Discussions and Questions

 

No Local History News on September 13

Although Walt Kelly's Pogo would tell you that Friday the 13th falls on a Wednesday this month, that's not the reason for interrupting the publication schedule. The staff of the Local History Services Office will be attending the American Association for State and Local History conference in Phoenix, September 12-17. Publication will resume on September 20th.

Importance of Museum Stores

"Museum Store" sales can often be an underrated channel of support for Minnesota's local history organizations. In the 2005 survey MHS (read the results on page 4-6) asked about income and expenses at local historical organizations in Minnesota.

Here are some more results from the 2005 survey:

• Range of net sales was $7 to $157,175
• Average net sales was $6,063
• Expense from purchasing stock ranged from $0 to $102,466
• Total cost in 2005 for store stock was $425,463
• Average cost for the same store stock was $4,212

Mary brought up a good point about rethinking what's offered at a museum store. Are "trinkets and doodads" a good way to go? How well do $50 books sell? How do you gear your museum store's offerings to your public?

Here are some further thoughts about museum stores from the Museum Store Association website.

Accepting Credit Cards (New Postings)

Public Library Model (New Posting)

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Job Announcements

Executive Director

The Hennepin History Museum seeks a dynamic leader to be its Executive Director. The full-time, benefited position is responsible for business management and providing leadership and direction to the programs, services and activities of the Association. Salary range: $38,000 - $42,000. For more information visit the website or call 612-296-1908. Send cover letter and resume to Neal Holtan, Attn: HHM Search Committee, 500 East Grant Street #2310, Minneapolis MN 55404-1492. Deadline: September 22, 2006.

Local Events

Richfield Historical Society cemetery tour

The Richfield Historical Society has scheduled “Tombstones and Tales”, a tour of Oak Hill Cemetery (Lyndale and 59th Street, Minneapolis) for Saturday, September 30, 2006 at 1:00 p.m.  Historical society member Alton Goodspeed will lead the tour.

News

Winona County Historical Society expansion

See update in the Winona Daily News.

Tools for building a nonprofit website

TechSoup's Web Building section provides useful tools and resources to build and host a website for nonprofit organizations.

Scott County Historical Society receives grant to microfilm church records

The Scott County Historical Society has received a $470 grant from the Minnesota Valley Electric Cooperative “Operation Round-Up” program to microfilm the church records (marriage, birth, death and baptism) from Immanuel Lutheran Church of Fish Lake and the First Presbyterian Church of Shakopee.  

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Collections Workshop offered in Iowa

Care of Native American and Ethnographic Collections Workshop will be held Friday October 27, 2006, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., State Historical Society of Iowa in Des Moines. Bettina Raphael, AIC Fellow and ethnographic conservator will present this workshop on care of these special collections. Cost: $100 per person (includes lunch), Registration deadline October 16. To register or for more information, contact Jerome Thompson, 515-281-4221.