Disaster Response and Recovery

Preparation for Spring Floods
Due to the record snowfall this past winter, and now the spring rains, Minnesotans need to be prepared for flooding. Here are a number of resources to keep at hand:

• Minnesota Recovers
• Salvage Procedures for Wet Items
• Disaster Response and Recovery Tips
• State Archives Disaster Resources
• Tips on Communication

Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants

Extension Requests
If you find that your organization is feverishly working to finish a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grant, but it won't be completed by the project end date, please contact the Grants Office for an extension. Give a short update on the project's progress and propose a new end date. Keep in mind that per the Minnesota legislature, ALL projects must be completed by June 30, 2011.

From the Blog

History for Every County (no comments) - How many states have a county historical society in every county?

NWA History Centre Tour Video (no comments) - This week, the museum and a behind the scenes look at the archives of the NWA History Centre.

Relevant Warehouses (new post) - With public expectation of discovery and retrieval of knowledge being at our fingertips, how will local historical organizations continue to be relevant as collectors and preservers of the past? Libraries lend a clue.

Group Forum - Media - New addition to the discussion on using video footage.

• Creating the Video - NWA History Centre

Facebook Findings

Minnesota Local History picked up another 7 followers over the past week, bringing our numbers up to 458. Keep tabs on the local history scene by following it on Facebook.

Job Opportunities

Grant Writer
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, St. Paul MN, seeks Grant Writer. Deadline: March 25, 2011.

Historic Site Supervisor
State Historical Society of North Dakota, Bismarck ND, seeks temporary Fort Abercrombie Historic Site Supervisor. Deadline: April 8, 2011.

Executive Director
Montgomery County Historical Society, Rockville MD, seeks Executive Director. Deadline: April 19, 2011.

Collections Specialist
Pro Football Hall of Fame, Canton OH, seeks Collections Specialist. Deadline: May 6, 2011.

Do History Here

Urban Expedition
Landmark Center hosts Urban Expedition: Somalia! on Sunday March 27, 2011, 1 to 3 p.m. Free; bring items to donate to Halle Q. Brown Food Shelf. Call 651-292-3276 for more information.

Local History Lecture
Steele County Historical Society hosts Jan Stevens, speaking on "Women in White: Edwardian Fashions from the SCHS Collections," Tuesday March 29, 2011, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call SCHS, 507-451-1420, for more information.

Press Conference
St. Louis County Historical Society will hold a press conference at St. Louis County Heritage and Arts Center, Duluth, Tuesday March 29, 2011, 4:45 p.m. to present copies of "A County Built on Iron" to representatives of area mining companies. Contact JoAnne Coombe, 218-733-7581, for more information.

Forum
Twin Cities Public Television (tpt) and 1000 Friends of Minnesota host forum "New Metropolis Minnesota: Growing Together as a Region," Wednesday March 30, 2011, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., Bloomington Center for the Arts. Free. Registration required.

Burnsville Meeting
Burnsville Historical Society will meet at Burnsville Performing Arts Center Thursday March 31, 2011, 7 p.m. Call Len Nachman, 612-670-3785 for more information.

White House Garden
Stearns History Museum hosts White House Children's Garden Project beginning May 7, 2011. Registration and informational meeting Saturday April 2, 2011, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Contact Charlene Akers, 320-253-8424, for more information.

Story Time and Craft
Minnesota Discovery Center hosts story time "Wax to Crayons" and craft Saturday April 2, 2011, 11 a.m. Admission: $5 adults, $3 students, under 6 free. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

History Lecture Series
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County hosts Dr. Yolanda Arauza, who will discuss Mexican immigration to the Red River Valley, Saturday April 2, 2011, 2 p.m. Free. Call 218-299-5511 for more information. 

God's Angry Man
Steele County Historical Society hosts Wayne Quist, speaking on "God's Angry Man: The Incredible Journey of Private Joe Haan," Tuesday April 5, 2011, 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. Call SCHS, 507-451-1420, for more information.

Civil War Roundtable
Rice County Historical Society and Cannon Valley Civil War Roundtable present "Recognition of the Fall of Fort Sumter - The Beginning of the Civil War" Saturday April 9, 2011, 1 to 4 p.m., Guild House of Episcopal Cathedral of Our Merciful Savior, Faribault. Call Rice County Historical Society, 507-332-2121, for more information.

Authors' Sunday
LeDuc Historic Estate, Hastings MN, announces Authors' Sunday, April 10, 2011, 1 p.m. Featured authors are Gunda Davis and Eric Dregni. Free. Call 651-437-3365 for more information.

Weaving Workshop
Minnesota Discovery Center hosts Anna Faye Crockett, presenting "Narrow Trims and Cords" workshop on braiding, weaving, and more, Saturday April 23, 2011, 1 to 5 p.m. Fee: $8, including materials and museum admission. Call 800-372-6437 to pre-register.

Diamond Willow Carving
Mel Walters demonstrates diamond willow carving at Minnesota Discovery Center, Saturday April 30, 2011, 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

Save the Date
Museums of Minnesota announces Saint Paul Saints Night at the Minnesota Museums, Monday May 23, 2011. Contact Chuck Strinz for more information.

Local History Workshops

Spring Workshops Return
Local History Workshops from Minnesota Historical Society will resume next month. We're trying something a bit different this year. Instead of holding the same workshop in several places, this year we will add content to groups of historical organizations that have already planned to hold their regular spring meetings.

Who can attend? You! Anyone interested in these topics should attend.

Register online so that organizers may plan on your attendance.

Saturday April 2, 2011, 9 a.m.
Northwest Metro Historical Organizations
Location: Embassy Suites, 6300 Earle Brown Dr., Brooklyn Center, Minnesota 55430
Program: “Creating Successful Grant Projects,” with David Grabitske
Cost: optional $10 breakfast at 8:15
Those arriving by 8 a.m. should plan to share future plans
Contact: Diane Sannes, 763-560-8893

Tuesday April 12, 2011, 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Minnesota's Historic Northwest
Location: Hjemkomst Heritage Center, 202 First Avenue North, Moorhead, Minnesota 56560
Program: "The Big Picture and the Little Picture...Exhibit Design Insights & Case Display Details" with Claudia Pratt and Pam Burkhart
Legacy Amendment Update with David Grabitske
Cost: $10, payable to Minnesota's Historic Northwest
Contact: Tamara Edevold

Wednesday April 20, 2011, 8:30-2:30
Southeastern Minnesota Historical Organizations
Location: West Hills Complex, 540 West Hills Circle, Owatonna, Minnesota 55060
“Developing Local Educational Programs to Meet State History Education Standards” with Nancy O’Brien Wagner
Program: Cost: $15, payable to Steele County Historical Society
Contact: Laura Resler

Thursday April 21, 2011, 9-11 a.m.
Twin Ports History Coalition
Location: Thomson Township Town Hall, 25 East Harney Road, Esko, Minnesota 55733
Program: “Collections Potpourri: cataloging, abandoned property, permanent vs. education collections, and use of policy and planning for grants” with Melinda Hutchinson
Cost: Free
Contact: Dan Hartman

Monday May 2, 2011, Director’s Meeting at 10, Program 1-3 p.m.
Upper Minnesota River Area Museum Meeting
Location: Yellow Medicine County Historical Society, 98 Hwy 67 E (MN 23 & MN 67), Granite Falls, Minnesota 56241
Program: “Preserving Textiles and how to Write Grants for them” with Melinda Hutchinson
Cost: Free
Contact: Brian Schulz

Continuing Education

War of 1812 Symposium
General Daniel Bissell Home, St. Louis MO, hosts 21st Annual War of 1812 in the West Symposium, March 26-27, 2011. Contact Dave Bennett for more information. The War of 1812 bicentennial is next year. If you're planning commemorative events, this conference is very close to Minnesota, and extremely affordable.

MAM Annual Meeting
Join Minnesota Association of Museums at their Annual Meeting, "What's New with You?", Monday April 18, 2011, 8:30 a.m. to noon.

Save the Date
American Association for State and Local History announces 2011 Annual Meeting, "Commemoration: The Promise of Remembrance and New Beginnings," September 14-17, 2011, Richmond VA.

News

Public Meeting Notice
City of Minneapolis announces community meeting to discuss history of Saint Anthony Falls Historic District and introduce process to develop new historic district design guidelines. Wednesday April 6, 2011, 6 to 8 p.m., Mill City Museum, Minneapolis. Contact Jack Byers for more information.

One-Stop Gift Shop
Isanti County Historical Society invites you to the One-Stop Gift Shop, Sunday April 10, 2011, 1 to 4:30 p.m. Unique gift ideas. Free admission and refreshments. Percentage of vendor sales benefit ICHS. Contact ICHS, 763-689-4229, for more information.

Call for Submissions
Ancestral Fires grant project seeks Finnish-American stories from Cokato MN area. Open to all ages. Limit 5 pages poetry or 10 pages prose. Contact Diane for more information or to send submissions. Deadline: April 11, 2011.

Marketing Opportunity
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums plans to create Minnesota Museums t-shirt to promote awareness of local historical organizations. T-shirt will be given away at Saint Paul Saints Night at the Museums, May 23, 2011. Contact Ben Leonard now if your organization is interested in being a partner.

Survey Reminder
State Historic Preservation Office seeks your input on updating the statewide historic preservation plan.

Nonprofit Bills
Minnesota Council of Nonprofits announced their charitable registration conformity bill (HF786/SF615) has made progress this legislative session.

Field Note

Nicollet County Historical Society (shown above during the 2010 flooding), St. Peter MN, will close Friday March 25, 2011 for the duration of the flood. Sandbaggers needed starting tomorrow, Thursday March 24, 10 a.m. Please contact Ben Leonard, 507-934-2160, if you can help.

Feel free to contact Local History News if you or any of your colleagues need assistance during the spring floods. We'll get the word out to over 2400 colleagues. For disaster recovery assistance, contact David Grabitske, 651-259-3460, or Melinda Hutchinson, 651-259-3459.