Minnesota Local History News

Discussions and Questions

Brand Value for Historical Organizations (2 new messages) How can pricelessness have a monetary value? How should nonprofits "account" for the value of a good name? See updated post for potential scoring method.

Local Events

Historic jail event

History of the Zumbro Falls Jail Cage will be presented by the Wabasha County Historical Society at the Reads Landing School Museum on Sunday, April 13, 2008 from 1-4 p.m. Contact Mary DeRoos, 877-525-3248.

Declaration of Independence

A rare, original broadside of the Declaration of Independence will be part of the observance of 150 years of Minnesota Statehood at the Minnesota History Center in St. Paul, May 6-18, 2008. The Declaration comes to Minnesota via a presenting sponsorship by Dolan Media Company.

Streetcar program in Anoka

On Saturday, April 19, at 1:30 p.m., the Anoka County Historical Society presents John Diers, co-author of Twin Cites By Trolley: The Steetcar Era in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Diers will speak about the Twin City Rapid Transit Company’s (TCRT) extensive network of lines and cars. This event is free to the public.

News

Dred Scott article

Adam Arenson wrote "Freeing Dred Scott" in the recent issue of Common-Place. Scott's 1857 emancipation case hinged partly on his time spent in Minnesota. The ruling contributed to a delay in Minnesota's admission as a state.

Draft instructions available

Internal Revenue Service seeks comments on draft instructions for the 2008 Form 990.

More newspapers added

More than 79,000 newly digitized newspaper pages, along with several new site features, have recently been added to the Chronicling America Web site. The site now provides access to more than 500,000 digitized newspaper pages, dating primarily from 1900 to 1910, and representing 61 newspapers from California, the District of Columbia, Florida, Kentucky, New York, Utah and Virginia.

New e-newsletter from MHS

Interested in more than just genealogy? Recent acquisitions, new books available for use, research trends, the scoop on the latest display in the library lobby, research tips, and more will be in the new Library & Archives News. Sign-up for the Library & Archives News e-newsletter. The first issue will debut later in April and will be published bi-monthly.

Input sought for NCPH

National Council on Public History wants to know whether you agree or disagree that all historic sites and historical museums should serve as "sites of conscience" and promoters of democratic process. Tell us about examples from your experience.

New courthouse exhibit in Olivia

Renville County Historical Society presents a new exhibit, "Pioneer Life in Renville County" at the courthouse in Olivia, April 2-August 11, 2008, 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Monday-Friday. Contact Jill Wohnoutka, 507-697-6147.

Simmons artifacts sought

July 16, 2008 marks the 50th anniversary of Carroll Simmons' gift of the LeDuc Historic Estate to Minnesota Historical Society.  The estate will honor the legacy of Mr. Simmons with an exhibit of pieces that customers have purchased from Mr. Simmons.  This exhibit will run from July 1 though the end of October at the LeDuc Historic Estate in Hastings.  If you are an owner of Simmons' pieces and would consider loaning them, please contact the LeDuc Historic Estate at 651-437-7055 or Dakota County Historical Society at 651-552-7548 for more information by June 1, 2008.

Grant Deadlines

New grants website

National Trust for Historic Preservation announces Show Me the Money, an online guide to federal grant programs for historic properties.

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

Adapting Instruction Workshop

Learn successful strategies for meeting the needs of a variety of learners in Grades 4-12 on April 23, 2008 at the James J. Hill House. Sessions focus on social studies, but methods can be applied to other content areas. Register. Contact Suzi Hunn Gran, 651-259-3431.