Field Note

Main Street Day at the Capitol 2026 was held at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul to support local community development and small businesses. Organized by Rethos, it featured legislative meetings, storytelling about local successes, and a celebration of Main Street Minnesota's 10th anniversary.  Staff from Rethos and from Main Street programs across the state gathered in the restored Justices’ Dining Room before meeting with legislators. Participants wore t-shirts promoting a proposed license plate initiative designed to help fund Main Street programs.

Salary Survey

MNHS Local History Services and the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums are teaming up for a salary survey of state history organizations. Please(!) take this fifteen-minute survey. It will aid all of us in showing the range of salaries amongst our member organizations. It is helpful to have some basic financial information close by as the survey asks questions about budget and salaries.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Small Grant Deadline
Applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants quarterly small grant round (requests of $20,000 and less) will be due Friday, April 10, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

APRIL Grants Open House
April 2 - Online: The Grants Office will hold a virtual Grants Office Open House using Google Meet from 2 to 3:30 pm in order to provide additional grants support to our communities. We encourage people to RSVP to Gillian with a short summary of what you want to talk about and she will try to ensure that someone helpful will be available. Learn more »

Grants Office YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from St. Vincent Memories. Have a blog? Let us know!

PROFILES: My Grandmother’s Friends
All the women in this picture (with the exception of my Aunt Pat who just happened to be home visiting that day...) were part of a group of friends who regularly hung out with one another, on an almost daily basis.  Growing up in St. Vincent, I saw many of them myself daily, as we all went about our business.  Most of the time, they were busy keeping house, looking after their families.  But as they went about their days, they would often run into one another at stores or church, in their yards or on the street, or stop by and visit.  Years ago, there was no common desire to avoid people and self-isolate as is common today; quite the contrary - most people sought out opportunities to socialize, to catch up.  Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Collections Carousel: 1892 Little Falls City Directory - Morrison County Historical Society
• Part one of the Eveleth newspapers series From Boston to Eveleth: The expansion of newspapers - Jim Froemming
• Cultural Highlight: Exploring Museums In South Korea - Gammelgården Museum
• From the President - April 2026 - Danish American Center 
• Spring is near along with big changes for this genealogist! - Genealogy by Paula
• Spinning Up History - Meeker County Historical Society
• Charles Kinkele: Businessman and Community Builder of Walker - Cass County Historical Society
• New MDL contributor: Meeker County Historical Society - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Women’s History Month: Dr. Adelia Sanderson - Douglas County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the White Bear Area Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• Operation Relocation Part 2 - Anoka County Historical Society
• Marion W. Savage – He Brought the Greatest Pacing Stallion ever to Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Robbinsdale or Riverdale? - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Commercial Fishing - Koochiching County Historical Museum and Bronko Nagurski Museum
• A discussion about Wining about Herstory Podcast - History Center of Olmsted County
• Hennepin History Museum Intro to African American Genealogy - Hennepin History Museum
• Women's History - Dorothy Molter Museum

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.

LOCAL

• Project Records Management Assistant - American Public Media Group/Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul, MN

• Project Archive Processor - American Public Media Group/Minnesota Public Radio, St. Paul, MN

• Traveling Exhibits Manager - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN

• Facilities Service Technician - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN 

• Collections & Projects Coordinator - Saulaman Schlegel Art Services, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Office Manager - Mead Museum, Yankton, SD

• Collections Associate - Paine Art Center and Gardens, Oshkosh, WI

• Director of Institutional Advancement - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

• Visitor Services Specialist - Madeline Island Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, La Pointe, WI

• Box Office Customer Service Associate - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• President & CEO - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL

• Exhibitions Preparator - Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Visitor Experience Systems Manager - Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Education Assistant - Children's Discovery Museum, Town of Normal, Normal, IL

• History Day Camp Educator - Champaign County Forest Preserve District, Mahomet, IL

• Historical Museum Camp Counselor - Arlington Heights Park District, Arlington Heights, IL

• Staff Accountant - DuSable Museum of African American History, Chicago, IL

• Assistant Exhibition Facilitator - Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

• Education and Collections Manager - Lombard Historical Society, Lombard, IL

• Director of Collections and Research - Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL

• Summer Outreach Program Educator - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN

• Vice President of Development - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN

• Facilities & Grounds Technician - Fort Ancient, Ohio History Connection, Oregonia, OH

• Interpreter - Fort Ancient, Ohio History Connection, Oregonia, OH

• Visitor Services Associate - Fort Ancient, Ohio History Connection, Oregonia, OH

• Interpreter - Serpent Mound, Ohio History Connection, Peebles, OH

• Marketing Coordinator - Fort Meigs Historic Site - Perrysburg, OH

• Collections Manager - Lorain County Historical Society, Amherst, OH

• Art Conservator - National Museum of the US Air Force, Dayton, OH

• Archivist/Archive Technician - The Butler Institute of American Art, Youngstown, OH

• Senior Director of Facility Management - Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, Detroit, MI

• Digital Marketing Manager - Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI 

• Events Experience Manager, Car Shows - Gilmore Car Museum, Hickory Corners, MI

• Museum Assistant - REGION 1 - Pottsgrove Manor, Montgomery County, Norristown, PA

• Assistant Archivist - McClure Archives and University Museum Missouri, University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO

• Chief Executive Officer - Omaha Children's Museum, Omaha, NE

• Curatorial Assistant - Sam Waller Museum, The Pas, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• AAMD Internship - Weisman Art Museum, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN

• Marie Zimmermann Fellow - Milwaukee Art Museum, Milwaukee, WI

• 2026 Emerging Scholars Research Fellowship - South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, SD

• Museum Intern - Wheaton Park District - Wheaton, IL

• Museum Intern - Elk Grove Park District - Elk Grove Village, IL

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Bronson Bank and the Park Hotel in Bronson, Minnesota.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Kittson County Historical Society.

FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?

Free Papers – Reading by Mary Moore Easter
April 4 @ 11 am to 12:30 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - Poet Mary Moore Easter reads from Free Papers, poems inspired by Eliza Winston's 1860 escape from slavery to freedom in Minnesota, followed by Q&A and book signing. Cost: Pay as you can. Learn more » 

Exhibit: This Old Thing? Staff Picks from the Collections
Opening April 7 - Waseca: Waseca County Historical Society - New exhibit opening featuring staff-selected artifacts from the collection that appear ordinary but hold remarkable stories; discover the hidden meaning behind everyday objects. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Marian Rengel, “The John D. Morgan Papers”
April 8 @ 9 to 10 am - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Former St. Cloud Times writer and longtime Stearns History Museum volunteer Marian Rengel discusses her work with the John D. Morgan Papers in the Central Minnesota Historical Collection at SCSU Archives, highlighting Morgan’s role in Central Minnesota’s development. Cost: Free members/$7 general public. Learn more »

Coffee and Conversation with Dr. Maxamed Abu-maye
April 8 @ 11 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center, U of MN - Join for an informal conversation with Maxamed Abu-maye, author of Black Muslim Refugee: Militarism, Policing, and Somali American Resistance to State Violence (University of California Press, 2025), which explores Somali refugee journeys and the links between U.S. military violence abroad and police brutality at home. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

“The Road to 1776” Program and LCHS Annual Meeting
April 9 @ 5:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society - Annual meeting with light refreshments, business updates, and presentation by Dr. Anita Talsma Gaul on "The Road to 1776" tied to the 150th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Cost: Free will donation. Learn more » 

The Forest Through the Trees
April 15 @ 6:30 to 8 pm - Two Harbors: Lake County Historical Society - Join Superior National Forest archaeologist Lee Johnson for a historical overview of the Superior National Forest, drawing on his work in archaeology, logging, mining, Ojibwe land use, and northeastern Minnesota history. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Mineral Springs Sanitorium
April 15 @ 12 to 1 pm - Cannon Falls: Goodhue County Historical Society - Talk on the Mineral Springs Sanatorium (1915-1974), a TB healing destination featuring medical innovation, drug trials, patient stories, and historical photos. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Doug Ohman is Back
April 15 @ 6 to 8 pm - Warroad: Warroad Historical Society - Storyteller/historian Doug Ohman shares stories and photos of America’s 250-year history, focusing on visionaries who shaped the nation; presented with Roseau County Museum and Lake of the Woods County Historical Society.  Location: Warroad School Theater. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

History of Orson Estes Snake Farm
April 16 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: Olmsted County Historical Society - Local historian Jeff Sauve explores the fascinating true story of Orson W. Estes (1858-1940), credited with running the nation's first commercial snake farm in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Cost: Free members/$5 general public. Learn more »

Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: Museums & Galleries | Culture & Heritage | Attractions & Entertainment
Register for an Account »

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Trondhjem Norwegian Lutheran Church, operated by the Trondhjem Community Preservation Society, Lonsdale, MN.

NAGPRA Duty of Care  
April 8 @ 1 to 2:30 pm (CT) - Online: Association of Academic Galleries and Museums - This session will dig into what “duty of care” really looks like under updated NAGPRA regulations and covering things like consultation, consent, and how this shows up in day-to-day museum work. It’s a great opportunity to learn, ask questions, and think through how these changes impact your institution. Cost: $29 members/$50 nonmembers. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Student Fellowships in Gravestone Studies
Deadline - April 14, 2026: Association for Gravestone Studies - Offers up to two full‑registration fellowships and a small travel stipend for undergraduate or graduate students to attend and present at the AGS annual conference on gravestones and cemeteries. Learn more »

Advanced Photo Preservation 101: Formats, Storage & Salvage
April 16 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Gaylord - Cultural Heritage Preservation Consultant Rebecca Elder shares expert techniques for identifying photography formats and their structures, selecting proper storage materials for cased images and albums, and handling mold remediation plus disaster recovery to safeguard fragile photo collections. Cost: Free. Learn more »

From Observation to Action: The “How” of Environmental Monitoring (Part 2 of 3)
April 22 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - Presented by Maddie Cooper, Owner and Principal Conservator of M.C. Conservation Services, this practical webinar builds on Part 1 by teaching collection managers how to transform raw environmental monitoring data—such as temperature, humidity, and light levels—into targeted action plans that protect artifacts from deterioration. Attendees will learn step-by-step methods for analyzing trends, setting thresholds, prioritizing interventions, and documenting decisions to ensure long-term preservation in resource-limited settings. Cost: Free. Learn more »

History Hour: Historic House Museum Training
April 28 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) - Gain practical training and insights tailored for operating and interpreting historic house museums effectively. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Assessing the Financial Health of Your Nonprofit Organization
April 29 @ 9 to 11 am (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Workshop guiding nonprofit leaders through 10 key indicators of financial health, blending metrics and leadership practices for long-term sustainability in a shifting landscape. Cost: $70. Learn more »

STEPS Series: Financial Management
April 30 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) - Essential webinar for STEPS members on key financial management strategies to strengthen small museum operations and sustainability. Cost: Free for STEPS members. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Filling the Gap: How Traveling Exhibitions Can Work for Your Museum - Association of Midwest Museums
• AI in Museums and Community Trust: A 2025 Annual Survey of Museum-Goers Data Story - American Alliance of Museums
• Lawsuit Update: AASLH and Coalition File Motion for Preliminary Injunction to Stop Censorship at NPS Sites - American Association for State and Local History

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Conference information | Session Schedule | Hotels & Venue Info | Register

Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums Annual Conference & Meeting

April 28 - 30, 2026, Mankato, MN

Don't miss the MALHM Annual Conference & Meeting—your chance to connect, learn, and share with colleagues from across the state.

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Center for Painted Wall Preservation Scholarship
Deadline - April 30, 2026: The Center for Painted Wall Preservation - Supports project proposals that advance the study, understanding, and appreciation of paint‑decorated plaster walls in 18th‑ and 19th‑century New England. Grant amount: $2,000. Learn more » 

Northeast Bank Foundation & Grant Requests
Deadline - September 15, 2026: Rasmussen Family-Northeast Bank Foundation - Offers grants (median: $1,000; max: $30,000) to support education, housing, culture, environmental, and health initiatives, with priority given to efforts in Hennepin, Ramsey, and Anoka counties. Focus areas include housing for children and families that promote self-sufficiency, youth development through education, cost-effective cardiac health care programs, and community-driven strategies that address local needs. Learn more » 

Elmer L. Andersen Research Scholars Program                
Deadline - September 30, 2026: This program supports scholarly research projects using materials from the Libraries’ rare and special collections. Named for former governor and University of Minnesota regent Elmer L. Andersen, the new program honors the Governor’s passion for collecting and for expanding the use of the collections. The program is available to scholars, including faculty, graduate, postgraduate, and independent researchers, using the collections in the Department of Archives and Special Collections. This program is not available to currently enrolled University of Minnesota graduate or undergraduate students or UM faculty. Learn more » 

NAHA Archives & NAHA Publications Fellowships
Deadline - October 1, 2026: Norwegian-American Historical Association - These fellowships provide support for research of the Norwegian-American experience. Learn more »

• NAHA Archives Fellowship - One award of up to $2,000 will be available for a specific research project by a graduate student or advanced career scholar.

• NAHA Publications Fellowship - One $2,500 award is available for a specific research project to scholars at any career stage. 

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Nicollet County Museum, Saint Peter, MN (abt. 1980). View additional photos on Instagram »
This section features slides taken of Minnesota history museums from the 1970s through the 1990s by David Nystuen, the MNHS Field Services Coordinator, and other Field Services representatives during that time period.

Young curator hits home run with baseball display
Anoka County Union Herald - Hunter Rothstein was visiting his grandmother, Dorinda Strombeck of Isanti, roughly four years ago. The pair was looking for something to do. “And my grandma said, ‘Let’s go check out the Isanti County Historical Society’,” said Rothstein, who now is a freshman at Saint Francis. “She’s said, ‘I know you love history. You should come here and learn about the town.’ Continue reading »

Rice County approves updated lease for Historical Society
Faribault Daily News - After nearly five decades, the lease between Rice County and the Rice County Historical Society is finally getting a modern update. The County Board approved the revised agreement Tuesday, updating protections, clarifying responsibilities and confirming the current status of the historic property. Continue reading »

Featured Book Portage Lake: Memories of an Ojibwe Childhood, by Maude Kegg University of Minnesota Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History The New Minnesota History Center: Looking Back at the Journey Volume 53, Issue 3, 1992	Featured Article MNopedia Clara Mairs (1878–1963) Featured MNopedia Article	Minnesota Unraveled A podcast series by the Minnesota Historical Society

Minnesota History Organizations Directory  • County, Chapters, and Local • Statewide/Topical Historical • Regional History Coalitions • Professional Organizations	Minnesota Main Streets Reinvigorate your community's commercial district.	2026 Exhibits To Go! MNHS Traveling Exhibits Now accepting applications.	Preservation Specialists Directory Look up products or services.

Subscribe to Local History News
Use Local History News as part of your online tools to stay connected to your colleagues while working from home. Know someone who could benefit from this newsletter?
Have them sign up »