Field Note

On July 20 and 21, outreach conservator Megan Brakob Narvey attended the workshop “Guidelines for Cleaning: Focus on Decorative Arts and Historic House Collections” provided by the Midwest Art Conservation Center (MACC) and hosted by Gammelgarden Museum in Scandia. MACC and MNHS partner to provide preventive conservation workshops like this for free to Minnesota residents thanks to the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. Check the schedule and register for an upcoming workshop » 

Heritage Preservation Grants

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 YouTube Playlist »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the Gammelgården Museum of Scandia. Have a blog? Let us know!

Renovation, Restoration, Preservation, Versus Conservation for Historic Buildings
When people think of museums, they think about the preservation of items: armor, clothing, dishware, figurines, furniture, toys, paintings, pottery, weapons, and so much more. The preservation of these items is important because they tell a story of craftsmanship, ingenuity, and a former way of life. Maintaining these items can become difficult over time. Museums have to manage a collection of items, ensuring they are stored in a humidity-, temperature-, and light-controlled space away from possible spills and excess handling, while exhibiting artifacts to the public. These artifacts are safeguarded within a building; however, what happens to historic buildings? 

Buildings, like cultural artifacts, communicate a region’s history and serve as witnesses to former building practices and occupants (Design Pulse Team, 2025). They also serve the community as a specific regional landmark, source of identity, and educational tool (Design Pulse Team, 2025). 

Unlike artifacts, historic buildings are exposed to a variety of weather conditions from outside debris, high winds, hail, snow, rain, and flooding, all of which can lead to internal and external damage. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Pat Wittrock: A Lifetime of Learning and Leadership - Chaska Historical Society
• Early records of St. Paul city government now available in MDL - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Collections Carousel: Musical Art Club Program Booklets - Morrison County Historical Society
• Painting on the Art Speak Machine: CBI acquires the collection of Computer Artist Maureen A. Nappi - U of MN Libraries
• Old Buffalo High School - Wright County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• Edward Morris Bromeling Farmstead – Blue Earth County, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Calvary Cemetery Tour 2026 - Shakopee Heritage Society
• Wright Side of History Ep 4 - US250 & Claudia's Corner - Wright County Historical Society
• The Mayors of Robbinsdale, Part 2 - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Ramsey School District 28 - Anoka County Historical Society
• Sue Kerfoot – From Chicago to the Gunflint: A Modest Lifestyle Change - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• Burgess Family Story - Tower-Soudan Historical Society
• Carver Stories: Oral History - Mike Shaw - Carver on the Minnesota

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Preventive Conservator - Midwest Art Conservation Center, Minneapolis, MN

• Collections Assistant - Hennepin History Museum, Minneapolis, MN

• Facilities Representative - The Bakken Museum, Minneapolis, MN

• HR Generalist, Labor and Employee Relations - Walker Art Center, Minneapolis, MN

• Director of Education, Community Partnerships & Museum - Schubert Club , St. Paul, MN

REGIONAL

• Experience Associate - Cultural Heritage Center, South Dakota State Historical Society, Pierre, SD

• Museum Educator - Hoard Historical Museum and the Fort Atkinson Historical Society, Fort Atkinson, WI

• Guest Services Lead - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

• Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - Chateau de Mores State Historic Site, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Medora, ND; Job ID3032500

• Director of Development - Grout Museum District, Waterloo, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

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

• Shows Manager - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL

• Assistant Collections Manager, Insects - The Field Museum, Chicago, IL

• Assistant Museum Collections Registrar - Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, Edwardsville, IL

• Ice Cream and Popcorn Shop Manager - Sock Monkey Museum, Long Grove, IL

• Sock Monkey Museum Team Member - Sock Monkey Museum, Long Grove, IL

• Oral Historian, Assistant Teaching Professor - Ball State University, Muncie, IN

• Polar Archivist - Ohio State University, Columbus, OH

• 3 Positions: Director of Development/Human Resources Generalist/Executive Assistant - Pewabic Pottery, Detroit, MI

• African American History Initiative Research Assistant - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• IT Systems Administrator - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Curatorial Postdoctoral Fellowships, Photography - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

• Curatorial Postdoctoral Fellowships, European and American Art before 1900 - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

• Curatorial Postdoctoral Fellowships, Indigenous Americas and Africa - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

• Curatorial Postdoctoral Fellowships, Modern and Contemporary Art - University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN

• Fall 2026 History Collections Care and Records Management Internship - Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

• Public History Research Fellow - Bryn Mawr College, Bryn Mawr, PA

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Car races at the former fairgrounds.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Beltrami County Historical Society.

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

Women in the Fur Trade
August 8 @ 1 to 2 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Researcher and writer Terri Karsten will explore the world of women in the fur trade at the Bunnell House. Visitors may also tour the historic house before or after the program during self-guided hours from noon to 3 pm. Cost: Free for members/$5 public. Learn more »

Weaving Class
August 8 @ 2 to 4 pm - Minneapolis: Somali Museum - This hands-on cultural experience teaches traditional weaving techniques and invites participants to create intricate, vibrant woven artworks. Learn more »

New Brighton Stockyard Days 
August 7 & 9 - New Brighton: New Brighton Area Historical Society - Stockyard Days is an annual multi-day festival celebrating the spirited history of New Brighton, Minnesota. Founded in 1981, the event honors the city’s roots as a center of the cattle industry and features a parade, live music, car shows, food, local business and artisan booths, the Antique Car Run, and more. The New Brighton History Center will be open Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9. Learn more »

Genealogy Assistance Day
August 11 @ 10 am to 2 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Interested in your family history? Sign up for a 50-minute appointment with the society’s genealogist for help digging into your family tree and piecing together your past. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Civil War Roundtable: “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 - Presented by Mike Penrod, this program looks at the U.S. Army’s response to the Dakota War, including forts, fortified camps, and peacekeeping efforts in Minnesota from late 1862 to 1865. The talk also explores the military and political goals behind those actions during the Civil War. Learn more »

The Sultana Disaster by Capt. Lee Hendrix
August 15 @ 2 pm - Wabasha: Wabasha County Historical Society - Join river historian Captain Lee Hendrix for a presentation on the Sultana Disaster, the deadliest maritime tragedy in United States history. The program explores steamboat travel on the Mississippi River, the ill-fated Sultana, and the Civil War soldiers aboard. Cost: $5 for adults/members and children free. Learn more »

Polish Picnic 2026
August 15 @ 11 am to 5 pm - Columbia Heights: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - The event at Huset Park is organized by PACIM, Sister Cities International Columbia Heights, and the Polish Saturday School, and will feature live music and traditional dance performances by Craig Ebel & DyVersaCo Polka Band and the Dolina Polish Folk Dancers. Location: Huset Park. Learn more »

R.W. “Buzz” Kaplan: The Life of an Adventurer
August 17 @ 1 pm - Owatonna: Steele County Historical Society - The program features Kristin Holsworth, author of a six-book series about her grandfather, world traveler Buzz Kaplan. A book signing follows the presentation. Learn more »

Stories from Jewish Elders: Featuring Artist Lou Kotlarz, in Conversation with Robyn Awend
August 19 @ 7 pm - Minneapolis: Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest - Artist Lou Kotlarz, in conversation with Robyn Awend, shares his life in art, from early training in Chicago to later study in Minneapolis, along with his teaching and creative work over many decades. Location: Minnesota JCC Sabes Center, Room M54. Cost: Free. 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: Hoċokata Ti operated by the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Shakopee, MN.

Archival Value
August 10 @ 5 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog Webinar - This webinar explores the informational, evidential, and intrinsic characteristics of archival materials and how those concepts influence what becomes valuable to researchers. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Plan Smart, Evaluate Better: A Practical Guide to Evaluation Planning
August 12 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Inform Evaluation & Research - This free webinar offers practical strategies for planning evaluations of educational programs, public events, and exhibits. Participants will learn how to clarify evaluation goals, identify audiences and questions, select realistic methods, and anticipate common challenges, while also receiving a ready-to-use planning template. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Re(Human)izing Recruitment & Onboarding
August 12 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Explore how to attract, interview, and onboard talent through an equity-centered lens. This workshop examines how traditional hiring practices can replicate bias and highlights inclusive job design, accessible onboarding, and culture-add approaches that foster belonging from day one. Cost: $50 members/$70 nonmembers. Learn more »

Core Issues Briefing Series, Fall 2026
October 7 to November 4 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - A five-part webinar series on urgent issues facing history organizations, including engaging younger generations, understanding the U.S. history sector and workforce, doing history in polarized times, and disaster preparedness. The series draws on AASLH research and partner expertise from Made By Us. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers per webinar or $100 members/$205 nonmembers for a webinar bundle of all five. Learn more »

• October 7: Engaging Younger Generations at History Organizations

• October 14: Understanding the U.S. History Sector

• October 21: Doing History in Polarized Times

• October 28: Disaster Preparedness for History Organizations and Sites

• November 4: Understanding the U.S. History Workforce

TIPS & TOOLS

• AAM Statement on the Independence of the Smithsonian and America’s Museums - American Alliance of Museums

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Small Town Grant Program
Deadline - August 19, 2026: Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation - The Small Town Grant program seeks to invest in collaborative initiatives which improve the way communities work to address challenges. SMIF seeks proposals from communities with populations under 10,000 which impact the culture, education, economy and/or social aspects of the town. Learn more »

Visual Arts Exhibitions and Programs Grants
Deadline - September 15, 2026: Robert Lehman Foundation - Grants are made to museums, arts organizations, educational institutions, and other cultural organizations working to enhance the role of the visual arts within American and world culture. Support includes museum exhibitions, art education programs for underserved communities, scholarly publications, art history lectureships, and, on occasion, capital projects that further an organization’s mission and expand access to diverse audiences. Learn more »

Crisis Moments Grant
Deadline - September 25, 2026: Lepage Center for History in the Public Interest at Villanova University - Support of public-facing historical projects relating to the theme "Crisis Moments." Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded for projects that creatively engage with historical crises to promote public understanding of contemporary planning, policy, and material crises in the U.S. and globally. Eligible projects include podcasts, documentaries, oral histories, exhibits, digital archives, mapping projects, workshops, and more. 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 »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Exhibit at the Nicollet County Museum, St. Peter, 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.

MN Digital Newspaper Hub - July 2026 content update
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 9,362 new issues and 101,219 new newspaper pages.

New publicly available titles & date spans:

• Stillwater evening gazette (Stillwater, Minn.) 1956-1960 added

• Mesaba miner (Chisholm, Minn.) 1928-1943 added

• Hibbing tribune (Hibbing, Minn.) 1907-1910

• Hibbing daily tribune (Hibbing, Minn.) 1910-1921

New issues for the years 2009-2025 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library. 

Announcing the AASLH 2026 Leadership in History Award Winners
The Award of Excellence is presented to recognize excellence for projects (including civic engagement, special projects, educational programs, exhibits, publications, etc.), and individual lifetime achievement. This is the main award in the Leadership in History Awards program. Learn more »

Museum interns gain knowledge and experience
Pipstone County Star - The Pipestone County Museum has two interns this year. Olyvia Weber returned for a second year and it’s the first year for Julia Berkenpas. Berkenpas is a 15-year-old 10th grader at Pipestone Area Schools (PAS). She’s the daughter of Brandon and Nellie Berkenpas. Continue reading »

Maple Grove History Museum selected as site for U of M traveling photography exhibit
Newsbreak - 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 »

Featured Book The Bare Bones Introduction to Integrated Marketing Communication, by Robyn Blakeman Rowman & Littlefield.	Featured Article Minnesota History Interpretive Centers: An Indigenous Minnesota Idea that is Thriving! Volume 45, Issue 1, 1976	Featured Article MNopedia Dakota, Ho-Chunk, and French Indigenous Communities Between St. Paul and Prairie du Chien, ca. 1300–1865 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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