Field Note

MNHS Local History Services staff met with Tova Brandt, the new executive director of the Midwest Art Conservation Center. Tova gave us a tour of the treatment lab spaces, and we discussed our continued partnership and MACC’s plans for the future. 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Gatsby at 100
In 2025, The Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library marked the 100th anniversary of The Great Gatsby with a project called “Gatsby at 100.” The project highlighted F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Saint Paul roots and explored how his best-known novel still speaks to ideas about class, ambition, materialism, and the American Dream.

To celebrate the milestone, The Friends brought together four public programs that offered context on Fitzgerald, the Jazz Age, and the book’s lasting place in Minnesota history. The series included a biography launch, a live read-aloud, an exhibit on Minnesota women authors of the 1920s, and a teacher workshop, all designed to invite new audiences into conversation about the novel and its continuing relevance.
Recipient: Friends of the Saint Paul Public Library
Funded Amount: $9,840
Project Details

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 this Friday, July 10, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

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 »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the Minnesota Media Arts. Have a blog? Let us know!

More Than Digitization: Building Minnesota’s Media Preservation Community
Archiving Workshops: What We Learned
 
Over the past year, I’ve had the privilege of meeting librarians, museum professionals, artists, archivists, educators, filmmakers, and community historians from across Minnesota— all connected by a common goal: preserving the stories entrusted to their care.
  
As our Community Media Preservation Strategies & Archiving Workshops come to a close, I’ve been reflecting on what we’ve learned together. Although this project focused on audiovisual preservation, it became something much larger—a statewide conversation about safeguarding Minnesota’s cultural heritage. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• What I Found in 3000 Photos - Morrison County Historical Society
• Share your story of Operation Metro Surge - Immigration History Research Center, U of MN
• The Street with the Most Parks? - Minneapolis Park History
• Pierce Butler’s Seventeen Years Serving as St. Paul’s First US Supreme Court Justice - Ramsey County Historical Society
• Restoring the Sexual Violence Program: a new oral history project documenting feminist student activism - U of MN Libraries
• From 1926 to 1976 to today… Celebrating America’s major milestones on the Iron Range - Jim Froemming
• MDL reflects on 250 years of the American experiment with new online exhibit - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Celebrating 200 Years of America - Meeker County Historical Society
• Museum Parking Ramp Update & Photo Directions – Summer 2026 - Northwest Airlines History Center

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

•  Out of the Past: Steve Larsen interview - Martin County Historical Society  
• St  Mary's of Marystown Catholic Cemetery Tour 2026 - Shakopee Heritage Society
• Building Boundaries: Racial Covenants in Robbinsdale - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• The Porter Kelsey House - Anoka County Historical Society
• The Silent City's Newspaper - MinneCulture
• Panel: Voices without Borders with writers Kao Kalia Yang, Dinaw Mengestu and Burhan Sönmez - East Side Freedom Library
• Mayo and the Mississippi: A Passion for the River - History Center of Olmsted County
• Growing up on the Gunflint Trail - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Support Assistant - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Executive Director - Sherburne History Center, Becker, MN
• RFP: Construction Drawings for the Bartholomew House Repairs - Richfield Historical Society, Richfield, MN
• Heritage Technician Member (Superior National Forest) - Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, Northeastern Minnesota
• Heritage Technician Member (Chippewa National Forest) - Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, Northern Minnesota

• Director of People & Culture - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN

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

• Engagement and Volunteer Specialist - Great River Children's Museum, St. Cloud, MN

• Executive Director, Organizational Renewal & Growth - Minneapolis Athenaeum, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

• Chief Administrative Officer - John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI

• Chief Financial Officer - John Michael Kohler Art Center, Sheboygan, WI

• National History Day Learning Facilitator in Stevens Point - Wisconsin Historical Society, Stevens Point & Madison, WI

• Education Coordinator - South Dakota State Agricultural Heritage Museum, Brookings, SD

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Manager, Events - Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

• Curator - Painting and Sculpture of Europe - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Associate Curator, Painting and Sculpture of Europe - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Membership Specialist - Griffin Museum of Science and Industry, Chicago, IL

• Assistant Conservator, Paper Conservation - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Art Studio Coordinator - Town of Normal, Normal, IL

• Executive Director - Carmel Clay History Museum, Carmel, IN

• Senior Registrar and Archivist - Allen County Museum and Historical Society, Lima, OH

• Curator - Medina County Historical Society, Medina, OH

• Exhibition Curator - Tri-Cities Historical Museum, Grand Haven, MI

• Public Programs Coordinator - Detroit Historical Society, Detroit, MI

• Marketing Associate - Detroit Historical Society, Detroit, MI

• Review & Compliance: Standing Structures, Preservation Associate - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

• Marketing Coordinator - Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE

• Development Manager - Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE

• Director of Learning and Engagement - Museum of Nebraska Art, Kearney, NE

• Genealogy Librarian - Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library, Topeka, KS

• Collections and Archives Manager - Charles M. Schulz Museum, Santa Rosa, CA

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

• Executive Director - Oakville Galleries, East Oakville, ON

• Social Media Specialist - The Hangar Flight Museum, Calgary, AB

• Daily Operations and Memberships Manager - The Hangar Flight Museum, Calgary, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Collections Digitization Intern - Pennhurst Memorial & Preservation Alliance, Havertown, PA

• Digital Projects Snow Fellow - University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Schulenburg Lumber Mill circa 1885.
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?

The Road to 1776
July 8 @ 6:30 pm - Willmar: Kandiyohi County Historical Society - Dr. Anita Gaul explains the events that led from the end of the Seven Years’ War to the American colonies’ declaration of independence, exploring how the bonds of empire quickly gave way to conflict and separation. Cost: Free. For more information email kchistory.staff@gmail.com. 

Genealogy Saturday
July 11 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Elbow Lake & Online: Grant County Historical Society - Participate in a “Share and Tell” session focused on family research projects, offering an opportunity to exchange updates, discuss challenges, and suggest topics for future genealogy learning. Available in person at the museum or via Zoom. Learn more »

NO DESTINATION Part One: Exploring Great Britain and Ireland
July 11 @ 1 to 2 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Join traveler and storyteller Chad Groetsch for an illustrated presentation exploring Scotland, Ireland, England, and Wales, drawing on decades of immersive travel experiences and spontaneous journeys. Part one of a three-part series highlighting global travel and cultural discovery. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Extravaganza
July 12 @ 12 to 4 pm - Owatonna: Steele County Historical Society - Celebrate the 40th Annual Extravaganza at the Village of Yesteryear, featuring live demonstrators showcasing and selling handmade goods. Cost: Free. Learn more »

History Panel: The Legacy of Eliza Winston
July 15 @ 3 to 4:30 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum - This panel explores the life and legacy of Eliza Winston, whose 1860 freedom suit in Minnesota became a landmark case, examining its social impact and continued relevance. Featuring scholars and community leaders discussing slavery’s reach in Minnesota and ongoing struggles for equity as part of the America 250 commemoration. Cost: Free. Learn more »

History Break: Joanell Dyrstad
July 15 @ 12 to 1 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Join a History Break program featuring Joanell Dyrstad, former Mayor of Red Wing and Lieutenant Governor of Minnesota, as she reflects on her political career and ongoing community involvement, including work with healthcare organizations and the Minnesota Historical Society. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Hubbard House After Hours: Behind the Seams—Underwear through the Ages
July 15 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Mankato: Hubbard House, Blue Earth County Historical Society - Explore the hidden history of underwear, from corsets and bloomers to long johns, in this engaging and humorous program featuring vintage pieces in partnership with Vagabond Village. Cost: $10 members/$15 General public. Learn more »

The Life and Exciting Times of W.H.C. Folsom
July 15 @ 7 to 8 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Alyssa Auten, Director of the W.H.C. Folsom House Museum, presents the life and times of William Henry Carman Folsom, a businessman, politician, historian, and writer who helped shape early Minnesota history. For more information email information@wchsmn.org.

Revolution in Their Words
July 15 @ 2 to 3 pm - Willmar: Kandiyohi County Historical Society - Explore the revolutionary words of ordinary citizens through documents and objects from the Daughters of the American Revolution Museum in Washington, D.C. Presented by Missy Hermes, Education Coordinator at the Otter Tail County Museum and Correspondent Docent for the DAR Museum. Cost: Free. For more information email kchistory.staff@gmail.com. 

Book Talk: A Political Biography of Martin Sabo by Lori Sturdevant
July 16 @ 1 to 2:30 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Journalist Lori Sturdevant discusses her book on Martin Sabo, examining his influential role in shaping Minnesota’s modern legislature and broader American governance. The program includes reflections on Sabo’s legacy, the research and writing process, audience Q&A, and a book signing. Cost: Free members/$5 general public. Learn more » 

Learning from Place: Somali South Minneapolis
July 16 @ 3 to 6 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota Humanities Center - Explore South Minneapolis’ Somali cultural corridor through a guided experience beginning at the Somali Museum, with opportunities to learn about heritage and traditional dance, followed by a sambusa tasting and cooking demonstration at Hoyo Sambusa. Continue with a mural walk along Lake Street led by artist Guulsan, visit Zizi Boutique to learn about Somali fashion, and conclude at Karmel Mall for further exploration and reflection. Cost: $35. Learn more »

Charting a New Course: How Duluth Harnessed the “Spirit of ’76”
July 16 @ 6 pm - Duluth: St. Louis County Historical Society - Discover how Duluth transformed economic challenges of the early 1970s into a Bicentennial-era boom, with ethnic festivals and civic initiatives that spurred lasting community development, including the renovation of the St. Louis County Depot. Presented by Dr. Thomas Saylor, Professor of History Emeritus at Concordia University, St. Paul, who will examine how local leadership leveraged the 1976 Bicentennial to drive regional success. Learn more »

Five Remarkable Women of the Colonial Era and Early Republic at Sibley
July 17 @ 6 to 8 pm - Mendota: Sibley Historic Site, Dakota County Historical Society - Join historian Frank Sachs for a program highlighting five influential women—Judith Sargent Murray, Phillis Wheatley, Molly Pitcher, Abigail Adams, and Dolley Madison—and their contributions during the colonial period and early Republic. Part of a commemorative series marking America’s 250th anniversary and celebrating diverse figures in the nation’s history. Cost: $15 members; $20 General public. Learn more »  

Roosters Base Ball Club Host The Fungi
July 18 @ 12 to 2 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Enjoy a day on the grounds featuring vintage base ball with the Rochester Roosters, along with opportunities to explore heirloom and community gardens and connect with local history organizations. Additional activities include garden tours with Master Gardeners and genealogy resources available on site. Learn more »

“Jots by Ade...and Tom: Footsteps along Lake Superior”
July 18 @ 2 to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County History Museum - Author Tom Toftey shares insights from his latest project reflecting on the legacy of his father, Ade Toftey—editor, columnist, and community figure in Grand Marais—blending personal narrative with local history. Part of the Cook County Historical Society’s 2026 Speaker Series, this talk highlights storytelling, heritage, and community memory. Learn more »

CUB Coalition Kickoff
July 20 @ 4:30 to 6:30 pm - Minneapolis: Rethos - Join leaders across preservation, real estate, housing, construction, sustainable design, and economic development to launch the next phase of the CUB Credit advocacy campaign and build momentum for the 2027 legislative session. Explore how converting underused buildings can strengthen communities and how to get involved. Location: Mill District Event Spaces. Learn more »

Ladies Floral Club & The Austin Library
July 23 @ 12 to 1 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - Learn about the Ladies Floral Club, one of the oldest organizations in the United States, and its longstanding role in establishing and supporting the Austin Public Library, presented by guest speaker Sally Baker. Part of Mower County’s Semiquincentennial celebration. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Battle of the Tales Trivia
July 25 @ 10 to 11 am - Shakopee: Scott County Historical Society &  Scott County Library - Test your knowledge of famous stories, tall tales, and local legends at this trivia event in partnership with Scott County Library, designed for curious and competitive participants ages 12 and up. Location: Shakopee Community Center. 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: Pioneer Museum operated by the Martin County Historical Society in Fairmont, MN.
Photograph by Jonathunder, distributed under a GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2.

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

In-Person Hinging Works of Art on Paper
October 6 @ 10 am to 4 pm (CT) - Minneapolis: Midwest Art Conservation Center - This hands-on workshop at the Weisman Art Museum in Minneapolis provides training in techniques and materials for hinging works of art on paper. Participants will prepare wheat starch paste, practice water-tearing Japanese paper for hinges, and work with study collection examples, leaving with a completed mock-up. Instruction is led by conservators Dianna Clise and Rebecca Clendinen. Location: Weisman Art Museum. Cost: Free for Minnesota residents; $300 nonmembers. Learn more » 

Confessions from the Security Vault
July 14 @ 10 am (CT) - Online: Southeastern Museums Conference - Museum security now extends beyond protecting collections to addressing complex risks such as ethics, public access, climate emergencies, cyber threats, and institutional trust. This webinar features a cultural property and museum security expert alongside a digital security specialist from ArtSentry, examining overlooked vulnerabilities, real-world failures, and emerging threats. Participants will gain practical strategies to strengthen preparedness while maintaining accessibility and visitor experience. Cost: Free. Learn more »

From Fragmentation to Alignment: Project Management in Museums
July 15 @ 1 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Alliance of Museums - This session reframes project management as a strategic discipline that aligns strategy, people, and resources to deliver institutional value. Drawing on a forthcoming book and cross-institutional survey data, it examines project life cycles, collaboration practices, and recurring challenges across museum teams. Participants will explore how projects function within broader systems and learn to identify points of friction, misalignment, and complexity, with strategies to strengthen coordination and effectiveness. Cost: Free members/$40 nonmembers. Learn more »

Marketing Trends Nonprofits Need to Know (and Embrace)
July 20 @ 9 am (CT) - Online: Firespring - Explore the marketing trends shaping nonprofit outreach and impact, including digital, content, and social media strategies. This webinar highlights which trends are worth adopting to strengthen engagement and support organizational growth. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Forum Webinar: Update on Federal Preservation Policy
July 22 @ 3 to 4 pm (CT) - Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Join the National Trust’s Government Relations team for an update on key federal preservation policy efforts. With limited legislative days remaining in the 119th Congress, this session covers current congressional activity, the approaching end of the fiscal year, legislative momentum, and potential lame-duck priorities, along with ways to support preservation advocacy. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• A Planning Guide for Making Temporary Events Accessible to People With Disabilities - ADA National Network
• Museum Management: Turn These Challenges into Opportunities - Ohio Museums Association

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Debora D. Mayer Imaging and Scientific Research Scholarship
Deadline - September 15: American Institute for Conservation (AIC) - For AIC members pursuing training or analysis in the broad field of imaging sciences. Grant Amount: $1,500. Learn more »

Take a Chance Scholarship
Deadline - September 15: American Institute for Conservation (AIC) - Supports innovative conservation research or projects that might not otherwise receive funding. Grant Amount: $1,000. Learn more »

2027 Minnesota Tourism Grant Program
Deadline - August 21, 2026: Explore Minnesota funds and administers the 2027 Tourism Grant Program. It provides funding to support tourism marketing campaigns and initiatives of primary Destination Marketing Organizations for the economic benefit of their communities. Learn more »

Preserving Black Churches Grant Program
Application period from August 5, 2026 - September 1, 2026: National Trust for Historic Preservation - Grants are available to help historic Black churches and congregations reimagine, redesign, and redeploy historic preservation to address the institutions’ needs and the cultural assets and stories they steward. Learn more »

Bank of America Art Conservation Project (ACP) Grants
Application period from August 1, 2026 - September 30, 2026: ACP is a unique program that provides grants to nonprofit museums across the world to conserve historically or culturally significant works of art that are in danger of deterioration. Nonprofit cultural institutions of all sizes with artwork requiring conservation are welcome and encouraged to apply. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Pioneer Museum, Martin County Historical Society, Fairmont, MN (1982). 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.

What's New in MNHS Archival Cataloging for June 2026
Collections with additions or added digital content this month include the Ecolab Inc. Records; the Education Department Statewide Assessment Tests; and the Ramsey County Human Services Department Records.
In addition, there are many newly encoded finding aids that are now available online for the first time.

The A-Z index lists all of our current digital finding aids and includes digital content. Learn more »

Duluth scenic railroad, museum seek new leadership
Duluth News Tribune - Ken Buehler, who had led the North Shore Scenic Railroad and Lake Superior Railroad Museum since 2002, has resigned from the closely associated nonprofits. A search for his replacement is underway. Continue reading »

Indigenous dressmaker looks beyond America's 250th anniversary at Mall of America fashion show
MPR - Michele Hakala-Beeksma will walk the runway this weekend at the Mall of America’s celebration of 250 years since the signing of the Declaration of Independence in a dress design that predates the country by generations. Hakala-Beeksma will model three dresses she made herself, each from a different era of Ojibwe life, in a fashion show that is part of a 250th anniversary event hosted by the Dakota County Historical Society. Continue reading »

On History: Share your signs of the times
Pine Knot News - ...The work of remembering is something that falls on all of us. Historians preserve artifacts and compile stories, but can only do so from the material that's been collected and recorded by everyday people like you. That's why Carlton County Historical Society, in partnership with Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community (OACC), Pine Knot News, and Cook County Historical Society, is inviting community members of all ages and backgrounds to participate in a community time capsule to be opened in 50 years during the 300th anniversary of the United States... Continue reading »

One headstone at a time: Meet the man who’s restoring orphan graves in Owatonna
MPR - A few years ago, Tim Shea and his partner Linda Donadei made a day trip from the Twin Cities to the Minnesota State Public School for Dependent and Neglected Children in Owatonna, which housed, fed and educated orphaned children from 1886 until 1945. Continue reading »

Featured Book An Accessible Past: Making Historic Sites Accessible, Editor, Heather Pressman Rowman & Littlefield | American Association for State and Local History.	Featured Article Minnesota History Independence centennial, 1876 Volume 44, Issue 6, 1975	Featured Article MNopedia Origins of Commercial Logging, 1821–1839 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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