Field Note

Last week, staff from MNHS Grants Office and Local History Services toured the National Register-listed Gust Akerlund Photography Studio in Cokato, constructed in the 1890s, moved to this location in 1906, with 1920 and 1935 additions. A Legacy grant to the City of Cokato is providing for rehabilitation of the north studio window as well as masonry, wall, and structural repair. Gust Akerlund’s work spanned over many decades, featuring a wide variety of subjects in the studio (which was connected to his residence) and out around town.

Save the Date: History Matters Day at the Capitol

Join us for History Matters Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 5, 2026. Please note the change of date from a previous announcement. This legislative session is vital for obtaining funding for history projects. Take the opportunity to meet with your legislators and share why history matters to you. History Matters Day at the Capitol provides a platform to highlight the efforts of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) and other history organizations. It encourages advocates to discuss with their legislators the importance of state funding to preserve our historical legacy. Registration info coming soon! Learn more »

Heritage Preservation Grants

Heritage Partnership Program Grant Deadline
Mandatory pre-applications for the Heritage Partnership Program (requests over $10,000) are due THIS FRIDAY, January 23, 2026. Contact John Fulton with questions. 

State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid Program Deadline
Pre-applications for the State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid program are due THIS FRIDAY, January 23, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

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.

FEBRUARY Grants Open House
February 5 - 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 the Northern Bedrock Corps. Have a blog? Let us know!

Managing Water on Historic Structures Without Gutters 
Historic buildings were often designed to handle water differently than modern structures, relying on architectural features and materials rather than gutters and downspouts. While it might seem logical to add modern gutter systems, doing so can alter the historic character of a structure and, in many cases, violate National Register of Historic Places (U.S. National Park Service) guidelines. Instead, preservationists must use traditional and alternative water management techniques to protect these structures from deterioration.

Why Not Just Add Gutters?

Many historic buildings were never designed to have gutters, and adding them can cause more harm than good. Here’s why:

Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• 1887 Review of Litchfield - Meeker County Historical Society
• Explore agricultural fair history in new MDL collection from the Fertile Public Library - Minnesota Digital Library News
• From immigrant families to American entrepreneurs - Jim Froemming/Hometown Focus
• From the Research Writer - Winona County Historical Society
• How to Write Winning Grant Applications - 106 Group

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• The Claybank Clay Fields – Uncovering the Lost History - Minnesota Bricks
• Winter Warmer February 2023 Part 1 - New Prague Area Historical Society
• Law & Order in White Bear Lake - White Bear Lake Area Historical Society
• Southwest of Lake Harriet - Linden Hills History Study Group

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Interpreter II - Jeffers Petroglyphs

LOCAL

• Senior Head of Advancement - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
• Program Manager, Public Art & Collections - Airport Foundation MSP, Twin Cities

REGIONAL

• Librarian 1 - State Historical Society of Iowa Library and Archives office, Des Moines, IA
• Advancement Officer - Dubuque Museum of Art, Dubuque, IA
• Associate Collections Manager - Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation Wisconsin, Spring Green, WI
• Museum Aide - City of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI
• Museum Store/Visitor Services Associate - City of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI
• Group Program Facilitator (Museum Clerk) - City of Kenosha, Kenosha, WI
• Educational Resource Specialist - Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Washburn, ND

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Archaeologist Assistant - State Historic Preservation Office, Springfield, IL
• Museum Education and Programs Assistant - Elmhurst History Museum, City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst, IL
• Construction Manager - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Madison, IN
• Maintenance Technician - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Security Specialist - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN
• Director of Religious Initiatives - Indiana Humanities, Indianapolis, IN 
• Local History and Genealogy Librarian - Anderson Public Library, Anderson, IN
• Education Coordinator - Fort Wayne History Center, Fort Wayne, IN 
• Grounds Technician - Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH
• Visitor Services Associate - National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Ohio History Connection, Wilberforce, OH
• Communications Manager - Mahoning Valley Historical Society, Youngstown, OH 
• Executive Director – Selfridge Military Air Museum, Belleville, MI
• Historic Sites Manager - Lakeshore Museum Center, Muskegon, MI
• Maintenance Repairman 2 - Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Lancaster, PA
• Instruction and Exhibitions Librarian - University of Missouri Libraries, MO
• Museum Registrar - The National Museum of Toys and Miniatures, Kansas City, MO
• Coordinator Museum Research - A.T. Still University, Kirksville, MO
• Digital Archivist - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
• Archives and Digital Asset Manager - American Historical Society of Germans from Russia, Lincoln, NE
• Curator of Collections - Johnson County Museum, Overland Park, KS
• Development Manager - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB
• Sponsorship Manager - Manitoba Children’s Museum, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• CW Forest Service Intern - Gunflint Trail Historical Society, Grand Marais, MN 

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the Washington County Historical Society.

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

50 Years in the Woods: A Farewell to the J.C. Ryan Forestry Gallery
January 20 @ 5:30 pm – Duluth: St. Louis County Historical Society – Celebrate the legacy of the J.C. Ryan Forestry Gallery and its contributions to regional history before its closure. Learn more »

Author Talk: Heather Fellin Tierney – If the Train Arrives
January 24 @ 10 to 11 am – Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society – Author Heather Fellin Tierney discusses her book If the Train Arrives, exploring local stories and historical inspiration behind the work. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Eastern Blue Earth County Hybrid Program
January 24 @ 11 am to 12 pm – Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society – Learn about the history and communities of eastern Blue Earth County in this hybrid (in-person and online) program. Cost: Free members/$10 general public. Learn more »

Night Out at the Museum
January 27 @ 5 to 8 pm – Shakopee: Scott County Historical Society – Enjoy an evening at the museum with special activities, exhibits, and community engagement. Cost: Free. Learn more »

History Buff Book Chat: Red Heart
January 28 @ 12 to 1 pm – Winona: Winona County Historical Society – Join fellow history enthusiasts for a lunchtime discussion of Red Heart, exploring its historical themes and context. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Great Decisions – Multilateral Institutions in a Changing World
January 30 @ 10 to 11:30 am (CT) – Online: Ramsey County Library – Join a discussion exploring how international organizations adapt in today’s rapidly changing global landscape. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Opening Reception: Northwoods Fiber Guild – From Our Hearts and Hands
January 30 @ 5 to 7 pm – Grand Marais: Historic Cook County–Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery – Celebrate the opening of this community fiber arts exhibition featuring handcrafted works from the Northwoods Fiber Guild. Learn more »

Exhibit Opening Reception: I Too Am America
January 30 @ 6 to 8 pm – Minneapolis: Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery – Celebrate the opening of I Too Am America, an exhibition highlighting Black identity, resilience, and cultural expression through art. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Tuesday with a Scholar
February 3, 10, 17, 24 & March 3 @ 12:30 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: Ramsey County Library – A five-session series featuring scholars sharing insights on diverse historical and contemporary topics. Cost: Free. Learn more »

• February 3  -  Save Our Signs
• February 10 - The Somali Museum
• February 17 - The International Wolf Center
• February 24 - New Prince Biography
• March 3 - Tshuaj Ntsuab: a compendium of Hmong medicinal plants

Online Content Session – Era Six: Migration, Imperialism, and Inequality
February 3 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT) – Online: Minnesota Humanities Center – Explore themes of migration, imperialism, and inequality in this interactive content session. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Viewers Like Us Club
February 5 @ 2 to 4 pm – Northfield: Northfield Historical Society – Join fellow viewers for a screening and discussion exploring themes at the intersection of art and medicine. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Mayo Clinic Lecture Series: Healing Hands – The Sisters of St. Francis and Mayo Clinic
February 5 @ 7 to 8:30 pm – Rochester: Olmsted County Historical Society – Sister Tierney Trueman shares the inspiring story of the Sisters of St. Francis and their vital role in founding and shaping the Mayo Clinic. Cost: Free members/$5 general public. Learn more »

Giving Old Family Journals, Letters, and Photos a New, Creative Life
February 7 @ 10:30 am to 12:30 pm – Minneapolis: Norway House – Learn how to transform family journals, letters, and photographs into meaningful creative projects in this hands-on workshop. Cost: $56.86 members/$62.36 general public. Learn more »

Minnesota Streetcar History
February 11 @ 7 to 8 pm (CT) – Stillwater/Online: Washington County Heritage Center – Discover the fascinating history of Minnesota’s streetcar era in this hybrid presentation offered both in person and online. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Civil War Roundtable: Blood, Bandages, and Beds – Hospital Ships of the Civil War
February 12 @ 1:30 pm – Litchfield: Meeker County Museum at the G.A.R. Hall – Join historian Gary Blessman for a discussion on the crucial role of hospital ships during the Civil War. Held as part of the monthly G.A.R. Civil War Roundtable series. Learn more »

Exhibit: Handwoven – Between Chaos and Order
February 14 through June 7 – Minneapolis: American Swedish Institute – Explore the artistry of contemporary handweaving in this exhibition that balances structure and spontaneity. Learn more »

Carver Stories: Oral Histories Screening Series
Carver On The Minnesota, Inc. (COTM) - A new public screening series at Carver City Hall. The series shares professionally recorded oral history interviews with longtime Carver residents, preserving their personal recollections of community life for future generations. Each event features two short video interviews, a brief introduction, and an optional Q&A session with members of the production team and, when possible, the narrators themselves. Cost: Free. For more information, email them at info@carveronthemn.org

Screening schedule:

• February 15: Loren Huepenbecker (Carver Riverside Ballroom) and Mike Shaw (The Shaw Band)
• March 15: Dick and Jeanette Lenzen, and Barb Swanson, lifelong residents
• April 19: Dale Koktan and Mike Wendolek (The Polish Playboys), and Luann Kloos Anderson on Carver Ballroom culture of the 1960s–70s
• May 17: Loren Huepenbecker (historic audio/photo presentation) and Mike Shaw (alternate video)

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

Continuing Education

Highlighted Museum: Wheels Across the Prairie Museum, Tracy, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

FREE Upcoming Midwest Art Conservation Center Workshops 
Free to Minnesota Residents. Funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society. Learn more »

Write or Update Your Emergency Plan
February 11, 18, & 25, 2026 @ 10 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: This 3-session online course covers emergency preparedness fundamentals, the essential components of an emergency plan, and how to develop and customize a plan for your organization. It addresses major and minor emergencies, extended closures, and emergencies within larger disasters. Participants work with an emergency plan template, complete a risk assessment, and draft a plan to share with their institution and board, with recommended independent work between sessions. Cost: Free for Minnesota residents/$400 for non-residents.

Write Your Long-Range Preservation Plan
March 11, 18, & 25, 2026 @ 10 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: This 3-session online course guides participants in drafting a Long-Range Preservation Plan (LRPP), focusing on preservation fundamentals, assessment, and prioritization of collections care goals. The course is designed especially for small institutions and includes group activities plus recommended independent work. Learn to use your LRPP for conservation goals and competitive grant proposals. Cost: Free for Minnesota residents/$400 for non-residents.

Metadata 101
January 26 @ 5 pm (CT) – Online: Backlog Archivists & Historians – Learn what metadata is, why it is essential for discovery and long-term access, and how archivists use core standards and practices to describe, manage, and preserve collections with real-world, day-to-day examples. Cost: Free. Learn more »

AASLH History Hour – Dealing with Disruption
January 27 @ 2 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Join fellow AASLH members and colleagues for a free, informal conversation on how museums are preparing for key disruptions in 2026, including shifts in philanthropy, inflation, funding challenges, and changes in travel and tourism. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Core Issues Briefing Series #4 – Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations and Sites
January 28 @ 2 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Learn how to prepare your history organization or site for disasters, from extreme weather events to unexpected crises. This webinar covers key risks, mitigation strategies, and recovery planning to strengthen institutional resilience. Part of AASLH’s Core Issues Briefing Series. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Mapping Stories, Managing Places, Connecting Communities: GIS for Historic Preservation
January 28 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation – Explore how GIS technology can support historic preservation through storytelling, data sharing, and community engagement. This panel discussion features case studies from organizations using GIS to preserve and visualize history, including projects by Latinos in Heritage Conservation, the City of Little Rock, and the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Career Development or Resistance?
January 28 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) – Online: MuseumExpert.org – Join a global conversation on how museums are responding to political pressures, defending mission integrity, and shaping the future of museum work. Featured speakers include Ann Burroughs (Japanese American National Museum), Jes Meiss and Melissa Pankuchi-Hernandez (National Emerging Museum Professionals Network), and Walter Staveloz (MuseumExpert.org). Together, they’ll discuss resistance efforts, career realities, and priorities for 2026. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Museums & Healthcare Partnerships: Starting the Conversation
February 4 @ 1 pm (CT) – Online: American Alliance of Museums – Discover how museums and healthcare organizations can collaborate to enhance community well-being and public health. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Treasurer/Finance Committee: Right People, Right Roles
February 5 @ 9 am–12 pm (CT) – Online: Propel Nonprofits – Designed for new and current treasurers or finance committee members, this session covers tools and best practices for developing financial skills, leading board finance discussions, and aligning fiscal oversight with organizational mission. Cost: $95. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• US 250 planning resource - Indiana Historical Society  

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award
Deadline - February 1: American Library Association - This award consists of a citation and $1,000 and recognizes an intellectual freedom-focused organization that has developed a strong multi-year, ongoing program or a single, one-year project that exemplifies support for intellectual freedom, patron confidentiality, and anti-censorship efforts. Learn more »

Latinos in Heritage Conservation Launches Nation's First Grant Program dedicated to funding Latinx Heritage Projects
Deadline - February 13: Latinos in Heritage Conservation - Latinos in Heritage Conservation (LHC) is launching a groundbreaking grant program with $600,000 in annual funding to support Latinx heritage preservation projects by grassroots nonprofits and community groups across the United States. This equity-centered initiative aims to elevate diverse projects and enhance accessibility through resources like Spanish-language application materials and personalized support. Learn more »

The Eric DeLony Industrial Heritage Preservation Grant Fund
Deadline - March 1: Society for Industrial Archeology - Grants from $1000 to $3000 for the study, documentation, recordation, and/or preservation of significant historic industrial sites, structures, and objects. Awards are made to nonprofit organizations and qualified individuals. Learn more »

Grants Provided for Arts, Science, and Education Initiatives
Deadline - March 1: Brabson Family Foundation (formerly Brabson Library and Education Foundation) - This Foundation is a philanthropic organization committed to supporting innovative ideas with a long-term impact, particularly in education and the arts. They provide grants to organizations and individuals who are working to make a difference in these areas. Learn more »

The National Fund for Sacred Places 
Deadline - March 3: National Trust for Historic Places & Partners for Sacred Places - This grant program is designed to support the preservation of historic houses of worship in the United States. It offers funding for critical repairs and restoration projects, helping communities sustain these important cultural and spiritual landmarks. Learn more »

AASLH Leadership in History Awards Nominations are open and accepted until March 1, 2026.

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Listed on slide as Soo Line Depot, Loral Historical Society. (1979). Now the Cuyuna Range Museum, operated by the Cuyuna Iron Range Heritage Network, Crosby, MN. 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.

MALHM Volunteer Recognition 2026 – Now Open!
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums – Celebrate the dedicated volunteers who help preserve and share Minnesota’s history. Member organizations are invited to submit one volunteer name for recognition by April 3. Honorees will receive a small gift and be acknowledged in the annual report and during the annual meeting. Submit a name »

Call for Poster Proposals
Deadline: February 13 – Online: Minnesota Association of Local History Museums (MALHM) – Submit proposals for MALHM’s second annual Poster Session at the Annual Conference on April 29 in Mankato. Share your innovative local history projects with peers across Minnesota. Learn more »

A familiar face in a new role: Former city recreation manager leading the History Center
Albert Lea Tribune - After almost 28 years of working for the city of Albert Lea, former Recreation Manager Bob Furland has shifted his career into the nonprofit world as the new executive director of the History Center of Freeborn County. Continue reading »

Museum carries King’s vision of unity through history
Spokesman-Recorder - In the heart of North Minneapolis, across from the Urban League Twin Cities, stands the Minnesota African American Heritage Museum and Gallery (MAAHMG), a cultural archive and community gathering space rooted in preservation, connection and truth-telling. Continue reading »

St. Paul’s historic Justus Ramsey House is under reconstruction
Star Tribune - The oldest surviving limestone house in St. Paul is being rebuilt at a new address and with a new purpose, the culmination of a yearslong preservation campaign. On Wednesday, sheltered from the harsh cold and wind in a greenhouse of clear plastic tarps, workers laid two cornerstones — 1852 and 2026— to commemorate the construction and reconstruction dates of the Justus Ramsey House. Continue reading »

History Center of Olmsted County kicks off 100th anniversary
KIMT 3 - The History Center of Olmsted County launched its 100-year anniversary on Saturday, Jan. 17, with the introduction of a new exhibit called "Faces and Places,” honoring the center’s early members who started its first collections. Visitors participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the Rochester Area Chamber of Commerce, toured the new exhibit and joined a printing workshop using a century-old printing press from the museum's collection operated by Devon Hugdahl, owner of Permanent Press. Watch video »

Robbinsdale Historical Society starts new podcast
Sun Post - The Robbinsdale Historical Society is connecting listeners with the history of Robbinsdale through its new podcast, "Robbinsdale Revisited." The first 11 episodes share tales of the city from the 1850s through the 1960s. The podcast is available on many platforms, including Apple, Spotify and YouTube. The podcast is hosted by Pete Richie, who grew up in Robbinsdale during the 1980s. Continue reading »

Featured Book Making Mill City: Flour and Fortune in Minneapolis by Robert M. Frame III. University of Minnesota Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History Historical bookkeeping by quadruple entry Volume 9, Issue 1, 1928	Featured Article MNopedia Fort Ridgely 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.

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