Field Note

On September 23, MNHS staff and members of the MNHS Executive, Emeritus, and Honorary councils participated in a bus trip to the Folsom House, Gammelgården Museum, Marine Mill Historic Site, and Washington County Heritage Center. At the stops, tour participants heard about the programs offered at the sites. The visits to the Gammelgården Museum and Washington County Heritage Center included presentations from Gammelgården, Scandia Heritage Alliance, and Washington County Historical Society sharing the impact that Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grants have had on their organizations. 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Small Grant Deadline Extended
NOTE: The grants portal was unable to create and save new applications for a few days but is now fully functional. Due to this delay, the Grants Office has extended the small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program to Wednesday, October 16, 2024, 11:59 pm.

Grants Office Webinar: Making Films with Grants
October 17 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: The Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program has helped to complete a broad range of historical films. We'll discuss how grants can fund research, scriptwriting, visual elements, and sound design for your film projects. We'll also briefly examine the process of successful history films and how that process can and sometimes cannot fit into the calendar and standards for grant-funded work.
Presented by Grants Specialist John Fulton
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 the Scott County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

The Shakopee Tornado of 1977
It’s not often that Shakopee gets tornadoes. It’s even less often that a tornado strikes the business district, or downtown, of a city. However, on May 21, 1977, one of the most notable tornadoes in Scott County history struck the heart of Shakopee and left much damage in Shakopee neighborhoods, mostly by destroying trees.
The tornado began just north of Heidelburg in Le Sueur County. It tracked northeast from there. The whole track until Shakopee was all through farmland, though the tornado got close to both New Prague and Jordan. That being said, the damage must have been quite minimal in the countryside, for neither the New Prague Times nor the Jordan Independent mentioned any tornado in their next editions. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• MDL adds recent history to Weavers Guild digital collection - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Knights in Minneapolis - Pragmatic Historian
• October History Friday: Centennial Lakes - Kraus-Anderson
• Efficient Cultural Resource Management: Don’t Let Regulation Bottleneck Your Project - 106 Group
• The Tretter Transgender Oral History Project’s inaugural community cohort is democratizing history - U of MN Libraries
• Back in time: William S. Conrad, from the Lee's Army to Stillwater businessman - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• David Desannoy Family History - Tower-Soudan Historical Society
• Concrete Block Farm Buildings: Graceville, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Tales from the Grave 2024 John Johnson - Rock County Minnesota Historical Society
• Netra Parikh: Immigrant Stories - Immigration History Research Center
• Message from MN The Story of Aviator and Author Arthur Gerald Donahue - History Center of Olmsted County
• BookEnds Online Edition: Eric Dregni - Wadena County Historical Society
• Francis Baasen - Brown County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Program Facilitator I - Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post    
• Benefits Specialist - MN History Center
• Events & Support Services Manager - MN History Center
• Payroll Specialist - MN History Center
• Event & Support Services, Lead - MN History Center
• Facilities Maintenance Technician - Historic Fort Snelling

LOCAL

• Full Stack Developer - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN
• Assistant or Associate Curator of Native American Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Chair of Exhibition Strategy - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Associate Curator of American Paintings - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Kusske Design Initiative Director - College of Design - University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Retail Sales and Operations Manager - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Group Visit and Program Support Staff - The Works, Bloomington, MN
• Archivist IV Supervisor - Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN

REGIONAL

• Box Office Customer Service Representative - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• National History Day Learning Facilitator - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Director of Development - National Czech & Slovak Museum & Library, Cedar Rapids, IA
• Desk Attendant/Receptionist - Sioux City Art Center, Sioux City, IA
• Executive Assistant - Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation, Bismarck, ND
• Assistant to the State Historian - South Dakota State Government, Pierre, SD

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Program Coordinator – African American History Collections (term), Advanced Resources, Chicago, IL
• Data Integrations Engineer - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Historical Site Interpreter - Gene Stratton-Porter State Historic Site,  Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Rome City, IN
• Groundskeeper - TC Steele State Historic Site, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites,    Nashville, IN
• Curator of Midwest Archaeology - IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Multiple locations, IN
• Collections Manager, Ethnography - IU Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, Bloomington, IN
• Collection and Exhibitions Programs Manager - Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
• Event Assistant - American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH
• Curator - Secunda Art Museum, Howell, MI
• African American Collections Project Archivist - Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA
• Museum Educator 2 - Pennsylvania Military Museum, Centre County, PA
• Museum Educator 1 - Cornwall Iron Furnace, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Lebanon County, PA 
• Director - Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum, National Archives and Records Administration, Independence, MO
• Carpenter/Cabinetmaker - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB
• Museum Technician - Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Multiple Internships - National Park Services & Bureau of Land Management - Multiple locations
• Postdoctoral Fellowship: Gender in Michigan’s Copper Country - National Park Service (NPS) Mellon Humanities Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, Keweenaw, MI
• Postdoc Fellow in Community Archives - Black Metropolis Research Consortium, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

MNHS Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

• Digitization Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, Elk River, MN
• Historic Costuming Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, Elk River, MN
• Lindbergh Public History Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, Little Falls, MN
• Volunteer Services Special Events Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN 
• Registration Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN 
• Northern Lights Textbook Revision Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN (Hybrid)
• National Historic Register Study - Fire Station No. 24 Research Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• Native American Artist-in-Residence Support Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• MNHS Press Design Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• Interpretive Programming Documentation Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• Digital Production and Programming Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• Marketing & Communications Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN
• Archaeology Collections Assistant Intern - Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul, MN

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the History Center of Olmsted County.

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

Presentation: Brown Bag History-Music and Conversation with Mike Naylor
October 17 @ 12 pm - Beltrami County Historical Society - Mike Naylor is a key figure in Bemidji's music scene, known for his bluegrass and folk performances. He has contributed significantly to the local music community, not only through his performances but also by turning part of his property into a recording studio and mentoring local musicians. The upcoming event will celebrate Naylor's musical talents and his contributions to the area's cultural heritage, offering a mix of live music and discussions on his impact. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: 2nd Annual Midwest Queer & Trans Zine Fest
October 19 & 20 @ 11 am to 5 pm - Minneapolis: Tretter Collection in GLBT Studies at the University of MN Libraries - This event brings together queer and trans artists, zine makers, collectives, and small presses to share their work with zine enthusiasts and LGBTQ community members. Location: Open Book Building. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: 6th Annual Creepy Doll Contest - Circus After Dark
October 19 @ 6 to 10 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - The Dolls invite everyone for an enigmatic evening to enjoy their circus-themed party. This spine-chilling event will include a full dinner, cash bar, costume contest, DJ & dancing, circus entertainment, and more! Visit with dolls and fellow ghosts and ghouls for an unforgettable celebration. 18+ event. Location: Historic Chateau Theatre. Cost: $50. Learn more »

Event: Saum Semi-Annual Meeting
October 20 @ 1 pm - Kelliher: Beltrami County Historical Society - Community members are invited to the semi-annual meeting at the charming Saum Historic School. Following a lunch, you’ll hear updates from both the Historical Society and the Saum Community Club, sharing exciting news and developments in local history preservation. After enjoy a guided tour of both of Saum’s historic schoolhouses. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: The Wright Brothers First Flight at Kitty Hawk, NC
October 21 @ 5:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - David Johnston will present on the Wright Brothers' first flight at Kitty Hawk, North Carolina. Cost: Free. 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: Polaris Experience Center, operated by Polaris Industries, Roseau, MN.

Call for Conference Session Proposals
Planning for the 2025 Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Conference in White Bear Lake, MN is underway! In order to have another successful conference, MALHM is soliciting session proposals. This is a chance to share your knowledge and experiences with peers from across the state. Sessions will take place on April 23 & 24, 2025. Submit proposals by Tuesday, November 6. Learn more »

Wiki Uff Da! Editing Wikipedia for Absolute Beginners

Join us at one of the Minnesota Historical Society's three FREE Local History Workshops in Minnesota, where you can learn how to edit Wikipedia and share your community's local history.

Whether you're curious about how information gets added to Wikipedia or want to find new ways to share your community's history, this workshop will boost your confidence in editing the world's largest encyclopedia. In this workshop you will also learn how to use AI to help you write your Wikipedia articles and how Wikipedia can help your museum. The cost is free, and lunch is provided, but registration is required. Learn more »

• Wednesday, October 23 - Morris, MN
• Thursday, November 14 - Chisholm, MN
• Wednesday, November 20 - Mankato, MN

TIPS & TOOLS

• American Lesson Plan: Teaching US History in Secondary Schools - American Historical Association

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Humanities Research Centers on Artificial Intelligence
December 11 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This program supports the establishment of humanities research centers focused on the ethical, legal, and societal implications of artificial intelligence (AI) at eligible institutions. These centers are designed to foster collaboration among scholars for in-depth exploration of specific topics, encouraging both research and knowledge dissemination through various educational and outreach activities. Expected outputs include the creation of a center, alongside activities such as lecture series, workshops, and the development of digital resources or publications. Learn more »

Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions
January 9, 2025 - (Deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - These grants help small and mid-sized institutions—such as libraries, museums, historical societies, archival repositories, cultural organizations, town and county records offices, and colleges and universities—improve their ability to preserve and care for their significant humanities collections. Learn more »

National Register Signage Grant Program
Applications accepted on a rolling basis: William G. Pomeroy Foundation - This program is designed to promote historical preservation and awareness through the provision of grants for signage. This initiative supports the installation of markers and plaques that highlight and recognize sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By doing so, it aims to increase public engagement with America's historical treasures, encouraging education and tourism. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

What's New in Archival Cataloging from September
October is American Archives Month! Coming up this month in the archives world we have Electronic Records Day on October 10 and #Ask an Archivist Day on October 16.

Newly added accessions this month include the Friends of the Sibley Historic Site (Mendota, Minn.); the King and Van Buskirk Family Papers; the Minnesota Inventors Congress Records; the Mount Zion Hebrew Congregation (Saint Paul, Minn.) Records; the Sibley County, Green Isle Community School Records; the Sherburne County City of Elk River Records; and the SweatShop (Saint Paul, Minn.) Records.

Collections with additions or added digital content include the American Association of University Women, Minnesota State Division Records; the James Boyd Hubbell Papers; the Project Minnesota/León Records; the Soldiers Home Hospital/Clinic Records; the Stillwater State Prison Photographs; and the Secretary of State Session Laws.

In addition, there are many newly encoded finding aids that are now available online for the first time. Learn more »

Ely Winton Historical Society hires executive director
Ely Echo – With a bachelor of arts degree in historic preservation and public history, Kelsey Cooke has committed her professional career to the interpretation of heritage and history and to connecting people to places and stories in meaningful ways.
The Ely Winton Historical Society (EWHS) has hired Cooke as the new Executive Director and is enthusiastic about the expertise she brings. Continue reading »

A fresh look at downtown New Ulm
The Journal – Few places in Minnesota have as much history as downtown New Ulm. Nearly every block features some point of historic interest. Historic walking tours are not uncommon and thanks to a new business, Teutonic Tales and Trails, they could be regular feature. Continue reading »

Featured Book They Would Not Be Moved: The Enduring Struggle of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe to Keep Their Reservation, by Bruce White Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book Launch Event Location: Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post Onamia, MN Date: October 25 @ 7 to 8:30 pm	Featured Article Minnesota History Women's softball in Minnesota: pioneers, players, and politicos Volume 58, Issue 4, 2003	Featured Article MNopedia Chicano Movement in Westside St. Paul 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.

Subscribe to Local History News
Use Local History News as part of your online tools to stay connected to your colleagues while working from home. Know someone who could benefit from this newsletter?
Have them sign up »