Field Note

The Anoka County Historical Society is moving its museum and collections storage to a new location. Colleagues from multiple organizations have been lending a hand to move items, create boxes and mounts, and update catalog records in preparation for the move. On Monday, June 15, staff from MNHS Local History Services, the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums, Minnesota State University, Mankato, and the Morrison County Historical Society assisted in the effort. 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Restoration and Repair of Front Exterior Porch for Thompson Hall
Charles Thompson Memorial Hall’s front porch and exterior were restored to strengthen a landmark that has served Minnesota’s Deaf community since 1916. The work repaired masonry, flooring, steps, lighting, columns, and balustrades, helping protect the building and keep its entrance safe and welcoming.

This project was shaped by two earlier Legacy grants: the Historic Structure Report, completed in July 2019, and the Construction Documents project, completed in July 2021. Together, those studies identified the hall’s most urgent preservation needs and provided the plans that guided the restoration, including work to the porch, exterior masonry, and cornice. The hall was created by and for Deaf people, and it remains a symbol of community pride, accessibility, and shared history.
Recipient: Charles Thompson Memorial Hall
Funded Amount: $215,182
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 on 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.

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 YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the American Swedish Institute. Have a blog? Let us know!

Illuminating Immigration in Media: Contemporary Perspectives from Sweden and the Twin Cities
Thursday, June 4, 2026 | 6–8 pm 
The inaugural Edward and Elizabeth Carlson Sweden Project event featured journalists from The Local Sweden and Sahan Journal in conversation about how immigration issues are covered in Sweden and Minnesota.

Over 120 people attended the event, including Swedish language teachers and students, ASI board members and staff, Swedish expats, and community members interested in broadening their perspective on immigration in both Sweden and the United States.

Immigrant communities around the world have specific needs for information not always covered by traditional newspapers and have historically benefitted from news sources dedicated to their distinct experiences. James Savage (The Local Sweden), Andrew Hazzard (Sahan Journal), and Shubhanjana Das (Sahan Journal) discussed their experiences working for mission-driven newsrooms covering stories for and about immigrants in Sweden and Minnesota. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Law enforcement historical societies and museums - Genealogy by Paula
• Deep Roots in Chaska: Wendelin Grimm and Cold-Hardy Alfalfa - Chaska Historical Society
• A Tale of Two Lots: The Smith Family’s Path to Frank Street - Ramsey County Historical Society

From the Tube

This week's post is from the Stearns History Museum. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!

More MN Tube posts

• July GTHS Membership Meeting – Gunflint Trail Remembrance Tribute - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• Geese December 1982 - History Center of Olmsted County
• The Legacy of Howard Wagoner - Tower-Soudan Historical Society
• Out of the Past: Sherwood Sagedahl interview - Martin County Historical Society 
• Bakken Corn Crib Silo – Blue Earth County, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Cooperative and Community at May Day Cafe - MinneCulture
• Tales From The Graves 2026 - Captain Lenore Sandager Hansen - Rock County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Bell Museum Advancement Communication Specialist - Bell Museum, St Paul, MN

• Executive Assistant - Schubert Club, St. Paul, MN

• Museum Coordinator & Small Business Marketing Specialist - African Economic Development Solutions, St. Paul, MN

• Major & Planned Gifts Officer - Minneapolis Institute of Art, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Director of Exhibits and Facility Operations - Children's Museum of South Dakota, Brookings, SD

• Digital Archivist - South Dakota State Historical Society-State Archives, Pierre, SD

• Executive Director - SculptureWalk Downtown Sioux Falls, Sioux Falls, SD

• Museum Director - Floyd County Museum, Charles City, IA

• Marketing Specialist II - University Museums at Iowa State University, Ames, IA

• Library Assistant III, Exhibits - Rod Library, University of Northern Iowa, Cedar Falls, IA

• Education Lead - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

• Retail and Guest Service Associate - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

• Lead Retail and Guest Services Associate - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Interim Museum Operations Coordinator - Kenilworth Historical Society, Kenilworth, IL

• Senior Digital Engagement Strategist - Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

• In-Person Costume Promoter / Flyer Distribution - Medieval Torture Museum, Chicago, IL

• Visitor Services Associate - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL

• Annual Giving Manager - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL

• Public Programs and Marketing Manager - Esta Barrett Manor & Gardens, Rockford, IL

• Marketing and Communications Specialist - City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst, IL

• Registrar for Exhibitions - Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

• Collections Manager/Collections Manager Assistant - Denison Museum, Granville, OH

• President & Chief Executive Officer - Grand Rapids Public Museum, Grand Rapids, MI

• Registrar and Collections Assistant - Midland Center for the Arts, Midland, MI

• Director of Galleries - Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Pittsburgh, PA

• Registrar - Kemper Museum of Contemporary Art, Kansas City, MO

• Managing Director of Philanthropy - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO 

• African American History Programming Specialist - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Private Event Coordinator - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Nebraska Historic Tax Incentive Coordinator – Building Program Specialist, Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

• Events and Donor Relations Manager - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

• Conservator - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB

• Archivist - Ganaraska Region Conservation Authority, Port Hope, ON

• Curatorial and Programming Assistant - Museum of Atikokan, Atikokan, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Hybrid Education Internship - Minnesota Center for Book Arts, Minneapolis, MN

• Membership Intern - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Loop demonstration in downtown Minneapolis denouncing war, 1932.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Hennepin County Library.

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

Castles of Romania: Echoes of History and Legend Exhibit
Every Sunday in August @ 1 to 3 pm - St. Paul: Heritage Organization of Romanian Americans in Minnesota - This self-guided exhibit invites visitors to explore Romania’s castles through photographs, historical narratives, and regional context. It highlights royal residences, military strongholds, and medieval citadels while tracing the stories, legends, and cultural legacy that continue to shape Romanian identity. Location: Landmark Center, room 319. Learn more »

Olmsted County and the Oval Office: Presidential Ties to Minnesota
July 23 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: Olmsted County History Center - From historic visits and local milestones to the deep connections linking global leaders to the region, this evening brings local history to life. Presented by Shawn Bromelkamp, the program explores the remarkable stories that connect Minnesota to the White House. Cost: Free for members; $5 general public. Learn more »

Opening Reception: Ingrained: Stories Carved in Wood
July 23 @ 5 to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - This opening reception for Ingrained: Stories Carved in Wood explores woodwork from the late 17th to early 19th centuries, when carving, pyrography, and rosemaling were used to express identity, belief, and skill. The exhibit features storage chests, bridal gifts, ale bowls, and decorative furnishings that show how everyday objects carried meaning, beauty, and tradition. Cost: $5 members; $10 general public. Learn more »

Harbor History Walking Tours
July 24 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society - Join CCHS’s Interpretive Specialist, John, for a Harbor History Walking Tour exploring the Grand Marais Harbor’s hidden artifacts and maritime history. Tours meet outside the History Museum and cover about a mile on uneven surfaces; kids are welcome. Cost: Free; donations accepted. Learn more » 

Reflections Series: “America 250” Program
July 29 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - Doug Ohman will present “America 250,” an historic journey through the stories, images, and people that helped shape the nation’s earliest beginnings. A longtime photographer, historian, and public speaker, Ohman has spent more than 30 years documenting historic architecture and landscapes across Minnesota, and his work has appeared in books, magazines, calendars, and PBS programs. Cost: Free. Learn more »

America 250 Genealogy Workshop
July 30 @ 6 to 8 pm - Mendota Heights: Dakota County Historical Society - Part of the America 250 Genealogy series, this workshop offers one-on-one help with family history research through 40-minute consultation slots, with support from volunteers and partner organizations. Times available are 6 pm, 6:40 pm, and 7:20 pm. Cost: Free; strongly suggested $5 donation. Learn more » 

Protecting Manoomin (Wild Rice), Protecting Water and Everyone
July 30 @ 7 to 8 pm - Lake Itasca: Minnesota Humanities Center - Join this public seminar co-presented by Zhaashiigid Nooding, an Ojibwe knowledge-holder from the White Earth Nation Reservation and Red Lake Nation citizen, and Crystal Ng, a settler hydrologist and University of Minnesota professor. Location: Biome Center, Itasca Biological Station. Learn more »

Protest! 1970s Power Line Controversy
July 30 @ 7 to 9 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Society - Revisiting the 1970s protest against the Cooperative Power Association/United Power Association high-voltage power line that would have cut across Grant County farmland. The event includes a screening of the video Grassroots Energy: Power Line Resistance 1974-1978 followed by a round-table discussion. Specially interested in those who were directly impacted by the power line to attend and share their experiences of the protests and the aftermath. Learn more » 

Live Blacksmith Demonstration at the Bally Blacksmith & Metal Shop
August 1 @ 1 pm to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society - Enjoy a live blacksmithing demonstration during Fisherman’s Picnic at the historic Bally Blacksmith & Metal Shop, one of the few remaining blacksmith shops in Minnesota still standing in its original location. Visitors can experience the shop’s history and hear how it served the North Shore for nearly a century. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Rug Hooking & Spinning Yarn
August 1 @ 10:30 am to 2 pm - Crosslake: Cross Lake Log Village - Enjoy demonstrations of traditional rug hooking, with original pieces on display, and watch spinning wheels turn fiber into yarn as they did in years past. Learn more »

Family History: Fact or Fiction
August 3 @ 1:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Museum - Sarah Lockwood presents on how to turn family history into a verifiable and accurate source, drawing on word-of-mouth stories, documentation, and genealogical research methods. Light refreshments will be served. Cost: Free. Learn more »

A Pride of Our Own: Coming together in Fargo–Moorhead
August 4 @ 6:30 pm to 8 pm - Moorhead: Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County - Celebrates 25 years of Fargo–Moorhead Pride with a presentation by Tammy Lanaghan of Red River Rainbow Seniors on the history of Pride in the region, followed by a history harvest where the public can share stories, photos, and objects related to local Pride and LGBTQ+ history. Learn more »

Time Traveler Camp: A History Day Camp for Kids
August 4 @ 10 am - August 6 @ 3 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - A three-day history camp for kids ages 7–13 featuring exploration, communication, and destination-themed activities, including hiking, compasses, surveying, fur trade, Ojibwe language lessons, printing press, and photography. Campers should bring a sack lunch and water bottle; snacks are provided. Cost: $50 per child. 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 featuring Nordic Capitalism: Lessons for Realizing Sustainable Capitalism. Strand is Executive Director of the Nordic Center at UC Berkeley, and the book stems from a Scandinavian corporate social responsibility course he launched at the University of Minnesota. Enjoy networking and social hour before and after with a cash bar. Cost: $5 access ticket, $10 regular ticket, or $20 pay-it-forward ticket. Learn more »

Malice Towards None by Daniel C. Munson
August 6 @ 7 to 8 pm - Washington County: Washington County Heritage Center - This Minnesota story follows a gravestone inscription into early Minnesota history and then into U.S. and Civil War history. The program traces the story of four siblings orphaned by the Dakota War, whose descendants preserved family letters and photographs that reveal lives marked by tolerance and gratitude. Learn more »

Upper Midwest Genealogy Institute 2026
August 7 & 8 - Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogy Center - A two-day intensive for intermediate and advanced researchers focused on 19th- and early 20th-century family history research, especially for families moving to or through the Midwest. The program combines expert-led lectures with small group exercises, with instruction from J. H. Fonkert, CG, Jessica Fontana, and Elizabeth Williams Gomoll, CG. Cost: $210 members; $225 nonmembers. Learn more » 

Almelund Threshing Show
August 7 & 9 - Palmdale: Almelund Threshing Party Grounds - Minnesota’s premier outdoor agriculture event featuring antique and vintage tractors, farm equipment in use, a large flea market, a children’s playground, and a farm animal petting area. Food and beverages are available on site, and parking is free.  Cost: $15 day/$25 weekend. Learn more »

Historic River Cruise: Romance of the River
August 12 @ 5:30 to 8 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Historical Society - Join John Kerschbaum, owner and operator of Gondola Romantica, for a fundraiser cruise exploring the St. Croix River’s history, from Indigenous travel and the lumber era to its modern role as a summer destination. The event includes appetizers, a cash bar, and a chance to win a two-night stay at Postcard Cabins Kettle River. Cost: $65. 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: Traverse County Historical Society Museum in Wheaton, MN.

Event Planners Incubator
August 11 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - This lightly facilitated virtual gathering brings together nonprofit event planners to exchange ideas, troubleshoot challenges, and gain inspiration from peers. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Preserving the Now: Archiving in Times of Crisis
August 12 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - This workshop features Invisible Histories co-founders Josh Burford and Maigen Sullivan discussing how a community-based archive is preserving at-risk LGBTQ history in the U.S. South through community outreach, volunteer engagement, and shared preservation efforts. Participants will gain a clearer understanding of the risks facing marginalized histories today, along with practical strategies for preserving local and vulnerable records. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Building an Effective Executive Director + Board Chair Partnership
August 19 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This workshop helps executive directors and board chairs strengthen their partnership by clarifying roles, building trust, and aligning on shared leadership practices to support organizational success. It is designed for pairs attending together and includes practical guidance for improving communication and reducing board-staff stress. Cost: $95. Learn more »

Age is Not a Limitation: What Happened When We Took Older Adults Seriously as Creators
August 24 @ 9 to 10 am (CT) - Online: Ohio Museums Association - This session examines the Akron Art Museum’s Creative Aging Institute as a model for integrating older adults into core audience development and programming. Presented by Merry Pertoski, it explores how positioning adults 55+ as active creators fosters social connection, lifelong learning, and community engagement while challenging age-related stereotypes. Participants will gain insights into building inclusive, sustainable programs that support healthy aging and meaningful participation. Cost: $15 members; $20 nonmembers. Learn more »

Designing History Walking Tours
August 27 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Aja Bain, AASLH’s Director of Professional Development and Publications and an experienced Nashville tour guide, shares practical guidance on creating engaging and memorable historic walking tours. This session covers essential elements, interpretive strategies, and adaptable approaches for sites of any size, location, or budget. Cost: $100 members; $150 nonmembers. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Midwest Archives Conference Statement on the Proposed Closure of National Archives and Records Administration Archives Centers - Midwest Archives Conference
• How to respond to new threats to nonprofits - Center for the Future of Museums

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

William G. Pomeroy Foundation Marker Grant Programs
Letter of Intent - October 2, 2026 / Application period from September 4 - November 9, 2026: William G. Pomeroy Foundation - Offers two nationwide marker grant programs: the Historic Transportation Marker Grant Program, which highlights the history of canals, bridges, tunnels, railroads, aircraft, and other transportation systems; and the Hungry for History® Marker Grant Program, which celebrates local and regional prepared food dishes that helped shape American culture and community identity. Learn more »

Site Preservation Grant
Deadline - November 1, 2026: Archaeological Institute of America - Funds projects that preserve and protect archaeological heritage, with support for site preservation, public outreach, and education efforts that benefit local communities, students, and the field of archaeology. Grant Amount: Up to $15,000. Learn more »

Community Innovation grants
Deadline - Ongoing: Bush Foundation - Flexible grants that invest in great ideas and the people who power them across the region. The program supports efforts to develop, test, and spread ideas, and to inspire, equip, and connect leaders. Grants support organizations based in or serving Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, or the 23 Native nations that share that geography, including 501(c)(3) nonprofits, government entities, schools, coalitions or collaboratives, and organizations using a fiscal sponsor; in rare cases, other organizations may qualify. Learn more »

Cybersecurity Grant Program Now Available Statewide
Deadline - Ongoing: Minnesota IT Services (MNIT) - Supports eligible Minnesota state, local, and Tribal government entities, including counties, municipalities, cities, towns, townships, school districts, special districts, regional or interstate government entities, authorized Tribal governments and organizations, and rural communities, unincorporated towns or villages, or other public entities. The program helps strengthen cybersecurity capabilities through the Whole-of-State Cybersecurity Plan. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Traverse County Historical Society Museum, Wheaton, MN. (1981). 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 Design Competition
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums is seeking a new design for merch! Help us out by submitting your ideas by Sunday, August 16. Entries will be voted on via social media later in the fall, and a winner will be selected by December 1. The winning designer will receive registration to the 2027 MALHM Conference, merch on us, & design credit. Learn more »

Gunflint Trail museum remains open, offers refuge during wildfire season
WTIP - Over the past week, the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center has been within the area of the Gunflint Trail placed under a “Ready” evacuation order Monday and upgraded to “Set” the following day. The hours that followed were filled with uncertainty, but in recent days the museum has returned to business as usual. Continue reading and listen »

After years of work, southwestern Minnesotans celebrate opening of ‘World’s Largest Nutcracker’
Star Tribune – A crowd of more than 200 people gathered Saturday to celebrate this southwestern Minnesota city’s newest resident, a 65-foot-tall nutcracker statue that may be the world’s largest. Dubbed “Verne the Patriot,” the nutcracker stretches to the height of roughly a six-story building; a towering soldier with patriotic polyurethane pants spangled in red, white and blue. Continue reading »

Sandstone housing project The Bookmatch opens tenant applications; move-in ready in July
WCMP Radio - The Bookmatch — a 32-unit apartment complex in the converted historic Sandstone School building — opened applications for tenants on March 24. Continue reading »

Featured Book Strike! Twenty Days in 1970 When Minneapolis Teachers Broke the Law, by William D. Green University of Minnesota Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History How the Forty-Ninth Parallel Became the International Boundary Volume 44, Issue 6, 1975	Featured Article MNopedia St. Mark’s AME Church, Duluth 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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