Lakes Area Pride hosted its fifth annual Pride celebration, “Pride in the Park,” on Saturday, July 11, in Alexandria. The free event featured live entertainment, food trucks, games, and booths from local vendors and supportive community organizations. Both the Minnesota Historical Society and the Douglas County Historical Society participated with resource tables at the festival, held in Alexandria’s City Park.
We’d love to see you at one of Greater Minnesota's Pride festivals this summer! MNHS staff will be tabling at the following upcoming events:
Willmar Pride: August 1
Range Iron Pride (Virginia): August 8
Bemidji Pride: August 29
South Central MN Pride (Mankato): September 12
St. Cloud Pride: September 19
Austin Pride: October 10
Spotlighted Project: Masonry Restoration for the Historic Residence at Tower View
The project focuses on fixing the sources of water damage, including deteriorated masonry, parapet caps, rusted lintels, and aging downspouts. Crews will repoint damaged mortar joints, repair or replace worn stone and brick, and restore proper drainage so the building can shed water properly. These repairs will help preserve the home’s original decorative interior painting, improve visitor safety and comfort, and extend the life of the historic residence for years to come.
Recipient: The Anderson Center for Interdisciplinary Studies
Funded Amount: $125,000
Project Details
MNHS Announces April Round of Legacy Small Grants
Recipients received 17 Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants ($20,000 and less) totaling $283,359 in 15 counties. Learn more »
Grants Office Webinar: How to Track and Report Grant Project Financials
July 16 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: You filled out your project's budget for your grant application, and now at the end of your project period, the Grants Office is asking for another one! What's the difference between the budget and the expenditures table? Learn the ins and outs of reporting on your organization's grant expenses. Presented by Grants Specialist Melinda Hutchinson.
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 Meeker County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
Honoring the Last Civil War Veterans
When thinking about the last Civil War Veterans in Meeker County, there are several ways one may define what it means to be “last.” For example, Alonzo Olmstead was the last Civil War veteran living in Meeker County. He died in 1933 at the age of 93. Albert Delong was the last member of Litchfield’s Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.). He resided in McLeod County at the time of his death in 1936. Enoch Eastman was another “last” in Litchfield’s G.A.R. He was the last charter member to relinquish his membership, which came with his death in 1932. He was 97 years old and Litchfield’s oldest resident.
And then there is the man who was honored at Litchfield Cemetery on Saturday, April 25. Silas Wright Leavitt has the distinction of being the last Civil War Veteran to be buried in Meeker County. The Sons of the Union Veterans of the Civil War (SUVCW) hosted a dedication ceremony as part of their Last Union Veteran Project. This is a nationwide project to honor the last Civil War veteran buried in each county or parish across the United States. Continue Reading »
This week's post is from the Tower-Soudan Historical Society. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
| A World of Stumps and Slash Star Tribune columnist Aaron Brown explores how northern Minnesota’s old-growth forests were transformed by logging, mining, and fire. Blending family history and local memory, he reflects on conservation lessons, changing landscapes, and the region’s enduring human story. Watch Video » |
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Operations Associate - The American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN
Senior Advancement Officer, Principal Giving - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN
Executive Director - Duluth Children's Museum, Duluth, MN
Head of Instructional Programming - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
Collections Care and Access Assistant - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - State Historical Society of North Dakota, Medora, ND; Job ID3032500
Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - State Historical Society of North Dakota, Williston, ND; Job ID3033150
Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - State Historical Society of North Dakota, Pembina, ND; Job ID3033041
Archaeologist - Archaeological Research Center, South Dakota State Historical Society, Rapid City, SD
Conservator for Paper and Photographs - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL
Exhibition Preparator - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL
Facilitator, Visitor Services - Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN
Curator - Medina County Historical Society, Medina, OH
Senior Registrar and Archivist - Allen County Museum and Historical Society, Lima, OH
Registrar and Collections Assistant - Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI
Security Coordinator - Meadow Brook Hall, Rochester Hills, MI
President & Chief Executive Officer - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI
Educator, Adult Programs - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO
Director of Operations - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
African American History Programming Specialist - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
Managing Director of Philanthropy - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
Building Program Specialist - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
Historic Tax Incentive Coordinator - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE
Conservator - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB
Tourism and Earned Revenue Specialist - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Educator - Museums of Burlington, Burlington, ON
Membership Intern - Missouri Historical Society, St. Louis, MO
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
A 1928 Fourth of July parade in Cloquet showing participants in large cylindrical costumes for "Balsam Wool," walking along a gravel road near Pinehurst Park.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Carlton County Historical Society.
FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?
History in the Gardens
July 16 @ 10 am to 6 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Join the Art Fair in the Gardens at Munsinger Clemens Botanical Society for an all-ages, accessible activity exploring native plant history, with crafts and prize opportunities. Plant-focused activities run 11 am to 3 pm in collaboration with St. Cloud State University and community partners. Location:
Munsinger Clemens Gardens. Learn more »
The Story of Merchants Bank
July 16 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Winona: Winona County History Center - In partnership with the Sandbar Storytelling Festival, this talk explores the history of Merchants Bank, founded in 1875, and its iconic 1912 Prairie School headquarters designed by Purcell, Feick & Elmslie, featuring a mural by Albert Fleury. Cost: Free-will donation. Learn more »
Courthouse Lunch/Band Concert
July 14 @ 12 to 1 pm - Fergus Falls: Otter Tail County Historical Society - Celebrate summer with an old-fashioned patriotic band concert on the front lawn of the historic Otter Tail County Courthouse, featuring the Carlisle Band. A $10 lunch from Double A Catering is available before the concert. Bring a lawn chair or blanket for a relaxing noon break. Cost: $10 for lunch. For more information call 218-736-6038.
Declaration of Independence
July 16 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Willmar: Kandiyohi County Historical Society - Explore the Declaration of Independence, including its enduring relevance today and its context through the words of Continental soldiers at Fort Ticonderoga, as part of a 250th anniversary celebration of American independence. Cost: Free. For more information email kchistory.staff@gmail.com.
Sketches of Minnesota Tour
July 16 through October 10 - Various Minnesota cities: Minnesota Humanities Center with Danger Boat Productions - A statewide civic improv comedy tour featuring meals, facilitated community conversation, and unscripted improv based on what residents share about their towns, concerns, and hopes. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Dates and Locations:
July 16 - Red Wing, Red Wing Public Library
August 1 - Edge of the Wilderness, Edge Center for the Arts in Bigfork
August 13 - Montevideo, American Legion
August 18 - Emily, Emily City Hall
August 26 - Rochester, Rochester Art Center
September 10 - Marshall, Marshall Area YMCA
September 25 - Worthington, Lerma’s Event Center
October 1 - Iron Range, Minnesota Discovery Center in Chisholm
October 10 - Luverne, Big Top Tent Rental
Painting Weekend at Glensheen
July 17 @ 12 to 3 pm; July 18 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Duluth: Glensheen - Enjoy a family-friendly weekend of painting with local Minnesota artists and partners. On Friday, watch Outdoor Painters of Minnesota create plein air works from 12 pm to 3 pm during tour or grounds admission. On Saturday, join Northern Expressions Art Collective for hands-on painting on the grounds from 10:30 am to 12 pm; supplies are provided. Cost: $15 for Saturday’s painting activity; Friday included with admission. Learn more »
Alexander Faribault House Tours
July 18 @ 1 to 3 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Step back in time with a guided tour of the 1853 Alexander Faribault House, exploring the life of Alexander Faribault and early Rice County during the fur trade era. Tours run at 1 pm and 2 pm; advance RSVP recommended. Cost: $5. Learn more »
Not The Camilla We Knew by Rachael Hanel
July 18 @ 10 am - Blue Earth County Historical Society - History Book Club Session 1 introduces the book club format, provides historical context for the book, and allows participants to pick up books and ask questions. The series continues on August 15 with a book discussion and on September 19 with a special guest presentation by author Rachael Hanel. Cost: $50/Series. Learn more »
Pints and the Past
July 21 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Carlton: Carlton County Historical Society - Join Ron Johnson and Carol Klitzke for a presentation on historic summer activities, including parks, clubs, sports, and lake leisure. Food and beverages available for purchase. Location: Streetcar in Carlton. Cost: Free. Learn more »
The Early Gangsters of Minnesota
July 22 @ 7 to 8 pm - Crosslake: Crosslake Log Village - Stories from the 1920s and 1930s highlighting some of the most notorious criminals in Minnesota’s history. Speaker: Alan Bohme. Learn more »
Dakota Plant Walk with Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ
July 23 @ 5 to 6 pm - St. Paul: Hennepin History Museum - Join Tanáǧidaŋ Tó Wíŋ (Tara Perron) for a guided walk exploring her family’s relationship with Dakota plant medicines and the deep connections between land, water, and history in the Twin Cities. Location: Crosby Farm Regional Park. Learn more »
Learning from Place: St. Paul’s West Side Mexican American Culture
July 24 @ 1 to 4 pm - St. Paul: Minnesota Humanities Center - Discover the stories, history, and vibrant culture of St. Paul’s West Side, the heart of Minnesota’s Latino community, with a focus on The Flats and the Latino Cultural District, home to the future Minnesota Latino Museum. Location: Neighborhood House/The Wellstone Center. Cost: $35. Learn more »
The American Revolution Episode 3 Screening
July 25 @ 10:30 am to 1 pm - South St. Paul: Dakota County Historical Society - Join Twin Cities PBS and the Dakota County Historical Society for a community screening of The American Revolution Episode 3. This installment, “The Times That Try Men’s Souls,” follows the war’s early challenges, including the Battle of Long Island and Washington’s retreat and regrouping. Walk-ins welcome; pre-registration available. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Beginning Genealogy (Class)
July 26 @ 1 to 4 pm - Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogical Society - Are you ready to start discovering your family’s history? MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker shares tips and tools to help make 2026 the year you find out. Includes a handout and library tour. Cost: Free. Learn more »
4th Annual Stories that Matter: Women of Cook County
July 30 @ 5:30 to 6:30 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society - Held during Fishermen’s Picnic, this annual event highlights influential women who have shaped the region, including local photographer Maude Toftey and award-winning feminist author, activist, and publisher Joan Drury. Location: Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. Learn more »
History on the River Educational Cruise Series: The Legacy of Cal Fremling with Michael Kennedy
July 30 @ 4 pm & 6 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Dr. Calvin Fremling was one of the foremost authorities on the Upper Mississippi River and spent much of his career studying human effects on the river. He was a longtime researcher and professor at Winona State University and the author of Immortal River: The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Times. Cost: $45 members/$60 public. Learn more »
Ancestral Silence: Rediscovering Sámi Identity in the Norwegian-American Diaspora
July 30 @ 3 pm - Northfield: Norwegian American Historical Association - PhD candidate Freia Serafina Titland presents on the rediscovery of Sámi identity among Norwegian Americans, examining histories of cultural suppression alongside contemporary efforts to reclaim ancestral knowledge through research, storytelling, and spiritual practice. Learn more »
Nordic Capitalism Book Talk with Dr. Robert Strand
August 6 @ 5:30 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: American Swedish Institute - Join a book talk with Dr. Robert Strand on Nordic Capitalism: Lessons for Realizing Sustainable Capitalism. Strand, Executive Director of the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley, draws on a Scandinavian corporate social responsibility course he launched at the University of Minnesota. Includes networking and a social hour with cash bar. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: Museums & Galleries | Culture & Heritage | Attractions & Entertainment
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: Bay Area Historical Society Museum and Visitor's Center in Silver Bay, MN.
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 »
From Collections to Connections: Facilitating Access and Activation
July 30 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - This webinar highlights the Museum of Anthropology’s Collections Access Program at the University of British Columbia, which supports Indigenous access to and engagement with cultural belongings held in museum collections. Presenters will share approaches to reconnecting communities with ancestral materials, examples of community collaboration, and practical strategies for activating collections in both museum and community contexts. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Mold in Collections
July 30 @ 9:30 am (CT) - Online: Conserv - Dr. Morena Ferreira, preventive conservator and mold specialist, introduces the fundamentals of mold in collection environments, including causes, risk factors, and practical approaches to prevention and monitoring. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Dashboards: Making Your Data Work for You
August 4 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This webinar explores how to design and use dashboard reports effectively, covering key components, practical applications, and examples to help organizations turn data into actionable insights. Cost: Free. Learn more »
New Tools to Create Dynamic Collections Resources for Your Organization
August 11 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Center for Conservation of Art and Historic Artifacts - This webinar explores how to transform static spreadsheets into dynamic, maintainable databases using CCAHA resources such as the Preservation Glossary and Vendor Database. It highlights strategies for improving internal workflows and creating more effective, updatable collections care resources. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Basics of Fundraising
August 13 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - This virtual workshop introduces core fundraising concepts and strategies for history organizations of all sizes, with a focus on small institutions with limited staff and resources. Participants will learn practical approaches to building donor relationships, setting achievable goals, and strengthening individual giving programs through hands-on activities and guided discussions. Cost: $100 members/$150 nonmembers. Learn more »
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September 16 - 19, 2026 |
July 26 - 29, 2026 |
July 22 - 26, 2026 |
Additional Educational Opportunities »
Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation Grants
Letter of Inquiry due - August 31: Cleveland-Cliffs Foundation - Offers funding for projects that support education, improve the environment, and/or strengthen healthy, vibrant communities in areas where Cleveland-Cliffs has operations, including Minnesota. Learn more »
Deadline - October 15, 2026 (rolling until funds are exhausted): Minnesota Humanities Center - Supports organizations responding to crisis and emergencies, helping communities grieve, heal, create memorials, and recover after major events. Grant Amount: Up to $75,000. Learn more »
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Fellowships
Deadline - October 26, 2026: Gilder Lehrman Institute provides annual short-term research fellowships to doctoral candidates, college and university faculty at every rank, and independent scholars working in the field of American history. Learn more »
Awards for Graduate Students
Deadlines - November 1, 2026: Organization of American Historians is accepting applications for multiple awards for graduate students. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Exhibit at the Kandiyohi County Museum, Willmar, 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.
Emily Kurash Casey Named as New Executive Director of the Winona County Historical Society
The Board of Directors is pleased to announce the appointment of Emily Kurash Casey as the new Executive Director of the Winona County Historical Society. “We are thrilled to welcome Emily to WCHS,” said Board President Anne Conway. Continue reading »
Carlton County Historical Society has new director
Pine Knot - ...Thomlin Swan, the new director of the Carlton County Historical Society, grew up in Brooklyn, New York. It's a place where a bit of "rootlessness" can develop, with change all the time, Swan said. There are things that are never learned about, places and events that happened but weren't passed down, Swan said. Things are different here, the director said... Continue Reading »
Molter museum moves to protect archives from fire damage
MPR - A museum on the edge of Ely, Minn., is working to preserve history in the face of wildfires near the Boundary Waters just miles away. Dorothy Molter was the last non-Indigenous person to live in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness legally. She’s something of a local legend and earned the name “Root Beer Lady” by selling her homemade root beer to guests and canoeists who stopped by her cabins. Continue reading »
The Moose Lake Area Historical Society is Asking Whoever Took a Military Road Sign To Return It, No Questions Asked
WJON - An old road sign in Northern Minnesota has disappeared, and a local historical museum is asking the thief to return it, no questions asked. The real question is, will the thief have a change of heart, or will they keep the sign for themselves? 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 »
Descendants of ‘First 85’ Black families who migrated to Fergus Falls in 1800s head home
Star Tribune - The progeny of the west-central Minnesota town's original Black families made a pilgrimage back to Fergus Falls in early July, a family reunion on wheels. Continue reading »
Maple Grove History Museum selected as site for U of M traveling photography exhibit
Hometown Source - The Maple Grove History Museum has been selected by the University of Minnesota and the Minnesota Digital Library as the premier venue in Minnesota to host the highly anticipated traveling exhibition, “Visions of Minnesota: Photographers of the North Star State.” Continue reading »
New memorial honors the 218 mineworkers who died underground in Ely’s iron ore mines
MPR - On Jan. 31, 1889, a Swedish immigrant named John Ogren was running machinery in the underground Chandler Mine in Ely, when the cage that transported workers up and down the mine shaft struck him in the head. Continue reading »
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Featured BookInterpretive Theme Writer's Field Guide, 2nd Edition, by Jon Kohl Bloomsbury Publishing |
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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 |
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Preservation Specialists Directory |
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