Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants

Final Countdown
There are 64 days left in the 2010-2011 biennium, which means Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants projects should be nearing completion. Project Directors, make sure you are on track to finish your project(s) by June 30, 2011. Last minute questions? Contact the Grants Office.

History Matters -Take Action
As legislators get close to decision-making time during this session, please be sure to contact yours and urge their support for history, both from the Legacy Amendment fund as well as the state's general fund.

Legislators are back in session this week, so this is the perfect time to urge their support for history. Last night the Senate Environment Committee heard the Minnesota History Coalition request for next biennium's funding. 

Get the latest on history news from the Capitol and send your legislators a message in support of history today!

From the Blog

Collections Potpourri (Audio Podcast) -  Cataloging, abandoned property, permanent vs. education collections, and use of policy and planning for grants presented by Melinda Hutchinson at the Twin Ports History Coalition meeting.

Balancing Space and Placelessness (no comments) - Is there a balance between necessity of place and increasing placelessness that local history museums might strike?

Facebook Findings

Way to go, Facebook friends! Minnesota Local History now has 506 followers. Surely you know someone who could benefit from a dose of local history! Pass it along and help our community grow.

Question from the Field

Lenny Tvedten, Martin County Historical Society executive director, would like to hear from historical organizations with an employee handbook. He seeks examples to reference as he creates an employee handbook for his organization.

Job Opportunities

Administrator
Gothic House Center, Eldon IA, seeks Administrator. Deadline: Today, Wednesday April 27, 2011.

Interpreter
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul MN, seeks Interpreter I at Oliver H. Kelley Farm near Elk River MN. Deadline: May 5, 2011.

Museum Director
Rahr-West Art Museum, Manitowoc WI, seeks Museum Director. Deadline: May 16, 2011.

Curator of Education
Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs, Madison WI, seeks Curator of Education.

Curator
University of Iowa, Iowa City IA, seeks Curator. Deadline: Open until filled.

Unpaid Internships

Walker Art Center, Minneapolis MN, seeks part time Arts Marketing and Public Relations Intern. Deadline: April 29, 2011.

Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul MN, seeks Marketing, Administrative and Development Intern. Deadline: May 16, 2011.

Caponi Art Park, Eagan MN, seeks part time Park Attendant and Event Assistant Intern. Deadline: Open until filled.

Do History Here

Exhibit Opening
Ramsey County Historical Society announces the opening of a new exhibit on the artwork of Jean Sanborn Gross, Thursday April 28, 2011, 4-6 p.m.

Exhibit Opening
Carlton County Historical Society, Cloquet MN, announces the opening of "What We Wore," Friday April 29, 2011, 1 to 3 p.m. Admission: $1, free if you wear a hat--old or new. Call 218-879-1938 for more information.

Kids Kraft
Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee MN, hosts "Native American Beading" Kids Kraft, Saturday April 30, 2011, 10:30-11:15 a.m. Free. Call 952-445-0378 for more information.

Lasagna Fundraiser
Wadena County Historical Society will hold a Lasagna Supper on Monday May 2, 2011 at the Wadena Elks Club, 4:30 to 7 p.m. Free will donation fundraiser to help keep WCHS' doors open. Contact WCHS, 218-631-9079, with questions.

Civil War Encampment
Observe the 150th anniversary of the American Civil War at The Landing - Minnesota River Heritage Park, Saturday May 7, 2011, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Call 763-694-7617 for more information.

Breakfast Club
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud MN, hosts Matt Riley, who will speak on "Restoring St. Cloud's Federal Building" at the Breakfast Club meeting, Wednesday May 11, 2011, 9 a.m. Call 320-253-8424 for more information. 

Behind the Scenes Tour
Take a behind-the-scenes tour of Scott County Historical Society and 1906 Stans House, Shakopee MN, Saturday May 14, 2011, 10 a.m. Register with Shakopee Community Education.

Walking Tour
Austin Community Education and Mower County Historical Society sponsor walking tour of downtown Austin, Monday May 16, 2011 or Thursday May 26, 2011, 6-8 p.m. Cost: $8. Call 507-460-1700 for more information.

Syttende Mai Celebration
Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, Moorhead MN, hosts Syttende Mai "polsefest," Tuesday May 17, 2011, 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Parents encouraged to bring their children. Call 218-299-5511 for more information.

Local History Workshops

Spring Workshops Return
There are two more chances to catch the Spring 2011 Local History Workshops. Who can attend? You! Anyone interested in these locally requested topics should attend. Don't delay, sign up today!

Register online so organizers may plan on your attendance.

Monday May 2, 2011, Program at 10, Director's Meeting 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

Fund Your Mission

Preservation Grant
National Trust for Historic Preservation is now accepting applications for Jeffris Heartland Fund. Deadline: June 1, 2011.

Grant Deadlines
Minnesota Council on Foundations announces 2011 deadlines for Minnesota grantmakers.

Continuing Education

Annual Meeting
Wisconsin Federation of Museums holds its 2011 Annual Meeting "Museums Matter" in Sheboygan WI, at the John Michael Kohler Arts Center, Monday November 14, 2011. Session proposals due May 2, 2011. Contact Christine Cross for a session proposal form.

Archives Course
AASLH's Basics of Archives Online Course is scheduled May 9 to June 3, 2011. Registration deadline: May 4, 2011.

Administration Seminar
American Association for State and Local History announces Seminar for Historical Adminstration deadline is May 16, 2011. Seminar dates for 2011: October 29 to November 19, 2011.

News

Field Note

Looking ahead, May is National Preservation Month! Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants program has awarded 70 grants in the Historic Properties category over the past two years.

Many properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places have benefited from Legacy Amendment funding. Historic Resources Advisory Committee awarded $115,000 to Litchfield Opera House to complete exterior masonry preservation and rebuild a missing entrance column.