13 min read

Local History News: June 4, 2025

Joe Hoover Jun 4, 2025 1:12:00 PM

Field Note

Man staring at historic items on display in school room at Milan High School3

Local History Services staff visited a small museum set up in the former Milan School on April 11. The nonprofit arts group that owns the site uses it for a variety of community programs and is exploring the possibility of listing the building in the National Register of Historic Places.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Collective Access Grant - Linnea accessioning artwork Spotlighted Project: Collection Inventory - Phase 1
Gammelgården Museum staff and contract workers established an account in a collections management system, purchased equipment, and documented 571 artifacts by uploading images and information. This number exceeded the original short-term goal of 397 artifacts. Most of the work took place after the museum season ended, allowing staff to utilize all available space for the project. Staff also created new categories and clarified distinctions between artifact types, improving organization and record-keeping for items on loan.

This project resulted in a thorough inventory of artifacts on the first and second floors of the 'Welcome House' and some items from the basement. The collections management system now supports staff in tracking artifact condition, planning for storage and conservation, and preparing for future funding requests. Public access to the collection has increased through online records, and the museum is better positioned to offer organized exhibits and educational programs. The next phase will focus on cataloging items in storage and in the museum’s historic buildings.
Recipient: Gammelgården Museum
Funded Amount: $9,969
Project Details

Large Grant Deadline
Pre-applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants large grant round (requests over $10,000) will be due Friday, July 18, 2025. This is a required part of the large grant application process. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

JUNE Grants Open House
June 5 - 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 Beltrami County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

Chichester’s English Pennyroyal Pills advertising pamphlet, ca. 1887. New-York Historical Society Library, Bella C. Landauer Collection-1

From Rags to Riches: The Industrial Revolution's Impact on Periods
The late 19th and early 20th centuries transformed women's lives in an unprecedented way, including how they experienced menstruation. This period (pun intended) saw the birth of the feminine hygiene industry as we know it, but not necessarily better care for menstrual pain.
The "Rag" Era
Before industrialization, most women used rags, cloths, or whatever fabric they could find. These were washed and reused, but the quality varied significantly based on economic status. Wealthy women might have had special linens, while poor women made do with scraps. Continue Reading »

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Warroad Heritage Center. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

Kenny Cole Part 1: Growing up in the Forest
In our 4th interview, we spoke with Kenny Cole. Kenny and his family originally settled in what is now Beltrami Island State Forest and was resettled in the 1930s as a part of the Beltrami Island Resettlement Project. That project was a part of the CCC and WPA, which came about from the New Deal. Watch Video »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

Program Admin Assistant, Native American Initiatives - MN History Center

LOCAL

Partnership Program Manager: Archive Development and Oral History Training - Winona County Historical Society, Winona, MN
RFP: Videographer - Minneapolis American Indian Center, Minneapolis, MN
RFP: Historian Services - Minneapolis American Indian Center, Minneapolis, MN
Research Associate - Minneapolis American Indian Center, Minneapolis, MN
Assistant or Associate Curator of Japanese & Korean Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Assistant Curator of South & Southeast Asian Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Guest Services Specialist - Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, Shoreview, MN
PR & Social Media Coordinator - Minnesota Landmarks, St. Paul, MN

REGIONAL

Historic Preservation Specialist - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
Museum Archivist - Wisconsin Black Historical Society Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Visitor Services Associate - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Planetarium Educator - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Reception Assistant - Circus World Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, Baraboo, WI
Finance & Operations Specialist - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison/Eagle, WI
Historic Tax Credit Reviewer - Iowa State Historic Preservation Office, Des Moines, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Executive Director - Des Plaines History Center, Des Plaines, IL
Media Integration Technician - Naper Settlement, Naperville, IL
Graphic Designer - Edwards Creative, Milan, IL
Cataloging and Digital Resources Librarian - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Exhibition Preparator I - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Donor Relations Manager - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
Operations Manager - Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
Agriculture Programs Coordinator - Volkening Heritage Farm, Schaumburg Park District, Schaumburg, IL
Senior Program Manager - Indiana Main Street, Indianapolis, IN
Executive Director - Swope Art Museum, Terre Haute, IN
Horticulturalist - Adena Mansion & Gardens, Ohio History Connection, Chillicothe, OH
Curatorial Assistant for European Paintings, Sculpture and Drawings - Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH
Collections Interpreter - Cranbrook Center for Collections and Research, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Executive Director - Michilimackinac Historical Society, St. Ignace, MI
Visitor Experience Associate - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
Site Manager - Fort Robinson, Nebraska State Historical Society, Crawford, NE
Exhibits Manager - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
Executive Director - Douglas County Historical Society, Omaha, NE
Museum Executive Director (scroll down in link) - Washington County Museum, Ft. Calhoun, NE
Director of Learning & Engagement - Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE
Visitor Services Representative - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Visitor Services Systems Assistant - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Accounting Administrator - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Collections Facility Assistant - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB
Group Bookings Officer - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Paleontology - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Reusse Furniture Store in Fulda, MN circa 1950s
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Murray County Historical Society.

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

Romanian Folk Characters
June Sundays @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Explore the fascinating world of Romanian folklore with weekly informational sessions at the HORA Romanian American Cultural Center. Learn about traditional stories and characters that have shaped Romanian heritage. All are welcome to attend these engaging and educational events. Learn more »

Drawing the Water Creatures of Norse, Celtic, and Inuit Mythology
June 5, 12 & 19 @ 6 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Join artist Carrie Finnigan for a three-part beginner-friendly drawing course exploring mythical water beings from Norse, Celtic, and Inuit traditions. Learn about the Havfrue, Selkie, Sedna, and more while developing your skills in line and shading. Enjoy storytelling, art, and happy hour at the Kaffee Bar. Bring your own drawing supplies. Cost: $70 members, $75 nonmembers. Learn more »

1860s Baseball with the Rochester Roosters
June 5 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Enjoy a family-friendly lesson on 1860s baseball with the Rochester Roosters. Learn about the history of the game and try playing America’s Pastime—no gloves needed. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Walking Tour of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery
June 6 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Clitherall: Otter Tail County Historical Society - Join Chris Schuelke for a guided tour of Mt. Pleasant Cemetery, the resting place of many Cutlerites who founded Clitherall, Otter Tail County’s first permanent settlement. Learn about their journey and local history. Bring a lawn chair and enjoy the scenic setting. Cost: $10 per attendee. For more information email them.

Fix-It Clinic
June 6 @ 4 to 7 pm - Waite Park: Stearns History Museum - Bring your textiles, household items, small appliances, electronics, and toys for free repairs by skilled volunteers. Woodworking repairs provided by Central Minnesota Woodworkers Association. No pre-registration; limit 2 items per household. Event promotes sustainability and waste reduction. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery–Underground Railroad Designation Ceremony
June 7 @ 1 to 2:30 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - Join cemetery supporters and public dignitaries to celebrate the National Park Service’s designation of Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery as part of the National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom. The ceremony honors four Freedom Seekers buried there, with self-guided audio tours of their plots and those of African American Civil War veterans. Light snacks provided. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Untangling Endogamy in your Family Tree
June 7 @ 11 am to 1 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Join the Society for German Genealogy in Eastern Europe’s online presentation with genetic genealogist Kate Penney Howard. Learn tools and techniques for navigating complex DNA scenarios in endogamous family trees, with real-life examples and problem-solving strategies. Light snacks provided. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Children’s Day and the Day of the Romanian Blouse
June 7 @ 5 to 7 pm - Edina: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Celebrate International Children’s Day and the Romanian Blouse Day at Rosland Park. Enjoy kids’ games, wear your traditional “ie,” and experience cultural performances by Izvorasul and Dunarea. Join the community gathering to connect and celebrate Romanian heritage. Learn more »

Summer History Camp-2025
June 9 to 13 @ 1 to 4 pm - Warroad: Warroad Heritage Center - A week-long camp for ages 9–12 exploring early Warroad history through hands-on activities on trapping, railroads, logging, and homestead life. Includes snacks, a T-shirt, and a river canoe tour on Friday. Limited to 24 kids. Cost: $20 per child. Learn more »

History Partners Memory Cafe
June 10 & 24 @ 1 pm - Owatonna: Steele County Historical Society - A free, in-person social program for people with mild to moderate cognitive impairment and their caregivers. Connect with community services in a safe, welcoming environment. Cost: Free. For more information call them at 507-451-1420.

Logging Mills and Barging on the St. Croix
June 10 @ 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Hastings: Denmark Township Historical Society - Join the Denmark Township Historical Society and Dallas Egger of the Prescott Historical Society to learn more about logging mills and barging on the St. Croix River. Learn more »

Hand Puppet Workshop
June 10 @ 1:30 to 3:30 pm - Roseau: Roseau County Museum - Kids ages 6–12 can kick off summer by crafting their own folk art hand puppets with artist Mitchell Olson. Explore creativity through storytelling and design in this hands-on, imaginative workshop. Space is limited; advance registration recommended. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Children’s Story Time
June 11 @ 10:30 am - Spring Valley: Spring Valley Community Historical Society - Enjoy a reading from the Little House tales and a fun craft or skill demonstration. Geared toward children 6 and under, but all ages are welcome. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Local Author Talk: Jennifer L. Witt
June 12 @ 5 to 6:30 pm - Shakopee: Scott County Historical Society - Jenny Witt shares her family’s connection to the Dakota War of 1862, as told in her biography “Great Many Things.” Learn about her genealogical research process and the resources she used, including those at the historical society. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Opening Day of the Children's Exhibit at Lawshe
June 14 @ 10 am to 3 pm - South St. Paul: Lawshe Memorial Museum - Celebrate the debut of The Curiosity Collection, a new interactive children’s exhibit with hands-on zones exploring fossils, rural electrification, stockyards, and building your own mini-exhibit. Learn more »

Genealogy Saturday
June 14 @ 10 am - Herman: Grant County Historical Society - Tour the historic Herman United Methodist Church, hear a presentation on Lakeside Cemetery, and visit the cemetery’s Flag Day display on Graham Lake’s shore. Learn more »

Oral Histories from Trans Elders
June 14 @ 2:30 to 4:30 pm - Minneapolis: Quatrefoil Library - Listen to audio interviews with trans women who performed at Paris’s cabarets and sought gender-affirming surgery in Casablanca from the 1950s–1970s. Join the conversation, share your questions, and help guide future research for Clare Boyle’s upcoming book. Learn more »

Deutsche Tage (German Days)
June 14 @ 11 am to 9 pm & June 15 @ 11 am to 5 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Enjoy one of St. Paul’s longest-running ethnic festivals with authentic German and European food, Paulaner beer, live music, traditional dance, and family fun. Proceeds support cultural and language education programs. Learn more »

Remembering The Rapidan Dam – One Year Later
June 14 @ 1 to 2 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - Learn about the history and significance of the Rapidan Dam, from its early 20th-century construction to its role in local power generation and its recent challenges with flooding. BECHS staff will share insights from their book on the dam’s construction, and photo historian Rick Pepper will present his new book documenting last year’s flood. Books available for purchase. Cost: Free members/$10 nonmembers. Learn more »

Greater Minnesota Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ History Map
June 14 @ 4 to 6 pm - Red Wing: Minnesota Historical Society - Celebrate Pride Month with MNHS staff and interns presenting their project to map Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ history across Greater Minnesota. The event includes an open house with a digitization station for your photos and memorabilia, free resources, and interactive StoryMap exploration. The presentation will be followed by a Q&A session. Light refreshments will be served. Learn more »

Conference: Crossings and Connections - Norwegian Migration to North America
June 18 to 22 @ various times - Northfield: St. Olaf College - This public conference explores the causes and effects of Norwegian migration with talks by international scholars, Norwegian-American music, dance, film, historic site tours, and more. Hosted by the Norwegian American Historical Association and St. Olaf Norwegian Department, the event marks 200 years of migration and the NAHA centennial. Cost: $325 full registration, $150 commuter option. 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: Lake Vermilion-Soudan Underground Mine State Park, U.S. National Historic Landmark operated by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources, Breitung Township, MN.
Photograph by Jon 'ShakataGaNai' Davis, distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2.

Considering the Revolution
June 5 @ 11 am to 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: National Council on Public History - This conversation will reflect on years of preparation for the U.S. 250th and its lasting legacies, and will look forward to the future and the roles of public history in the present moment. Learn more »

Safe Storage: Making Boxes and Mounts for Collections
Midwest Art Conservation Center - This two-day workshop introduces stable, inert materials and hands-on techniques for creating boxes and mounts that protect collections. Learn to make custom enclosures and supports, and take home box-making tools. All materials provided. Cost: Free for Minnesota residents, $400 for nonresidents. Learn more »

June 10 & 11 - Welch: Prairie Island Indian Community
June 23 & 24 - Ely: Listening Point Foundation

Interpreting Winter Holidays with Your Community
June 12 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Explore how museums and historic sites can transform the holiday season into an opportunity for community engagement, inclusivity, and innovation. Case studies and practical tips cover Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, with actionable advice for adapting and scaling ideas to your site. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Caring for Your Photos
June 16 @ 9:30 am to 4:30 pm - Minneapolis: Midwest Art Conservation Center & Hennepin County Library - Bring your own photographs to this hands-on workshop. Learn about photo preservation, archival storage, digitization, and digital storage options. Includes a lecture, group sharing, and a tour of the library’s Special Collections. Cost: Free for Minnesota residents. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Budgeting
June 17 @ 9 am 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: $95. Learn more »

Say What? Demystifying Preservation and Conservation Terms with CCAHA's New Glossary
June 18 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - Join Preservation Specialist Katie Lowe for a guided tour of CCAHA’s new Preservation Glossary, featuring over 400 jargon-free definitions for conservation and preservation terms. Learn how this tool supports continuing education and career development for cultural heritage stewards. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Cybersecurity and Data Privacy 101
June 24 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Join this session to learn about the legal risks posed by cybersecurity and the steps you can take to protect private information, intellectual property, and other sensitive data. This session will also discuss how to respond if you learn of a potential security breach. FREE MCN & MCF Partner Event. Learn more »

Policies for Managing Collections
Starting June 30 @ Online - Museum Study - Join instructor John Simmons for a four-week online course critically examining the purposes and functions of collections management policies. Learn to write and evaluate policies for your institution, addressing new challenges like climate change, digital preservation, decolonization, and sustainability. Participants receive a discount on the third edition of Things Great and Small: Collection Management Policies. Cost: $400. Learn more »

American Revolutions in the Digital Age Webinar Series, Session 3: Slavery, Freedom, and Resistance
July 9 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: CUNY - In this session, panelists will discuss how digital humanities expands our understanding of freedom in the revolutionary period. How do digital archives and mapping shape our ability to tell stories of place-making and freedom-seeking? Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

The Hands-On Toolbox: Physical Tools Every Museum Exhibit Developer Should Own - ExhibiTricks

UPCOMING STATE and REGIONAL CONFERENCES

October 29 - November 1, 2025
Iowa City, IA

September 10 - 12, 2025
New Ulm, MN

September 17 - 20, 2025
Mankato, MN

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Tourism Grant Program
Deadline - June 20: Explore Minnesota funds and administers the 2026 Tourism Grant Program. It provides funding to support tourism marketing campaigns and initiatives of primary Destination Marketing Organizations for the economic benefit of their communities. Learn more »

Event Sponsorship
Rolling Deadline: PFund Foundation - Event sponsorships for events, gatherings, conferences, and convenings serving a primarily LGBTQ+ audience. Sponsorship amounts typically range from $500 to $1,000 and organizations are limited to receiving one sponsorship per year. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Exterior of the Douglas County Historical Society and the Runestone Museum building in 1981
Vintage Museum Photo: Douglas County Historical Society and the Runestone Museum, Alexandria, MN (1981). 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.

Newspaper Mastheads MN Digital Newspaper Hub - May 2025 content update
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 19,711 new issues and 180,636 new newspaper pages.
New publicly available titles & date spans:

Forest Lake times (Forest Lake, Minn.) 1973-1977 added
St. Cloud daily times (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1887-1958 added
St. Peter tribune (St. Peter, Minn.) 1869-1901 added
Stillwater post-messenger (Stillwater, Minn.) 1928-1931

Looking down on traveling exhibit displays “We Are Water MN” - Host Community Application
Deadline - June 27: The Minnesota Humanities Center is taking applications for hosting "We Are Water MN" a traveling exhibit, administered by the Minnesota Humanities Center, that shares messages about water in Minnesota, and designs public programming that builds relationships with and responsibilities to water. “We Are Water MN” provides a budget of up to $10,000 to offset the cost of hosting and creating public programming. These offsets are provided in the form of reimbursements for expenditures explicitly approved by MHC; they are not grants. Learn more »

“Team Minnesota” heads to National History Day in June
Grand Rapids Herald-Review - “Team Minnesota” is set! Out of nearly 2000 Minnesota students who entered regional competitions, 64 were named winners at State History Day and are eligible to represent Minnesota at National History Day in Washington, DC June 9-13. This year marks the 50th anniversary of National History Day, and the 2024 theme is “Turning Points in History.” Winning topics are wide-ranging, from segregation to the feminist movement to the impact of Sesame Street. Continue Reading »

Remains of mining operation found in Chaska lake
Patriot - Courthouse Lake in Chaska formed in the early 1900s when a clay pit mining operation hit groundwater level and the mine flooded. Now, over 100 years later a marine exploration team was in its deep waters looking for remnants of that operation. Continue reading »

Mammoth bones returned to county
Faribault County Register - Some 10,000-year-old (or older) mammoth bones that were dug up in Faribault County more than 100 years ago have finally been returned to the county where they were first discovered, after having gone missing for decades. They were eventually tracked down by Faribault County Historical Society executive director Randy Anderson. The bones were in the basement of the Bell Museum of the University of Minnesota in St. Paul. Continue Reading »

Sheldon Presbyterian Church gets new foundation
Caledonia Argus - The Houston County Historical Society has funded a new foundation project for the Sheldon Presbyterian Church, which is located by the Houston County Fairgrounds in Caledonia. Continue Reading »

Featured Book

Fishing by Torchlight by Delores "Kiki" Garcia.

Black Bears & Blueberries Publishing.

Book Signing
Date: Saturday, July 5 @ 1 to 3 pm
Location: Split Rock Lighthouse

Featured Article
Minnesota History

Labor, politics, and African American identity in Minneapolis, 1930-50

Volume 57, Issue 8, 2002

Featured Article
MNopedia

Linda Burfield Perry Hazzard (1867–1938)

Featured MNopedia Article

Minnesota Unraveled

Meatpacking in Minnesota: How Migration and Labor Transformed Worthington

Episode 109

Minnesota History Organizations Directory

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