Minnesota Local History News

Discussions and Questions

150 Years to Forget (3 new messages) Whether rewritten or seen through rose-colored glasses, history's rougher moments are worthy to be remembered. What was the toughest story you decided to tell? What was the community's reaction?

Life Memberships (2 new messages) The best volunteers for the Mower County Historical Society often are the few life members it has. Is time just as good as money?

Right All Along? (new post) Carl Nold believes historic sites and museums "continue to offer wonderful opportunities" for the public, but it is standardization that has discouraged them from broader participation.

NOTE: Kathryn Otto thanks the many organizations that expressed interest in the CD index to the 1880 U.S. Census, and confirms that the CDs have been placed.

Job Announcements

Executive Director

Brown County Historical Society in Green Bay, Wisconsin, is accepting applications for a full-time executive director. Submit a letter of interest with salary requirements and a resume including references. Applications must be received by September 15, 2008.

Executive Director

Rensselaer County Historical Society in Troy, NY, seeks an Executive Director who is an enthusiastic, visionary leader with proven administrative experience. Email resume and letter of interest in confidence by September 1, 2008.

Research Historian

Historical Research Associates seeks a full-time, permanent research historian for its Missoula office. Submit applications in Word or PDF to Matthew Godfrey by August 15, 2008.

Programs Coordinator

Homestead Museum in City of Industry, CA, seeks Programs Coordinator. $36,000 annually. Apply to Karen Graham Wade. Open until filled.

Local Events

Tourism meeting in Sauk Centre

Learn about Explore Minnesota's new Central Region on Wednesday July 30, 2008, 10:30 a.m. - 1 p.m., at Gerard's Restaurant, Sauk Centre. RSVP by Friday, July 25, 2008.

Textile Day at the LeDuc Historic Estate

To commemorate the establishment of Hastings Needlework 120 years ago by the LeDuc daughters, Alice and Florence, there will be special events on August 9, 2008, at the LeDuc Historic Estate. 

Linda Mack Schloff retires

Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest will hold its Annual Meeting on August 17, 2008, at Eastcliff, home of the University of Minnesota president. Dr. Linda Mack Schloff will comment on two decades of collecting and interpreting Jewish history on the occasion of her retirement.

Depot Days in Tower

Join the Tower-Soudan Historical Society for its first annual Depot Days in Tower, July 25-27, 2008.

Artifacts in Alexandria

Gopher State Archaeological Society will exhibit American Indian artifacts on Sunday July 27, 2008, at the Holiday Inn, Alexandria.

News

Indian boarding school history

Lake of the Woods Museum in Kenora, Ontario, hosts an exhibit called "Bakaan nake'ii ngii-izhi-gakinoo'amaagoomin: We Were Taught Differently" about the Indian Residential School Experience, September 18 through November 1, 2008.

Exploring government partnerships

"Council, nonprofits far apart on funding solutions" appeared in the July 14, 2008, Waseca County News.

All-volunteer boards

Blue Avocado features the work of all-volunteer boards in its July 15, 2008 issue.

New exhibit for FinnFest

St. Louis County Historical Society announces the opening of a new exhibit, "Finns of Western Lake Superior," which was developed by regional historian Marvin Lamppa, and designed and fabricated by Venture Exhibits.

Historic crossing near St. Peter

The Mankato Free Press of Saturday July 12, 2008 details the efforts of the Nicollet County Historical Society in preserving the history of people at Traverse des Sioux.

Heritage preservation program at U of MN

Gregory Donofrio accepted the new position of Assistant Professor in Heritage Preservation and Conservation at the University of Minnesota's School of Architecture.

Additions to Red Wing Pottery

Rare and early Nokomis Vessels produced by Red Wing Pottery were recently donated to the Minnesota Historical Society.

Al Morken dies

Longtime local historian Alton Morken of Rushford died Tuesday July 15, 2008. Morken was instrumental in saving the 1867 Southern Minnesota depot in Rushford and establishing the Rushford Area Historical Society.

Remember the State Fair?

Minnesota State Fair Foundation seeks memories of the Great Minnesota Get-Together.

Grant Deadlines

State Grants-in-Aid

Pre-applications are due Friday July 25, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. to the Minnesota State Grants-in-Aid program. Final applications are due Friday August 29, 2008 at 4:30 p.m. Contact Melinda Hutchinson, 651-259-3459.

American Heritage Preservation Program

Institute of Museum and Library Services and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation announce the 2009 guidelines for the American Heritage Preservation Program, which funds the preservation of certain collections held in small and medium-sized museums, archives, and libraries. Deadline is September 15, 2008.

Tourism Grants

Tourism Cares' Worldwide Grant Program distributes charitable grants for capital improvements. Applicant organizations must have nonprofit, tax-exempt, 501(c)(3) status. Letter of Inquiry packets are available. Deadline: October 1, 2008.

Upcoming Conferences and Workshops

2009 Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference

Explore Minnesota Tourism Conference, "2020 Vision," will be January 27-29, 2009, at Northland Inn in Minneapolis. Learn how the tourism industry may change over the next 10+ years and develop strategies to use these changes. Contact Gayle Junnila, 651-296-5205.

MCN Annual Meeting

Minnesota Council on Nonprofits' annual meeting is "Nonprofits & Government: Partnerships and Policies in a Time of Retrenchment" on October 2-3, 2008, at the Saint Paul RiverCentre.