Local History News: October 11, 2023

Field Note

Staff from MNHS joined many others from around Minnesota at the "Preserve Minnesota" conference in Mankato on September 27-29. The sessions pictured above were just some of the many at the historic preservation conference. Many of these were video taped, so stay tuned for the an announcement when they are posted online.

Upper left, Jeremy Nienow, owner, Nienow Cultural Consultants, presenting the need for archival and archaeological exploration to uncover mysteries during the redevelopment of Fort Snelling’s Upper Post. Lower left, Tish Jones, Executive Director, TruArtSpeaks engaging audience members to learn the Open Space Facilitation method of audience participation that fosters community engagement. Right, Bonnie McDonald, President & CEO, Landmarks Illinois, gives the key note address, "People’s Right to Place: Building a More Relevant and Just Preservation Movement."

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Grant: Phase 3 Exhibit Production: "Peter, Ola, and Per; A Creative Heritage"
The grant helped fund the production and installation of an exhibit on the life and work of Peter Rosendahl, particularly the significance, value, and impact of his Norwegian-American comic strip "Han Ola og han Per."

This was the last of three grants to produce the exhibit. In 2018, they received a grant to hire a researcher to look into the history of local author and artist, Peter Rosendahl, and the significance of his comic strip. In 2020, they received a grant to develop an exhibit plan on this topic. The completed work included an exhibit schematic plan, text draft, and graphic design concepts.

As a central part of their museum, this will be a permanent exhibit (lasting more than five years). The research files gathered while researching the exhibit will continue to be in their collection archives for future historians. 
Recipient: Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
Funded amount: $10,000
Project details

Grants Office Webinar: Heritage Partnership Grants in 2024
October 19 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: The Heritage Partnership Grant program helps two or more Minnesota organizations advance their history-oriented programs and projects. Joint efforts might involve using shared supplemental staff, improved treatment of similar historic resources, streamlining services or planning for management of similar resources. The next Heritage Partnership Program deadline is January 26, 2024, so attend this webinar to learn how to propose a partnership program, how to brainstorm what the final product will be and what the experience of a partnership project is like after you get one. 
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬ PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

Small Grant Deadline
The next small grant deadline (requests of $10,000 or less) for the MHCHG program is Friday, October 13, 2023.

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the U of MN Libraries Continuum. Have a blog? Let us know!

Vietnamese Migrations and Narratives of Unsettlement
As a Vietnamese American scholar working on the cultural history of boat refugees, I have always known about what historians and sociologists call the “three waves” of refugee migration. 

In this theory, the first wave exited the fallen state of South Vietnam in 1975 via U.S. airlift, flying first to military bases hastily constructed in Guam, Wake Island, and the Philippines before arriving in temporary reception centers located at Fort Chaffee, Arkansas; Pendleton, California; Eglin Air Force Base, Florida; and Fort Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. 

The veritable second wave, remembered through the indiscriminate masses of “the boat people,” began in 1978 at the start of the Sino-Vietnamese War, when thousands of ethnic Chinese Vietnamese escaped the country by boat to evade persecution, and hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese rode the mercurial seas to crowded refugee camps across Southeast Asia in search of economic and political respite. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Lake Minnetonka Wreck #97 - Trident Sciences
• History of the Shakopee Central School, Part 3 - Scott County Historical Society
• 1920s roar back to life - Minnesota Brown
• October Friday History: The Minnesota Vikings - Kraus-Anderson
• FANLIGHT #8, October - Beltrami County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

Podcast: Kassy Saves the Museum from Disaster
No one expects disaster to hit - but a flood, fire, or severe storm can destroy priceless, one-of-a-kind artifacts faster than staff can react. Follow along with ACHS Collections Manager Kassy as she attends a Disaster Planning Workshop and begins the process of creating an official disaster plan for ACHS. And here’s a bonus thought: much of the information is applicable to your personal items and storm damage at home (as Rebecca has unfortunately found out!). Listen »

More MN Tube posts

• Symbolic Significance: Tracing the History of Jewish High Holidays and the First Day of School - U of MN Libraries
• Shaped by Water Podcast with Andrew Pruett - History Center of Olmsted County
• Mark Morgen – Building the Wood Canvas Canoe - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• History of Pipestone County Agriculture - Pipestone County Historical Society
• Felipa Guevara: Immigrant Stories - Immigration History Research Center, U of MN
• Lyon County Vietnam Veteran: David Ziemkel - Lyon County Historical Society
• Diane Wilson: Haha Wakpadan/Bassett Creek Oral History Project - Hennepin History Museum

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Web and Applications Developer - Minitex, Minneapolis, MN
• Seasonal Field Tech Positions - Blondo Consulting, LLC, Twin Cities Metro

REGIONAL

• Executive Director - Sheboygan County Museum, Sheboygan, WI
• Genealogy Services Librarian - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Visitor Services Associate - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Abert Family Curator of American Art - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
• Museum/Education Administrative Assistant - Experimental Aircraft Association, Oshkosh, WI 
• Administrator - Plymouth County Historical Museum, Le Mars, IA
• Downtown Building Rehabilitation Specialist - Iowa Economic Development Authority, Des Moines, IA
• Senior Director of Development - Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, IA
• Associate Curator - Des Moines Art Center, Des Moines, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Non Profit Records Management and Processing Archivist - The HistoryMakers, Chicago, IL
• Director of Institutional and Public Giving - The Morton Arboretum,  Lisle, IL
• Out of School Educator - Indiana State Museums and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Director of Development - American Sign Museum, Cincinnati, OH
• Senior Accounting Manager - Holden Forests & Gardens, Kirtland, OH
• Administrator and Curator - McGuffey House and Museum, Miami University, Oxford, OH
• Major Gift Officer - The Henry Ford, Dearborn, MI 
• Events Manager - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
• Registrar - Tri-Cities Historical Museum, Grand Haven, MI
• Applications Programmer/Analyst - University of Michigan Library, Ann Arbor, MI
• Curator of Education - Cranbrook Art Museum, Bloomfield Hills, MI
• Director, Museum & Education - Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor, Easton, PA
• Assistant/Associate Conservator, Paintings - The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
• Bilingual Learning Facilitator - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB
• Bilingual Science Communicator - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB
• Event Assistant - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
• Special Events Supervisor  - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Archives and Library internship - State Historical Society of Missouri
• Oral History internship - State Historical Society of Missouri
• Preservation (conservation) internship - State Historical Society of Missouri
• Education curriculum internship - State Historical Society of Missouri

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Hennepin County Library.

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

Presentation: Storytelling from the Backroads of Cook County
October 14 @ 2 to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center - Storytelling from the back roads is the collaborative work of the Historical Alliance of Cook County. Speakers will be from each of the respective Historical Societies of Cook County including Cook County Historical Society, Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Schroeder Area Historical Society, and Tofte Historical Society. Location: Arrowhead Center for the Arts. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: The Substance of Queer Joy Storytelling & Community Building Gathering
October 14 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: There’s history here - as drugs and alcohol have both helped LGBTQI+ communities to connect and have been a source of harm. How to create spaces to joyfully connect and explore each other while avoiding the harms that unchecked substance use can cause? What is the vision for a future that prioritizes connection and the thriving of queer communities, AND emphasizes healing benefits and harm reduction for people who choose to use? Join for an invigorating conversation. Location: Doty Board Room, Minneapolis Central Library. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop: Colonialism & WWII: A Storytelling and Writing Workshop
October 14 @ 10 am to 12 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Explore the experiences of WWII veterans and families of Stearns County in the Battle of Singapore and the Pacific Arena. Learn more »

Presentation: Great Storm Book Talk 
October 18 @ 6:30 pm - Glencoe: Pope County Historical Society - Join author Carolyn Mankell Sowinski for a book talk about The Great Storm: Minnesota’s Victims in the Blizzard of January 7, 1873. Learn more »

Presentation: The Life of Margaret Bonga Fahlstrom (1797-1880)
October 19 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Afton: Afton Historical Society - As part of their speaker series Dr. Mattie DeCarlo will present her research on Margaret Bonga Fahlstrom, a woman of mixed African and Ojibwe ancestry. She grew up in Ojibwe territory in the early 1800s. In 1850 she moved to Afton, MN with her husband, Jacob Fahlstrom, a fur trader who figures prominently in early state narratives as the first Swede to live in Minnesota. Dr. DeCarlo is a direct descendant of Margaret's brother George Bonga and is a citizen of the Bois Forte Band of Ojibwe. Learn more/RSVP »

Event: 2023 Remembrance Dinner 
October 20 @ 5 pm - Duluth: St. Louis County Historical Society - General Joseph L. Votel will be the keynote speaker. His topic will be “A Return to Great Power Competition” and will address three subthemes: the state of competition in Eastern Europe and the South China Sea, challenges and opportunities for the United States, and strategies for maintaining our competitive edge. Cost: $50. Learn more »

10th Anniversary Celebration of the Somali Museum
October 21 & 22 - Burnsville: Somali Museum - A two-day event that celebrates a decade's worth of dedication, passion, and a profound commitment to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of Somali culture. This celebration showcases the journey that the Somali Museum has undertaken and illustrate the depth and vibrancy of Somali heritage. Cost: $50. Learn more »

Exhibit reception: disrupt! decentralize! distribute!
Reception: October 25 @ 6 to 8 pm. | Exhibit: Now through December 31 - Minneapolis: Open Book - DIY Printing in the Queer Underground evidences the prolific independent print history of the queer and trans community. On view on the 2nd floor of Open Book through December 31, 2023, this exhibit demonstrates the ways that LGBTQ people have continually put their ideas, art, and writing into print from the 1960s to today. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop: General Home Maintenance
October 25 @ 6:30 to 8:30 pm - St Paul: Rethos - Brand new homeowner? Considering that first big rehab or renovation? Looking for a home maintenance refresher? General Home Maintenance is the place to begin. In this two-hour class, you’ll learn tips and tricks for taking care of your house. Cost: $15. Learn more »

Event: Haunted Museum
October 27 @ 2 pm & 5 pm - Fergus Falls: Otter Tail County Historical Society - The history of Otter Tail County is filled with shocking, bizarre, and spinetingling events. Storytellers will present true and accurate accounts of ghastly murders and other tales too horrifying to mention. Some of the events have become such a part of local legend that their truth has been obscured. The Haunted Museum is an opportunity to go beyond the rumors to get the real gory details. Cost: Matinee $10/Evening $12. Learn more »

Workshop: Keeping the Weather Out: Homeowner How-tos
October 28 @ 10 am to 12 pm - St. Cloud: Rethos - Perfect for home and property owners eager to get ready for Minnesota’s cold weather season. This hands-on workshop will cover how to fix cracks and drafts, repair problem doors and windows, and practice the best winterization methods and techniques. Taught by local renovation specialist, Eric Cheever, this class is for anyone caring for an older home or structure. The class will take place at a private Victorian home. Cost: $20. Learn more »

Bus tour: Jacob Fjelde Art Tour
October 28 @ 12:30 pm - Minneapolis: Norwegian-American Historical Association - Whether you are an arts lover or a history enthusiast, you won’t want to miss our guided bus tour of Minneapolis, featuring the art of the talented sculptor Jacob Fjelde. NAHA Board Member Kristin Anderson, professor of art at Augsburg University, will guide us as we explore the life and work of Jacob Fjelde, who emigrated from Ålesund, Norway, in 1887, and lived in Minneapolis until his untimely death in 1896. Stops will include Augsburg University, Loring Park, Minneapolis Central Library, Hennepin History Museum, Lakewood Cemetery, and Minnehaha Park. Cost: $65. Learn more »

A Decade of Learning from Place: Bdote
November 2 @ 6 to 8 pm (CT) - St. Paul: Minnesota Humanities Center - MHC will honor and recognize ten years of "Learning from Place: Bdote" which started in collaboration with Saint Paul Public Schools, following the creation of the Bdote Memory Map. Since its inception, Learning from Place: Bdote has been delivered 100 times, reaching 3,000 participants from across industry sectors. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Old Home Town Museum, Stephen, MN.

Understanding Cultural Differences: Intercultural Communication Styles
October 24 @ 9 to 11:30 am (CT)- Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - This workshop will help participants deepen their understanding of how culture influences different communication styles, which can often lead to misunderstanding and conflict. Examine different intercultural communication styles and learn new strategies for identifying barriers to healthy communication and managing conflict in the workplace. Cost: $45 members/$65 for nonmembers. Learn more »

Edit, Undo, Delete: A Crash Course in De-sanitizing Language In Nonprofits
October 25 @ 10 am to 12 pm (CT)- Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - This session will lead participants through an exploration of how we unintentionally reinforce social constructs with language, and how to end the practice at work. Examine the impact of sanitized language in nonprofits, the ways in which it is most commonly used, and where the most meaningful adjustments should be made. Cost: $45 members/$65 for nonmembers. Learn more »

Empowering Effective Nonprofit Board Decision Making
October 26 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This webinar will provide practical insight and share strategies for impactful decision-making processes. Learn ways to foster collaboration and create engagement among board members in order to harness the collective wisdom of the board and make informed and impactful decisions that advance your mission. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Writing your Preservation Assistance Grant
October 31 @ 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Northeast Document Conservation Center - NEH Preservation Assistance Grants for Smaller Institutions are relatively easy to apply for and have launched successful preservation projects and programs in institutions across the country. Be ready for the round of applications! This webinar is presented by an NEDCC Preservation Specialist and covers the issues that should be considered when preparing to submit an NEH Preservation Assistance Grant. Emphasis will be on preparing the grant narrative, making the case for your project, and getting requisite information from consultants. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preserving Heritage Collections
November 6 - Online: Museum Studies - This course will provide the strategy necessary to use our knowledge of the Agents of Deterioration to preserve our collection. Using the Canadian Conservation Institute’s Framework for Preservation, attendees will develop strategies that we can actually implement with our available resources. Attendees will also learn when a solution is beyond our ability and then it is time to call in a subject matter or skilled specialist. Discover what resources are available to help with preservation, including knowledge and funding. Learn how to weave more sustainable practices into our daily and long-term strategies. Cost: $400. Learn more »

Decolonizing in Collections Care
November 16 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - What does decolonizing mean within the context of cultural resources stewardship (i.e. collections care)? How is theory put into practice and how can you affect organizational change within your scope of influence? In this webinar, you will learn how the Museum of Us and the broader museum field are undertaking this complex challenge by addressing institutional histories in reflective ways, prioritizing the work within an evolving framework of decolonizing initiatives, and learning valuable lessons along the way. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• October is American Archives Month. The Society of American Archivists has compiled a list of activities and resources to celebrate.

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Fellowships Open Book Program
November 15 - (deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This is a limited competition designed to make outstanding humanities books available to a wide audience. By taking advantage of low-cost e-book technology, the program will allow teachers, students, scholars, and the public to read humanities books that can be downloaded or redistributed for no charge. Learn more »

Inclusive and Equitable Communities Grants
November 20 - (deadline): Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) - This grant supports communities as they build inclusive, welcoming environments and advance equitable opportunities in the lives of all people. This program supports projects which create economic opportunities and prosperity for diverse populations within SMIF’s 20-county region. Learn more »

Scholarly Editions and Translations Grants
November 29 - (deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - This grant program supports the preparation of editions and translations of pre-existing texts and documents of value to the humanities that are currently inaccessible or available in inadequate editions. Learn more »

Save America's Treasures - Preservation Grants & Collection Grants
December 19 - (deadline): National Park Service - These grants from the Historic Preservation Fund provide preservation or conservation assistance to nationally significant historic properties and collections. Properties can include historic districts, buildings, sites, structures, and objects, while collections can include artifacts, museum collections, documents, sculptures, and other works of art. Grants are awarded through a competitive process and require a dollar-for-dollar, non-federal match. Learn more »

News

Taking a closer look at the Wilkin County Museum
Wahpeton Daily News — Another year has gone by and the Wilkin County Historical Museum in Breckenridge, Minnesota, has a few updates they wanted to share with the community. At the last annual meeting, new directors for the museum were elected. Shawna Korinek and Dale Anderson were elected for three-year terms. This past year saw Ed Miller resign as a director. He had served the museum and community for many years. New director Shawna Korinek has been busy writing grants. Continue reading »

In other business, the County Board:
Brainerd Dispatch — ...Approved a funding request from Cass County Historical Society to update the bathrooms to comply with Americans with Disabilities Act access standards.... Continue reading »

Was old Bemidji a rough and rugged town because of the lumberjacks?
Bemidji Pioneer — No doubt the story will continue that Bemidji was a rough and rugged town due to the presence of the lumberjacks. Frequent references were made in newspapers to 40 saloons and eight brothels. However, didn’t the lumberjacks spend most of the winter in the woods? Earle Glidden wrote in an interview stored in the Beltrami County Museum archives, “But the lumberjacks were here, and Bemidji was anything but quiet. In fact, the ‘jacks were the basis of the town’s liveliest industry — 40 saloons and eight sporting houses.' The fun was loud, rough, and ready, but not tough.” Continue reading »

Kittson County History Center/Museum
Prairie Public —  The Kittson County History Center/Museum in Lake Bronson, Minnesota is an amazingly large and fascinating museum for a small town. Nestled in the far Northwest corner of Minnesota, a tour of the museum is a trip well worth taking. Longtime museum Director Cindy Adams is passionate about preserving the county history and sharing it with visitors. Watch video »

Featured Book Dear Jacob: A Mother's Journey of Hope by Patty Wetterling with Joy Baker. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Author Event Wednesday, October 18, 2023 6:30 - 8:30 PM	Featured Article Minnesota History Band Box Diner, Minneapolis Volume 67, Issue 4, 2020-2021	Featured Article MNopedia Lacemaking at Birch Coulee, 1893–1926 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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