11 min read

Local History News: March 29, 2023

Joe Hoover Mar 29, 2023 2:03:00 PM

Local History News - Minnesota Historical Society, Heritage Preservation

Field Note

Reconciliation Park and memorials in Mankato MN-cropped

Local History Services staff visited Reconciliation Park in Mankato to get a better sense of the memorials, public art, and interpretation near the site of an MNHS marker across the street.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: First Congregational Church Interior Preservation Phase 1
Scaffolding inside the First Congregational Church First Congregational Church is architecturally and historically significant as one of Minneapolis’ earliest church congregations and was placed on the National Register of Historic Places on January 15, 1979. Deterioration of historic fabric occurred because of attic structure issues, water penetration from compromised external masonry, and aging. The plaster had deteriorated to varying degrees throughout the sanctuary, including one area of plaster loss by the choir. Places where plaster was missing or compromised have been restored and are now safe for church members and the public. Repairing the plaster helps to maintain this historic structure for future generations to enjoy. While scaffolding was in place, the historic architect collected ceiling and wall paint samples for future paint analysis to allow historically appropriate color selection.
Grant Recipient: First Congregational Church of Minnesota, United Church of Christ
Funded Amount: $148,000
Project Details

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, April 14, 2023.

ONLINE: April Grants Open House
April 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 support to our community. We encourage people to RSVP to Gillian by email 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 »

From the Blog

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

Historic Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Lighthouse with sun setting

Rethos Awarded Historic Duluth Lighthouse
Rethos has been selected by Interior Secretary Haaland to receive the historic Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Lighthouse.

In a letter dated February 6, 2023 from the United States Department of the Interior, the honorable Deb Haaland, U.S. Secretary of the Interior, notified Rethos Executive Director Dr. Heidi Swank that the National Park Service (NPS) recently “forwarded a recommendation for the selection of Rethos as the recipient of the Duluth Harbor North Pierhead Light,” and she is “pleased to inform that [she] has accepted NPS’ recommendation and [is] forwarding [her] selection decision to the General Services Administration (GSA).” Continue Reading »

From the Tube

This week's post is from Historic Cook County. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

Bally Blacksmith Shop Stories
Community members discuss memories of the Bally family and the blacksmith shop in Grand Marais, MN. Watch Video »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

Events Assistant - Mill City Museum
Senior Curator for Maps, Rare Books & Print Culture - MN History Center

LOCAL

Educator (Tour Guide) - Dakota County Historical Society, South St. Paul, MN
Office Manager - Legacy of the Lakes Museum, Alexandria, MN
Public Program Librarian - Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud, MN
Assistant/Associate Curator: European Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Library Director - City of Saint Paul, St. Paul, MN
Media & Storytelling Manager - Springboard for the Arts, St. Paul, MN
HR Coordinator - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
HR Manager - Paisley Park, Chanhassen, MN

REGIONAL

Interpreter - Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota Historical Society, Cooperstown, ND
Outreach Coordinator - Ronald Reagan Minuteman Missile Site, North Dakota Historical Society, Cooperstown, ND
Lead Store Clerk - Missouri Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, North Dakota Historical Society, Williston, ND
Product Manager & Buyer - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
Burial Consultation Coordinator - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
History Center Project Assistant - Wisconsin Historical Foundation, Inc., Madison, WI
Engagement Manager for Exhibitions and Programs - Center for Design & Material Culture, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI
Tax Credit Project Reviewer - Wisconsin State Historic Preservation Office, Madison, WI
Abert Family Curator of American Art - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Marketing Manager - Vesterheim, Decorah, IA
Education and Outreach Coordinator - Johnson County Historical Society, Coralville, IA
Agriculture Supervisor Position - Living History Farms, Urbandale, IA
Archaeologist/Laboratory Director - Wapsi Valley Archaeology, Inc., Anamosa, IA
Visitor Services Coordinator - Pentacrest Museums, Iowa City, IA
Director of Development - Stanley Museum of Art, University of Iowa Center for Advancement, Iowa City, IA
Grant Writer - Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

University Archivist and Head of Archives Programs - University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana-Champaign, IL
Museum Inventory Assistant - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL
Exhibitions Designer - Obama Foundation, Chicago, IL
Historian: Outreach Coordinator - Indiana State Library, Indianapolis, IN
Grants Manager - Science Central, Fort Wayne, IN
Executive Director - Ross County Historical Society, Chillicothe, OH
Village Education Manager - Sauder Village, Archbold, OH
Farm & Horticulture Coordinator - Hale Farm, Western Reserve Historical Society, Cleveland, OH
Development and Communications Associate - Cleveland Restoration Society, Cleveland, OH
African American History Archivist - Western Reserve Historical Society Cleveland, OH
Dawes Arboretum - Seasonal History Assistant, Newark, OH
Director and Executive Secretary - Allen County Museum and Historical Society, Lima, OH
Development & Marketing Coordinator - American Association for State and Local History, Nashville, TN
Digitization Technician - History Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Education Associate (Family Programming) - History Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Museum Exhibit Operations Specialist - Nebraska History Museum, Lincoln, NE
Museum Services Manager - Dalnavert Museum, Winnipeg, MB
Executive Director - Manitoba Chamber Orchestra, Winnipeg, MB
Communications Advisor - Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
IT Systems Administrator - Canadian Museum of Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Collections Management Assistant - Goulbourn Museum, Stittsville, ON
Outreach Officer - Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery Information, Privacy and Archives, Toronto, ON
Fundraising Specialist - Western Development Museum, Saskatoon, SK

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Man at table working an anwering machine in the 1940s
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Rock County Historical Society.

Be sure to check with each organization for COVID-19 updates and safety measures for in-person events.

Series: Great Decisions
Online: 10 to 11:30 am (CT). Ramsey County Library - The Great Decisions series looks at the most critical issues facing America each year. Study the issues and then join the discussions led by expert speakers. Ten copies of the Briefing Book for this series are available for checkout at the Ramsey County Library, through the generosity of Global Minnesota. Cost: No cost. Learn more »

March 31 - War Crimes: With Christi Siver
April 7 - Energy Geopolitics: With Andrew Latham
April 14 - Economic Warfare: With Todd Lefko
April 21 - Iran at a Crossroads: With Afsheen John Radsan

Historic Finishes: Varnish, Stains, Dyes, and Wax
April 1 - Minneapolis: 9 am to 12 pm. Rethos - This class, taught by Mark Johnston of Historic Design Consulting, introduces you to wood finishes commonly found in older homes. Mark will discuss the differences between varnish, stain, dyes, and waxes. He'll describe how to identify these finishes in your home and will demonstrate best practices for application, cleaning, and repair. You'll have the opportunity to practice these techniques during class at a historic home in the East Harriet neighborhood. Cost: Sliding scale. Learn more »

Presentation: Modern Indian Protests
April 4 - Mankato: 7:30 pm. Blue Earth County History Center - Dr. Roger Nichols is an Emeritus Professor of History in the Department of American Indian Studies at the University of Arizona. He is today among the foremost experts on Native American history. Come hear his take on Modern Indian Protests. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Surviving the Holocaust: Journey to a New World — Why the Jews?
April 4 - Stillwater & Online: 7 to 8 pm (CT). Washington County Heritage Center - Ken Engel talks about his parents’ experiences surviving the Holocaust during World War II, as well as Israel, Judaism, and related subjects. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Exhibit: 28th Annual Quilt Show: Stitches in Time
April 5-28 - South St. Paul: Dakota County Historical Society - This year's exhibition is presented in conjunction with the Minneapolis Modern Quilt Guild and will feature more than 100 quilts on display, contributed by members of the Dakota County Star Quilters. As part of the exhibit attend the lecture "Don't Get Stuck in a Scrap Trap" by Colby Cartledge, taking place on Tuesday, April 11 at 1 pm and 7 pm. Learn more »

Exhibit: Material Pulses: Seven Viewpoints
April 6 through May 25 - Waconia: Carver County Historical Society - This exhibit features quilts from seven artists from the US, UK, and Canada and is curated by Nancy Crow. You can expect to see some beautiful, large quilts during the exhibit's seven-week stay. More details to come as we draw closer to the opening date. Cost: Free. Learn more »

An Interrupted Childhood - Polish WWII Survivors in Minnesota
April 6 - Online: 7 to 8 pm (CT). Ramsey County Library - Join Katarzyna Litak and WWII survivor Adam Han-Gorski as they discuss the experiences of Polish refugees and immigrants to Minnesota. This program and exhibition is part of the Kalejdoskop Polski MN project created by the Minnesota Polish Medical Society. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop: Young Historians - The Great Depression
April 8 - Mankato: 10 am to 12 pm. Blue Earth County History Center - Young Historians is a hands-on history workshop open to all ages. Each month, a new topic is presented with opportunities to interact, discuss and try new foods. This month's topic is The Great Depression. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Roundtable: Civil War Roundtable - That d__n old google eyed snapping turtle – George Gordon Meade Col. Gary Colberg
April 11 - St. Cloud: 3:30 to 5 pm. Stearns History Museum - This unique, interactive presentation on General George Meade was originally presented to the prestigious Civil War Round Table of DC. In this presentation they review Meade as a young man at West Point to the end of the Civil War. Learn more »

Presentation: Breakfast Club w/ Chris Schellinger – Avon Hills Folk School
April 12 - St. Cloud: 9 to 10 am. Stearns History Museum - Chris Schellinger will be discussing the history of the Avon Hills Folk School, how it became a Folk School, and a little about the history of the ‘folk school movement.’ Cost: Free members/$7 nonmembers. Learn more »

Presentation: "Vilhelm Moberg and Me." What the Swede taught me about Minnesota
April 15 - Chisago City: 9:30 am to 12 pm. Friends of the Karl Oskar House - The event begins with Fika (coffee and treats) and music by the Nya Duvemala Folkmusiklag. Professor Roger McKnight will speak at 10 am on Swedish novelist Vilhelm Moberg and Swedish-American social history and literature. This will be followed by the annual meeting showcasing highlights of the 2022 Karl Oskar House season. Location: Chisago Lakes Area Library. Learn more »

Exhibit: Brewers and Bottlers - A Refreshing History of Beer and Soda Making in Nicollet County
April 16 through March 25 - St. Peter: Nicollet County Historical Society - This exhibit showcases material from the collections of the Nicollet County Historical Society and other donors related to the history and heritage of brewing and bottling in Nicollet County. From the small pioneer breweries established on the territorial prairie to large modern bottling facilities, this exhibit explores the rich history of locally produced beverages. Learn more »

Bus Tour: The Defeat of Jesse James
April 27 - Faribault & Northfield: Rice County Historical Society - Be prepared for an evening of adventure as they explore the Defeat of the Jesse James and His Gang. The tour starts by leaving RCHS for a tour at the Northfield Historical Society, the site of the infamous Bank Raid. Then the tour makes its way up to the Minnesota History Theater for a production of “The Defeat of Jesse James.” They will be stopping at the Pizza Ranch in Lakeville for dinner (cost of dinner not included). Tickets are $55/person. Learn more »

Continuing Education

Montevideo_Milwaukee_Road_Depot
Highlighted Museum: Milwaukee Road Heritage Center, Montevideo, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

AIM to Connect: Podcasting 101
March 31 – Online: 11 am to 12 pm. Association of Indiana Museums - Join Jill Weiss Simins, producer of the Indiana Historical Bureau’s Talking Hoosier History podcast, and Hannah Murphy and Easton Phillips, hosts of Conner Prairie’s This is Problematic! Podcast to hear what inspired the start of their podcasts, the successes and challenges, and recommendations for starting your own podcast. Cost: No cost. Learn more »

Interpreting Slavery with Children and Teens
April 6 & 7 - Online: 12 to 4 pm (CT). American Association for State and Local History - Based on the book Interpreting Slavery with Children and Teens at Museums and Historic Sites (Rowman and Littlefield, September 2021), this virtual workshop (two half-days) will cover pedagogically-sound and emotionally-aware techniques for developing school programs on the subject of enslavement and strategies for training and caring for the staff implementing the programs. Cost: $100 AASLH members/$200 nonmembers. Learn more »

How to Host a Community Scanning Day
April 11 – Online: 11:30 am to 12:30 pm. Northeast Document Conservation Center - This webinar provides an overview of the tasks of organizing a community scanning day and will help you organize your next event. Cost: No cost. Learn more »

Doing Our Own Work: Personal and Professional Anti-Racism
April 11 - Online: 9 am to 12 pm. Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Those of us who are white must do our own work around racism and anti-racism. This work is required to truthfully embody an anti-racist identity and interrupt racism where we live and work. This cohort-based 3-part training will bring together leaders who are ready for a deep dive into their own personal anti-racism ideals as well as how they are combating racism in their work/community spaces. Cost: $189 members/$269 nonmembers. Learn more »

Creating Artist-in-Residence Programs to Enliven your Historic Site
April 12 – Online: 2-3 pm (CT). AASLH - This session will discuss best practices and successful examples of Artist-in-Residence programs that address social issues. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Online Course: Introduction to Financial Management
May 22 through June 18 - Online class: American Association for State and Local History/Museum Study - Designed for staff and volunteers of all abilities and organizations of all sizes, this four-week course provides an accessible, clear, and even fun introduction to financial concepts. From understanding expenses and income to how to establish an endowment, this course will equip you with a toolkit to engage with finance on your terms and to your ability. Cost: $175 AASLH members/$275 nonmembers. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

WE THE MUSEUM A podcast for museum workers

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Dr. Linda Mack Schloff Research Award Fund
April 15 - (Deadline): Funds of up to $1,400 are available for researchers looking to use the materials of the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives at the University of Minnesota Libraries. This scholarship, provided via the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest, allows visiting scholars assistance in funding for research in the Elmer L. Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota. Funds may be used for transportation, lodging, meals, research costs, and other incidental expenses. Learn more »

NEH Mellon Fellowships for Digital Publication
April 19 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - These are designed for individual researchers and scholars and support continuous full-time work for a period of six to twelve months. Successful applicants receive a stipend of $4,200 per month, with a maximum stipend of $50,400 for a twelve-month period. Learn more »

Publishing Historical Records in Documentary Editions Grants
May 3 - (Deadline): National Archives - The National Historical Publications and Records Commission seeks proposals to publish documentary editions of historical records. Learn more »

Archives Collaboratives: Implementation Grant
May 3 - (Deadline): National Archives - Seeks projects to make collections from small and under-represented archives more readily available for public discovery and use. Learn more »

Hart Family Fund for Small Towns
May 3 - (Deadline): National Trust for Historic Preservation - These grants are 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. These grants help stimulate public discussion, enable local groups to gain the technical expertise needed for particular projects, introduce the public to preservation concepts and techniques, and encourage financial participation by the private sector. Grants from the Hart Family Fund for Small Towns generally range from $2,500 to $15,000. Learn more »

Digital Projects for the Public
June 14 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This program supports projects that interpret and analyze humanities content in primarily digital platforms and formats, such as websites, mobile applications and tours, interactive touch screens, and kiosks, games, and virtual environments. Learn more »

News

Bridge spanning creek, The photo has inset image showing the bridges aluminium information plaque_ Historic Bridge Inventory Project Needs Your Input
Historic bridges are an important part of Minnesota’s transportation and cultural history. They physically convey the history of design and engineering in the state and may also be associated with important historic trends, events, or people. As part of its ongoing historic bridge identification efforts, the Minnesota Department of Transportation has commissioned Mead & Hunt, Inc. to assist with an update to the Minnesota Historic Bridge Inventory, which includes bridges built from 1971 through 1995. The project team is researching the history of Minnesota bridges and identifying structures built during this period that may possess significance for their association with historic events, important individuals, or engineering and design.

This is an exciting project, and they need your help. If you have information about a bridge in your community built between 1971 and 1995, please tell them about it. To share your information, visit the project website to access an electronic bridge information form and fill in the requested information. Completed forms will be received and reviewed by the project team. MnDOT’s historic bridge website also includes the history of bridges in this period and an interactive catalog of all of the state’s historic bridges. Learn more »


Featured Book Wild Things: A Trans-Glam-Punk-Rock Love Story by Lynette Reini-Grandell. MN Writers Series March 31, 7 to 9 pm. Minnesota Humanities Center, St. Paul Minnesota Historical Society Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History Hard Times and Sound Shelter: A Rammed-Earth House in the Cutover Volume 63, Issue 8, 2013-14	Featured Article MNopedia Transsexual Research Project 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.

From the Heritage Preservation Department
Reminder: Due to COVID-19 all Heritage Preservation Department staff (Grants Office and Local History Services) are working remotely until further notice. If you need to connect with a specific staff member, please email them directly.

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