Field Note

Executive Director Valerie Wassmer and board president Mark Warner of the History Center of Olmsted County gave MNHS staff a tour of the Olmsted History Center and the cave on the Stoppel Farm grounds in Rochester on Friday, June 5. After the tour, MNHS hosted a lunch with Director and CEO Kent Whitworth for supporters from the Rochester area.

Local History Workshops

Linseed Oil Paints in Historic Preservation: Foundations and Hands-On Instruction for Preservation Professionals
Date: Monday, July 13, 2026
Time: 9 am - 3:30 pm
Location: Oliver Kelley Farm, 15788 Kelley Farm Rd. Elk River, MN
Cost: Free

Join us for a workshop for preservation professionals. Mary Bindas, owner of Re-Lite Restoration LLC, and Peter Galloway, owner of Peter Galloway Historic Preservation and Consulting, will explore the use of linseed oil paints on historic buildings. Participants will receive foundational knowledge on the history and use of linseed oil paints, with hands-on instruction on surface preparation and paint application.

This workshop is free for registered participants and includes lunch and refreshments. This workshop is made possible with funding from the Henry Somsen Fund and the Charlie Nelson Fund for Historic Preservation.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Carver Stories: Oral Histories
Ten oral history interviews involving twelve narrators were conducted to document memories of the 1965 flood, levee construction from 1968 to 1969, and the Riverside Ballroom before its loss to fire. One session was recorded in audio, while the remaining interviews used two-camera video in a historic downtown building affected by the flood. All recordings were transcribed, reviewed with narrators, and archived with source files and related images. The work created a public record of events that shaped the community and expanded access through digital platforms beyond limited in-person availability.

The effort met its goals and generated strong participation and response from residents, who contributed ideas, shared accounts, and requested access to recordings. A YouTube channel was established to host the interviews, and public screenings were scheduled to reach audiences across age groups. The work supported connections between residents and expanded awareness of local history. It also informed plans for a digital platform that will link interviews with images, documents, and mapped locations, supporting continued engagement and long-term preservation of community knowledge.
Recipient: Carver-on-the-Minnesota, Incorporated
Funded Amount: $10,000
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 Friday, July 10, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

JULY Grants Open House
July 2 - 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 Winona County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

The Unsung Story of the Houser Family and Black Heritage in Winona
Historical records have often emphasized people in positions of power while relegating the experiences of workers to the dark, dusty corners of memory. Among those often unrecorded stories are the early Black families who helped shape life along the Winona riverfront.

For The River Gallery exhibit project, the WCHS exhibits team partnered with Anders Genealogical Services to take a deeper look at the lives of Black Winonans who made Winona County their home. Their research offers a glimpse into the experiences of early Black residents and contributes to a more robust perspective on Winona’s past. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Remembering Alice Smuda - Morrison County Historical Society
• Name a library book cart at Andersen Horticultural Library! - U of MN Libraries
• Chaska’s First Shepherd: Father Augustin Ravoux - Chaska Historical Society
• Wright County Historical Society adds new content to Minnesota Digital Library - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Gardonville Telephone Company - Brandon History Center
• Pierce Butler in St. Paul - Ramsey County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• The Hermann Monument – New Ulm, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Cary Griffith – Blowdowns, wolves, and bears! - Gunflint Trail Historical Society Chik-Wauk Museum
• To Whiz Bang and Beyond! - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Grand Mantel Saloon HD - Stearns History Museum
• Your Land Is My Land - MinneCulture
• Operation Relocation Part 6 - Anoka County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Digital Administrative Assistant - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Two positions: SHPO Transportation Liaison archaeologist and SHPO Transportation Liaison architectural historian - Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), St. Paul, MN

• Executive Director - Minnesota Marine Art Museum, Winona, MN

REGIONAL

• Site Director - H.H. Bennett Studio and Museum, Wisconsin Historical Society, Wisconsin Dells, WI

• Digital Imaging Coordinator and Digital Imaging Specialist - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI

• Exhibitions and Engagement Manager - Nancy M. Bruce Center for Design and Material Culture, University of Wisconsin–Madison, Madison, WI

• Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - Fort Buford State Historic Site and Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Williston, ND; Job ID: 3033150

• Historic Site Grounds and Maintenance Technician - Pembina State Museum, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Pembina, ND; Job ID: 3033041

• Project Archivist - Agricultural Heritage Museum, South Dakota State University, Brookings, SD

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Curator of Education and Public Programs - City of Elmhurst, Elmhurst, IL

• Archivist - Private Collection, Libertyville, IL

• Library Assistant - Chicago Botanic Garden, Glencoe, IL

• Finance & Development Assistant (Farnsworth House) - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Plano, IL

• Executive Director - Historic Madison, Inc. Madison, IN

• Museum Educator - Carnegie Museum of Montgomery County, Crawfordsville, IN

• Painting Conservator - Eskenazi Museum of Art at Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

• Security Specialist - Indiana State Museum, Indianapolis, IN

• Chief Financial Officer - Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

• Director - Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, University Center, MI

• Administrative Officer 2 - State Museum of Pennsylvania, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, PA

• Curator/Senior Gallery Manager - Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA

• Assistant, Associate or Full Conservator - Paintings, St Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Assistant, Associate or Full Conservator - Objects, St Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Oral History Program Manager - Computer History Museum, Mountain View, CA

• Director, Compliance and Governance Services - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

• Tourism and Earned Revenue Specialist - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

• Senior Conservator - Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre, Government of the Northwest Territories, Yellowknife, NT

• RFQ – JPCA AV Project Coordination and Vendor Work Management Specialist - Smithsonian National Museum of African American History & Culture, Remote Work

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Great Southern Furniture Company; Undertaking goods, embalming, coffins; wagons, buggies, and saddlery. Possible location, Kasson, MN.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Dodge County Historical Society.

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

Harbor History Walking Tours
Fridays during the summer @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Grand Marais: Cook County Historical Society - Join Interpretive Specialist John for a revived summer walking tour of the Grand Marais Harbor, highlighting hidden historic remnants along the breakwall and harbor area, including traces of a fire tower, dock, and anchor sites. Tours meet outside the History Museum, cover about a mile on uneven surfaces, and are weather permitting; kids are welcome. Cost: Free, donations accepted. Learn more »

Celebrate America 250 at Lyon County Museum
June 24 to July 3 - Marshall: Celebrate America 250 with complimentary treats and beverages, gift shop discounts, and activities like a scavenger hunt during museum hours. The museum will be closed on July 4, but the celebration continues at Independence Park in Marshall from 5 to 9 pm with glow bracelets, glow necklaces, and a carnival-style duck pond fundraiser. Proceeds support museum programs, exhibits, and preservation. Location: 301 West Lyon Street, Marshall, MN. For more information call 507-537-6580.

The Nordic Countries and the Holocaust at Sibley
June 26 @ 6 to 8 pm - Mendota: Sibley Historic Site - Dr. Kyle Ward examines the diverse responses of the Nordic countries—Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Finland—during the Shoah and how those historical actions continue to shape their national identities and contemporary politics. Program at the DuPuis House. Cost: $20 per person, $15 for DCHS, MNHS & Friends of Sibley Site members. Learn more »

Open House at the G.A.R.
June 27 @ 10 am to 2 pm & June 28 @ 12 to 3 pm - Grand Meadow: Mower County Historical Society - Visit the G.A.R. Hall during Meadowfest 2026 in Grand Meadow and take a look around inside. MCHS Staff will be on-site to answer questions. The Grand Army of the Republic Hall, also known as Booth Post No. 130 is an historic Carpenter Gothic building built in 1891 and placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Speaker Series featuring Dick Dorr: "Chasing Justice"
June 27 @ 2 to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Historic Cook County - Former Cook County Deputy Sheriff Dick Dorr shares a firsthand account of his nearly three-decade career patrolling the North Shore, along with reflections from his book Chasing Justice on balancing duty and compassion in a rural landscape. Location: Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Treaty of Traverse des Sioux Exhibit Tours
June 27 @ 1 to 2 pm - St. Peter: Treaty Site History Center - Explore the permanent exhibit on the 1851 Treaty of Traverse des Sioux and its lasting impact on Dakota communities and the future of southern Minnesota through a guided tour. Cost: Free members/$5 General public. Learn more »

TOYS! Dolls Hybrid Program
June 27 @ 11 am to 12 pm - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - Learn about the history of dolls, from homemade originals to store-bought modern versions, with BECHS Collections Manager Shelley. Attend in person at the History Center or join via Zoom. Cost: $5-$10. Learn more »

The Making of America Film Premiere & Gallery Reception
June 28 @ 12 to 4 pm - Minneapolis: Minnesota Humanities Center - Registration opens May 14. OMG Studios and MHC are hosting the premiere of their latest film, The Making of America, at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, featuring a film screening, post-screening panel discussion, and art exhibit. Location: Minneapolis Institute of Art. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Keith Morris – Growing up on the Gunflint Trail
June 28 @ 2 to 3 pm - Gunflint Trail: Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center - Keith Morris, an artist, builder, woodworker, writer, master paddler, and woodsman, will share stories of growing up on the Gunflint Trail and his family’s life there since 1915. The program highlights the Morris family’s wilderness ingenuity, early flying services, lodge operations, and Keith’s creative work as an illustrator and essayist. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Pioneer Days
June 29 @ 9:30 to 11:30 am - Albert Lea: History Center of Freeborn County - Step back in time with the History Center of Freeborn County’s hands-on Pioneer Days program for kids ages 6–15, featuring daily life in the 1800s, butter making, old-fashioned games, handmade crafts, and a one-room schoolhouse lesson. Cost: Not specified. Learn more » 

NotebookLM for Genealogists
July 1 @ 7 to 8:15 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Genealogical Society - With Robert Cameron Weir, this session explores how NotebookLM can help organize notes, books, journal articles, and original records, while also making research connections and drawing insights for genealogical work. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

The History of Lobb Field
July 1 @ 10 to 11 am - Rochester: Olmsted County History Center - Join Lee Hilgendorf for the July Senior Program as he explores the history of Lobb Field Airport, Rochester’s historic commercial airport that operated from 1928 until its closure in 1961. Cost: Suggested $5 free-will donation. Learn more »

America 250 Event at Mall of America
July 3 to 5 - Bloomington: Dakota County Historical Society and partners - America 250 celebration featuring exhibits on Minnesota’s people, Indigenous treaty history, and the American Revolution, plus special weekend programming including a Minnesota America 250 recognition on July 4 and “Fashion Rewind” shows on July 5. Location: Huntington Bank Rotunda, Mall of America. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Americana: Objects that Reflect US
July 4, 2026 through January 3, 2027 - Moorhead: Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County (HCSCC) - New exhibit exploring American identity through artifacts from HCSCC’s collection, including objects tied to freedom, elections, military service, voting, music, sports, food, and invention. The exhibit is part of HCSCC’s America 250 programming and traces major themes in U.S. history and culture from the Civil War to the present. For more information call 218-299-5511.

Chad O’Brien - More than Brick and Mortar: Investing in Downtown St. Cloud
July 8 @ 9 to 10 am - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Chad O’Brien, owner of O’Brien Dry Goods in downtown St. Cloud, discusses how his passion for local downtown history has inspired renovation and efforts to revitalize the vibrancy of the city’s past. Cost: $7/member, free for SHM members. Learn more » 

Show and Tell: Jewish History
July 8 @ 5:30 to 7:30 pm - Minneapolis: Jewish Historical Society of the Upper Midwest - Share family heirlooms and their stories, then hear from archivist Kate Dietrick on how to care for, store, and preserve these materials at home. Location: Sabes Jewish Community Center. Learn more »

Highlighting the Role of A. O. Hoyt in Early Linden Hills: Walking Tour with Peter Sussman
July 8 & 9 @ 6:30 to 8:30 pm - Minneapolis: Linden Hills History Study Group - Join Peter Sussman on a walking tour exploring Alphonzo O. Hoyt’s role in shaping Linden Hills from 1882–1923, including his work with the Motor Line, managing the Lake Harriet pavilion, and platting Hoyt’s Crestmont Addition. Meet at the northwest corner of Queen Avenue S. and Linden Hills Boulevard (4290 Queen Ave. S.). Tour held rain or shine, except during electrical storms. Cost: Free. Learn more »

The Historic Flour Mill Tour
July 11 @ 10 am to 2 pm - New Prague: New Prague Historical Society - Special open house and tour of the historic flour mill featuring a self-guided visit, a museum-like gallery of photographs and artifacts, audio from former mill workers, and a look at what the space is becoming. The event highlights the mill’s history, the Bean family’s role in its origins, and its impact on the New Prague community. Location: 200 Second Ave SW. Cost: $15. 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: Pine County History Museum in Askov, MN.

Comment-a-Thon event for proposed federal grant rule
July 10 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: National Council on Public History – NCPH’s Advocacy Committee is hosting a one-hour comment-a-thon to help public historians leave public feedback on the Office of Management and Budget’s proposed new rule for federal grants which would require a political appointee review and ultimately approve federal grants. This rule change would have a chilling effect on DEI-related history research and programming and allow the federal government to make loyalty to the Trump administration a key factor in deciding what history work gets funded. At this event, the first half hour will be reviewing strategies and guidelines for leaving comments on federal regulations and exploring recommendations from peer organizations like the American Alliance of Museums and American Historical Association. The second half will be on writing comments together using the body doubling strategy—so if you want to leave feedback, but need support, sign up for this event. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Main Street Founders Roundtable: Reflection & Celebration Webinar
July 15 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Preservation Leadership Forum, National Trust for Historic Preservation – Encore presentation of a 2026 Main Street Now session featuring Bethany Rogers in conversation with Main Street movement founders Mary Means, Clark Schoettle, and Scott Gerloff. Hear them discuss some of their most impactful tools and strategies, reflect on the enduring power of the Main Street Approach, and celebrate the legacy of their fellow co-founder, Tom Moriarity. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Technical Leaflets
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) offers hundreds of Technical Leaflets. These How-to guides are for those seeking information on management and administration, interpretation, research practices, preservation techniques, or any other subject related to public history practice. There’s probably a Technical Leaflet that will help. Free for AASLH members. AASLH also provides select technical Leaflets as free resources to nonmembers. Learn more »

MALHM Lending Library
Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums maintains a lending library service to provide access to titles that help organizations meet or exceed best practices and standards. Available titles can be viewed through an online portal, Libib.com. Patrons may only checkout or place holds on titles after creating a free account. The account will provide MALHM with basic patron information to track lent items and usage of the lending library. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Gender inclusive signage - Margaret Middleton

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Placekeepers Fund
Deadline - June 30, 2026: Asian & Pacific Islander Americans in Historic Preservation (APIAHiP) - Supports communities documenting, recognizing, and preserving historic sites important to Asian and Pacific Islander American history through designation/planning grants and on-site preservation grants. Grant Amount: Up to $25,000 for designation and planning grants; up to $100,000 for on-site preservation grants. Learn more »

Arts Access Grant
Applications accepted - July 1, 2026 to March 19, 2027: Central Minnesota Arts Board - Provides funding to cultural community groups and nonprofit organizations for events and activities that engage underserved audiences and increase access to arts and cultural expression; underserved audiences include BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ communities, people with disabilities, seniors 65+, veterans, at-risk youth, and people living in low-income circumstances. Applicants from historically under-represented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. Grant Amount: Up to $5,000. Learn more »

Tru Vue Conservation & Exhibition Grant
Deadline - July 13, 2026: Tru Vue/ICON - Supports small heritage institutions with conservation projects that enable safe display of collection objects, including conserving objects already on display or making currently hidden objects safely accessible; includes funding for materials and support plus glazing materials supplied by Tru Vue. For the first time, institutions in the United States are invited to apply. Learn more »

Marbrook Foundation
Letter of Intent - July 15, 2026: Marbrook Foundation - Supports art programs and projects serving the Twin Cities metro area that provide culturally specific and/or intercultural arts programming, with a required public arts production, exhibit, or showing and a focus on broad community impact. Grant Amount: Minimum $5,000. Learn more »

CenterPoint Energy Foundation Application Process
Deadline - July 17, 2026: CenterPoint Energy Foundation - Supports 501(c)(3) organizations in Indiana, Minnesota, Ohio, and Texas where the company has a business presence; Cycle 2 is open only for Community Vitality proposals, including environmental stewardship, outdoor recreation, and affordable housing. Grant decisions will be communicated by the end of September 2026. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Pine County Historical Society Museum, Askov, MN. (1974). 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.

Otter Tail County Historical Society honors Black military service on Juneteenth
Detroit Lakes Tribune - The Otter Tail County Historical Society ensured that legacies of past community members live on at their Juneteenth celebration on Friday, June 19. "We like to make connections between people and historic events," said Kathy Evavold, Historical Society curator of collections. "And so today, for Juneteenth, that's exactly what we're doing." Continue reading »

Historical Society archives dedicated to local history buff Bob Sandeen
SouthernMinn.com - If you’re curious to know how the US-Dakota War impacted St. Peter, how an 1887 fire wiped out the city’s business district or about the early churches that built the community — there’s no better brain to pick than Bob Sandeen. For 25 years, Sandeen has lent his passion for uncovering local history to the Nicollet County Historical Society. In his work as a research coordinator and volunteer, Sandeen has aided the museum in receiving countless artifacts, helped further research into the county’s history and assisted many area residents in discovering their ancestry. Continue reading »

Carver on the Minnesota joins county historical society
Patriot - Carver on the Minnesota Inc. (COTM), a 501c(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Carver, has been accepted as an affiliate organization of the Carver County Historical Society. Continue reading »

Rushford Depot Renovations Allow For Reopening
Fillmore County Journal - A Grand Reopening of the Rushford Depot occurred June 9. The reopening was a long time coming. After receiving a Legacy Amendment Grant totalling $254,953 to stabilize the foundation of the depot and improve the visitors’ center and the roof, work began on the depot in the fall of 2024. Soon it was discovered that the sill beams of the depot were rotting in place; they had simply been laid on the ground when the depot was built. In order to stabilize the foundation, 14 helical piles were screwed into the ground and new beams needed to be installed to connect the piles. Continue reading »

Minnesota Students Take Top Honors at National History Day Competition
Red Lake Nation News - As the National History Day competition wraps up today, Minnesota's 59 competitors took home an array of awards, including four medals, five finalists, seven honorable mentions, and multiple recognitions including a special prize. Minnesota's delegation included students from around the state, who competed against nearly 3,000 students from across the country. The competition was held at the University of Maryland, College Park campus, just outside of Washington, D.C. Continue reading »

Featured Book An American Outpost: The Minnesota Art Scene, 1840-1989, by Katherine Goertz. Afton Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History Minnesota History and Heritage: Understanding Our Present by Understanding Our Past by Rudy Perpich Volume 45, Issue 6, 1977	Featured Article MNopedia Donaldson’s 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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