No Local History News Next Week

The start of the holiday season is upon us, ready or not! In celebration of Thanksgiving, Local History News will not be published the week of November 23, 2009. Local History News will return to your inboxes on December 2, 2009.

Legacy Amendment Updates

November Grant Deadlines
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants program deadlines are fast approaching. Applications for mid- and large grants are due in the Grants Office on Monday November 23, 2009. Applications for small grants are due Monday November 30, 2009. Contact the Grants Office if you have questions.

ACHF Planning Meetings
The last Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund input meeting will be held at 5 p.m. tonight, Wednesday November 18, 2009 at Southwest Minnesota State University in Marshall. Directions and RSVP available online. If you can't attend and would like your voice to be heard, complete an online survey.

From the Blog

Going For Social Media (new post) - According to a recent library blog, the most successful people using social media are the ones who took a chance and tried it out without worrying about statistics, metrics, or audience. Is jumping into the deep end the best way to start?

Relocating Museums (new post) - Does it make sense for a museum or historical organization to relocate to where potential visitors are? At what cost?

Interesting Facebook Discussion
Are you on Facebook? If so, check out this discussion on the growth of museums using Facebook. If you are not already a Facebook member, you can join for free!

Job Opportunities

Museum Operations
Unpaid internship available in Museum Operations at the Minnesota Children's Museum. Deadline: December 18, 2009.

Manager of Public Relations and Promotions
Adler Planetarium in Chicago IL seeks Manager of Public Relations and Promotions. Full time; degree required.

Director/University Art Galleries
University of South Dakota in Vermillion seeks Director, University Art Galleries in the College of Fine Arts. Degree required; position open until filled.

Do History Here

Mississippi River Talk
Winona County Historical Society hosts Kenny Salwey, the Last River Rat, on Thursday November 19, 7 p.m. Come hear stories about the colorful characters who once populated the Upper Mississippi River Valley swamps and floodplain forests. Free. Contact Winona County Historical Society, 507-454-2723, for more information.

Roaring 20s Gala
Join Northfield Historical Society at the Northfield Golf and Country Club on Saturday November 21, 2009 for the Roaring 20s Annual Auction Gala and Speakeasy. Doors open 6 p.m. Silent and live auctions, Roaring 20s costume contest. Tickets $30. Contact Hayes Scriven, 507-645-9268, for more information.

Hamline-Midway History Corps Meeting
Join Hamline-Midway History Corps for their monthly Sharing Meeting on Saturday November 21, 2009 from 2 to 4 p.m. at Ginkgo Coffeehouse, 719 Snelling Avenue, St. Paul.

Civil War Christmas
Join Coon Rapids Historical and Arts Commission and Anoka County Historical Society on Saturday December 5, 2009 for a Civil War Christmas event. Held at Coon Rapids City Center, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission: $2 adults, $1 children. Contact Anoka County Historical Society, 763-421-0600 for more information.

Open House/Tribute to Veterans
Brooklyn Historical Society hosts an Open House/Tribute to Veterans at their new headquarters in the Brooklyn Park Community Activity Center, 5600-85th Avenue North. Join them on Sunday December 6, 2009 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. for a ceremony and refreshments. Contact Linda Eriksson, 612-851-7916 for more information.

Children's Story Time
White Bear Lake Area Historical Society invites you to the Fillebrown House for Children's Story Time on Tuesday December 8, 2009 from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Local actors will read holiday poems and stories. Children welcome to wear pajamas; refreshments served. Call 651-407-5327 for more information.

Victorian Holiday Dinner
Make your reservations now for a four-course Victorian Holiday Dinner at the Historic LeDuc Estate, Hastings, on Sunday December 13, 2009. Enjoy an evening of dinner and entertainment, 5 to 9 p.m. Tickets are $45 per person and must be reserved in advance. Contact Historic LeDuc Estate at 651-437-7055.

Folkways of the Holidays
The Landing--Minnesota River Heritage Park, Shakopee, announces the 37th Annual Folkways of the Holidays event. Festivities take place weekends in December. Admission: $8.50 adults, $7 ages 2-11 and seniors, free for children under age 2. Contact Tom Knisely, 763-694-7617 for more information.

German Christmas Teas
Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee, hosts German teas at the Historic 1908 Stans House in December. Adult tea is Thursday December 10, 2009 6:30 to 8 p.m. Girls' Teas held on Saturday December 12, 1:30 to 3 p.m. and Thursday December 17, 2009, 6:30 to 8 p.m. Registration required; contact Scott County Historical Society, 952-445-0378.

Victorian Holidays at LeDuc Historic Estate
Visit LeDuc Historic Estate, Hastings, during the first two weekends in December to celebrate Victorian Holidays. Call 651-437-7055 for large group reservations.  

News

IRA Rollover Act of 2009
Before year-end, Congress is expected to turn its attention to the IRA Charitable Rollover, the charitable giving incentive that is set to expire December 31. To ensure that the IRA Charitable Rollover is included in any package of tax provision extensions, please contact your lawmakers before Friday, November 20, 2009, about co-sponsoring the "Public Good IRA Rollover Act of 2009" (H.R. 1250/ S.864). Reps. Bachmann, Kline, and Paulsen have already signed on, but no other of Minnesota's federal representatives or senators have. Visit the national Council on Foundations for more information on how this provision will help charitable nonprofits.

New Archivist of the United States
On November 13, David Ferriero, the former Andrew W. Mellon Director of the New York Public Libraries, was sworn in as the tenth Archivist of the United States at a small ceremony at the National Archives at College Park, MD. Mr. Ferriero will move to Washington and assume his duties full-time.

Field Note