Local History News: May 14, 2025
Field Note Twenty-six history and preservation professionals attended a Local History Workshop on April 15 at the Ramsey House in St. Paul....
Twenty-six history and preservation professionals attended a Local History Workshop on April 15 at the Ramsey House in St. Paul. Participants gathered to learn about historic finishes in building interiors (paint, wallpaper, etc.) and the process preservationists go through to determine historic and original finishes to better match them during preservation projects. Eileen Grogan from Conrad Schmidt Studios led the workshop, which featured presentations and hands-on sampling. Participants toured the Ramsey House and looked for examples of historic finishes and strategized about the best places to take samples. This workshop was made possible with funding from the Henry Somsen Fund and the Charlie Nelson Fund for Historic Preservation.
As the Minnesota Legislature works toward an agreement on the fiscal year 2026-27 biennial budget, now is the time to reach out to your elected officials and encourage them to support strong funding for state history initiatives. It’s easy and impactful to share personal stories with state representatives and senators about how funding for history has benefited you and your community. Email your elected officials and help ensure that they understand why Minnesota history matters.
Spotlighted Project: Erik Ahlberg Painting Conservation
The conservation of Erik Ahlberg’s 1934 painting marked an important milestone in preserving the cultural and artistic legacy of Moorhead and the greater Red River Valley. Through meticulous restoration and mold removal, the project not only rescued a rare surviving work by Ahlberg, a Swedish immigrant and influential local painter-decorator, but also safeguarded a vivid historical artifact that reflects the intertwined histories of settler and Indigenous communities in the region. By returning this significant piece to exhibition-ready condition, the project ensured that future generations can study and reflect on both the artistry and the complex narratives embedded in the painting. This effort highlighted the enduring value of local art, the often-overlooked role of working-class creators in shaping regional identity, and the importance of conservation in keeping community heritage accessible and relevant for years to come.
Recipient: Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
Funded Amount: $10,000
Project Details
MNHS Announces January Round of Legacy Small Grants Awards
Recipients received 28 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($10,000 or less), totaling $241,168 in 17 counties. Learn more »
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.
* Pending funding approval by the Minnesota Legislature and Governor. This date is subject to change.
Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
May 15 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: In this webinar, you will learn what you need to do to register for a grants portal login, how to apply, what the grant programs offer, what the programs can fund, and which resources are available for applicants. If you have never applied for a grant before or would like to hear about the basic process again, this webinar is for you. Presented by Grants Specialist Gillian Maguire.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: (US) +1 386-361-3086 PIN: 420 891 978#
Grants Office YouTube Playlist »
This week's blog post is from the Hennepin History Museum. Have a blog? Let us know!
Meeting the Moment
Dramatic technological, cultural, and systemic change has been swirling around us all for many years now. As historians who look back at key moments and movements that have shaped our world, it is a strange feeling to realize that we are living in such a time ourselves. But this gives us a great opportunity to do our job to document history as it is happening, and to provide a historical perspective on current events to help people make sense of things.
The intense pace of actions coming out of Washington, D.C. over the last four months have made the last few years seem almost serene. And the first question I often get from friends and acquaintances is “how are you doing, do you have federal funding that is at risk?” Fortunately, the short answer for Hennepin History Museum is that we don’t have any federal grants.
But the long answer evokes a series of additional questions to raise. What will happen if The Smithsonian, a standard-bearer and resource in our field, is significantly harmed? Will the Institute of Museum and Library Services still exist to help organizations like ours for future grant opportunities that we will need? Similarly, if the National Endowment for the Humanities can no longer fund state humanities centers and National History Day, what does that do to the infrastructure of public history in this region, state, and nation? Continue Reading »
This week's post is from the History Center of Freeborn County. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
C.P. Engen's Dress - More Than It Seams 18
Here we have a two piece dress once worn by C.P. Engen. With this dress are several sad tales! Watch Risha put the dress away and listen to the tragic newspaper clippings about the Engen family. Watch Video »
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Kittson County Historical Society.
Submit your history organization's news and events to localhistorynews@mnhs.org.
Beltrami County Women of Law and Order Panel Discussion
May 15 @ 12 pm - Bemidji: Beltrami County History Center - Celebrate the contributions of women in law enforcement and public safety at this panel featuring Calandra Allen (Beltrami County Jail Administrator), Tabitha Carrigan (Bemidji Police Officer), Katie Nolting (Bemidji City Attorney), and Amanda Pedersen (Beltrami County Telecommunications Team Leader). Panelists will share their career experiences, challenges, and the evolving role of women in maintaining law and order in Beltrami County. Cost: Free. Learn more »
United in Service Premiere Screening Event
May 15 @ 6 pm - Duluth: Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum (with PBS North) - Attend the exclusive premiere screening of the PBS North documentary United in Service: Military History from America’s Northland at the Zeitgeist Arts Building. The film explores Northern Minnesota’s unique military history, from Native American Code Talkers in WWII to the 148th Fighter Wing, featuring interviews with veterans and community members. Screening starts at 6:30 pm, followed by a discussion with the creators. Light refreshments provided. Cost: Free. Location: Zeitgeist Arts Building. Learn more »
Camp Savage and the Birth of U.S. Military Language Intelligence: One Soldier’s Story
May 16 @ 6 pm - Mendota: Sibley Historic Site, Dakota County Historical Society - Dr. Karen Lucas presents her father’s experience as one of the first Japanese American linguists trained at Camp Savage, highlighting Minnesota’s key role in U.S. military intelligence during WWII. Learn how 6,000 Japanese linguists, mostly Nisei, were trained in Minnesota and contributed to the Allied victory. Cost: $15 members/$20 nonmembers. Learn more »
William O’Brien State Park: History of the O'Brien Family, Copas Area, and Park
May 16 @ 4 to 5 pm - Scandia: Hay Lake School Museum, Washington County Historical Society - Elizabeth Nelson will discuss the O'Brien family's legacy in the logging and lumber trade, the Copas area's railroad history, and the creation and growth of William O’Brien State Park. In 1945, Alice O’Brien donated 180 acres along the St. Croix River to the State, establishing the park in memory of her father, lumber baron William O’Brien. The park has since expanded and is now one of Minnesota’s most visited state parks, with Lake Alice named in her honor. Cost: Free. Learn more »
BECHS History Book Club – Spring Series Session 2: To Banish Forever
May 17 & June 21 @ 1 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - Explore To Banish Forever by Cathy Coats, the untold story of the Ho-Chunk exile from Minnesota. After the US–Dakota War, the secret society Knights of the Forest formed in Mankato, pledging to expel all Indigenous people, especially the Ho-Chunk, from the state to claim their rich farmland. Through intimidation and violence, the Knights forced the Ho-Chunk from Blue Earth County, resulting in their removal to reservations outside Minnesota and the deaths of hundreds. This session includes a special guest presenter. Cost: $50. Learn more »
Making Minnesota
May 17 @ 10 to 11:15 am - Rochester & Online: History Center of Olmsted County - Join author Patricia Bauer and illustrator Dave Geister for a family-friendly event featuring a fun lesson on Minnesota’s history and a drawing activity led by Geister. Attendees will receive a free copy of the popular Making Minnesota activity book, which engages young readers with the state’s history, people, and places through illustrations and interactive activities. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »
2025 Syttende Mai Minnesota Banquet
May 17 @ 5 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Celebrate Norway’s Constitution Day with the Norwegian community at Norway House’s Sundet Aula. This year’s banquet highlights St. Olaf College’s 150th anniversary, featuring President Susan Rundell Singer sharing the college’s origin story, its deep Norwegian ties, and its ongoing heritage. Enjoy traditional food, colorful flags, national songs, and inspiring speakers. Cost: $75 members/$85 nonmembers. Learn more »
Cemetery Preservation Workshop
May 17 @ 10:30 am - Strathcona: Roseau County Historical Society - Participate in a hands-on cemetery preservation workshop at Greenwood Cemetery. All necessary tools and materials will be provided; participants should dress for outdoor work with closed-toe shoes, long pants, and weather-appropriate layers. The event is sponsored by Collins Funeral Home, Helgeson Funeral Homes, Greenwood Cemetery Board, and Pennington County Historical Society. Cost: Free. Location: Greenwood Cemetery. Learn more »
Ancestry.com 101 with Ember Wahlenberg
May 17 @ 10 to 11 am - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Learn how to get started with Ancestry.com in this beginner-friendly class led by Ember Wahlenberg, WCHS Research & Reference Librarian. Topics include searching records, building a family tree, and tips for genealogy research. Personal electronics are optional. Light snacks and refreshments provided. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Journeys of Identity Documentary Screening
May 18 @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans (HORA) - Watch the 60-minute documentary Journeys of Identity: Romanian Immigration Stories of Resilience, which offers an intimate look into the lives of Romanian immigrants and their families adapting to life in Minnesota. The film explores themes of cultural adaptation, intergenerational identity, and resilience through candid interviews and personal stories. A Q&A session follows the screening. Cost: Free. Location: Landmark Center. Learn more »
2025 Stillwater Historic House Tour
May 18 @ 12 to 5 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Explore eight historic homes from various eras, including residences of lumber barons, mill workers, and notable architects, plus unique Airbnb/VRBO rentals and the sheriff’s living quarters at the Historic Courthouse. Proceeds support local history preservation. Cost: $30 per person. Learn more »
Mississippi Dialogues Public Art Project
May 21 @ 12 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Dr. Margaret Pearce, Citizen Potawatomi cartographer, presents on her collaboration with Prairie Island Tribal Historic Preservation to create a public art panel Indigenizing a map of the Mississippi River for installation in Red Wing. The project draws on interviews, archival research, and historical maps to highlight Indigenous perspectives. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Jewish Girlhood in Minnesota Conversation
May 22 @ 6 to 7 pm - Saint Paul & Online: Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest - Join Robin Doroshow of the Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest and Kate Dietrick of the Upper Midwest Jewish Archives for a conversation about the history and social significance of Jewish sororities in Minnesota. The event includes a presentation, Q&A, and reception, exploring how these sororities provided community and fun amid antisemitism. Cost: Free. Location: Minnesota History Center. The event is also accessible virtually via Zoom. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: Sinclair Lewis Boyhood Home, operated by the Sinclair Lewis Foundation, Sauk Centre, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.
Putting It All Together: Preparing for 2026 at Small History Organizations
May 20 @ 11 am to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Learn about the Making History at 250 field guide, AASLH’s new handbook of low-resource programming ideas, and how to effectively apply these tools to your site or organization. Cost: $45 members/$65 nonmembers. Learn more »
AV Preservation 101
May 22 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Gaylord Archival - Rebecca Elder, Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant, will discuss how magnetic and optical media deteriorate; strategies for care and long-term storage; and safe handling and prioritization for digitization. Cost: Free. Learn more »
In-District Advocacy: Advocating to State and Federal Lawmakers
May 29 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Alliance of Museums - Learn how to engage with your state and federal representatives when they are in their home districts, prepare for your advocacy, and maximize your advocacy efforts. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Interpreting Winter Holidays with Your Community
June 12 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Explore how historic houses and museums can transform the holiday season into opportunities for community engagement, inclusivity, and innovation. This webinar features case studies on interpreting Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa, with actionable ideas for diverse audiences. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Community Identity and Heritage – Arts and Music Education Grants
Deadline – June 23: Minnesota Humanities Center – $500,000 in grant funding is available for humanities organizations to provide scholarships to youth and adults across Minnesota. These scholarships support education in music (including singing, band, and orchestral instruments), creative writing, studio arts (including traditional craft and folk arts), and performing arts (including dance and theater). Applicants may request up to $75,000 to expand access to arts and music education throughout the state. Learn more »
Radical Imagination Artists Grant
Deadline - TBA: NDN Collective - This grant supports visual and performance-based artists, writers, filmmakers, storytellers, and other creatives who are deeply engaged with their communities to develop alternative visions that inspire the Indigenous movement towards a new future and just world for all people and Mother Earth. Learn more »
Humanities in Place
Deadline – Rolling: The Mellon Foundation – Supports institutions and organizations advancing fuller exploration of community histories and sites in the U.S. through place-based projects, including work with history museums, heritage spaces, and public storytelling. Grants encourage innovative approaches to documenting, interpreting, and engaging with underacknowledged histories and communities. Proposals accepted by invitation only. Learn more »
AAM Annual Awards Program
Deadline - May 31: Association of Midwest Museums – The Annual Awards Program honors museum professionals and organizations throughout the Midwest for leadership, career achievements, innovation, and advancing equity in the museum field. Awards include the Distinguished Career Award, Promising Leadership Award, Best Practices Award, and Groundbreakers Award. Nominations are open to museum staff, volunteers, and organizations that have demonstrated outstanding impact, leadership, or innovation. Recipients will be announced in July and recognized at an in-person ceremony on August 1, 2025, in Davenport, IA, as well as through virtual celebrations in October–November. Learn more »
National Trust Preservation Funds
Deadline – June 2: National Trust for Historic Preservation – Provides grants ranging from $2,500 to $5,000 to encourage local preservation efforts by supporting planning, education, and outreach activities for historic sites. Eligible applicants include public agencies and nonprofit organizations. A 1:1 match is required. Learn more »
Endangered Latinx Landmarks Program
Deadline - June 15: Latinos in Heritage Conservation – The Endangered Latinx Landmarks program invites nominations of at-risk Latinx heritage sites in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. The initiative aims to identify, prioritize, and protect sites of cultural, historical, and social significance that face threats such as demolition, neglect, gentrification, or climate change. Community members, historians, preservationists, volunteers, and organizations are encouraged to participate by nominating sites, spreading awareness, and supporting preservation efforts. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: The historic boat, "Golden Bantan" from the Muskegon Disaster, on the grounds of the Big Stone County Historical Society, Ortonville, MN (1985). 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.
What's New in Archival Cataloging
Here is the latest What's New list from archival cataloging for April. It includes newly cataloged materials, newly digitized collections or parts of collections, and recently updated finding aids.
New this month, the Minnesota Historical Society Institutional Archives. Check out the newly added COVID Coping Cookbook and the recently digitized photographs of MNHS staff, buildings, past exhibits, spaces, history center construction, staff picnics, and many other memorable parts of the history of our institution in the Minnesota Historical Society Institutional Records. Thanks to Charlie Rodgers and the archival digitization team for organizing and making these photographs more widely available.
Newly added accessions this month include the Carole Fisher Papers; the Hennepin County: SAGE Academy Charter School Administrative Files; and the Walker Art Center Internet Cat Festival Records. Collections with additions or added digital content include the Agricultural Society Century Farm Applications; the American Association of University Women: Minnesota State Division Records; the Architecture, Engineering, Land Surveying, Landscape Architecture, Geoscience, and Interior Design Board Records; Cameo Social Club Records; the Episcopal Church: Diocese of Minnesota: Various Records; the Geographic Board Records; the Humanities Commission Audiotapes; the Alexander MacDonald Keith Papers; the Mike Lynch Papers; the Minnesota Works Progress Administration Records; the Ramsey County District Court Coroner's Certificates; and the Rochester State Hospital Patient Case Books. Learn more »
Trump cuts: Minnesota Latino Museum planned for St. Paul loses NEA grant
Bring Me The News - The local nonprofit behind plans to open a Minnesota Latino Museum in St. Paul say they'll continue on with their efforts despite losing a federal grant last week. Continue reading »
The benefits of supporting museums and cultural centers
Hometown Focus - Museums and cultural centers are more than just repositories of history and art; they are essential pillars of economic vitality, community engagement, and workforce development. Their impact extends far beyond their walls, influencing local economies, preserving cultural heritage, and shaping the future of our workforce. Supporting these institutions is a strategic investment in both economic and social well-being. Continue reading »
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Featured BookPerpich: A Minnesota Original, by Benjamin M. Schierer with Lori Sturdevant. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Author Event: Book Release |
Featured Article
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Featured Article
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Minnesota UnraveledEnduring Connections: Native Community and Basketball Episode 106 |
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Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
Preservation Specialists Directory |
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Field Note Twenty-six history and preservation professionals attended a Local History Workshop on April 15 at the Ramsey House in St. Paul....
Field Note Grants Office staff enjoyed stepping out of the office to connect and network with colleagues at the Minnesota Alliance of Local History...
Field Note MNHS Local History Services staff met with staff from the City of Ramsey on April 8 to get a closer look at the District No. 28 school...