Field Note

In April, descendants of the African American Hastings community that originated in Hastings, gathered at the Dakota County Historical Society to share stories, photos, and updates on the Black Heritage Trail. The event, known as "Black Hastings: A Community Gathering," focused on the histories of African American pioneer families, with guests from supportive institutions like the Minnesota Historical Society, the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery, and the Givens Collection of African American Literature and Life.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Large Grant Deadline - THIS WEEK!
Pre-applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants large grant round (requests over $10,000) will be due Friday, May 31, 2024. This is a required part of the large grant application process. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, July 12, 2024.

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

The Birth of Buttermaking in Nicollet County
Nestled in the heart of New Sweden Township, the unassuming community of New Sweden holds history that belies its size. Situated near the crossroads of State Highways 22 and 111, approximately four miles west of Norseland and nearly nine miles north of Nicollet, this tiny enclave has left an indelible mark on Nicollet County’s story. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• The LOOKING UP DOWNTOWN grant application period is open! - Rethos
• New MDL Primary Source Set: Main Streets - Minnesota Digital Library News
• “The teeth of time” - U of MN Libraries
• From the President - June 2024 - Danish American Center
• Minnehaha Rails - Minneapolis Park History
• Another interesting soldier story from the old scrapbooks, dated 1967 - Brandon History Center
• DARING BURGLARY: Safe in W.F. Stute’s Saloon Blown Open and $51 in Cash Stolen From It - Renville County Historical Society
• Back in time: Remembering the roots of Decoration Day - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• The Fergus Falls Insane Asylum: A Beautiful Place with a Dark History - MN Bricks
• Stories of Winona's Past - Winona Public Library
• Johnson Boat Works Dig 5 20 2024 - White Bear Lake Area Historical Society
• 1965 Twin Cities Tornado Survivor Interview - Fridley Historical Society
• The Orphan Train Story in Minnesota with Bill Schrankler - Washington County Historical Society
• Zina's scary story - Phyllis Wheatley Community Center
• Lester F. "Les" Schrenk, US 8th Air Force Ball Turret Gunner and POW - Eighth Air Force Historical Society of Minnesota

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• ITSM Administrator - MN History Center
• Archaeological Laboratory Supervisor - Kellogg Center
• Benefits Specialist - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Exhibits and Education Director - Duluth Children's Museum, Duluth, MN
• Donor Relations Associate - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Visitor Experience Associate - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• System Administrator II - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Data Analyst - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Director of Development - Bell Museum, University of Minnesota, Falcon Heights, MN
• Guide - Schubert Club Music Museum, St. Paul, MN

REGIONAL

• Associate Curator/Curator - Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, IA
• Events Planner - Museum of Danish America, Elk Horn, IA
• Development Communications Coordinator - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Marketing & Communications Director - Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Human Resources Assistant - Milwaukee Public Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Membership & Communications Coordinator - Ephraim Historical Foundation, Ephraim, WI
• Operations Manager - Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD
• Senior Archaeologist - South Dakota Department of Education, Rapid City, SD
• Custodian - Siouxland Heritage Museums, Sioux Falls, SD

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Education Director - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
• Museum Educator - Lake County Forest Preserves, Libertyville, IL
• Curator - Howard County Historical Society, Kokomo, IN
• Tour Coordinator - Armstrong Air & Space Museum, Wapakoneta, OH
• Project Coordinator - Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids, MI
• Administrative Assistant - Grand Rapids African American Museum & Archives, Grand Rapids, MI 
• Historian, Michigan Historical Marker and DNR Broadening Access Programs - Michigan History Center and Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI 
• Museum Curator - Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI
• Archivist for Athletics - Bentley Library, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• Curator - American Swedish Historical Museum, Philadelphia, PA
• Facilities & Preservations Manager - National Willa Cather Center, Red Cloud, NE
• Curator of Exhibits - Missouri State Museum, Jefferson City, MO
• Supervisor, Conservation and Technical Services - Canadian Museum of War, Ottawa, ON
• Collections Care Technician - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB
• Collections Cataloguing Technician - Royal Alberta Museum, Edmonton, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Archival Intern - Sauder Village, Archbold, OH

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

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

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

Event: Blood Drive
May 30 @ 9 am to 3 pm - Willmar: Kandiyohi County Historical Society is hosting a Red Cross Blood Drive. Make sure to sign up and help save a life! Schedule an Appointment »

Event: 1980s Car Show and “I Want My 1980s” Exhibit Opening
May 30 @ 4 to 8 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Come and see the glory of 1980s cars on the museum grounds and when you need to cool off, head on inside the museum and see their brand new exhibit, “I Want My 1980s,” showcasing all the things that made that decade so rad. Learn more »

Author event: "Musical Chairs" Author Ruth Bures
June 1 @ 12 to 2:30 pm - Winona: Winona County History Center - Local author Ruth Bures will be signing copies and reading an excerpt from her brand new book, "Musical Chairs: A True, Forgotten Tale of Love, Music, and Furniture," a true story of four talented musicians, Babette, Freda, Orville, and Walter, who create a "classy" vaudeville act in the early 1900s. As vaudeville wanes in popularity, the couples move to a southeastern Minnesota town to purchase and run a furniture store. There they continue to pursue their passion for music in ways that have important local impact as they reshape their own lives. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: Victorian Lawn Party 
June 1 @ 1 to 4 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - Take a step back in time and spend the afternoon playing Victorian lawn games at the Hubbard House. Try your hand at croquet, hoop and stick game, hopscotch, and more. Enjoy a doll and teddy bear tea party on the front porch as well. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Class: Lead, Asbestos, and Radon, Oh My!
June 6 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Rethos - In this 2-hour class, licensed architect Alissa Pier will demystify three substances often found in older homes: lead, asbestos, and radon. Alissa will provide context to the specific uses of each substance, explain their dangers, and walk through mitigation methods. Lead, radon, or asbestos can be scary for prospective homebuyers. Learn how to provide safe handling resources for the removal of these substances, and put your clients at ease. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: Finding Moses Dickson
June 20 @ 7 pm (CT) - Online: Ramsey County Historical Society History - New documentation reveals Moses Dickson, a prominent Underground Railroad leader, resided in Minnesota in the 1850s. Historian Karen Sieber will discuss Dickson's impactful role in the Black freedom movement during an upcoming Juneteenth event. She will also introduce a new initiative exploring the Black Midwest of the nineteenth century. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Camp: Summer History Camps at the Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead
The Carver County Historical Society's Summer History camps will be at the Historic Andrew Peterson Farmstead again this year. Take a look if you have kids needing something to do this summer.
Name of the Game Camp - June 19 to 21
In this year’s spin on a previous camp, kids will explore games of old, games from around the world, and some fun ways to get outside.

In the Garden Camp - July 10 to 12
In this camp, kids will get the chance to learn about the soil that grows our food and the garden plants that can grow in their own backyards.

Cost: $95 members/$105 nonmembers. Learn more »

Event: Juneteenth Breakfast featuring Bakari Sellers
June 22 @ 8 to 10:30 am - St. Paul: Minnesota Humanities Center - The 2024 Juneteenth Brunch will feature a keynote address and community conversation with Bakari Sellers on the thesis of his new book, "The Moment: Thoughts on the Race Reckoning That Wasn’t and How We All Can Move Forward Now." Sellers is a CNN political analyst and lobbyist for the government of Liberia, and a former member of the South Carolina legislature. Cost: $100. Learn more »

Event: Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story
June 21 @ 11 am to 1 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota Humanities Center and Northrop are proud to bring Kumbayah the Juneteenth Story to the Twin Cities in collaboration with Sweet Potato Comfort Pie and local organizations. In 2021, Juneteenth was written into law as a national day of observance. Following, on February 3, 2023, Juneteenth became an official state holiday in Minnesota. Location: Northrop Auditorium. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Camp: County School Day Camp Offers Interactive Experience at Two Historic One-Room Schools
Winona County Historical Society - This summer, immerse your students in life long ago through a County School Day Camp. The 6-hour experience in a one-room schoolhouse offers a unique opportunity for young learners to live like a student over a century ago. The camp program will be hosted on two different dates and locations. 

• Prigge School - August 2 @ 9 am to 3 pm
• Gainey-McCarthy School - August 2 @ 9 am to 3 pm

Cost: $40 members/$55 nonmembers. Learn more »

Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: History & Heritage Events | Historic Exhibits | Lectures & Workshops
Submit an event »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Bloomington Old Town Hall, operated by the Bloomington County Historical Society, Bloomington, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

Community in the Workplace Barriers Survey: Results and Analyses
May 30 @ 1 to 2 pm - Online: MuseumExpert.org - Join them as they review the results of last month's Barriers To Equitable Museum Work Survey. Cost: Free. Learn more »

HR for Small Museums
May 31 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Oregon Museums Association - Two industry experts will guide you through the maze of regulations and best practices, ensuring your museum remains legally sound and employee-friendly. The presenters will help you navigate how to craft effective policies for your unique environment and discuss labor laws including unionized workplaces. Cost: $30 nonmembers. Learn more »

Planning, Preservation, and Change: The Federal Perspective
May 31 @ 12 to 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Join the continued collaboration with the American Planning Association’s Urban Design and Historic Preservation Division to explore the intersection of planning preservation and change. C. Bronin, Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, emphasizes the significance of historic resources in federal development and advocates for new approaches to preservation. She recently proposed updates to federal standards to address economic growth, housing, sustainability, and climate change, potentially impacting 120,000 federal actions annually under the National Historic Preservation Act. Cost: $85. Learn more »

Introduction to Generative AI tools for research and writing
June 20 @ 12 to 1 pm - Online: U of MN Libraries - Have you heard all the buzz about the new generative AI tools like Chat GPT but not sure how to use them (or if you should) in your research and writing? Or maybe you have experimented but you're unsure. Learn about how these tools work, the pros and cons, and tips for incorporating them into your research and writing practice. Open to the general public. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Spotlight: Cybersecurity for Nonprofits
June 21 @ 9 am to 3:30 pm - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Register for this fast-paced training on cybersecurity trends, led by experienced nonprofit leaders. Topics include AI, ransomware, cyber insurance, and practical digital practices. Day-long virtual sessions offer practical information and access to session recordings for three months. Cost: $135 members/$175 nonmembers. Learn more »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance
June 25 @ 9 am to 12 (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This workshop is right for you if you are new to the nonprofit sector, nonprofit finance, or your position as staff or board member. Cost: $85. Learn more »

Succession Planning for Cultural Institutions, Part One: Research Findings
June 28 @ 11 am - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - Cultural sector professionals juggle multiple roles and resources efficiently, with staff transitions requiring careful succession planning and knowledge transfer. In 2023, 15 arts organizations collaborated on the Collections Stewardship Succession Planning Initiative, supported by the Conservation Center and Lyrasis. This initiative aims to enhance succession planning for collections care and management roles in cultural institutions. Join in for a presentation on the findings of this report. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Drive Your Nonprofit’s Mission by Investing in Your People - Blue Avocado
• What Does It Take to Run a Museum? The Job Description Is Changing - New York Times

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

LGBTQ-RAN Educational Resource Prize
June 30 - (Deadline): LGBTQ Religious Archives Network - the prize honors scholars and teachers developing curricular and instructional materials for the teaching of LGBTQ+ religious history at all levels of education from primary to higher education, as well as in congregational or community settings. Learn more »

Wayland D. Hand Prize
July 1 - Deadline: History and Folklore Section of the American Folklore Society - given to an author of an outstanding book in English that combines historical and folkloristic content and perspectives. Learn more »

Archives*Records 2024 in Chicago, Illinois
August 14 to 17 - Chicago, IL: Society of American Archivists - Dive into unparalleled learning opportunities! Connect with peers, acquire essential skills, and expand your perspectives at this year's hybrid Annual Meeting. Learn more »

Our Town 
August 15 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Arts - Through project-based funding, this grants program supports activities that integrate arts, culture, and design into local efforts that strengthen communities over the long term. Learn more »

NAHA Archives & NAHA Publications Fellowships
October 1 - (Deadline): Norwegian-American Historical Association - These fellowships provide support for research of the Norwegian-American experience. Learn more »

• NAHA Archives Fellowship - One award of up to $2,000 will be available for a specific research project by a graduate student or advanced career scholar.
• NAHA Publications Fellowship - One award of $2,500 is available for a specific research project to scholars at any stage of their career. 

Daughters of the American Revolution Historic Preservation Grants
August 1 - October 31 (open for applications): The program provides community grant funding for projects that preserve historic resources, sites, and other history-related projects. The maximum grant is $10,000, and smaller projects are encouraged. Each application must be accompanied by a DAR chapter or state organization sponsorship letter. Learn more »

Archaeological Site Preservation Grants
November 1 – (Deadline): Archaeological Institute of America - Funding is available to support projects that not only directly preserve archaeological sites, but those that also include public outreach and education components that create a positive impact on the local community, students, and the discipline of archaeology as a whole. Learn more »

Additional Funding Opportunities »

News

Free Display Case
The Sibley Historic Site has a display case available free for a new home. It is wired for and has a fluorescent fixture in it. 
The case as a whole is:

• 4’ wide
• 20-1/4” deep
• 38” in height (from the floor, with the legs)
• 32” in height (just the case itself)

There are two glass shelves on the inside:

• The top shelf measures 8” deep and 46” wide.
• The bottom glass shelf measures 10” deep and 46” wide.
• The bottom of the case itself (which can be used for displaying items) has a clearance of 18-3/4” deep and 46” wide.

Please reply to Aaron Novodvorsky by Thursday May 30, 2024 if you are interested in this case.

"Team Minnesota" Heads to National History Day in June
Red Lake Nation News — “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 »

Front of Jasper Museum targeted for repair
Pipestone County Star — A recently completed condition assessment report identified $672,407 in recommended repairs and restoration work for the Jasper Museum building, otherwise known as the J.M. Poorbaugh Block. The 54-page report was prepared by architectural firm LHB, which conducted a condition assessment last summer. The Jasper Area Historical Society (JAHS) used a $10,000 Legacy grant from the Minnesota Historical Society to hire LHB to conduct the assessment and prepare the report. Continue reading »

Mary Knoll Barn finds new life while keeping history intact
Ag Week — In the early 1920s, if you were to drive a few miles west of the Saint Marys Hospital in Rochester, you would find a 200-plus acre farm owned by the Sisters of Saint Francis. For half a century, the farm contributed fresh and high quality milk, vegetables and meat to aid in the healing ministry at the hospital. According to archives at the History Center of Olmsted County, in the early days of Saint Marys Hospital, the land around the building was able to grow vegetables, and raise chickens and cows that went to feed the patients and the staff. But as the hospital and city grew and more room was needed, in 1919, the Governing Board of the Sisters authorized the purchase of 207 acres of farm land, which came to be known as the Mary Knoll Farm. Continue reading »

Featured Book Musical Chairs: A True, Forgotten Tale of Love, Music, and Furniture by Ruth Anfinson Bures. Wagonbridge Publishing. Author event Date: June 1 @ 12 to 2:30 pm Location: Winona County History Center	Featured Article Minnesota History Martha G. Ripley, Pioneer Doctor and Social Reformer. Volume 39, Issue 1, 1964	Featured Article MNopedia Dimitri Mitropoulos at the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra, 1937–1949 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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