12 min read

Local History News: October 25, 2023

Joe Hoover Oct 25, 2023 2:00:00 PM

Local History News - Minnesota Historical Society, Heritage Preservation

Field Note

Meeting inside a museum gallery. Man speaking at the front of audience with powerpoint presentation. Audience sitting at tables.

Members of the regional history coalition West Central Minnesota Historical Association gathered at the Minnesota Machinery Museum in Hanley Falls, MN for their bi-annual meeting. They heard a report on their interpretive plan to tell the story of the 1980s farm crisis.

State Flag and Seal Designs

Deadline Approaching to Submit Designs for State Flag and Seal!
Minnesotans have less than one week left to submit their ideas for the next state flag and seal. The State Emblems Redesign Commission is accepting public submissions through October 30, 2023, at 11:59 p.m. Submissions can be made on the commission's website or via US Mail at the address listed on the website.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Historic Resources Advisory Committee Large Legacy Grants Meeting
November 2 & 3 - The Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) will be meeting to publicly discuss and determine their funding recommendations for this year's round of large Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (Legacy) Grants applications. This year's meeting will be held in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul from 10 am to 4 pm both days. Applicants and the general public are welcome to attend or listen online but are not permitted to participate in the discussion. The meetings will be recorded and the recording will be posted on our website roughly two weeks after the meeting.
Listen to the meeting via live stream:

November 2: 10 am - 4 pm
Livestream for November 2
November 3: 10 am - 4 pm
Livestream for November 3

Partnership Planning word cloud graphic Heritage Partnership Program
Partnership Development and Planning is one of four categories of partnerships the Heritage Partnership Program can fund. This category facilitates stronger collaborations between partners. Constructing a new partnership or enabling a significant development for an existing partnership ensures public benefit through better-preserved resources and improved access to history. Programs within this category are intended to build the networking and organizational capacity of the individual partners and the partnership as a whole. The mandatory pre-application deadline for Heritage Partnership Program Grants is Friday, January 26, 2024. Learn more »

ELIGIBLE PROGRAM EXAMPLES

Forming a new partnership, including the development of organic documents and a long-range plan for the partnership.
Developing a strategic plan for coordinating history and cultural heritage preservation activities, educational curriculum, and events among partners.
Hiring a facilitator for realignment discussions between two or more organizations considering the integration of programs or governance.
Contracting with a service provider to develop leadership and/or train boards for a number of partnering organizations.

The words NO vember on Calendar background "NO"vember - No Grants Open House
There will be NO Grants Open House on the first Thursday, November 2, due to the HRAC committee's deliberation and making FY 2024 large grant award recommendations at the Minnesota History Center. The Grants Open Houses will resume on Thursday, December 7, 2023.

Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
November 16 @ 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 Associate Gillian Maguire.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: ‪(US) +1 386-361-3086‬ PIN: ‪420 891 978‬#

Data Freeze at the Minnesota State Historic Presentation Office (MnSHPO) in November
As MnSHPO prepares to launch the Minnesota Statewide Historic Inventory Portal (MnSHIP) in November 2023, a "data freeze" is necessary. To facilitate the transfer of data from their current system to the new application, MnSHPO will not be updating inventory data or assigning new inventory numbers from October 20 until MnSHIP launches." This may impact grants, specifically National Register or archaeology projects. If you have concerns, contact the Grants Office so they can provide guidance.

Minnesota Statewide Historic Inventory Portal (MnSHIP) is an online tool providing direct access to information related to more than 100,000 above-ground resources throughout the state, specifically data related to above-ground properties such as buildings, structures, landscapes, and linear resources. MnSHIP will allow users to utilize search tools and interactive maps to locate SHPO historic inventory data and view scanned records related to inventoried properties. Access is free and available to all registered users. Learn more »

From the Blog

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

Six older women, most in house dresses and one woman is in a wheelchair and missing a leg

Profile: Margaret "Toots" Ryan - St. Vincent Memories
Toots was as short as she was round, missing teeth, wild white fluffy hair, and a ready smile and laugh.
I remember...

...her piano stool, keys made from real ivory. Out of tune like an old saloon piano. Ornate wood.
...her wood floors covered by old wool Persian carpets, threadbare in places.
her and Andy's books stacked on exposed stair steps that extended past a raised stoop leading upstairs, with a curtain across its entryway
the high cement steps up to the kitchen with the last step even steeper
the kitchen sink hand pump 'faucet'
Continue Reading »

From the Tube

This week's post is from Minnesota Bricks. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

Northern Pacific Railroad Shops at Brainerd in 2023
The Northern Pacific Railroad Shops in Brainerd, Minnesota are a good example of how old brick buildings can be converted into useable business space today. Although only a handful of the original railroad shop buildings at Brainerd still remain in 2023, most of them are being converted for other uses. Throughout the years, the Brainerd Railroad Shops employed thousands of people inside their rare architectural structures. It is important that some of these places are preserved for their historical significance and their link to many families today. It is easy to walk around the complex and view the buildings today, as several paths have been made. View the grounds as they exist in 2023, and see a few flashbacks to the past. Watch Video »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

Store & Museums Manager - Lake County Historical Society, Two Harbors, MN
Assistant Director - Charles E. Gagnon Museum and Sculpture Garden, Rochester, MN
Audience and Engagement Coordinator - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Chair of the Arts of Global Africa - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Manager of Education and Community Engagement - Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, Shoreview, MN
Exhibit (3D) Designer - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN
Maintenance Engineer - Science Museum of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN

REGIONAL

Museum Aide - Siouxland Heritage Museums, Sioux Falls, SD
Exhibit Fabricator - Betty Brinn Children's Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Facilities Assistant - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Coordinator of Adult & Community Programs - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI
Development Manager - Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass, Neenah, WI
Administrative Support Specialist - Rahr-West Art Museum/City of Manitowoc, Manitowoc, WI
Museum Guide - Iowa Gold Star Military Museum, Iowa Department of Public Defense, Johnston, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

Specimen Preparator and Lab Supervisor - Chicago Academy of Sciences/Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum, Chicago, IL
Director of Library Services/Senior Public Administrator 1 - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
Senior Director of Business Enterprise - Field Museum of Natural History, Chicago, IL
Director, Southwest Field Office - Indiana Landmarks, Evansville, IN
Manager, Information Technology - Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN
HBCU Radio Preservation Project (Archival Fellow) - Miami Valley Public Media in Ohio, Yellow Springs, OH
Government Archivist - Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Lansing, MI
Collections Manager - Midwest Miniatures Museum, Grand Haven, MI
Director - Midwest Miniatures Museum, Grand Haven, MI
Metadata Technician - Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library, National Archives and Records Administration, Ann Arbor, MI
Archives Technician - National Archives and Records Administration, Spanish Lake, MO
Director of Learning - Senator John Heinz History Center, Pittsburgh, PA
Assistant Curator - Mennonite Heritage Village, Steinbach, MB
Interpretive Program Developer (bilingual) - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Manager of Visitor & Venue Services - Bata Shoe Museum, Toronto, ON
Care of Collections and Public Engagement Supervisor - Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, St. Marys, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

Photo Editing - Gammelgarden Museum of Scandia, Scandia, MN
Board members - Germanic-American Institute, St. Paul, MN
Most Endangered Program Intern - Landmarks Illinois, Chicago, IL
Internship in Historic Preservation Law (Summer 2024) - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Washington, D.C.

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Historic photo of the first Murray County Courthouse with high school in background
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Murray County Historical Society.

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

Event: October Family Day
October 28 @ 10 am to 4 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County History Center - Families of all ages are invited to join in for a day of fun, exploration, and learning. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: Días de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, on November 1, 2023!
November 1 @ 4 to 8 pm - Park Rapids: Giiwedinong Museum - Días de los Muertos, Day of the Dead, is a Mexican holiday based on Indigenous traditions that embrace the interconnection between life and death. That is this time, the time between for change, transition, and future-building. Come to participate in building the ofrenda (offerings) and enjoy the museum’s exhibits, music, and much more. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Book launch: Celebrating Forest Lake’s History
November 1 @ 7 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Author and historian Justin Brink is presenting and sharing stories from his new book “Images of America: Forest Lake.” Come learn about Forest Lake’s history. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Event: Phooj Ywg Noj Khaub Poob Uake - Friends Eat Curry Noodles Together!
November 1 @ 4 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Hmong Museum of Minnesota - Enjoy a bowl of aromatic and flavorful Hmong chicken curry noodle prepared by Chef Yia Vang of Hmong Union Kitchen and his team. Served from a big family size cauldron at the home of our friend the American Swedish Institute. Your bowl of Khaub Poob goes to support the mission and work of the Hmong Museum of Minnesota. Location: American Swedish Institute. Cost: $25 - $100. Learn more »

Tour: Heritage Circle Tour - Central McGowan
November 2 @ 10 am - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Learn about one of the area's leading, state-of-the-art companies from 3rd generation CEO Joe Francis. Tour the facility and discover the science and technology behind the company, its successful business model, and the origins of this diversified industry. Learn more »

Event: Annual Meeting and Presentation on Mineral Springs Sanatorium
November 5 @ 2 pm - Cannon Falls: Cannon Falls Area Historical Museum - Bruce Colwell will speak about his book History of Mineral Springs Sanatorium; their student research intern, Gavin Harrington, will talk about his summer work exploring the archives for the contributions of teachers to the community. Location: Cannon Falls Library. Learn more »

A Look Inside Dark La Crosse Stories Episode "The Invasion"
November 6 @ 7 pm - La Crescent: La Crescent Public Library - Join for an in-depth look at the Dark La Crosse episode "The Invasion." Henry Greengrass, citizen of the Ho-Chunk Nation, and Jenny De Rocher, librarian at the La Crosse Public Library Archives will present their new Dark La Crosse Stories episode, which looks at what happens when archival records leave out crucial histories. Co-sponsored by La Crescent Area Historical Society & La Crosse Public Library. Location: Community Building. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Workshop - Holiday Letter Writing with Jeff Sauve
November 7, 14, & 21 @ 10:30 am - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Author and archivist Jeff Sauve guides participants through three 90-minute writing sessions that will rekindle joyful recollections and inspire attendees to put pen to paper. Participants will create stories based on their childhood memories of holidays and the holiday season. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Presentation: 9,000 Years of Irish History - The Abridged Version
November 16 @ 7 pm - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Presentation on Irish history in Ireland and America. The presentation concludes with a review of the Irish revival and culture in the 19th and 20th centuries, with a final stop with the Irish in Minnesota. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Presentation: The History of Two Historic Neighborhood Churches: Linden Hills Congregational United Church of Christ and Edina Morningside Community Church
December 2 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Linden Hills History Study Group - This program tells the story of two churches–their history, their architecture, and their neighborhoods. Cost: Free members/$5 nonmembers. Learn more »

Continuing Education

Interior of the Pavek Museum of Broadcasting
Highlighted Museum: Pavek Museum of Broadcasting, St Louis Park, MN.

Museums and Societal Collapse: The Museum as Lifeboat
October 26 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: MuseumExpert - This webinar will be a lively conversation between Avi Decter, Robert Janes, and Marsha Semmel focusing on Janes' just-published volume, Museums and Societal Collapse: The Museum as Lifeboat--which argues that humankind is on the brink of societal collapse and that museums, irrespective of their disciplinary focus, need to help our society bridge the divide between nature and culture. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Metadata for Digital Preservation
November 30 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Northeast Document Conservation Center - Metadata, and especially preservation metadata encompassing the technical and administrative aspects of description, is essential for providing continued access to your digital objects. It provides assurance that digital objects are authentic, renderable, and useable. This webinar serves as a starting point for understanding the kinds of information you will want to gather to support digital preservation, using current guidelines, standards, and models in the field to identify core information required to steward digital objects over time. Cost: $95. Learn more »

De-escalation Strategies for Libraries, Archives, and Museum Staff
On-demand course - OCLC - Learn how to intervene in conflict effectively, enforce policies proactively, and promote an environment where everyone feels secure and valued. Course length: approximately one hour (plus independent activities); Downloadable resource: optional group activities guide to deepen your learning with a group of peer learners. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

Asset-Based Community Development: Shifting Museums’ Center of Gravity - AAM

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

National Leadership Grants for Museums
November 15 - (deadline): Institute of Museum and Library Services - Support for projects that address critical needs of the museum field and that have the potential to advance practice in the profession to strengthen museum services for the American public. Learn more »

Shavlik Family Foundation
December 1 - (Letter of Intent deadline)/February 15 - (deadline): This foundation funds technology projects for Minnesota-serving nonprofit organizations with grants ranging from $1,000 - $30,000. The Foundation provides support to Minnesota-based nonprofit organizations and tribal governments for any type of technology project that will improve how they meet their mission. Learn more »

Funding Opportunities for Community-Based Programs - Grant Application Deadline Extended
December 11 - (deadline): Minnesota Humanities Center - $12 million in grant opportunities are for individuals, programs, organizations, and children’s museums. Learn more »

Media Projects
January 10 - (deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - The Media Projects program supports the development, production, and distribution of radio programs, podcasts, documentary films, and documentary film series  that engage general audiences with humanities ideas in creative and appealing ways. Media Projects offers two levels of funding: Development and Production. Learn more »

Public Humanities Projects
January 11 - (deadline): National Endowment for the Humanities - The Public Humanities Projects program supports projects that bring the ideas of the humanities to life for general audiences through public programming. Projects must engage humanities scholarship to analyze significant themes in disciplines such as history, literature, ethics, and art history. Learn more »

Conservation and Exhibition Grant
Foundation for Advancement in Conservation - Grants to support conservation projects in glazing applications for preservation and exhibition of museum and library collections. The goals of this grant program include increasing knowledge of glazing applications, supporting the preservation of collections, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, and encouraging the involvement of conservators in museum and library collection projects. Funds are to help defray direct project costs, including contract workers, display fabrication, supplies, and publicity. Up to four awards will be made each year. Each award includes a cash amount of up to $3,000 and a donation of museum acrylic or laminated glass for use directly related to the conservation and display project. Learn more »

Call for Nominations
Small Museum Association - Nominate a deserving colleague and honor their hard work! Nominations are accepted until December 31. Learn more »

The Hunter-Burley Award - Recognizing outstanding contributions to public access and professional growth in individual institutions.
The Small Museum Association Award - Celebrating exceptional contributions to funding, professional growth, and accessibility in the small museum community.

News

Historic Justus Ramsey House finds new home at Minnesota Transportation Museum
Pioneer Press — The small limestone residence, erected for the brother of territorial governor Alexander Ramsey, had stood for roughly 170 years off Walnut Street, at what is now the side patio of Burger Moe’s restaurant, not far from the Xcel Energy Center. It was removed in pieces by the restaurant owner last February after a wall partially collapsed, despite the objections of historic preservationists and other neighborhood residents eager to see it remain in place. Continue reading »

EP Wings of the North Air Museum reopens after 2 years
Sun-Sailor — The new smaller location for the Wings of the North Air Museum is at 14857 Pioneer Trail in Eden Prairie, right by Gate H of Flying Cloud Airport. The museum reopened last month after a nearly two-year closure. Continue reading »

Exhibits examine historical representation of marginalized people
Fargo-Moorhead InForum — Three separate exhibits at Minnesota State University Moorhead and the Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County aim to shed light on the historical representation of marginalized people. Continue reading »

On the Porch
Marshall Independent — The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places of preservation. In Minnesota, the staff at the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), a division of the Department of Administration, work with agencies, organizations, and private citizens, to identify and nominate properties to the National Register. This often serves as the first step toward protecting the historic resource or obtaining financial incentives for its preservation. Continue reading »

New member appointed to WCHS Board
Stillwater Gazette — At a recent board meeting of the Washington County Historical Society board of directors, Dennis Glock of Stillwater was appointed to fill the board vacancy created when Becky Pung resigned. Pung moved to Red Wing and will fill a spot on the Goodhue County Historical Society’s board. Continue reading »

Historic Courthouse in Stillwater getting a major makeover
Pioneer Press — The Washington County Historic Courthouse in Stillwater, Minnesota’s oldest standing courthouse, is getting another major makeover — this time on the outside. The courthouse abruptly closed in June 2022 for several months when crews discovered a fracture in one of the heavy timber trusses holding up the roof of the 1870 building. Continue reading »

Executive Director of the Brown County Historical Society
KNUJ - Updates from the director. Listen in »

Executive Director of the Nicollet County Historical Society
KNUJ - Updates from the director. Listen in »


Featured Book Bring Warm Clothes by Peg Meier. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Author talk and book signing November 11 @ 2 to 3:30 pm Location: Hennepin History Museum, Minneapolis, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History Out on the wind: life in Minnesota's Polish farming communities Volume 58, Issue 1, 2002	Featured Article MNopedia Origins of the American Legion in Minnesota, 1919–1922 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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