Field Note

Members of the MNHS Executive, Honorary, and Emeritus councils, along with select MNHS staff members, embarked on a three-day trip to Northwest Minnesota from September 21 to 23. Council members had the opportunity to visit several museums and historical sites in Thief River Falls, Lake Bronson, Roseau, Warroad, and beyond. It was a great opportunity to get first-hand experience with MNHS sites and programs as well as the local history field. Pictured here are attendees traveling from Roseau to Warroad and listening to State History Services Manager Todd Mahon describe the organizations in Northwest Minnesota after visits to the Kittson and Roseau county historical societies.

 Advocacy Survey— Share your thoughts!
In a time of increasing threats to the public history field, the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums has assembled a new team to focus on advocacy. The Advocacy Team will work to promote the interests of the MALHM membership and the Minnesota local history community as a whole. As the team gets going, they are asking for your input:

• What should we prioritize in our advocacy?
• What resources can we provide to help make your work easier?

Fill out the following survey to share your thoughts and reach out with any additional questions or comments. Deadline: November 13, 2025.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Small Grant Deadline
Applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants quarterly small grant round (requests of $20,000 and less) will be due Friday, January 9, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

On the Road: Grants Office Open Houses 
The Grants Office and Local History Services will be on the road in October to chat about Legacy grants and answer your questions. These events will be office-hours style, so there will be no presentation, and you are welcome to drop in anytime during the listed times. Prospective applicants, current applicants, and grantees are all welcome! Keep an eye on Local History News for more Open House dates in November.

October 23 @ 10 am to 12 pm
Dakota County Historical Society
130 3rd Ave N, South St. Paul, MN (map)

October 28 @ 12:30 pm to 2 pm
Meeker County Historical Society
308 N Marshall Ave, Litchfield, MN (map)  

Grants Office Webinar: Heritage Partnership Grants in 2026 can be your Second Chance
October 16 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Once a year, the Heritage Partnership Grant program helps groups of two or more Minnesota organizations collaborate on history-oriented projects. This webinar will show you how to repurpose previously unfunded applications for the Partnership program—a strategy that helped several applicants secure funding last year. We'll also cover the essentials of applying for a Heritage Partnership Grant. 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 Beltrami County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

Federal Decisions, Local Consequences: What a Shutdown Means for Our Museum
Federal government shutdowns and cultural policy shifts don’t just affect Washington. They have immediate, painful consequences for families and communities. The loss of WIC funding means mothers and babies are left without secure access to food and basic necessities. Federal employees in our region are working without pay or navigating unemployment, rather than receiving a steady paycheck. These crises deserve urgent attention.

At the same time, the shutdown and related policy decisions also threaten the institutions that safeguard our history and culture: museums, libraries, archives, and historical societies. When these institutions are underfunded, sidelined, or censored, we lose something else vital: the ability to tell the stories of the very communities most affected by these decisions. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Swede Hollow: A hidden world of immigrant beginnings - 3D History Trek
• Construction Update: October 2025 - Morrison County Historical Society
• New wreck, White Bear Lake - Trident Sciences
• Unique Seats - Meeker County Museum at the G.A.R. Hall
• New Artifacts Added to Gammelgården’s Site on MNCollections - Gammelgården Museum of Scandia
• Fifty Years of Hmong Lives in Ramsey County - Ramsey County Historical Society
• The Daily Reveals the Doors - U of MN Libraries
• Encouraging the digitization of old local newspapers - Jim Froemming/Hometown Focus
• New MDL Exhibit explores the Threshing Crew - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Hank Sampson – voice of the St. Croix Valley - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Shakopee Heritage Society & the Scott County Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Backpacking Trails in the BWCAW and other stories - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• Those Who Serve - Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest
• Life at Fort Pomme de Terre - Grant County Historical Society
• Disasters of Brown County - Brown County Historical Society & New Ulm Public Library 

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Draft Animal Handler - Forest History Center
• Facilities Maintenance Technician - Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post

LOCAL

• Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery Assistant - Cook County Historical Society/Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery, Grand Marais, MN
• Community Outreach Manager - Prairie Lakes Regional Arts Council, Waseca, MN
• Assistant or Associate Curator of Native American Art - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Costume Designer and Costume Shop Manager - Augsburg University, Minneapolis, MN
• Qeej Instrument Teacher - Hmong Cultural Center of Minnesota, St. Paul, MN 

REGIONAL

• Executive Director - Center for the Visual Arts, Wausau, WI
• Temporary Registrar Assistant - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
• Education Program Facilitator - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI
• Director of Events and Protocol - Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Medora, ND
• Grounds and Land Manager - Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library, Medora, ND
• Visitor Services Attendant - Dickinson Museum Center, City of Dickinson, Dickinson, ND

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Executive Director - Glen Ellyn Historical Society, Glen Ellyn, IL
• Guest Services Associate - Richard H. Driehaus Museum, Chicago, IL
• Program Officer for Metadata Initiatives - Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, IL
• Conservator, Paper - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL
• Exhibit Technician - DuPage Children's Museum, Naperville, IL
• Museum Associate (Education) - The Works: Ohio Center for History, Art & Technology, Newark, OH
• Development Director - Michigan History Foundation, Lansing, MI
• Human Resources Manager - Flint Institute of Arts, Flint, MI
• Museum Director - Cumberland County Historical Society, Carlisle, PA
• Collections Digitization Librarian - Lafayette College, Easton, PA
• Senior Director, Individual Giving - Philadelphia Museum of Art, Philadelphia, PA
• Executive Director - National Museum of Toys/Miniatures, Kansas City, MO
• Temporary Exhibits Preparator - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
• Head of Paintings Conservation Lab - Ford Conservation Center - Nebraska State Historical Society, Omaha, NE
• Exhibition Design & Installation Manager - Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, NE
• Lead Preparator - Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
• Program Coordinator - Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre, Southampton, ON
• Assistant Curator - Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON
• Manager of Art and Wellbeing - Ottawa Art Gallery, Ottawa, ON
• Indigenous Knowledge and Culture Specialist - Museum of Dufferin, Mulmur, ON
• Supervisor - Doon Heritage Village, Region of Waterloo, Kitchener, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Collections Intern - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Ralph Tangjerd wearing a mask as he unloaded a carload of cement for paving Highway 2. Abt 1928.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Clearwater County Historical Society.

FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?

That My Children May Know with Storyteller Pati Kachel
October 11 @ 10:30 am to 12:30 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House Cultural Center - Hear captivating stories honoring Norwegian immigrant heritage through a first-person portrayal by Pati Kachel of her great-grandmother Ane Marie Anderson, supported by artifacts and historical context. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Storytelling from the Back Roads of Cook County
October 11 @ 2 to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society at Arrowhead Center for the Arts - Enjoy captivating tales and local lore from Cook County’s back roads, shared by storytellers who bring the region’s history and culture to life. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Genealogy Saturday
October 11 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Association - Participate in a morning of genealogy exploration either at the museum or via Zoom, with resources and guidance for researching your family history. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Fall Folk Arts & Crafters Fair 2025
October 11 @ 10 am to 4 pm - Maplewood: Maplewood Area Historical Society - Enjoy a day of folk arts, handcrafted goods, and family-friendly activities at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Tuesday with a Scholar - Mapping Prejudice
October 14 @ 12:30 to 2 pm - Roseville: Ramsey County Library - Explore how the Mapping Prejudice project uncovers the history of racial covenants in Minnesota and their lasting impact on communities. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Inclusion Mobile Museum - Telling the Story of Civil Rights for a Forgotten Minority: People with Developmental Disabilities
October 14 @ 5 to 6 pm - Superior: St. Louis County Historical Society - Visit the Inclusion Mobile Museum during this open house to learn about the civil rights movement for people with developmental disabilities, featuring stories, artifacts, and advocacy history. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Looking Back, Minnesota 150 Years Ago
October 15 @ 6:30 pm - Warroad: Roseau County Museum, Warroad Heritage Center & Lake of the Woods County Historical Society - Join historian Doug Ohman for a nostalgic look at pioneer life in Minnesota, featuring images and stories from the state’s early years. Cost: Free. Learn more »

A New Life Beckons: Alaska’s Matanuska Colony at Sibley
October 17 @ 6 to 8 pm - Mendota: Dakota County Historical Society at Sibley Historic Site - Learn about the Matanuska Colony in Alaska and its ties to Minnesota through this engaging evening presentation. Cost: $20 per person, $15 for DCHS, MNHS & Friends of Sibley Site members. Learn more » 

Lacemaking with the Minnesota Lace Society
October 18 @ 1 pm - Faribault: Rice County History Museum - Discover historic lacemaking techniques with the Minnesota Lace Society, including a talk on lace history and a hands-on tatting workshop. Cost: $20 members/$25 general. For more information call them at 507-332-2121.

Cold War Cadence with Dr. Bruce Gleason
October 19 @ 9 am to 12 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Enjoy German coffee and homemade cakes at the monthly GAI Café, featuring a presentation by Dr. Bruce Gleason about his new book Cold War Cadence: A Military Musician’s Berlin Memoir, 1988–1991. Cost: Kaffee and Kuchen $8. Learn more »

Tuesday with a Scholar - Hmong 50th Anniversary in Minnesota
October 21 @ 12:30 to 2 pm - Roseville: Ramsey County Library - Join scholar Mai Moua for a discussion on the 50th anniversary of the Hmong community in Minnesota, exploring history, culture, and contributions. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

History Buff Book Chat - James
October 22 @ 12 to 1 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Join fellow history enthusiasts for a discussion of "James," exploring its themes and historical context in a welcoming book club setting. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Polish Literature in English Reading Group: The Empusium by Olga Tokarczuk
October 22 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - St. Paul: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - Discuss Olga Tokarczuk’s 2022 historical horror novel The Empusium, a haunting story set in an early 1900s sanatorium that explores language, culture, gender, and eerie supernatural elements with a spooky Halloween twist. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Annual Meeting & Pop-Up Social
October 23 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Attend WCHS’s annual meeting combined with a membership social, featuring board elections, bylaw discussions, and light refreshments. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

An Evening of Music and Storytelling with Larry Long and Kevin Kling
October 24 @ 7 to 9 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - Enjoy an inspiring night of songs and stories from acclaimed musicians Larry Long and Kevin Kling, blending humor, history, and heartfelt performances. Cost: $50. Learn more » 

Dolls of the Dark
October 24, 25, & 31 @ 6 to 8 pm - St. Peter: Cox House, Nicollet County Historical Society - Experience a special two-night display of dolls from the Society’s collection and private collections, featuring porcelain figures, eerie smiles, and timeworn toys hidden within the historic house. Learn more » 

Masks and Dances: A Romanian Folk Arts Workshop
October 26 @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - Join this free workshop to create folkloric character masks and learn traditional Romanian dances, celebrating Romanian folk arts and culture. Location: Landmark Center. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Stories from the Stones
October 27 @ 6 to 7 pm - White Bear Lake: Ramsey County Library - Discover local history through an engaging presentation on the stories behind area gravestones, hosted by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

American Immigration: The Saga of Ellis Island
October 27 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society Museum - Learn about the history and experiences of immigrants who passed through Ellis Island in this engaging Reflections Series program. 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: Washington County Historic Courthouse, Stillwater, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 license.

2026 MALHM Conference
April 28 to 30, 2026 - Save the date for the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Annual Conference & Meeting in Mankato, Minnesota, which brings together local history professionals from across Minnesota for three days of sessions, networking, and learning with a full schedule of workshops and presentations focused on museum and historical society work. Attendees can connect with peers, exchange ideas, and discuss best practices in collections management, education, marketing, community engagement and more. This event provides a platform to expand skills and deepen connections within the local history community. MALHM offers scholarships for first-time attendees to support participation in the Annual Conference, covering all events, sessions, meals, and including a $300 stipend. Details available on the MALHM website »

Call for Session Proposals
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums invites session proposals for its 2026 event in Mankato, Minnesota. See a list of suggested topics for the MALHM Conference 2026. Sessions can include workshops, panels, or roundtable discussions designed to share experiences, challenges, and solutions in the field. Submit proposals by November 19 to join peers in advancing local history work. This is an opportunity to shape the conference program and contribute to statewide historical dialogue. Full details and submission guidelines »

DHPSNY: Stories from the Field: Love Canal Interview Redaction
October 23 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - Explore how the Love Canal Oral History Project addressed ethical and technical challenges of interview redaction to balance privacy, access, and preservation in community history projects. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Beginning Grantseeking
October 23 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - St. Paul/Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Gain practical skills to start finding and applying for grants, including how to identify funders, navigate databases, and build compelling proposals for your organization. Cost: $95 members/$135 nonmembers. Learn more »

History Hour: Public History Workforce
October 28 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Join AASLH for a discussion on the current state of the public history workforce, including emerging trends, professional challenges, and opportunities for collaboration across the field. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Project Budgeting for Nonprofits
October 28 @ 9 to 11 am (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Learn how to create project budgets that go beyond numbers, serving as tools for effective resource management and conveying your organization’s values, priorities, and goals. Cost: $70. Learn more »

Introduction to Cemetery Care
October 30 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - Learn how to care for historic cemeteries, including getting started, documenting and mapping, deciding when ground-penetrating radar is needed, making maintenance decisions, and basic headstone cleaning techniques. Cost: Free. Learn more »

What is STEPS and Can It Help My Site?
November 4 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Learn how AASLH’s STEPS program can guide your organization in improving policies, practices, and operations through a self-assessment framework designed for history organizations of all sizes. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Use and Limitations of Pesticide Wipe Sampling: A Case Study to Establish Safe Use and Handling of Nisenan Baskets
November 13 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: George Washington University Museum and The Textile Museum - Explore how pesticide wipe sampling can be applied in collections care, its limitations, and lessons learned from a case study on Nisenan baskets to ensure safe handling and preservation. This series presents case studies of museums or indigenous communities working in partnership with Occupational and Environmental Health and Safety professionals to increase safe practice with their collections as relates to pesticides, silicosis, and biocide-related risks. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Democrats vs. Republicans: Do They Feel Differently About Museums? (DATA) - American Alliance of Museums

UPCOMING STATE and REGIONAL EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

It's History Awards Season - SUBMIT YOUR NOMINATIONS! As you reflect on 2025, consider what great history projects you and your colleagues have accomplished. Consider nominating notable history work for either a Minnesota History Award or an AASLH Leadership in History Award. Great work deserves recognition; recognition inspires and informs others.
MINNESOTA History Awards Nominations are open and accepted until January 14, 2026. Nominate projects accomplished from July 1, 2024 to October 1, 2025 for the 2026 Minnesota History Awards program. Since 2009, the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums has recognized outstanding history work by local organizations at its Annual Meeting. A formal nomination process is conducted and reviewed by a panel of peers to determine award recipients. There are two award programs: the Minnesota History Awards and the Lifetime Achievement Awards. Learn more » Award Categories: Behind the Scenes Collections Civic Engagement & Public Celebrations Publications Interpretive Programs Lifetime Achievement History Award Program Guidelines and Instructions »	AASLH Leadership in History Awards Nominations are open and accepted until March 1, 2026. Nominate accomplishments occurring within the eighteen months prior to the March 1 deadline (i.e., September 1, 2024 through March 1, 2026. Publications must be published within two years prior to January 1 of the year of the competition). American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) bestows the Leadership in History Awards in recognition of excellence in the field of state and local history. Learn more » AASLH recognizes EXCELLENCE in the following areas:  Community Engagement Exhibits Multimedia Public Programming Special projects Studies Individual Lifetime Achievement Publications Best Large Press Local History Book Best Small Press/Independent Author Local History Book

Small Museum Association Scholarship  
Deadline - November 3: Small Museum Association - This scholarship offers financial support to staff and volunteers working in small museums, helping cover costs for professional development and attendance to their Annual Conference, February 16 to 18, 2026, in York, Pennsylvania. It aims to strengthen skills and networks for those in museums with budgets of $250,000 or less, fostering growth and community impact. Learn more »

Small Grants for Big Community Impact
Deadline - November 10: Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation - Supports community nonprofits with funding to make a big difference through small grants. Funding priorities include museums, arts and cultural programs, schools, hospitals, youth and senior services, disability programs, environmental and wildlife protection, and other local initiatives. Grants may be used for projects, activities, or general operating support. Amount: $1,000–$20,000. Learn more »

Youth Garden Grants
Deadline - December 15: National Gardening Association - Supports school and youth garden projects that serve at least 15 children, ages 3-18. Grants of $750 help start or improve gardens that enhance kids' lives and communities. Open to youth groups, schools, camps, and more across the U.S. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Olmsted County Museum, Rochester, MN. (1987). View additional photos on Instagram »
This 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.

MN Digital Newspaper Hub - September 2025 content update
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 18,962 new issues and 328,228 new newspaper pages.

New publicly available titles & date spans:

• Thief River Falls news (Thief River Falls, Minn.) 1899-1912 added
• Warroad plaindealer (Warroad, Minn.) 1899-1911
• Commonwealth (Warroad, Minn.) 1902-1910
• Warroad pioneer (Warroad, Minn.) 1911-1930, 2008-2015 added
• Duluth herald (Duluth, Minn.) 1967-1971 added
• Moccasin telegraph (Grand Portage, Minn.) 1966-2011
• St. Peter herald (St. Peter, Minn.) 1884-1906

New issues for the years 2001-2024 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library.

Benton County Historical Society welcomes new executive director
Benton County News - Lacey Fontaine credits a higher education connection with helping her bridge a professional tie. Fontaine was searching for employment when she learned about Mary Ostby’s death in July. Ostby, former Benton County Historical Society and Museum executive director, touched many lives and was well-known throughout the close-knit community of history professionals in Central Minnesota. Continue reading »

Norway House opens center for immigration research
Star Tribune - The last step of an immigrant’s journey to the United States comes long after that person has gone, when their descendants finally understand the magnitude of what they did. On Tuesday, Norway House, the cultural and event center in the Minneapolis Phillips neighborhood that’s still a first home for many immigrants, is expanding with an exhibit and research space called the Saga Center to explore connections between Americans and Norwegians. Continue reading »

Historical society, arts consortium partner for exhibit
Patriot - The celebration of Carver County artists continues all fall as the Carver County Historical Society, in partnership with the Arts Consortium of Carver County, brings a brand-new art display hosted at the CCHS museum in Waconia from now through December. Continue reading »

Bassett Creek programming celebrates indigenous culture, storytelling
Sun Post - In collaboration with cultural advisors and community partners, The Loppet is hosting an exhibit of portrait photographs created by three Ojibwe artists. The colorful images honor Indigenous people from the west metro who participated in the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ/Bassett Creek Oral History Project. Bassett Creek has several access points, including parks in Crystal and Golden Valley. Continue reading »

Featured Book Sugar Bush Babies: Stories of My Ojibwe Grandmother, by Janis A. Fairbanks. University of Minnesota Press. Book Launch Event Date: October 10 @ 6 to 8 pm Location: Fond du Lac Tribal and Community College	Featured Article Minnesota History William Bell Riley: Architect of Fundamentalism Volume 43, Issue 1, 1972	Featured Article MNopedia Alonzo Pickle (1843–1925) Featured MNopedia Article	Minnesota Unraveled Minnesota Unraveled, is a finalist for the 2025 Signal Awards in the History category!  Vote today: voting closes October 9.

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 »