Grants Office and Local History Services staff met Augsburg University staff for a site visit to see their new Heating, Ventilating, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system. Augsburg needed a new system to meet professionally-recommended targets for temperature and humidity for its archival collections.
Notice to Solicit Nominees to Historic Resources Advisory Committee
The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) seeks candidates to fill multiple open appointments to serve on the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC). Committee members make funding recommendations for grant requests of more than $20,000 and provide policy and grantmaking guidance for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program, funded by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. To be considered for a term starting on January 1, 2026, email 1) a letter of interest stating the reason(s) why you want to serve on the HRAC, and 2) a resume to Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, Grants Manager, at carolyn.veeser-egbide@mnhs.org by September 12, 2025. If you have any questions, please email Carolyn. For more information, visit our website.
Small Grant Deadline
Applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants quarterly small grant round (requests of $20,000 and less) will be due Friday, October 10, 2025. Contact the Grants Office with questions.
AUGUST Grants Open House
August 7 - 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 »
This week's blog post is from Trident Sciences. Have a blog? Let us know!
James J. Hill Barge Wreck
I had the opportunity to dive with Maritime Heritage Minnesota this week on a model barge sunk in Lake Minnetonka that was owned by James J. Hill (the Empire Builder and founder of the Great Northern Railroad).
The barge was launched on the lake in 1877 and was 85 feet in length and 18.5 feet wide. One of Hill's far-reaching business enterprises was logging, and this barge was used to haul cut lumber from the wooded areas around the lake to the train terminal. The wood was then loaded onto the trains for transport to the sawmills. Continue Reading »
This week's post is from the Anoka County Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
The Anoka-Champlin Bridge
Commuters along Hwy 169 are familiar with the Anoka-Champlin Bridge which crosses the Mississippi River. But what they may not know is that it is on the National Register of Historic Places. Learn about its history, all the way back to the very first bridge built there in 1884.
National Register of Historic Places series no 1 of 17.
Hosts Sara Given, ACHS Volunteer Coordinator, and Rebecca Desens, ACHS Executive Director. Listen to the podcast »
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
Postcard showing Ojibwe family and wigwam, one man, two women, and a small child.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Milaca Historical Society.
FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?
They Had a Big Feast: Chippewa City and Ojibwe Food Knowledge at the Turn of the 20th Century
July 22 @ 5 to 7 pm – Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society – Join author and historian Staci Drouillard for a rescheduled talk at the historic Chippewa City Church, exploring Ojibwe food knowledge and cultural resilience at the turn of the 20th century. Learn about traditional foodways and the enduring legacy of Chippewa City. Learn more »
Sámi Histories of Colonization with Christian Hans Pedersen
July 23 @ 6 to 8 pm – Online: American Swedish Institute – Join researcher Christian Hans Pedersen for a virtual presentation on the Sámi, the only recognized Indigenous people in Europe, whose traditional lands span Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Russia. Explore the complex history of colonization, cultural survival, and the Sámi’s political, economic, and spiritual roles within Northern Europe. Cost: $20 members/$25 general. Learn more »
Language, Loyalty, and the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety
July 24 @ 12 to 1 pm – Austin: Mower County History Museum – Explore the history of the Minnesota Commission of Public Safety (MCPS), a powerful wartime body created in 1917 to oversee the state’s war effort. Learn how the MCPS enforced loyalty during World War I through surveillance, censorship, and militia enforcement, often at the cost of civil liberties for many Minnesotans. This presentation delves into the complexities of language, loyalty, and political power in Minnesota’s home front during the Great War. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Until They Bring the Streetcars Back: The Great Minnesota Book Club
July 24 @ 6:30 to 8 pm – Maplewood: Maplewood Area Historical Society – Join The Great Minnesota Book Club to discuss "Until They Bring the Streetcars Back" by Stanley Gordon West. Part of a yearlong series exploring 25 Minnesota-themed books, this in-person and virtual event welcomes readers to connect and reflect on local history through literature. Learn more »
Dig Like an Archaeologist
July 24 & July 31 @ 10 to 11:30 am – St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum – Kick off the annual History Outdoors series with this hands-on archaeology experience for kids. Young detectives will learn what real archaeologists do, practice surveying a dig site, and conduct a simulated excavation for historic treasures. Activities are both indoors and out; dress for the weather. Designed for ages 7–13, but all ages welcome. Cost: Free members/$10 general. Learn more »
One Room Schoolhouse Program
July 25 @ 9:30 to 11 am – Howard Lake: Wright County Historical Society – Step back in time at the Wright County Fair with this interactive one-room schoolhouse experience for kids entering 2nd–6th grade. Enjoy games and hands-on educational activities led by a volunteer teacher at the historic Welker School site on the fairgrounds. Space is limited; pre-registration encouraged. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Meet the Bunnells: Lafayette
July 26 @ 2 to 3 pm – Winona: Winona County Historical Society – Learn about Lafayette Bunnell, brother of Willard Bunnell, who served in the Mexican War, California Indian War, and Civil War as a surgeon. Discover his writings about Winona and Yosemite, and hear stories of his life in the Bunnell house through expert storytelling. Part of the Meet the Bunnells series. Cost: $5. Learn more »
Sit and Sew: Hmong Paj Ntaub
July 26 @ 8:30 am to 12:30 pm – St. Paul: Hmong Museum of Minnesota – Participate in this hands-on workshop to learn the traditional Hmong art of Paj Ntaub (flower cloth) sewing. Doors open at 8:20 am for check-in before the session begins. Cost: $22.55. Learn more »
Family Pioneer Day
July 26 @ 11 am to 1 pm – Becker: Sherburne County History Center – Embark on a family-friendly history adventure! Kids and parents can visit hands-on activity stations, learn about pioneer life. Perfect for all ages. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Outdoor Painters of Minnesota "En Plein Air" Painting Event
July 27 @ 12 to 4 pm – Mendota: Sibley Historic Site/Dakota County Historical Society – Join artist Jack Dant for a Plein Air Painting Workshop at the Sibley Historic Site. Learn the history of this outdoor painting tradition in Minnesota and watch a live oil painting demo. All art supplies are included, and participants will leave with their own 8" x 10" portrait. Open to all ages and skill levels. Cost: $50 per person. Learn more »
Eliza Jane School Program
July 28 to August 1 @ 9 am to 12 pm – Spring Valley: Spring Valley Historical Society – Calling all students ages 6–12 to step back in time at this immersive one-room schoolhouse program behind the Methodist Church Museum. Activities include school lessons, guest presentations on crafts and skills, old-fashioned song and dance, and more. Limited seats available; early registration recommended. Cost: $60 per student. Learn more »
A Raucous Ramble Around Minnehaha Falls
July 29 @ 6 to 7:30 pm – Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum – Take a lively one-mile walking tour of Minnehaha Falls, exploring its raucous late-19th and early-20th century history filled with dance halls, secret saloons, lawsuits, and whiskey-fueled mayhem. Historian Karen Cooper, author of the award-winning When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey, shares colorful stories about the crooks, landowners, and reformers who shaped the park’s past. The tour begins at the picnic table in front of the Longfellow House. Please wear comfortable shoes and bring water. Cost: $10–$14. Learn more »
The History of Tourism and the Resort Industry in Our Area
July 31 @ 7 to 8 pm – Crosslake: Boyd Lodge – Explore the rich history of resorts in the Crosslake area, from their early beginnings through the 1940s, the booming ’50s and ’60s, and the changes over the past 50 years. Hosted by Mike Schwieters of Boyd Lodge, this program highlights what has changed, what remains, and what the future holds for this beloved local tradition. Learn more »
Healthy Waterways with Sheila Harmes and John Howard
July 31 @ 6 to 8 pm – Winona: Winona County Historical Society – Learn about local water systems and taste water from different sources at the Water Bar. John Howard will discuss ongoing efforts to improve the water quality of Lake Winona and maintain floodplain forests, while Sheila Harmes reviews historical and recent water quality improvement work in Winona County. Cost: $35–$45. Learn more »
Sounds of Romania: Exploring a Rich Musical Heritage
August Sundays @ 1 to 3 pm – Minneapolis: HORA Romanian-American Cultural Center – Embark on a weekly journey every Sunday in August through Romanian music, exploring its folk roots and modern influences that shape the nation's cultural identity. Engage with diverse musical traditions and their historical significance. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Life at the Pomme de Terre Fort
August 2 @ 1:30 to 2:30 pm – Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Society – Merilyn Mau presents her extensive research on the history of Pomme de Terre Fort and the soldiers stationed there. This county-wide event, held at the Veterans Hall in the Museum, offers new insights into life at the fort. Learn more »
Genealogy Club Workshop
August 4 @ 1 to 4 pm – Marshall: Lyon County Museum – Join this afternoon workshop covering the basics of genealogical research and deeper dives into census, military, and vital records. Learn essential research techniques, explore free and subscription resources, and discover effective strategies for uncovering family history details. A speaker will be available for questions between sessions. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Celebrating Togetherness: Same-Sex Dancing in Fargo-Moorhead by Larry Peterson
August 5 @ 6:30 pm – Moorhead: Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County – Discover how the LGBTQ communities of Fargo-Moorhead built safe spaces and celebrated identity through same-sex dancing in local bars and public venues during the late 20th century. This talk, with music selections, explores community, resilience, and joy. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: Terrace Mill, operated by the Terrace Mill Foundation, Terrace, MN. Part of the Terrace Mill Historic District.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.
September 10 through 13 – Cincinnati, OH: American Association for State and Local History – Join history and museum professionals in Cincinnati for the 2025 AASLH Annual Conference focused on “The American Experiment,” coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary. Explore themes of democracy, civic engagement, history’s failures and successes, and how history organizations can foster community dialogue. The conference includes sessions, tours, workshops, and networking events. Register before the early bird deadline on July 25 to save. AASLH members receive the lowest registration rates. Hotel blocks available at Hilton Cincinnati Netherland Plaza and Hyatt Regency Cincinnati with special rates. Cost: Varies. Learn more »
Year-round Advocacy: Being an Effective Advocate
July 24 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: American Alliance of Museums (AAM) – Join Brandy Dillingham, AAM’s Director of Advocacy, and Alexandra Coon, Executive Director of the Massillon Museum, to learn how effective advocacy is an ongoing process. This webinar covers building relationships with lawmakers and their staff, and strategies for becoming a more effective, year-round museum advocate. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Civil Rights Laws and Nonprofit Missions
July 29 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: Minnesota Council on Foundations & Minnesota Council of Nonprofits – Join Angela Fogt, Partner at Faegre Drinker, for a webinar focused on anti-discrimination standards under state and federal civil rights laws. The session will cover recent agency actions, litigation trends relevant to tax-exempt organizations, and practical legal insights to help nonprofits navigate compliance and advocacy. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Human Resources for Small Museums
July 29 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) – Online: Northeast-Midwest Museums Association (NEMO) – Join this free webinar focused on human resource strategies tailored to the unique needs and challenges of small museums. Topics include practical HR management without dedicated HR staff, creating supportive work environments, preventing burnout, and navigating policies on workplace safety, equity, and harassment. Gain insights to improve staff recruitment, retention, and well-being in small nonprofit museum settings. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Grant Writing Strategies
July 31 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation Preservation Leadership Forum – Join National Trust staff from the Preservation Services and Outreach Department and the Development Division for a live webinar sharing tips and techniques to write strong grant applications. While some content focuses on National Trust grants, the strategies offered are broadly applicable to nonprofits nationwide facing changes in governmental funding. Note: No recording will be available; key resources and the slide deck will be provided afterward. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Scenario Planning
August 5 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) – Online: Propel Nonprofits – This free webinar provides practical techniques and approaches for having critical organizational conversations to support decision making. It also offers analytical tools to help assess risks to income and analyze expense flexibility, enabling nonprofits to prepare for multiple possible futures and enhance organizational resilience. Cost: Free. Learn more »
From Project to Perpetuity: How St. Kate’s Built a Lasting Outdoor Sculpture Corps
August 14 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: Connecting to Collections Care – This webinar presents a case study of St. Catherine University’s (St. Kate’s) Outdoor Sculpture Corps, created in 2023/2024 to provide ongoing care and conservation for outdoor sculptures on campus. Learn about the collection and its environment, funding strategies, project outcomes, and advice for institutions considering similar long-term maintenance programs. Presented by Jennifer Adam, Visual Resources Curator at St. Catherine University. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Safety in Numbers: A Team-based, Interdisciplinary, Collaborative Approach to Addressing Hazardous Museum Collections
August 18 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) – Online: Johns Hopkins Education and Research Center for Occupational Safety and Health – Learn how a collaborative team-based approach can address safety challenges in hazardous museum collections. This webinar explores interdisciplinary strategies for managing risks effectively in museum environments. Organized by The George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum. Cost: Free. Learn more »
“Level Up” Your Resume
August 19 @ 6 to 7 pm (CT) – Online: Association of Registrars and Collections Specialists (ARCS) – This session offers practical strategies for effective resume writing, tailored for professionals ranging from first-time job seekers to mid-career individuals aiming for advancement opportunities. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Let's Talk Museum Stores: Unpacking Their Value for Your Museum
August 21 @ 10 to 11 am (CT) – Online: Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) – Discover how mission-driven museum stores can deepen visitor engagement, foster community impact, and strengthen your museum’s identity. This interactive webinar includes polls, real-world examples, and collaborative discussions on curated products, local partnerships, and cross-departmental collaboration to empower you to champion your store’s unique role within the museum’s mission. Cost: Free members/$15 general. Learn more »
Introduction to Museum Endowments (Fall 2025)
August 25 – September 21 – Online: American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) – This 4-week online course introduces museum professionals and trustees to the structure, benefits, and challenges of managing endowment funds. Participants will learn foundational terms, best practices for fund management, how endowment spending supports operations and special projects, donor stewardship connections, and explore impact investing and advocacy strategies. The course includes weekly assignments, real-time online office hours, and requires approximately 2-5 hours of study per week. Cost: $199 members/$299 general, with a 10% discount for STEPS participants. Required text: Endowment Essentials for Museums by Rebekah Beaulieu (purchase separately). Learn more »
27th International Preservation Trades Workshop (IPTW 2025)
September 11-13 @ all day – St. Paul, MN: Preservation Trades Network – Join experts in traditional building trades for a three-day event featuring hands-on demonstrations and workshops in carpentry, masonry, plastering, roofing, and more. Attendees can network with professionals, attend sessions, and participate in pre-conference workshops. Discounts and scholarships available for students and apprentices. Cost: Varies. Learn more »
19th Annual Local History & Historic Preservation Conference
October 15 – 17 – Baraboo, WI: Hosted by the Wisconsin Historical Society - This year’s conference theme is “Common Threads: Weaving Stories Across Time & Place.” Join dynamic speakers, engaging breakout sessions and workshops, and educational tours as they explore how to connect past and present through community-centered storytelling. A key event for history practitioners, this conference offers opportunities to learn, network, and inspire. Location: Ho-Chunk Gaming & Conference Center. Cost: Varies. Learn more »
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October 29 - November 1, 2025 |
September 10 - 12, 2025 |
September 17 - 20, 2025 |
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Northeast Bank Foundation & Grant Requests
Deadline - September 15: Rasmussen Family-Northeast Bank Foundation - Offers grants (median: $1,000; max: $30,000) to support education, housing, culture, environmental, and health initiatives, with priority given to efforts in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka counties. Focus areas include housing for children and families that promote self-sufficiency, youth development through education, cost-effective cardiac health care programs, and community-driven strategies that address local needs. Learn more »
Jeffris Family Foundation
The Jeffris Family Foundation assists the preservation of historic sites for nonprofit organizations in small towns and cities in the eight Midwest states (WI, MN, IA, MO, IL, IN, OH, MI) in the range of $5,000 to $50,000 through three funding categories:
The Jeffris Heartland Fund provides matching grants for advanced planning studies for historic preservation projects preparing for a capital campaign and a restoration project.
Capital Campaign Challenge Grants are made to invited projects which have completed their planning and are ready to launch a capital campaign. Unsolicited applications are not accepted. Applicants should submit an Inquiry and will be assigned a Director of the Foundation to help assess the appropriateness of an application well in advance of stated deadlines.
The Foundation occasionally funds special projects and initiatives it finds of interest.
Brooks and Joan Fortune Foundation Grants
Applications accepted through December 31 – This Foundation primarily provides funds to support education, art, and outreach programs and projects. Learn more »
Wells Fargo Grants
Deadlines Vary: Wells Fargo Foundation - Wells Fargo welcomes applications year-round from qualified nonprofits and educational institutions. Review the site to determine if any of the regions and priorities are a good fit. Then, check out the various program deadlines under 'How To Apply.' Deadlines and grant amounts vary greatly among programs. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Alexander Faribault House, Faribault, MN. (1987). View additional photos on Instagram »
This 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.
KDHL Radio - The long time leader of the Benton County Historical Society has passed away. The organization made the announcement on its Facebook page on Thursday afternoon saying "It is with heavy hearts we announce that our Executive Director, Mary Ostby, unexpectedly died early this morning. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family and friends. The museum will be closed until further notice."
Continue reading »
Free exhibit case and shipping crate available before August 8
MNHS has an exhibit case and shipping crate from the recent Girlhood exhibit available for free to anyone interested. The interested party must provide their own pickup from the loading docks at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul. They will need to transport on a quicksilver or similar truck and have pallet jacks in their facility. The case cannot be disassembled, and it is very heavy. Contact Lisa Friedlander at lisa.friedlander@mnhs.org
Specs:
Brooks: Minnesota archivists scramble to document national park signs before they’re gone
Star Tribune - See something, save something. If you come across an educational sign in a national park this summer, snap a photo and send it to Save Our Signs. Continue reading »
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Featured BookOne Spring Up North by John Owens. University of Minnesota Press. Author Event |
Featured Article
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Featured Article
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Minnesota UnraveledEpisode 115 |
Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
Preservation Specialists Directory |
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