On July 28, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held for the Wasioja Ruins Stabilization Project, bringing together local advocates, state and county officials, and staff from the Minnesota Historical Society. Originally constructed in 1860 from native limestone, the historic site was later partially destroyed by fire in 1905. Its successful preservation was made possible through state funding.
Spotlighted Project: Cemetery Records Management Implementation
The software has already made daily work more efficient and reliable. Staff can now create invoices, receipts, easement records, and burial files in a streamlined process, while also preparing records in advance for future needs. Families and community members can find loved ones more easily, and the cemetery can sell lots with greater confidence. The project also supports historical preservation by combining church records, obituaries, genealogy sources, and cemetery research into one stronger system for future generations.
Recipient: St. Thomas Aquinas Church
Amount Funded: $10,000
Project Details
State Capital Grant Program
The State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid program will open for a new funding round, with appropriations now secured to support upcoming projects.
This program supports preservation, restoration, and accessibility projects of a capital nature for publicly owned properties that are either listed in the National Register or determined eligible for listing by the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). A one-to-one match is required. Eligible applicants include public entities and local government subdivisions.
Full program details and updates »
Key dates for this funding cycle include the release of the Grant Program Manual in September 2026 and a pre-application deadline of January 22, 2027.
For questions or project guidance, please contact John Beaty, Design Reviewer, at 651-259-3458 or john.beaty@mnhs.org; Ryan Maciej, Design Reviewer, at 651-259-3463 or ryan.maciej@mnhs.org; or Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, Grants Manager, at 651-259-3469 or carolyn.veeser-egbide@mnhs.org.
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, October 9, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions.
AUGUST Grants Open House
August 6 - 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 Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grant
August 20 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: In this webinar, you will learn what you need to do to register for a grants portal login, how to apply, what the grant programs offer, what the programs can fund, and which resources are available for applicants. If you have never applied for a grant before or would like to hear about the process again, this webinar is for you. Presented by Gillian Maguire, Grants Specialist.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: (US) +1 386-361-3086 PIN: 420 891 978#
Grants Office YouTube Playlist »
This week's blog post is from the Renville County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
Township Records on Microfilm at Museum as of July 11, 2026
Thank you to the previous Executive Director, Jill Wohnoutka, for completing two phases of the grant-related Township Records microfilming projects in 2008 and 2009. Here is the list of Township Records on Microfilm available for research in the Research Library in the Renville County Historical Society’s Main Museum in Morton, MN. If you would like to support the completion of this project, please contact Nicole. As you can see, AI did not create the image. Continue reading »
This week's post is from the Stevens County Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
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Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Program Facilitator I - Mill City Museum
Program Supervisor, Adult & Special Programming - Oliver Kelley Farm
Accounting Assistant, Accounts Payable - MN History Center
Digital Preservation and Partnership Coordinator - African Economic Development Solutions, St. Paul, MN
Gallery & Program Manager - ArtReach St. Croix, Stillwater, MN
Installation Support Technician - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Annual Giving Officer - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN
Experience Associate - Cultural Heritage Center, South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, SD
Director of Exhibits and Facility Operations - Children's Museum of South Dakota, Brookings, SD
Guest Services Host - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI
Executive Director - Villa Terrace Museum and Gardens, Milwaukee, WI
Director of Capital Campaigns - Plains Art Museum, Fargo, ND
Administrative Assistant - Iowa Conservation and Preservation Consortium, Cedar Rapids, IA
Library Assistant III - Exhibits - University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA
Community Engagement Coordinator - Shelby County Historical Society & Museum, Harlan, IA
Library Consultant (Consultant for Continuing Education) - State Library of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
Shows Manager - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL
Site Services Specialist 2 - Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL
Assistant Museum Collections Registrar - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL
Museum Experience Facilitator - Arlington Heights Park District, Arlington Heights, IL
Executive Director - Artists Archives of the Western Reserve, Cleveland, OH
Reference Assistant, Genealogy/History Special Collections - Preble County District Library, Eaton, OH
Curator of Education and Community Engagement - Richard and Carole Cocks Art Museum at Miami University, Oxford, OH
Museum Assistant - Birmingham Museum, Birmingham, MI
Collections Manager/Associate Preparator - Muskegon Museum of Art, Muskegon, MI
Archival Project Contractor - Ruth Mott Foundation, Flint, MI
Executive Director - Michigan Supreme Court Historical Society, Lansing, MI
Managing Director of Philanthropy - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
Archaeological Technician - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
Education Programs Coordinator - Toronto Railway Museum, Toronto, ON
Assistant Director, Culture and Heritage - Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre - Yellowknife, NT
Teen Historian Apprentice - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
Green Valley School District #26 Students, 1956.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Lyon County Historical Society.
FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?
Mill Town to Medical Town: Rochester's Earliest Days
August 5 @ 10 to 11 am - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Join Ms. Sean Kettelkamp for stories of Rochester’s earliest days, when the city was a booming flour milling hub along the Zumbro River. Cost: Free event; suggested $5 free-will donation. Learn more »
Growing Up in Wartime: A Conversation with Joel Turnipseed
August 6 @ 5:30 pm - Duluth: St, Louis County Historical Society - An intimate conversation with Duluth native Joel Turnipseed, author of Baghdad Express: A Gulf War Memoir, about war, military life, and the transition back to civilian life. Features live storytelling, Q&A, and a cash bar. Location: Lake Superior Railroad Museum. Cost: Free and open to the public. Learn more »
NO DESTINATION Part Two: Europe
August 8 @ 12 to 2 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - WCHS presents the second installment of a three-part series as Chad and Lisa share stories from their travels through Europe, with hints, tips, and travel advice. Light refreshments will be offered. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Ghost Towns of Grant County
August 8 @ 1:30 to 3 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Society Museum - Learn about the five Grant County towns that no longer exist: Aastad, Hereford, Pomme de Terre, Thorsborg, and West Elbow Lake. Merilyn Mau will present the history of these once-thriving communities. Learn more »
Mark Zimmer, aka The Barefoot Traveler – Traveling to and detailing the BWCA’s maintained areas
August 9 @ 2 to 3 pm - Gunflint Trail Historical Society - Mark Zimmer, aka The Barefoot Paddler, shares his journey of traveling the BWCA’s maintained areas, locating campsites, portages, and hiking trails, and offers suggestions for improving a wilderness trip. Cost: Free; donations appreciated. Location: Chik-Wauk Nature Center. Learn more »
Guarding the Northwest Frontier: The Civil War in Minnesota 1862-1865
August 13 @ 1:30 pm - Litchfield: Meeker County Museum at the G.A.R. Hall - Civil War Roundtable presented by Mike Penrod on the U.S. Army’s Minnesota frontier operations during the Dakota War and Civil War, including forts, fortified camps, and peacekeeping. Learn more »
Victorian Fashion with Rae Lundquist
August 13 @ 6 to 7 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Join Rae Lundquist for “Victorian-era Fashion” covering late-1800s fashion changes for men and women. Cost: Free for members; $5 general public. Learn more »
Windows of Opportunity: Restoring Historic Double-Hung Windows Workshop
August 15 @ 1 to 4 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Hands-on workshop with preservation expert Mark Johnston on restoring historic wood windows, including disassembly, reinstallation, re-glazing, and painting. Participants may bring a window sash from home to work on. Cost: $25 members; $30 general public. Learn more »
Native American History in Douglas County, MN
August 16 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Alexandria: Douglas County Historical Society - Presentation of grant-funded research on Native perspectives of Douglas County history. Location: Legacy of the Lakes Museum boathouse. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Gut Heil! New Ulm as an Intentional Community
August 16 @ 9:30 am to 12:30 pm - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Discover how a bold vision shaped one of Minnesota’s most distinctive communities. This presentation explores the story of the German Turners and how their ideals influenced the founding and development of New Ulm. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Prohibition: 90 Years of Temperance, Temptation & Song
August 18 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Roseau: Roseau County Historical Society - Cecelia Otto’s American Songline program chronicles the Prohibition era through songs from both “wets” and “drys,” from Victorian parlor songs to Tin Pan Alley favorites and speakeasy tunes. Learn more »
Hubbard House After Hours: Bloom & Gloom: The Wild Side of Plants
August 19 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth Historical Society - Explore the strange side of botany through stories of medicinal remedies, poisonous plots, beauty powders, household cures, and curious customs from the past. Please note that only the main floor of the Hubbard House is handicap accessible; this tour includes stairs and small spaces, so comfortable shoes are recommended. Cost: $15 adults; $12 seniors; $10 BECHS members; $5 children 5-17. Learn more »
The History of Camp Foley
August 19 @ 7 to 8 pm - Crosslake: Crosslake Log Village - An evening of storytelling dedicated to one of the area’s historic landmarks, presented by Marie Schmidt. Learn more »
Abolitionists of Southeast Minnesota at Sibley
August 21 @ 6 to 8 pm - Sibley Historic Site: Dakota County Historical Society - In the decades preceding the U.S. Civil War, abolitionists moved westward to prevent the spread of slavery into free territory. Join Sara Holger for stories gathered from oral history interviews with descendants of abolitionists who lived in southeast Minnesota. Note: Sibley Site programs are in the DuPuis House at the top of the hill. Cost: $15 for DCHS, MNHS, and Friends of Sibley Site members; $20 general public. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: Museums & Galleries | Culture & Heritage | Attractions & Entertainment
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: Eitzen Museum operated by the Houston County Historical Society in Eitzen, MN.
Photograph by Jon Roanhaus, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.
August 11 @ 4 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums - Join friends & colleagues for a virtual happy hour as we enjoy the dog days of summer! This informal get-together is free for anyone to attend, but please RSVP for the meeting link. Learn more »
August 13 @ 1 to 4 pm - Empire: Minnesota Humanities Center - This Learning from Place experience invites participants to explore Watt Munisotaram, the largest Cambodian Buddhist temple in the United States, as a living cultural and spiritual site. Participants will engage with community members, monks, and the landscape itself. Cost: $35. Learn more »
From RSVPs to ROI: Event Marketing that Builds Buzz, Raises Funds, and Grows Community
August 7 @ 11 am (CT) - Online: Firespring Webinar - This fast-paced session explores how to turn events into storytelling tools, community connectors, and donor-engagement opportunities. It offers practical marketing ideas for building a strong event experience across email, direct mail, websites, and more, while helping align events with organizational brand and long-term support. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Winona Walking Tour: Third Street Part 1
August 8 & 9 @ 10 am - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Take a guided walking tour of downtown Winona. Tours are about 60 minutes and start and end at the Winona County History Center. Learn about the buildings, events, and people along Third Street. Then, don’t miss Third Street Part 2, offered September 12 and 13. Cost: $6 members; $10 general public. Learn more »
Grants That Win: Strategy, Systems & AI
August 10 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: GrantStation Webinar - This TargetED session explores how smaller nonprofits can compete more strategically in a crowded grant landscape by improving prospect research, building reusable content banks, and using AI tools to streamline drafting and workflow without losing an authentic voice. It is designed for grant writers, development directors, and executive directors responsible for the full grant cycle. Cost: $39 members; $99 nonmembers. Learn more »
Matting & Framing: Learn How to Safely Prepare & Display Works on Paper
August 13 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Gaylord Archival - Amy Cao, Museum Collections Specialist, provides an overview of mounting, matting, and framing techniques, including recommended materials, supplies, and options suited to a range of budgets and collection needs. Cost: Free. Learn more »
I Was Told There Would Be No Math! STEM in History Museums
August 18 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Virginia Association of Museums - This virtual workshop explores how science can enrich historical interpretation, deepen visitor engagement, and create more dynamic educational experiences in history museums. Presenters will share practical strategies and real-world examples showing how STEM connections can illuminate historical narratives and support richer, more inclusive learning across audiences. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Menopause at Work: Tools for Self-Advocacy and Leadership Support
August 18 @ 12 to 1:30 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - This interactive webinar explores how menopause can affect employees, teams, and organizational culture, drawing on HR expertise and lived experience to separate myths from facts and examine the hormonal journey. Participants will gain practical self-advocacy tools, while HR professionals and supervisors will learn why meaningful support is a strategic leadership priority. Cost: $25 with promo code on website. Learn more »
Is Social Media Still Worth It?
August 27 @ 11 am (CT) - Online: Southeastern Museums Conference - Join museum professionals from the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History, the National Gallery of Art, and the Southern University at New Orleans Museum of Art for an honest conversation about the changing role of social media in museum work. Panelists will discuss storytelling, thoughtful AI use, platform choice, and ways to measure success beyond likes, while offering fresh perspectives for making limited time and resources go further. Cost: Free members; $15 nonmembers. Learn more »
Additional Educational Opportunities »
George Stout Scholarship
Deadline - December 15, 2025: American Institute for Conservation - Provides financial assistance for AIC student or post-graduate members to attend the AIC Annual Meeting. Grant Amount: $1,000. Learn more »
Minnesota Council for Nonprofits Scholarships
Minnesota Council for Nonprofits offers a limited number of partial scholarships for most MCN sponsored trainings and events. Learn more »
Qualifying Criteria:
National Register Signage Grant Program
Applications accepted on a rolling basis: William G. Pomeroy Foundation - This program is designed to promote historical preservation and awareness through the provision of grants for signage. This initiative supports the installation of markers and plaques that highlight and recognize sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. By doing so, it aims to increase public engagement with America's historical treasures, encouraging education and tourism. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Becker County Museum, Detroit Lakes, MN (1987). 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.
What's New in MNHS Archival Cataloging for July 2026
Two new digitization projects are included this month from the archival digitization team. New access was created to the LaRoy Sunderland Upton papers (see a post about it on the Gale Family Library Facebook page) and a new panoramic photograph was added to the Anoka State Hospital Subject Files. Collections with additions or added digital content this month include the Anoka State Hospital Subject Files; the Isanti County Birth Registers and Indexes; the Health Department: Public Health Nursing Division Records; the Kanabec County Birth Records Indexes; the Pine County Birth Records Indexes; and the LaRoy Sunderland Upton Papers.
In addition, many newly encoded finding aids are now available online for the first time. The A-Z index lists all of the current digital finding aids and included digital content. Learn more »
Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG) is marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the nation by continuing to spotlight the achievements and contributions of Black Minnesotans. The organization invites the public to share information about Minnesota towns, sites, and local history that may point to where African Americans settled, farmed, and built businesses across the state.
Readers are encouraged to email any leads, even small ones, to info@maahmg.org along with their name, email, and mailing address or city/town. Those attending the Minnesota State Fair from August 27 to September 7, 2026 can also visit MAAHMG in the Education Building to share what they know about their region, county, or town.
Plans for Minnehaha's return to Lake Minnetonka gain steam
Sun Sailor - The steamboat Minnehaha was first launched into the waters of Lake Minnetonka in 1906. Its history is still being written today. Returning the 70-foot vessel to the water has been a goal for the Lake Minnetonka Historical Society since 2019, when the Minnehaha lost access to the privately-owned boat ramp in Shorewood. There, it had been launched and hauled out of the water every spring and fall. Continue reading »
Scriver building will have 5 apartments, new facade after ongoing construction
Northfield News - Twelve years after Hiram Scriver came to Northfield in June 1856 at the age of 12, the city's first mayor built a three-story building with limestone that has withstood harsh winters, scorching summers, devastating floods and torrential downpours over the past 158 years at the corner of Bridge Square and Division Street — but without intervention, the building was approaching the end of its life. But thanks to a combination of government grants, private donations and community fundraising, the Scriver building is currently getting a facelift. Continue reading »
The Rainbow Connection: Learning the History of Pride in the FM
KVRR - The Red River Rainbow Seniors' Tammy Lanaghan and the Clay County Historical Society's Levi Magnuson joined the Morning Show to talk about the presentation, about the Red River Rainbow Seniors' ongoing oral history project, and what they still want to accomplish in their quest for civil rights. Watch video »
The historic ship now has a forever home, and shelter, at the Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center.
Duluth News Tribune - At long last, the Leif Erikson ship has a spot and shelter and on Saturday, organizers, advocates, volunteers and guests celebrated in style. More than 100 people took part in a two-hour gathering, which included a short program and ribbon-cutting ceremony, at the Knife River Heritage and Cultural Center. While the ship has its forever home, some work still remains with restoration, including the cabins at each end and the rudder. Continue reading »
Southeastern Minnesota's hidden historical gems: Restored Civil War buildings reopen to the public
MPR - In April of 1861, several seminarians and teachers walked out of their school building in the town of Wasioja in southeast Minnesota and marched into a recruiting station four blocks away to become among the first volunteers to fight for the Union Army in the Civil War. Continue reading »
Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast
KSTP - The Anoka County Historical Society is making a bold and creative move to secure its future, purchasing a stunning 160-year-old mansion to serve as both a bed and breakfast and a museum. Minnesota Live photojournalist Bill Middeke visited the historic Ticknor Hill Bed and Breakfast to explore this one-of-a-kind destination, where overnight stays begin in September with rooms ranging from $205 to $225 per night. Watch Video »
Minnesota tourism still growing but storm clouds are gathering, state says
KSTP - One of Minnesota’s most important economic sectors is still trending upward, but there are new warning signals that change could be coming. Explore Minnesota, the state’s marketing and promotion agency, revealed this week that 2025 tourism data grew again from the year prior — but not by much. Continue reading »
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Featured BookMississippi River Open School for Kinship and Social Exchange, edited by Dio Cramer, John Kim, Jeremy Meckler and Rebecca Snedeker University of Minnesota Press Book Launch |
Featured Article
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Featured Article
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Minnesota UnraveledA podcast series by the Minnesota Historical Society
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Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
2026
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Preservation Specialists Directory |
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