Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants

Halfway Home
Already 50 percent of the 474 awarded grant projects have submitted their final reports, and have been closed. Local history organizations and other entities conducting history projects continue to demonstrate much appreciated diligence. Keep up the great work. 

Only 43 days left until June 30 when all projects must be complete!

Final Report Reminders
When submitting your final reports for review, remember to include the following required materials:

• completed budget
• signatures from authorized officer and project director
• copy of the project product, as applicable (exhibit label copy, conservation report, etc.)
• photographs

Reviewers cannot look over incomplete projects, so submit all materials together to ensure your project is closed without delays. Questions? Contact the Grants Office.

From the Blog

Historic Financial Help for Local History - Project-based funding programs have been essential to local history success. What can you see in the road ahead for local history use of legacy funding?

The Uncataloged Museum
What can you do besides start a museum? Carol Kammen seeks to raise scholarship endowment to preserve history by carrying on a historical tradition rather than start yet another museum. Is this an appropriate alternative?

Know Your Own Bone
6 Big, Societal Changes That Have Already Happened. Has Your Museum Adjusted? Kindness, transparency, content, teamwork, emotion, and youth apparently are the ingredients in the cocktail of success.

In the Service of Clio
eBooks: Just Say No Electronic printing should supplement rather than replace traditional print for a variety of reasons, according to this blog. Agree?

Facebook Findings

You knew it was only a matter of time before lumberjacks appeared in Minnesota Local History. Find out what 528 fans already know about them.

Job Opportunities

Museum Administrator
City and County of Broomfield CO seek part-time Museum Administrator for Broomfield Depot Museum and Broomfield Veterans Memorial Museum. Deadline: May 23, 2011.

Director
Story City Historical Society, Story City IA, seeks Director. Deadline: June 6, 2011.

Chief Financial Officer
Minnesota Historical Society, St. Paul MN, seeks Chief Financial Officer. Deadline: June 6, 2011.

Do History Here

Iron Range Film
Minnesota Discovery Center invites the public to a special screening of "Iron Range: Minnesota Building America," Thursday May 19, 2011, 6 p.m. Free. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

Cannon Program
Paynesville Area Historical Society will hold Annual Meeting and Cannon Program, Saturday May 21, 2011, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. David Heinze will present the program about Civil War cannons. Contact PAHS, 320-243-7547, for more information.

Exhibits Opening
Minnesota Discovery Center hosts gallery opening for two new exhibits "Grace Inspirations: Photographic Depictions of the Iron Range" and "The Significance of Grace," Saturday May 21, 2011, 2 p.m. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

Pioneer Women
Learn about a day in the life of a pioneer woman at Harkin Store, Nicollet County Road 21 near New Ulm MN, Sunday May 22, 2011, 1-4 p.m. Operated by Nicollet County Historical Society; call 507-934-2160 for more information.

Commitment to Service
Join White Bear Lake Area Historical Society at the Ramsey County Library-White Bear Lake, Monday May 23, 2011, 6-7 p.m. to learn about veterans from the Civil War to present day. Call 651-407-5327 for more information.

Dinner and Comedy
Minnesota Discovery Center, Chisholm MN, hosts "Tina and Lena" comedy and singing duo, Friday June 3, 2011, as part of the women's expo Empowher. Happy hour 5 p.m. with dinner and entertainment to follow. Tickets: $30 for MDC members; $40 nonmembers. Call 800-372-6437 for more information.

Best of PAM
Join Preservation Alliance of Minnesota for Little Bus on the Prairie-Minnesota's Main Street, Saturday June 4, 2011. Tour the historic downtowns of Owatonna, Faribault and Northfield. Tickets: $30/$35. Contact PAM to register, 651-293-9047.

Continuing Education

Annual Meeting
Registration now open for Minnesota Digital Library's 9th Annual Meeting, Monday June 6, 2011, 8:45 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. Registration deadline: Friday May 27, 2011.

PastPerfect Training
Online PastPerfect training available in June 2011. Next course: "Managing Contacts, Donations and Membership with PastPerfect 5.0," June 6-8, 2011, 8:30 to 11 a.m. CT.

Small Museum Pro!
Sign up now for online Small Museum Pro! classes offered this summer, June 6-July 29, 2011. Earn 3 CEUs for each class:

• Museum Education: Crafting Great Learning Experiences
• Exhibitions: Building Effective Museum Exhibits

News

Minnesota Blue Books
Special Civil War Sesquicentennial edition of the 2011 Minnesota Legislative Manual "Blue Book" will be available beginning today, May 18, 2011, at the State Capitol. Pick up a signed Blue Book today at the Civil War Sesquicentennial Day Capitol Event, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the rotunda of the Capitol.

International Museum Day
Celebrate International Museum Day today, Wednesday May 18, 2011. The theme is "Museum and Memory."

Archaeology Week
Join your colleagues in celebrating Minnesota Archaeology Week, May 14-22, 2011.

Silver Anniversary
Congratulations to Mark Peihl, archivist at Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County, who celebrates 25 years with the organization in July 2011.

Luxembourg Immigrant CD
Stearns History Museum announces availability of "Luxembourg Immigrants to Stearns County and Vicinity 1854-1920" on CD. Contact Cindy, 320-253-8424, for more information.

Online Civil War Content
Southern Cultures offers new and previously published material on the Civil War in their online archive.

Field Note

Great River Regional Library, Benton County MN, recently completed their Fast Track Grant for $1301 toward a Minnesota History Bookshelf. With six weeks left in the biennium, if your organization still has a final report due, submit it soon. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

Photo courtesy Great River Regional Library.