Field Note

MNHS Local History Staff visited the National Register-listed Fulda Depot on August 26 to check the status of foundation strengthening and in-kind exterior limited sill and clapboard replacement. Removed brick pavers are being relaid on a new slope to the proposed accessible entrance. The 1880 depot’s special qualities include its early age, construction in the Eastlake style, and long-term limited housing for Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul, and Pacific Railroad employees. The Fulda Heritage Society maintains and interprets the property, which served passengers until 1963 and freight until 1979.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: NAHA at 100: Rehousing the Institutional Records of the Norwegian-American Historical Association
The Norwegian-American Historical Association (NAHA) completed the rehousing of its institutional records, which span nearly 100 years and include publishing, secretary, archivist, and financial documents. The project involved refoldering and reboxing approximately 116 cubic feet of materials previously stored in acidic folders and overstuffed boxes. NAHA also created detailed finding aids and updated its catalog to improve access to the collections. These records preserve the organization’s history from its founding in 1925 after the Norse-American Centennial through today. The archives contain letters, manuscripts, photographs, and early documents collected by founders such as author Ole E. Rølvaag and historian Theodore Blegen.

This rehousing project was timely due to the upcoming bicentennial of Norwegian migration in 2025 and NAHA’s centennial. The association planned an academic conference to mark these anniversaries and prepared to move its collections to a new climate-controlled vault. The project supported NAHA’s mission to preserve Norwegian-American history and to make materials accessible to scholars, students, and the public. Archivists discovered historic photographs that enriched an exhibit on 200 years of Norwegian migration, which was presented during the conference attended by over 250 participants. NAHA’s efforts ensure these collections will remain available for future generations to study and appreciate the Norwegian-American experience.
Recipient: Norwegian-American Historical Association 
Amount Funded: $5,117
Project Details

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, October 10, 2025. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

Grants Office Webinar: Successful Oral Histories with the Grant Program
September 18 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: An oral history project is a great way to get perspective on an historical event from the people who lived it. But how? We'll cover essential techniques for conducting effective interviews, best practices for recording and preserving material, and strategies for making your project accessible to future researchers and community members.  Join us to learn how to structure an oral history project and make it successful. Presented by Melinda Hutchinson, Grants Specialist
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 Hennepin History Museum. Have a blog? Let us know!

Winslow House Register Goes Digital
One of our first digitization projects
In a large nutshell, digitization is the process of converting an analog format, say, paper, into a digital one, say, a pdf or jpg. Converting a paper format requires a scanner with an image sensor that “samples”/outputs numbers that articulate a bunch of points on the image. That output is a digital representation – the more points, the better the sampling, the better the scan. After that, just maintain the integrity of that file for the rest of its lifecycle.

New Scanner – Old Project
The archive recently acquired a contactless, overhead scanner. We christened it with one of the oldest and most historically valuable ledgers in our collection, the Winslow House Register. The pages will soon be available to view online.

As a child in the 70s, my parents taught me about Dred Scott. I thought the reason for this was that they wanted me to be aware of history, but I believe they also wanted to instill an understanding of my current environment. The story was often followed by “this wasn’t that far away, nor was it that long ago.” In the Dred Scott story, there was an added social lesson that accompanied the history one, which was that people will make promises they don’t intend to keep. Continue reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Diving Deep with Minnesota Main Streets - Rethos
• Mapping Prejudice joins community street-renaming effort - U of MN Libraries
• A History of Drive-in Movie Theaters in Ramsey County - Ramsey County Historical Society
• The Feldman, Rabinowitz, Sax, and Siegel businesses - Jim Froemming-Hometown Focus
• Arthur Kleinschnitz–community supporter - Washington County Historical Society
• MDL opens its new project year for 2025-2026 - Minnesota Digital Library News

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• Ryan Pennesi – Conservation & Camera Capturing Photography - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• The Anoka-Champlin Bridge - Anoka County Historical Society
• The Sears Roebuck Catalog and the Pipestone County Museum's Collection - Pipestone County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Interpreter I - Mille Lacs Indian Museum & Trading Post
• Program Assistant, Visitor Services - Oliver Kelley Farm
• Cyber Security Specialist - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Bentson Archivist and Assistant Curator - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
• Perimeter Guard - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Education & Museum Associate - Schubert Club, St. Paul, MN
• Director of Collections and Registration - The Cafesjian Art Trust Museum, Shoreview, MN

REGIONAL

• Museum Assistant - Racine Heritage Museum, Racine, WI 
• Education Program Associate - Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Madison, WI
• Collections Archivist - The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Principal Investigators or Research Teams for three National Park Service projects in the Intermountain region - National Council on Public History
• Museum Ambassador Level 1 - National Public Housing Museum, Chicago, IL
• Conservation Assistant-Africa/Egypt Exhibit - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL
• Marketing & Events Coordinator - Elmhurst Art Museum, Elmhurst, IL
• Museum Exhibits Preparator - Krannert Art Museum, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Champaign, IL
• Program and Education Assistant - Glen Ellyn Historical Society, Glen Ellyn, IL
• Museum Registrar - Indiana University Museum of Archaeology & Anthropology, Bloomington, IN
• President - Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum, Indianapolis, IN
• Executive Director - Carmel Clay Historical Society, Carmel, IN
• Project Reviews Manager, Architecture - Ohio State Historic Preservation Office, Columbus, OH
• Development Director - Zanesville Museum of Art, Zanesville, OH
• Director of Marketing and Development - Henry Ford Estate, Dearborn, MI
• Planetarium Lead - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
• Preparator - Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
• Collections and Exhibitions Assistant Registrar - University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI
• Executive Director - R. E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing, MI 
• Legislative Liaison 2 - Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission, Harrisburg, PA
• Preservation Construction Specialist - Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Birdsboro, PA
• Maintenance Repairman 2 - Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission, Lancaster, PA
• Research Assistant - World War II Heritage City program, City of Warrensburg, Warrensburg, MO
• African American History Initiative Manager - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
• Managing Director of Collections - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
• Museum Educator, Volunteers and Group Tours - The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, University of Missouri - Kansas City, MO
• Curator of Education - Smoky Hill Museum, Salina, KS
• Curator - National Orphan Train Complex, Concordia, KS
• Senior Financial Analyst - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Historic Preservation Intern - South Dakota Department of Education, Pierre, SD

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Power House - Zenith Mine
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Ely-Winton Historical Society.

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

Learning from Place: Bdote
September 13 @ 8:30 am to 2:30 pm - St. Paul: Minnesota Humanities Center - Bdote is an immersive experience that brings participants to sites of great significance to Dakota people in the Twin Cities, guided by Dakota community members sharing histories often absent from the state’s narrative. Cost: $75. Learn more » 

Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Minnesota Book Club
September 11 @ 6:30 to 8 pm - Maplewood: Maplewood Area Historical Society - Book club discussion of Under a Flaming Sky: The Great Hinckley Firestorm of 1894 exploring Minnesota history through literature. Learn more » 

Capturing Stories, Preserving Memories
September 13 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Roseau: Roseau County Historical Society - Historian Caleb Curfman leads a hands-on workshop on oral history, guiding participants in recording family and community stories through interviewing techniques, sensitive questioning, and preservation practices. Cost: $10 (materials included). Learn more » 

Barn Quilt Painting Class with Sue Edwards
September 13 @ 9 am to 3 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Artist Sue Edwards leads a full-day class on designing and painting traditional barn quilts. Learn more » 

Our Stories and Ourselves: A Writing Workshop
September 13 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Quatrefoil Library - A creative workshop inviting participants to explore personal storytelling and LGBTQ+ identity through writing in a supportive community space. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Stories of a Mississippi Riverboat Captain
September 17 @ 12 to 1 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Speaker Lee Hendrix shares his experiences as a Mississippi Riverboat captain, drawing on years of navigating the river and recounting the challenges and unique perspectives gained from life on the water. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Mower County Immigrants: 1918
September 17 @ 12 to 1 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - Local historian Paul Spyhalski presents on the experiences of immigrants in Mower County during 1918, highlighting community life and challenges faced during that period. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Birthright Citizenship: A History of the Present
September 17 @ 4 to 5:15 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota - A panel of experts provides historical context on the U.S. tradition of birthright citizenship, examining immigrant contributions, proposed restrictions, and their broader implications. Part of the History of the Present webinar series. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Online Pedagogy Session – Era One: Indigenous Histories
September 18 @ 4 to 5:30 pm - Online: Minnesota Humanities Center - This virtual workshop explores pre-contact histories of America’s first peoples and connects them to Indigenous experiences today. Led by Dr. Brenda Child, MDE Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg, and classroom educators, the session supports high school U.S. History teachers in building inquiry-based, standards-aligned units. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

America's 250th: Inventing a Nation – The Constitutional Convention
September 18 @ 6 to 8 pm - South St. Paul: Dakota County Historical Society - Program exploring the Constitutional Convention as part of America’s 250th commemoration. Cost: $5 members/$10 public. Learn more »

History of Bicycling in Rice County with Tim Madigan
September 18 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Historian Tim Madigan presents the history of bicycling in Rice County, tracing more than a century of cycling culture, local paths, and changes in bicycle technology. Part of the Thursday night speaker series, the program highlights Madigan’s expertise as an educator and member of the Faribault Flyers bicycle club. Cost: Free for members, $5 for non-members. For more information call 507-332-2121.

All-Star Wrestling with George Schire
September 18 @ 6 to 8 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Wrestling historian George Schire shares stories and history from the golden era of professional wrestling in Minnesota. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Wasioja Archaeology Survey Results
September 19 @ 1:30 to 2:30 pm - Mantorville: Dodge County Historical Society - Archaeologist Jeremy Nienow presents findings from the Wasioja Seminary ruins and Public Square survey, sharing results, images, and discussion from this recent investigation. Learn more »

September GAI Café
September 21 @ 9 am to 12 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - This month’s café features guest speakers Jim Neuenfeldt and Gary Heyn with a presentation at 10 am. Gary will introduce the Germanic Genealogy Society and its research resources, while Jim explores the history of Pomerania, the work of the Pommern Regional Group, and insights from his recent travels to the region in Poland. A rich program for anyone interested in Germanic heritage and genealogy. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Hu Plig (Soul Calling) Workshop
September 27 @ 9 am to 12 pm - St. Paul: Hmong Museum - Facilitator Hey Billy (Billy Lor) leads an immersive workshop on the Hu Plig ritual, a traditional Hmong ceremony performed to recall and protect a person’s soul for health, harmony, and balance. Participants will learn each stage of the ceremony, its cultural and spiritual significance, and how families prepare their homes for the ritual. As part of the experience, Billy will share his personal Hu Plig training manual, offering practical guidance to carry the knowledge forward. Cost: Suggested donation of $25–$45. Learn more »

Consular Session
September 27 @ 9 am to 2:30 pm - St. Paul: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - A consular session offering services and assistance for Polish citizens and community members. Cost: Varies by service. Location: John Paul II School at Holy Cross Church. 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: Wakefield House Museum, operated by the Faribault County Historical Society, Blue Earth, MN.
Photograph by Jonathunder, distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2.

Moving Collections and Building New Facilities for Small Institutions
September 12 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm (CT) – Online: Museum Association of New York – Join Anna Muller, Curator of Collections at the East Hampton Historical Society, and Amy Folk, Collection Manager at Oysterponds Historical Society, as they share their experiences and procedures for building new storage facilities and safely rehousing collections. This presentation covers timelines, best practices, and lessons learned during these impactful projects for small historical institutions. Cost: Free. Learn more »

How to Write & Edit So Everyone Reads It!
September 25 @ 1 pm (CT) – Online: Gaylord Archival – This webinar focuses on clear, engaging writing and editing techniques to make content accessible and appealing to diverse audiences. Topics include simplifying language while maintaining relevance, meeting multiple reading levels, and creating connection to pull in visitors. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Interpreting Winter Holidays with Your Community
September 25 @ 2 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Building on the AASLH publication Interpreting Christmas at Museums and Historic Sites and the 2024 webinar on Maximizing Your Museum's Holiday Potential, this webinar explores how historic houses and history museums can use the holiday season to engage communities inclusively and creatively. It covers Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa programming with case studies and ideas for adaptation. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Calculating True Program Costs
September 30 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) – Online: Propel Nonprofits – This workshop offers hands-on learning labs with practical exercises to help participants identify true program costs and develop realistic budgets. Attendees will gain tools for calculating program costs and advance their organization's financial sustainability. Cost: $95. Learn more »

Putting it All Together: Preparing for 2026 at Small History Organizations
October 2 @ 10 am (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Learn how to use the Making History at 250 field guide and a new handbook of low-resource programming ideas to prepare your small history organization for the 2026 Semiquincentennial. This workshop offers practical tools and strategies to effectively apply these resources to your site or organization’s planning. Cost: $45 members/$65 nonmembers. Learn more »

Working with Volunteers at Cemeteries
October 7 @ 2 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – This webinar presents strategies for effectively mobilizing volunteers in cemetery preservation projects, covering task assignment by skill level, communication, safety training, volunteer recruitment from historical and genealogy groups, and necessary safeguards for organizations and volunteers. Presented by Jason Harpe, Certified Gravestone and Monument Conservator. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• The secret sauce of high-quality museums: internal capacity - ExhibiTricks

UPCOMING STATE and REGIONAL CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

American Historical Association Research Grants
Deadline - February 15, 2026: American Historical Association - AHA members are eligible to apply for research grants with the aim of advancing the study and exploration of history in a diverse number of subject areas. Learn more »

Mosaic Scholarship
Deadline - February 28, 2026: The Society of American Archivists - The scholarship provides financial and mentoring support to students of color pursuing graduate education in archival science, encourages students to pursue a career as an archivist, and promotes the diversification of the American archives profession. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Wakefield House Museum, Blue Earth, MN (1970s).  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.

Hmong Museum Storymap Project
The Hmong Museum is creating a digital story map to document important places and experiences of Minnesota’s Hmong community. Minnesota has the largest Hmong population in the country, with more than 94,000 residents as of 2022. This project collects stories about early Hmong businesses, neighborhoods, schools, and other significant locations. The museum invites community members to share their stories by attending in-person workshops at Ramsey County Library in Maplewood, where scanning stations and interview rooms will collect histories through audio recordings and digital submissions. Interpreters will help with non-English submissions, and volunteers will assist with scanning and registration.

The workshops are scheduled for September 13, 14, 20, and 21, with times varying by date. Space is limited, so registration is required. Those living outside the Twin Cities can participate virtually or arrange in-person interviews. The museum encourages stories about places central to Hmong American history, including businesses, gathering spaces, and personal experiences. Interested organizations and businesses are also invited to partner in this community effort. Learn more »

NU prepares to embrace its passion for history - 2025 Preserve Minnesota Conference comes to New Ulm
New Ulm Journal - The City of New Ulm has long attracted its share of historical interest, but next week the eyes and ears of historians from across the state will be focused on the city for the Preserve Minnesota Conference. Continue reading »

Featured Book Kitchens of Hope-Immigrants Share Stories of Resilience and Recipes from Home, by Linda S. Svitak, Christin Jaye Eaton and Lee Svitak Dean. University of Minnesota Press. Author Event Location: McGregor Public Library, McGregor, MN Date: September 13 @ 10:30 am	Featured Article Minnesota History Lake Vermilion Gold Rush Volume 44, Issue 2, 1974	Featured Article MNopedia Mesabi Iron Range Strike, 1907 Featured MNopedia Article	Minnesota Unraveled A podcast series by the Minnesota Historical Society

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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