Marketing Manager - Wisconsin Historical Society Press, Madison, WI
• Digital Imaging Coordinator - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Project Manager: Grant Wood Catalogue Raisonne - Office of Community Engagement, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Senior Coordinator of Education - Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL
• Archival Processing Technician (term) - Backstage Library Works, Chicago, IL
• Registrar - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
• Agriculture Experience Manager - Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers, IN
• Digital Archivist (term) - Wabash College, Crawfordsville, IN
• Historic Preservation Specialist/Above Ground Environmental Reviewer - Pennsylvania State Historic Preservation Office, Dauphin County, PA
• Museum Educator 2 -  Pennsylvania Military Museum, Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Centre County, PA
• President and Chief Executive Officer - St. Louis Science Center, St. Louis, MO
• Staff Accountant - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO 
• Campaign Coordinator - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO 
• Associate Director for Learning, Engagement, and Public Practice - Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska—Lincoln, Lincoln, NE
• Maintenance Technician & Office Administrator - Harold Warp Pioneer Village, Minden, NE
• Programs Registrar - Canadian Canoe Museum, Peterborough, ON
• Communications and Marketing Specialist - Museum London, London, ON
• Assistant Curator, Daily Life and Leisure - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Board of Directors, Member - East Side Freedom Library, St. Paul, MN
• Year-Round Intern - Union Pacific Museum, Council Bluffs, IA

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

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

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

Presentation: The History of the Pine River Dam
July 25 @ 7pm - Crosslake: Crosslake Log Village - Ellie Tabako, Park Ranger, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers will speak on why the Pine River Dam was built, how it’s operated, and what its main purpose is today. Learn more »

Event: Schoolhouse Roundtable - Digitize History
July 25 @ 10 am to  12 pm - Howard Lake: Wright County Historical Society - For those of you who grew up learning in a one room schoolhouse in Wright County, WCHS wants to hear from you! Stop on by the historic Welker Schoolhouse located at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake. You can chat about your experiences, show off photos, and even digitize them to help preserve their history. Participants can digitize up to 10 photos while at the Fair. Bring your own flash drive, or we will have for sale. Learn more »

Rehab Lab: Exterior Painting and Prep
August 3 @ 9 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Rethos - Prepping for painting? Whether you're looking to hire a contractor or considering the DIY route, join us for this workshop all about exterior painting. Historic preservationist Mark Johnston will talk through common causes of paint failure and proper painting prep. He'll teach you how to choose the right kinds of paints and brushes for your project. Location: Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. Cost: $45. Learn more »

Event: Concerts at the LeDuc
Each Sunday in August - 6:30 - 8 pm - Hastings: LeDuc Estate - Concerts in the Orchard on the grounds. Cost: Free. The bands playing:

• August 4 – The Squires
• August 11 – New Pearl Buttons
• August 18 – Darlene and the Boys
• August 25 – Double Down Daredevils

Event: Art in The Garden
August 4 @ 1 to 6 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society and Twin River’s Council for the Arts - Celebrate with fun and relaxing afternoon in the beautiful Hubbard House gardens and enjoy the rich art community. The event includes live music, garden and Hubbard House tours, botanical mixology demonstrations, local art pop-up, lawn games and activities. Cost: $20. Learn more »

Presentation: RESCHEDULED Creative Coffee Chat Kick-Off with speaker Corey Martin
August 8 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Nationally renowned Speaker and motivator Corey Martin, MD officially kicks off the launch of a new program, Creative Coffee Chats, aimed at combating social isolation & loneliness. Dr. Martin is an expert on the negative effects of social isolation & the dangers of loneliness to our health. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Submit an event »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: John Lind House, operated by the Lind House Association, New Ulm, MN.
Photograph by Bobak Ha'Eri, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

A to Z of HR: HR Compliance
August 1 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Most small and medium-sized nonprofits don’t have the resources to create a human resources department with an experienced HR professional. HR tasks may be done by the executive director, the chief financial officer, a manager or administrative staff – wherever there is a little capacity or a little interest. If this is you, we know the A to Z of Human Resources series can help! Join for one, two or all three workshops in this virtual series. Cost: $50 members/$70 nonmembers. Free. Learn more »

The Academic Museum (Fall 2024) - Online Course
August 26 through October 18 - Online Course: American Association for State and Local History - This new course is tailored for museum professionals in, or collaborating with, academic settings, aiming to enhance operations and address common challenges. Topics include art, natural history, science, history, fundraising, collections management, student engagement, and community outreach. The course equips participants with valuable resources for creating dynamic spaces. Cost: $250 members/$350 nonmembers. Learn more »

Voicing Our Own Value: The New Museum Labor Movement
September 6 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm (CT): Museum Association of New York - In recent years, museums across the country have seen a new wave of unionization efforts. As museum staff have begun to recognize the importance of organizing, these efforts often involve contradictions between new expectations and the “way things have always been done” at our institutions. Can unions provide new energy for cultural organizations rather than pose a threat? Can living wages and protections against toxic workplaces coexist within a vibrant and sustainable museum economic model? Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Finding New Audiences in Small Markets - American Alliance of Museums
• Rural Relevance toolkit – how to identify, care for and share rural collections - Rural Museums Network (a UK-based organization dedicated to preserving and promoting rural heritage)

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Public Scholars 
August 28 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This program offers grants to individual authors for research, writing, travel, and other activities leading to the creation and publication of well-researched nonfiction books in the humanities written for the broad public. Learn more »

Summer Stipends
September 18 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This grant program aims to stimulate new humanities research by providing small awards to individuals pursuing valuable research for scholars and general audiences at any stage of development. It funds a wide range of individuals, including independent scholars, community college faculty, and non-teaching university staff. Learn more »

National Leadership Grants for Libraries
September 20 - (Deadline): Institute of Museum and Library Services - These grants support projects that develop, enhance, or disseminate replicable practices, programs, models, or tools to strengthen library and archival services for the American public. Learn more »

Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program 
September 20 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities -  These grants support the training and professional development of library and archives professionals; developing faculty and information leaders; and recruiting, educating, and retaining the next generation of library and archives professionals in order to develop a diverse library and archival workforce and meet the information needs of their communities. Learn more »

Additional Funding Opportunities »

News

Survey on Government Support for Minnesota Museums
The Central MN Regional History Coalition is currently conducting a survey to assess the levels of governmental support for historical organizations in the state. The primary objective of this survey is to gather data on the extent of support provided by governmental agencies, including counties, cities, and townships, to museums in Minnesota.

"Direct" funding refers to any annual appropriation, such as stipends, memberships, donations, salary payments, utilities, etc., that your organization receives from a governmental entity continuously.
Take Survey »

'Little House on the Prairie' stars, fans descend on Walnut Grove, Minnesota
StarTribune  – ...Seemingly overnight, the town changed as thousands of fans of the show arrived in search of Laura Ingalls Wilder. "Grandpa was like, I can't keep driving people out here," Klotzbach recalled. Even 50 years later, Walnut Grove's Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum averages about 10,000 visitors each year, with about 15% coming from other countries, a statement from the museum said... Continue reading »

Stearns History Museum's John Decker; My Life
WJON – History has been his life. Longtime Stearns History Museum employee and award winning John Decker joined me on WJON for our My Life series. Listen »

Fillmore County Fair offers a history lesson at The O’Hara Country School
KIMT News – Chief Meteorologist Aaron White visited the O'Hara Country School at the Fillmore County Fairgrounds in Preston, MN and spoke with Joann Hall from the Preston Historical Society about the school and what people can learn by visiting. Watch video »

From a basement lab to computers worldwide, Concordia College digitizes thousands of species
MPR News – At a desk at Concordia College in Moorhead, student worker Katie Waugh grabs a specimen and lines it up at a new workstation, which includes a white background and adjustable digital camera suspended in the air. After photographing, color correcting and adding notes, the item is then added to the online database, organized by date, location and keyword. Continue reading »

Featured Book Gentlemen of the Woods: Manhood, Myth, and the American Lumberjack, by Willa Hammitt Brown. University of Minnesota Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History When Minnesota coveted Canada Volume 41, Issue 2, 1968	Featured Article MNopedia Cherokee Park, St. Paul 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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