Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants

From the Blog

Merging Websites in Clay County (new post) - Brianne Carlsrud discusses the thinking behind a new website to reflect a merger of the Clay County Historical Society and the Hjemkomst Heritage Interpretive Center.

Electronic Access for Rural Minnesota (new post) - The USDA announced $43 million for six Minnesota rural communications systems to upgrade service to broadband. We would love to hear from the organizations affected by this new program: how do you plan to use this service to increase access to your collections?

America's Great Outdoors (new post) - How much of an issue for the preservation of history is the depopulation of rural Minnesota communities?

Recession Toll on Museum Workers (2 new comments) - Mike Worcester poses an interesting question: How many 'permanent full time' museum staffers also need to hold a second job?

Updated Website for Otter Tail County Historical Society (1 new comment) - Mary Warner gives feedback on OTCHS' updated website.

Job Opportunities

Education Specialist
Putnam Museum, Davenport IA, seeks Education Specialist. Deadline: August 20, 2010.

Executive Director
Nicolayson Art Museum, Casper WY, seeks Executive Director. Deadline: September 1, 2010.

Project Archivist
Target Corporation, Brooklyn Park MN, seeks Project Archivist. Email cover letter and resume. Contact Target with questions.

Archivist
Twin Cities Fan Companies Ltd. seeks Archivist to create and organize a corporate archives. Contact Jeff Talley for more information, 763-551-7621.

Do History Here

Free Admission
Mower County Historical Society offers free admission to their museum buildings during the county fair, now through August 15, 2010. Various programs offered throughout the week. Contact MCHS, 507-437-6082, with questions.

Minnesota Black Baseball Talk
Join Ramsey County Historical Society at Landmark Center on Thursday August 12, 2010, 6:30 p.m. for a talk on the legacy of Minnesota Black Baseball. Film and discussion led by curator Frank White. See the RCHS website for more information.

Vintage Baseball Game - South Central
Nicollet County Historical Society welcomes St. Croix Baseball Club for a regulation 1860s baseball game on Saturday August 14, 2010, 2 p.m, Lafayette's Lund Park. Contact NCHS, 507-934-2160, for more information.

Vintage Baseball Game - Metro
Richfield Historical Society hosts a regulation 1860s baseball game on Sunday August 15, 2010, 1 p.m. at Richfield Historical Park. Admission includes tour of Messer/Mayer Grist Mill and House. Contact RCHS with questions.

Book Talks
Join author Anne Ipsen for a discussion about her new historical novel "Running Before the Prairie Wind." Hosts include:

• Nicollet County Historical Socety, Sunday August 15, 2010, 3 p.m. Call NCHS, 507-934-2160.
• Rice County Historical Society, Tuesday August 17, 2010, 7 p.m. Call RCHS, 507-332-2121.

Music at the Harkin Store
Join musical group The Misfits at the Harkin Store near New Ulm on Sunday August 15, 2010 from 1 to 4 p.m. For more information or to schedule large groups call the Harkin Store, 507-354-8666 or Nicollet County Historical Society, 507-934-2160.

Samuel Pond Presentation
Costumed interpreters portraying Gideon Pond and Dr. Thomas Williamson will discuss Samuel Pond's life and the Dakota Mission on Sunday August 22, 2010, 12:30 p.m. at the Samuel Pond Mission east of downtown Shakopee. Contact Jeff Williamson, 651-423-9004, or Kathleen Klehr, 952-445-0378, with questions.

Battlefield Tour
Historian John LaBatte will give 40-minute walking tours of Fort Ridgely Battlefield on Sunday August 22, 2010, the anniversary of the 2nd Battle of Fort Ridgely. Call Fort Ridgely Historic Site, 507-426-7888, or Nicollet County Historical Society, 507-934-2160.

Rare Film Footage Premiere
Washington County Historical Society hosts the premiere of rare John Runk films at the Water Street Inn, Stillwater, on Sunday August 29, 2010, 7 p.m. Free. Copies of the film will be available for purchase. Contact WCHS, 651-439-5956, for more information.

News

Wood Lake Battlefield Awarded Grant
American Battlefield Protection Program through the National Park Service awarded $47,000 to Wood Lake Battlefield Preservation Association for a comprehensive preservation plan. Wood Lake was the final major battle of the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862.

1968 Project
Minnesota Historical Society, Atlanta History Center, Chicago History Museum, and Oakland Museum of California are collaborating on "The 1968 Project," a traveling exhibit slated to open in 2011. This project was awarded the Chairman's Special Award by the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Affiliate Travel Information Center Program
Explore Minnesota Tourism seeks applicants for Affiliate Travel Information Center Program. The program is designed to provide standardized information for 'on the road' travelers and increase economic benefits to the state and its communities. Deadline: August 24, 2010. Contact David Bergman, 888-563-7777.

IRS Filing Relief for Small Nonprofits
Internal Revenue Service released guidance on filing relief for Form 990-N and 990-EZ filers in danger of losing their tax exemptions because they have not filed for three consecutive years. This one-time relief is available to small organizations whose filing deadlines fall on or after May 17, 2010 and before October 15, 2010. Deadline: October 15, 2010. Read more online.

Museums Advocacy Day
Save the Date for Museums Advocacy Day, February 28-March 1, 2011 in Washington D.C.

IRS Coach
Find answers from Coach, a virtual IRS agent who can help your organization understand its compliance obligations.

Continuing Education

Management Institute
Southeastern Museums Conference (SEMC) announces the 11th Annual Jekyll Island Management Institute, January 18-25, 2011. Designed for administrators from new and emerging museums and for colleagues with subject area expertise desiring general museum administration knowledge.

Fund Your Mission

American Heritage Preservation Grants
Institute of Museum and Library Services offers American Heritage Preservation Grants up to $3,000. Applications due September 15, 2010.

Conservation Project Support
Institute of Museum and Library Services offers Conservation Project Support grants up to $150,000. Applications due October 1, 2010.

Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections
National Endowment for the Humanities offers Sustaining Cultural Heritage Collections grants up to $400,000. Applications due November 16, 2010.

Field Note