Minnesota Historical Society staff members conducted a site visit to the First National Bank of Adams building in Adams as part of the First National Bank of Adams Rehabilitation Project. The visit, attended by representatives from the City of Adams, LHB, Innovative Masonry Restoration, and the Adams Area Historical Society, focused on reviewing ongoing rehabilitation work and discussing project progress. The group toured the building’s interior, attic, and basement, examining restoration work such as roofing replacement, masonry repair, and interior alterations. Attendees noted the building’s historical features, including the oak woodwork, leaded art glass, and a John Warner Norton painting recently cleaned by a professional conservator.
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 »
This week's blog post is from the Ramsey County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
Remembering One of Our Community Legends: Jimmy Lee
If anyone asks me, "Jim, who was your hero? Was there one person in your life that you really looked up to?" the answer would be simple. Without a moment's hesitation, my response would be "Jimmy Lee." He was not only a fine person and a real gentleman, but he was also one of the finest football, basketball, and baseball officials Minnesota has ever seen...
~ JIMMY GRIFFIN,
A SON OF RONDO: A MEMOIR
If history matters and we can learn from it, I've taken on a goal in retirement to share more information about special individuals who lived in the Rondo community of St. Paul. These stories have been kept quiet for too long. Looking at St. Paul's past, one might conclude there weren't significant contributions by African Americans or other people of color to our community. Contrary to our documented (or lack of it) history, there are many people of color who have contributed to the rich legacies of St. Paul and Minnesota. Continue reading »
This week's post is from the Rice County Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
Robbinsdale Float for the Minneapolis Industrial Parade in 1911.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Robbinsdale Historical Society.
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Virtual Tour of Eastern Blue Earth County
January 31 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) – Mankato & Online: Blue Earth County Historical Society – Explore the history of eastern Blue Earth County with a guided virtual tour highlighting towns such as Madison Lake, Eagle Lake, St. Clair, Pemberton, Mapleton, and Beauford. Cost: Free members/$10 general public. Learn more »
Online Content Session – Era Six: Migration, Imperialism, and Inequality
February 3 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT) – Online: Minnesota Humanities Center – Deepen your understanding of global migration, imperialism, and inequality through this engaging online content session. Cost: Free. Learn more »
K-Number Film Screening
February 10 @ 5:30 to 8:30 pm – Minneapolis: University of Minnesota – Join a screening of K-Number (2024), directed by Jo Seyoung, which follows a Korean adoptee’s journey to uncover her birth family history and adoption process. A Q&A with the director will follow the film. Location: Liberal Arts Engagement Hub, Pillsbury Hall. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Minnesota Streetcar History with Aaron Isaacs
February 11 @ 7 to 8 pm (CT) – Stillwater & Online: Washington County Heritage Center – Learn about Minnesota’s historic streetcars with transportation historian Aaron Isaacs in this engaging 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 an in-depth look at the vital role hospital ships played during the Civil War as part of the museum’s monthly roundtable series. Cost: Free. Learn more »
A Valentine’s Affair Evening Tea at LeDuc
February 13 @ 6 pm – Hastings: Dakota County Historical Society – Enjoy an elegant evening tea celebrating Valentine’s Day at the historic LeDuc Estate, featuring themed treats and warm conversation. Location: LeDuc Historic Estate. Cost: $35 members/$40 General public. Learn more »
Online Pedagogy Session – Era Six: Migration, Imperialism, and Inequality
February 19 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT) – Online: Minnesota Humanities Center – Explore key educational themes surrounding migration, imperialism, and inequality in this interactive virtual pedagogy session. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Brâncuși 150: Romanian Graphic Art Exhibit Opening
February 19 @ 4 to 6 pm – St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota – Celebrate the 150th anniversary of artist Constantin Brâncuși at the opening of a special Romanian graphic art exhibition, on view February 19 - 22. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Wish Walls in Rice County
Now through the week of February 16 – Faribault: Rice County Historical Society – In partnership with Carleton College’s "History Beyond the Walls" class, the Rice County Historical Society invites community members to share their hopes for America’s 250th anniversary on special Wish Walls across the county. Locations include libraries, community centers, and schools in Faribault, Northfield, and Lonsdale. Responses will be collected and revisited at the next anniversary celebration. Location: Various sites across Rice County. Cost: Free. For more information call them at 507-332-2121.
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Highlighted Museum: White Bear Lake Armory Museum, operated by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, White Bear Lake, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.
Ethics, AI, and the Public Humanities Series
January through March - National Council on Public History - In four parts, this series, presented by NCPH and the American Conservation Experience (ACE), will ask experts to help public historians and public humanitarians tackle questions like: what do we mean when we talk about gen AI? How do we recognize it, and what AI tools have potential use cases for the public humanities? How can we ethically engage with generative AI tools as public historians, museum practitioners, writers, archivists, and educators? Cost: Pay what you can. Learn more »
Part 1: Defining and Demystifying “AI” and “Machine Learning” - January 29 @ 3 pm (CT)
Part 2: The Ethics of AI: What's the Harm? - February 12 @ 11 am (CT)
Part 3: Ethical AI Use in Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (GLAM) - February 26 @ 1 pm (CT)
Part 4: AI and History Education - March 17 @ 1 pm (CT)
Documenting Historic Cemeteries
January 29 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Learn methods and best practices for surveying, recording, and preserving historic cemeteries in your community. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
Virtual Nonprofit Town Hall: Sector Updates on What Minnesota Nonprofits Need to Know and Can Do
February 2 @ 1:30 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Timely town hall on what nonprofits need to know in the current environment, concrete actions they can take, and key resources available to support their work. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Archival Loans
February 2 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog - Comprehensive guide to managing museum and archival collection loans, covering evaluation, preparation, documentation, policies, communication, condition reporting, packing, and agreements. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Encore Series: Advocacy in Turbulent Times
February 3 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Mid-Atlantic Association of Museums (MAAM) -Explore advocacy strategies for museums amid funding uncertainties, featuring interactive presentations, Q&A, best practices, success stories, and peer networking. Cost: Free members/$15 non-members. Learn more »
Treasurer/Finance Committee: Right People, Right Roles
February 5 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Practical training on recruiting, developing, and supporting effective finance committee members and treasurers for nonprofit financial health. Cost: $95. Learn more »
Core Issues Briefing Series #6 – Engaging Younger Generations at History Organizations
February 11 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Explore strategies and successful practices for connecting with younger audiences in history organizations. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
Designing Accessible Online and In-Person Presentations
February 26 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Learn practical strategies to make your slide decks, talks, and virtual or in-person programs more inclusive and accessible for all audiences. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »
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September 16 - 19, 2026 |
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April 28 - 30, 2026 Early Bird Registration discounts run until February 28 |
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Gerald Hodges Intellectual Freedom Chapter Relations Award
Deadline - February 1, 2026: 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 »
Funding Bold Ideas in Architecture and Design
Deadline - February 25, 2026: Graham Foundation for Advanced Studies in the Fine Arts - Offers project grants to organizations exploring architecture, the built environment, and related fields. Learn more »
The Eric DeLony Industrial Heritage Preservation Grant Fund
Deadline - March 1, 2026: 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, 2026: 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, 2026: 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 »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Rice County Museum & Log Cabin, Faribault, MN. (1986). 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.
| 2026 In-Person Regional Events | ||||
| Metro Junior West Eden Prairie ● Sat, March 7 ● 8 am - 1 pm ● Central Middle School |
Metro Junior Central Minneapolis ● Mon, March 9 ● 4 - 9 pm ● University of Minnesota, West Bank |
Metro Senior Minneapolis ● Tues, March 10 ● 4 - 9 pm ● University of Minnesota, West Bank |
Northeast Duluth ● Sat, March 14 ● 8 am - 1 pm ● University of Minnesota, Duluth |
Minneapolis Public Schools Minneapolis ● Sat, March 14 ● 8 am - 2 pm ● New location! North Community High School |
| Southeast (tentative event) Winona ● Tue, March 17 ● 4 - 9 pm ● Winona State University |
Central St. Cloud ● Sat, March 21 ● 8 am - 1 pm ● St. Cloud State University |
South Central Mankato ● Tue, March 24 ● 4 - 9 pm ● Minnesota State University Mankato |
Metro Junior East White Bear Lake ● Sat, March 28 ● 8 am - 1 pm ● Mariner Middle School |
St. Paul Public Schools St. Paul ● Sat, March 28 ● 8 am - 2 pm ● Harding High School |
| 2026 Virtual Judging Opportunities |
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They will confirm category judging assignments based on the total number of projects submitted. First priority for selecting virtual judges goes to those judges who are not judging at other Minnesota History Day events. Limited virtual judging spots will be available. Sign up early! Research Paper, Podcasts, and Virtual Regional |
Over 19,000 Minnesota students are hard at work on their History Day projects surrounding this year’s annual theme, “Revolution, Reaction, Reform in History,” and getting ready for contest season. Consider judging at one of the contests to get inspired about future generations and see the work of these young scholars.
There are ten in-person regionals happening statewide throughout March, and State History Day is on Sunday, April 19, 2026 at the Minneapolis Convention Center! This document has the full list of dates and locations, as well as frequently asked questions. The time commitment will range from 5 to 7 total hours. A judging orientation will be done prior to the events to help prepare you - new and experienced judges are welcome! Sign up »
Iowa Senate considers closure of State Historical Society
KIMT 3 - An Iowa Senate subcommittee held a public hearing on a bill concerning the closure and dissolution of the State Historical Society in Iowa City. Budget cuts led to the research center's closure at the end of 2025, and supporters have filed a lawsuit to keep it open. Continue reading ».
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Featured BookThe Countryside on View: A Handbook on Countryside Centres, Field Museums and Historic Buildings Open to the Public, by Elisabeth Beazley Routledge. |
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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