Listening Sessions Scheduled

Minnesota Historical Society has scheduled five listening sessions to be held throughout Minnesota in December. MHS seeks Minnesotans' feedback on the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF), asking "What do you think history should look like in 20 years because of the investment we make in Minnesota with these funds?"

• Marshall, Lyon County Historical Society, December 4, 2012
• St. Paul, Historic Fort Snelling, December 6, 2012
• Virginia, B'nai Abraham, December 7, 2012
• Owatonna, Steele County Historical Society, December 11, 2012
• Detroit Lakes, Detroit Lakes Library, December 14, 2012

October Grant Recipients Announced
Fifty-three Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants of up to $7,000, totaling $311,520 in 34 counties, were awarded from the October round of grant applications.

Facebook Findings

Minnesota Local History fans, we did it! We added 49 new members this week to top out at 1,031 Likes. Is that considered 'going viral' in the museum world? Thanks to all who got the word out and helped us exceed our goal! News this week:

• Lyon County Historical Society, Marshall MN, wants your opinions.
• Minnesota's local history community helps lead the nation.

Museum Director
Minnesota African American Museum and Cultural Center, Minneapolis MN, seeks Museum Director. Position open until filled.

Museum Assistant
Grout Museum District, Waterloo IA, seeks part-time Museum Assistant.

New Exhibit
Cokato Museum, Cokato MN, announces the opening of "That Kind of Itches ...: Outerwear and Otherwear Worn During the Winter Months. Open now through January 31, 2013. Call the Cokato Museum, 320-286-2427, for more information.

New Exhibit
Goodhue County Historical Society, Red Wing MN, opens the new exhibit "Prairie Island and the Nuclear Generating Plant," Saturday December 1, 2012 with a free open house, 1-4 p.m. Call 651-388-6024 for more information.

House Tours
Rockford Area Historical Society, Rockford MN, offers horse-drawn wagon rides and hot chocolate tours of the Ames-Florida-Stork House, Saturday December 1, 2012, 1-4 p.m. as part of the Crow River Christmas festivities. Call 763-477-5383 for more information.

New Exhibit
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud MN, announces that their new exhibit "Memories in Miniature," opens Sunday December 2, 2012.

Annual Meeting
Carlton County Historical Society, Cloquet MN, announces their Annual Meeting and Christmas Party, Sunday December 2, 2012, 1 p.m., Cloquet VFW. Marci Moreland, Carlton County Assessor will give a presentation about the June 2012 flood in Carlton County. Free and open to the public. Call 218-879-1938 for more information.

KringleFest
Stearns History Museum, St. Cloud MN, presents their annual KringleFest celebration, Sunday December 2, 2012, 1-3 p.m. Santa Claus will make a special appearance, so parents, bring your cameras! Children's activities, fun for the whole family. Cost: $5/adults; $2/children. Call 320-253-8424 for more information.

Bag Lunch Program
Carlton County Historical Society, Cloquet MN, holds the next noontime bag lunch program on Wednesday December 5, 2012, in conjunction with the traveling exhibit "Why Treaties Matter: Self-Government in the Dakota and Ojibwe Nations." The topic will be the economic survival of Ojibwe people and the effects of treaties on contemporary economic systems. Call 218-879-1938 for more information.

Exhibit Programming
Wright County Historical Society, Buffalo MN, invites the public to their final week of events associated with the Smithsonian's "The Way We Worked" exhibit, December 3-7, 2012. The exhibit closes December 7.

County Christmas
Join Mower County Historical Society, Austin MN, for "Christmas in the County," Saturday December 8, 2012, 3-7 p.m. Stop by Friday December 7 from 4-6 p.m. for the Pre-Sale Bake Sale. Contact MCHS, 507-437-6082, for more information.

Winter Fun Day
Join Maplewood Area Historical Society, Maplewood MN, for Winter Fun Day at the Bruentrup Heritage Farm, Saturday December 8, 2012, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Enjoy Christmas decorations, outdoor and indoor activities, and food. Call 651-748-9009 for more information.

Open House
Rockford Area Historical Society, Rockford MN, offers a Family Open House, Saturday December 8, 2012, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Enjoy the festive atmosphere of the Ames-Florida-Stork House. Call 763-477-5383 for more information.

Formal Event
Rockford Area Historical Society, Rockford MN, offers a Formal Adult Event, Sunday December 9, 2012, 1-4 p.m. Refreshments and entertainment. Tickets: $10. Call 763-477-5383 for more information or for reservations.

Solstice Fundraiser
St. Louis County Historical Society, Duluth MN, invites the public to the "Yuletide Winter Solstice" - A Leif Erikson Viking Ship Fundraiser, Tuesday December 11, 2012, 5-8 p.m. in the Depot's Great Hall. Call 218-591-2577 for more information.

Documentary Film Screening
Come to Wallenburg Auditorium on the campus of Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter MN, Tuesday December 11, 2012, 8 p.m. for the documentary film "Dakota 38." Free and open to the public. In conjunction with the Hillstrom Museum of Art exhibit "Hena Unkiksuyapi: In Commemoration of the Dakota Mass Execution of 1862," which will run December 17, 2012 to February 8, 2013. Contact Nicollet County Historical Society, 507-934-2160, for more information.

Family Christmas Tea
Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee MN, will hold a Family Christmas Tea, Saturday December 15, 2012, 1:30-3 p.m. Make a gingerbread house to take home. Fee: $8 for supplies. Limited space available; contact SCHS, 952-445-0378, for reservations.