Field Note

Aaron Johnson-Ortiz of the Minnesota Latino Museum met with MNHS Local History Services and collections staff to discuss plans for the museum's new location in St. Paul. Johnson-Ortiz toured the Minnesota History Center and talked about future needs for their planned building.

Free Workshop

Historic Finishes Analysis Workshop: Foundations and Hands-On Instruction for Preservation Professionals
April 15 @ 9 am to 3:30 pm - St. Paul: Local History Services - Join us for a workshop for preservation professionals. Eileen Grogan, the director of historic preservation for Conrad Schmitt Studios, will explore the process of Historic Finish Analysis. Participants will receive foundational knowledge on the history and process of historic finish analysis, with hands-on instruction on taking samples, working with specialists to determine what historic finishes are present in historic structures, and using the results of a historic finish analysis. Location: Alexander Ramsey House.

This workshop is free for registered participants and includes lunch and refreshments. This workshop is made possible with funding from the Henry Somsen Fund and the Charlie Nelson Fund for Historic Preservation. Learn more/Register »

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.

Grants Office Webinar: Key Preservation Grants Overview for Historic Buildings
March 20 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: People contact Grants asking where to start with assessing or rehabilitating their historic buildings. In this webinar, you will discover an overview of three of our most popular preservation Legacy Grant types--1) Conditions Assessments / Historic Structure Reports, 2) Construction Documents, and 3) Construction Work--and how each builds upon the former to properly guide physical building work, including:

• Pre-development support for Conditions Assessments and Historic Structure Reports
• Funding for architectural and engineering construction documents
• Grant opportunities for preservation construction work
• Key eligibility requirements and application timelines
• Tips for creating competitive applications

Whether you're a first-time applicant or looking to enhance your grant strategy, this webinar will help you understand the available grants for your preservation projects. Time for questions will follow the presentation. Presented by Design Reviewer Ryan Maciej.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬  PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from Kraus-Anderson. Have a blog? Let us know!

Elizabeth Close and Metropolitan Medical Center
Kraus-Anderson has been building hospitals for more than a century, but in the 1960s KA took an unusually active role in the history of the Minnesota healthcare industry when it facilitated the merger of two historically significant institutions in the Elliot Park neighborhood of Minneapolis: Swedish and St. Barnabas Hospitals. Building the Metropolitan Medical Center was a challenging, profoundly complex, multi-year construction project, which makes it a noteworthy chapter in the Kraus-Anderson story; but, in the long run, it might be the collaboration with pioneering architect Elizabeth Close that makes this project memorable. Continue reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Wright County Historical Society joins MDL with historic school photographs and maps - Minnesota Digital Library News
• A Family Reclaims Its Heritage: Growing Up with Anna Belle Rideaux - Ramsey County Historical Society
• UMN Libraries Publishing’s new, free textbook is helping students and teachers alike - U of MN Libraries
• What is it? - Meeker County Historical Society
•  Mary Hall: A Saint Paul Legacy, Renewed for the Future - Rethos
• Amanda Jackson–Stillwater’s teacher - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Winona Public Library. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Reviving Forgotten Treasures, Reviving Memories - Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery
• Rise of Ranier: Railroads, Raids, and Ruffians - Koochiching County Historical Museum
• The Impact of Climate Migration in Finland and the US - Immigration History Research Center
• Final Walk of the 2025 Historic Fashion Show - History Center of Olmsted County
• Werden’s All-Stars versus The Old Guard: Baseball History with Stew Thornley - Hennepin History Museum

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Interpreter I - Snake River Fur Post
• Executive Administrative Assistant - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Executive Director - Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria, MN
• Assistant Registrar - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Assistant Director of Security - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Membership Manager - Friends of the Hennepin County Library, Minneapolis, MN
• Intertribal Land Corps Crew Member - Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, Pipestone, MN
• Summer Youth Corps Field Coordinator (multiple positions) - Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa,  St. Paul, MN
• Field Crew Member - Riverbend Nature Center, AmeriCorps, Faribault, MN
• Field Crew Member - Conservation Corps Minnesota & Iowa, Mankato, MN
• Executive Director - Northern Clay Center, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Archaeologist, Assistant Project Leader - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Archaeologist Technician - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Museum Store Cashier - HH Bennett Historic Site, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Dells, WI
• Business Manager - The Iowa Children's Museum, Coralville, IA
• Curator of Rare Books and Maps - University of Iowa Libraries, Iowa City, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Registrar of Sciences – Museum Technician II - Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL
• Operations Director - Quad City Arts, Rock Island, IL
• Guest Engagement Associate - Museums of Illusions Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Museum Curator - Elk Grove Historical Museum & Sock Monkey Museum, Elk Grove Park District - Elk Grove Village, IL
• Farm & Horticulture Coordinator - Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH
• Museum Educator - Peter Wentz Farmstead, Norristown, PA
• Director, Palmer Museum of Art - Pennsylvania State University - Palmer Museum of Art, University Park, PA
• Assistant/Associate Curator of American Art - Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NB
• Library Director - Oregon Historical Society, Portland, OR
• Executive Director/Curator - Plug In ICA, Winnipeg, MB
• Senior Director, Development and Partnerships - Arts Consulting Group, Toronto, ON
• Seasonal Historic Interpreters - Musee Heritage Museum, St. Albert, AB
• Assistant Director, Projects and Relations - Museum of Anthropology at UBC, VC

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Curatorial Fellow - Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Community Engagement Fellow - Columbia College Chicago, Chicago, IL

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

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

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

Civil War Era Attire
March 20 @ 7 pm - Northfield: Cannon Valley Civil War Roundtable - The presenters, Sarah French and family, will be showing Civil War era attire. Location: Northfield Twp Hall. Cost: Free. For information call 507-459-3140.

Understanding Gravestone Symbols & Icons 
March 20 @ 6 pm - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Tom Rent, member of the Oakridge Cemetery Association and a caretaker of the cemetery and grounds, will discuss the different symbols that often appear on headstones and markers. These symbols each have had different meanings and interpretations over the years. Tom will walk attendees through the more common ones and explain the history and iconography behind them. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. For more information call 507-332-2121.

Jingle Dress Presentation
March 22 @ 1 to 3 pm - Moorhead: Historical & Cultural Society of Clay County - Come learn about the history and cultural context of the Ojibwe jingle dance. Christy Goulet is a fiscal year 2024 recipient of the Creative Individual grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Lost White Bear
March 24 @ 6 to 7 pm - White Bear Lake: White Bear Lake Area Historical Society - Over the decades we have lost many notable structures around the lake through disasters or on purpose. Join in to hear the stories of some of lost treasures including White Bear’s Carnegie Library, the Mahtomedi School, the St. Paul Automobile Club and the many depots that dotted our shores. Location: White Bear Lake Library. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis
March 27 @ 7 pm - Stillwater: Washington County History Center - Judy Stern, a history enthusiast from Marine on St. Croix, will present her seventh book, Gallery Days, which shares stories from her time in the Artists’ Quarter of downtown Minneapolis. The book includes encounters with notable figures and discusses the rise and fall of the Artists' Quarter. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Opening Reception: Gentle Hikes of Minnesota's North Shore through the Lens of Arts and Health
March 28 @ 5 to 7 pm - Grand Marais: Johnson Heritage Post Art Galler/Historic Cook County - The photography of Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D., MCHES, celebrates the beauty of hiking trails on the North Shore. During the opening reception, Tornabene will discuss her work focusing on the inseparability of arts and health. Light refreshments will be served at the reception. The exhibit runs from March 29 to April 20. Learn more »

Book talk - Rockford: The Way it Really Was
March 29 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Come join in as the Rockford Historical Society brings to WCHS the newly updated book: Rockford: The Way it Really Was, by Mouraine Baker Hubler. The publisher and historical society will be on hand to read excerpts, talk about some personal stories, and more. Learn more »

Wining about Herstory LIVE Podcast 2025
March 29 @ 10 to 11:30 am - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Kelley and Emily will be performing LIVE, telling the stories of some incredible local women. The event will be family friendly, so feel free to bring your budding herstory buffs. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Author Talk with Andrea Gilats: Radical Endurance
March 29 @ 1 to 2:15 pm (CT) - Online: History Center of Olmsted County - Join Andrea Gilats as she shares her journey into old age, including the choking fear of losing her health and with it, her independence; the profound pleasures of “growing up again” as she reconsiders experiences from young adulthood; and finally, her unexpectedly optimistic journey toward contentment as she contemplates her future as she shares her new book, "Radical Endurance: Growing Old in an Age of Longevity." Cost: $5. Learn more »

Awaiting Their Feast: A Conversation about Latinx Food Workers and Activism
April 1 @ 4:30 to 6:15 pm - Minneapolis: The Immigration History Research Center - Lori A. Flores is author of the book "Awaiting Their Feast" and is Associate Professor of History at Stony Brook University (SUNY), where she teaches courses in U.S., Latinx, labor, immigration, food, and borderlands history. Opening remarks by José Luis Villaseñor Rangel of Tamales y Bicicletas. Location: Pillsbury Hall, U of MN. Cost: Free. Learn more »

A Genealogist's Guide to the Minnesota Historical Society
April 2 @ 7 to 8:15 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Genealogical Society - This session will present an overview of the various holdings of the Minnesota Historical Society Library and State Archives that relate to genealogy and family history. The instructor will address how the key genealogy records are organized, how to find them using the various Internet catalogs, how to get around in the facility and make best use of your time at the library. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Tracing Early African American Legacies in Minnesota
April 3 @ 6 to 7 pm - Winona: Winona County History Center - Learn about black local history from the Minnesota Territory years to the 1880s after the region became a state with Genealogist Mica L. Anders. This presentation brings to life the stories of communities and individuals who contributed to the Minnesota’s early development as homesteaders, barbers, shop owners, Civil War veterans. Cost: Pay-As-You-Can. Learn more »

Film Series: Kitty to Cooperstown
April 3 @ 2 to 3:30 pm - St. Peter: “Kitty to Cooperstown” follows Jim Kaat’s baseball career, highlighting his 1965 World Series matchup against Sandy Koufax and his induction into the Hall of Fame. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Minnesänger Presents: Meet the Mendelssohns
April 3 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Enjoy an unforgettable evening that explores the legacy of Moses Mendelssohn and his grandkids, composers Fanny and Felix Mendelssohn. Experience live music by the Minnesänger Choir and inspiring solo performances. Cost: $12 members/$17 nonmembers. Learn more »

Romanian Easter Traditions
Sundays in April @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Easter traditions include painted eggs, egg hunts, and the exchange of greetings, reflecting both Christian and pagan customs. The art of painted icons on glass comes from Eastern Europe, involving egg yolk and natural pigments to create vibrant images. 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: Sand Hill Settlement, operated by the Sand Hill Settlement Historical Society, Climax, MN.

The Legal Implications of DEI Executive Orders on Museums
March 24 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: American Alliance of Museums - Recent executive orders have reshaped federal priorities around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). How will these policy changes potentially affect museum governance, hiring practices, and public programming? This facilitated conversation with a legal expert will examine key directives, including restrictions on DEI training and initiatives and their impacts on museum practices, policies, and public programming. Cost: Free. Learn more »

DIY Audio 101: A Practical Introduction to Producing Audio Content
April 2 @ 10 am (CT) - Online: Texas Historical Commission - Explore how to create engaging audio interpretation for your audience - no matter your budget or skill level. Chelsea Shannon, Interpretation Specialist, breaks down the essentials of audio content production, from developing your ideas, to making basic recordings and delivering the results to your audience. Walk away with fresh ideas and practical tools to craft simple yet powerful audio that enhances visitor engagement. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Us vs. Them? Creating Healthy Board Relationships 
April 3 @ 2 to 3:15 pm - Online: American Association for State and Local History - The effectiveness of the governing authority is crucial for the success of history museums and heritage organizations, impacting their mission, relevance, and sustainability. A well-functioning partnership between governing authority and staff leadership fosters community service and organizational stability, while dysfunction can hinder progress. This webinar will cover how to build mutual trust and respect, clarify roles, assess needs, and establish success measures focused on mission impact. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Shifting Perspective: Preservation in the Wake of Natural Disasters
April 9 @ 1 to 2 pm - Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Join Preservation Leadership Forum for a webinar that will examine preservation practice in the wake of natural disasters. Focusing in on the work of preservation and community members in Asheville and Los Angeles (Altadena) this conversation will explore broader themes around community resilience, rebuilding, and the ever shifting question about what preservation looks like when the built environment is no longer there. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance
April 10 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: While this training is open to all, it is designed for those new to serving on a board or those who are contemplating joining a board. Cost: $95. Learn more »

In-Person: Understanding Pesticide Testing - Arsenic Spot Tests and XRF Analysis
April 11 @ 9:30 am to 4:30 pm - St. Paul: Midwest Art Conservation Center - Pesticides were commonly used to preserve Native American cultural materials in both public and private collections, and can present potential health risks for people handling these items. In this workshop, participants will learn how to take a sample for arsenic testing, practice sampling on study collection materials provided, and perform a spot test for arsenic. Additionally, XRF – a technique employed by institutions for pesticide testing – will be demonstrated. We will talk about limitations of pesticide testing, questions/requests during repatriation consultation, pesticide use histories, and working with medical health professionals to assess personal risk. Participants will be provided in advance with instructions for taking samples from an artifact for testing, and encouraged to bring these samples for testing during the workshop. Location: Minnesota History Center. Cost: Minnesota residents: Free/$250 nonresidents. Learn more »

In-Person: Guidelines for Cleaning - Focus on Decorative Arts and Historic House Collections
April 17 @ 10:30 am to  5 pm & April 18 @ 9:30 am to 4 pm - Bemidji: Midwest Art Conservation Center - This is a two-day in-person workshop. The workshop will discuss the ethics, hazards, and benefits of cleaning cultural heritage items from a variety of different material types. With a mixture of lecture and hands-on practical exercises, the workshop will include conservation techniques for cleaning textiles, picture frames, ceramics, glass, silver, and iron artifacts. Location: Beltrami County Historical Society. Cost: Minnesota residents: Free/$400 nonresidents. Learn more »

Provenance & Original Order  
April 21 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog - This webinar explores key archival principles—provenance, original order, chain of custody, and respect du fonds—and how they guide ethical archival practices. Presented by archivist Genna Duplisea, M.A., M.S., this session will examine how these concepts influence the organization and preservation of archival collections. Webinar is free, but registration is required. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Suffering from news overload? This six-step plan outlines how to avoid exhaustion while staying engaged - The Rural Blog
• Defending Whole History at NPS and Historic Sites - American Association for State and Local History
• Ask Your Museum’s Supporters to Save the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) - American Association of Museums
• AHA–OAH Statement on Executive Order “Ending Radical Indoctrination in K–12 Schooling” - American Historical Society

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

Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
Deadline - May 1: This grant is intended to encourage preservation at the local level by providing seed money for preservation projects in small towns with populations of 10,000 or less. Learn more »

Publication Awards
Deadline - May 15: Disability History Association - Accepting applicants for their Publication Awards for the following: Outstanding Book Award and Outstanding Article or Book Chapter Award. Learn more »

Cultural Expression
Deadline - June 6: Minnesota State Arts Board - This pilot program supports activities that share, explore, pass on, express, or celebrate culture through the arts. Culture may be defined by a common ethnicity, tribal affiliation, geographic or regional identity, occupation, language, or recreation. Traditional and contemporary forms of cultural expression may be funded in this program. Funds could be used to support practicing a cultural art form; presenting cultural festivals, community celebrations, performances, media or exhibitions; offering demonstrations, etc. Funds could also be used to deepen or pass on cultural traditions through apprenticeships or documentation. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Watonwan County Historical Society Museum, Madelia, MN (1986). 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.

RCHS launches $200K matching campaign for fall centennial celebration
APG - Come 2026, the Rice County Historical Society Museum turns 100 years old. In preparing for the century milestone a couple of months ago, some donors reached out to Executive Director Dave Nichols about a challenge for them. Continue reading »

Featured Book Dodge County, Incorporated: Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America by Sonja Trom Eayrs. Bison Books/University of Nebraska Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History "Save the lady": the struggle for the Winona County Courthouse  Volume 59, Issue 8, 2005	Featured Article MNopedia Pardon Power in Nineteenth-Century Minnesota 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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