Field Note

MNHS staff visited the Wakan Tipi Center in St. Paul to review exhibit fabrication funded by the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program. With support from Wakan Tipi Awanyankapi, the 106 Group, and a Dakota Steering Committee, the project completed eight solar-powered audio posts, eight etched teaching stones with original art, and five Dakota historical and cultural etiquette signs. These elements interpret the sacred significance of Waḳaƞ Ṭípi Cave, welcoming visitors while connecting Dakota history, culture, and the Mississippi River landscape.

History Matters Day at the Capitol MARCH 5!

Join us for History Matters Day at the Capitol on Thursday, March 5, from 9 am to 1 pm. This legislative session is vital for obtaining funding for history projects. Take the opportunity to meet with your legislators and share why history matters to you. History Matters Day at the Capitol provides a platform to highlight the efforts of the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) and other history organizations. It encourages advocates to discuss with their legislators the importance of state funding to preserve our historical legacy. Learn more & Sign up »

Salary Survey

MNHS Local History Services and the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums are teaming up for a salary survey of state history organizations. Please(!) take this fifteen-minute survey. It will aid all of us in showing the range of salaries amongst our member organizations. It is helpful to have some basic financial information close by as the survey asks questions about budget and salaries.

Heritage Preservation Grants

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, April 10, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions.

MARCH Grants Open House
March 5 - 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 Webinar: Moving and Rehousing Collections
March 19 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Planning a storage move or rehousing project for your collections? Join us to learn how to qualify for a Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grant. The webinar will cover the required attachments and application process, appropriate standards and materials for museum and archival storage, and planning information that you'll need to include in your application. You'll leave with a clear understanding of how to submit a successful proposal. Presented by Outreach Conservator Megan Brakob Narvey.
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 Brown. Have a blog? Let us know!

High demand turns abandoned public buildings into new housing
The very moment a school stops being a school, with students running through its halls and janitors mopping the floors and oiling the furnace, it become a bologna sandwich rotting in the sun.

So many small rituals go into keeping our human artifices intact. We only notice them when they’re gone, and reality comes calling. Schools are indelibly tied to memory, so they live forever even as the pigeons defile the woodwork. We can’t bear to tear them down but won’t pay to fix them, certainly not without the core purpose they were built to accomplish.

I wrote about the impact of a town losing its school last October. That’s when Randall, Minn., celebrated its now former elementary school. In that piece I talk about how most of the original buildings where I attended school are now repurposed or gone. Most folks who live in rural places experience this same phenomenon. As the population ages and changes in once vibrant little towns, the traditions fall away. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Explore all 87 Minnesota counties with new MDL StoryMap collection - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Swedish parish records added to MyHeritage - Genealogy by Paula
• From the President, March 2026 - Danish American Center
• Recycling at WCHS - Wright County Historical Society
• IHRCA and IHRC announces its 2026 Grant-in-Aid Awards, Karni Scholarships - Immigration History Research Center Archives
• Captain Billy in L.A. - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• A 1914 Wedding - Meeker County Historical Society
• Helen M. Torinus – a quiet community leader - Washington County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• Minnesota's Duck Stamp Dynasty - MinneCulture
• Hidden ACO Silo – Morton, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• 2008 Eden Prairie Veterans Video - Eden Prairie Historical Society
  
• Curator Talk: History of Denim - Goldstein Museum of Design

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

LOCAL

• Executive Director - Ramsey County Historical Society, St. Paul, MN

• RFP: Construction Documents for Church Roof, Dome, and Tower Restoration - St. George Serbian Orthodox Church, Duluth, MN

• Gallery Director - St. Catherine University, St. Paul, MN

• Group Sales Assistant - Bell Museum, St. Paul, MN

• Museum Visitor Services Specialist (Seasonal) - Cook County Historical Society, Grand Marais, MN

• Interpretive Specialist (Seasonal) - Cook County Historical Society, Grand Marais, MN

REGIONAL

• Executive Support & Operations Coordinator - North American Bison Discovery Center, Jamestown, ND

• Historic Site Visitor Experience Associate - Historical Society of North Dakota, Williston, ND; Job ID: 3032439

• Gallery & Education Specialist - Historical Society of North Dakota, Bismarck, ND; Job ID: 3032491

• Historic Site Visitor Experience Associate - Historical Society of North Dakota, Medora, ND; Job ID: 3032483

• Site Interpreter - Historical Society of North Dakota, Washburn, ND; Job ID: 3032524

• Arts Grant Manager - Iowa Economic Development Authority, Des Moines, IA

• Development and Marketing Assistant - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

• Exhibitions Preparator Assistant - Racine Art Museum, Racine, WI

• Experience Facilitator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

• Camp Counselor - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Education Manager - Butterworth Center & Deere-Wiman House, William Butterworth Foundation, Moline, IL

• Director of Collections and Research (Museum Section Head III) - Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL

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

• Museum Events Coordinator - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN

• Executive Director - R. E. Olds Transportation Museum, Lansing, MI

• Membership Associate - Mackinac Island State Park Commission, Mackinaw City, MI 

• Interim Director - Cultural Advocacy Network of Michigan, Lansing, MI

• Manager of Operations & Visitor Engagement - Harbor Springs Area Historical Society, Harbor Springs, MI

• Archivist 2 - Bureau of the Pennsylvania State Archives, Records Division, Harrisburg, PA

• Education Programs Coordinator - University of Nebraska State Museum, Lincoln, NE

• Director of Collections & Conservation - Nebraska State Historical Society, Lincoln, NE

• Registrar (12-month contract) - Royal Ontario Museum, Toronto, ON

• Conservator, Textiles - Glenbow, Calgary, AB

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Internship - Gammelgården Museum of Scandia, Scandia, MN
• Museum Intern - Siouxland Heritage Museums, Sioux Falls, SD
• Museum Education Assistant Internship - State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
• Special Collections Internship - State Archives of Iowa, Des Moines, IA 
• State Archives Internship - State Archives of Iowa, Des Moines, IA
• Intern, Education and Engagement - Indiana Historical Society, Indianapolis, IN

• Preservation Outreach & Engagement Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation & Advisory Council on Historic Preservation

• Vacancy to Vitality Internship (Main Street America) - National Trust for Historic Preservation

• Development Internship (Main Street America) - National Trust for Historic Preservation

• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation, Remote

• Mapping Project Internship - African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, Remote

• Historic Artists' Homes & Studios Internship - National Trust for Historic Preservation 

MNHS Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

• Intern - 3D Objects Collection Curatorial - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Advancement and Events - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Marketing & Communications - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Community Engagement Legendary Pathmakers - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Community Engagement Program - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Community Engagement Research and History Sharing - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Community Engagement Archival - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Conservation - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Digital Production and Programming - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Lower Sioux Agency Scanning - Minnesota History Center 

• Intern - MNHS Press Design - Minnesota History Center 

• Intern - MNHS Press Editorial - Minnesota History Center 

• Intern - Special Collections Library - Minnesota History Center 

• Intern - Northern Lights eBook - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Production Assistant - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Social Media - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Volunteer Services - Minnesota History Center

• Intern - Geospatial & Remote Sensing - Kellogg Center

• Intern - Mill City Museum

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Image used with permission. From the collections of the History Center of Olmsted County.

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

 Elizabeth Scheu Close: A Life in Modern Architecture
Now through May 22 – Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Elmer L. Andersen Library – Exhibition celebrating Elizabeth “Lisl” Scheu Close (1912–2011), Minnesota’s first modern architect, MIT-educated Viennese native who grew up in an Adolf Loos house, co-founded Close and Scheu Architects in 1938 with husband Winston (MN’s first modernist firm), designed 250+ efficient residences, hospitals, labs (14 in UMN’s University Grove), blending natural materials/topography for modern living; first woman to receive AIA MN Gold Medal. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Quilt Show Opening Event
March 7 @ 10 to 11 am – Roseau: Roseau County Historical Society – Jean Wakely, storyteller, author, and curator of the Story Quilt Project, presents lively quilt stories to laugh, reflect, and reconnect with personal and historical memories in this family-friendly, interactive program with light breakfast from Cow Creek Bakery; share your quilt or story for the community showcase (in-person and Zoom). Cost: Free. Learn more »

March Quilt Exhibition and Opening
March 7 through 27 (opening event March 7 @ 10 to 11 am) – Roseau: Roseau County Historical Society and Museum – Community quilt showcase for Women’s History Month featuring loaned quilts and quilted projects from Roseau County residents with background stories; opens March 7 with Jean Wakely’s interactive Story Quilt Project presentation bringing quilt stories to life for laughter, reflection, and memory-sharing. Cost: Free. Learn more »

International Women’s Day Concert
March 8 @ 2 to 3 pm – Minneapolis: American Swedish Institute – Celebrate International Women’s Day with a special concert featuring music highlighting women’s voices and contributions. Cost: Sliding Scale. Learn more »

History Revealed – Lissie
March 11 @ 6 to 7:30 pm – St. Paul: Ramsey County Historical Society – Singer-songwriter Lissie, the Illinois-born indie folk-rock artist known for her powerful voice, albums like Catching a Tiger (2010), My Wild West (2016), and Carving Canyons (2022), plus early TV placements on House and tours with Lenny Kravitz, shares her personal and musical history in this engaging presentation. Cost: $25. Learn more »

Breakfast Club: Sandra Meer, Clear Waters Outfitting
March 11 @ 9 to 10 am – St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum – Sandra Meer, owner of Clear Waters Outfitting and NorthWest Canoe in Clearwater, shares the company history, Mississippi River celebrations, and summer offerings to inspire your plans. Cost: Free members/$7 general. Learn more »

Membership Social & Annual Meeting
March 12 @ 6:30 pm – Monticello: Wright County Historical Society – Annual gathering for members at the Heritage Center (2001 Hwy 25 N) featuring refreshments, coffee, tea, water, and highlights of 2025 accomplishments. Learn more »

March 14: Women of the Fur Trade
March 14 @ 11 am (CT) – Online (Zoom): Morrison County Historical Society – Author Nikki Rajala discusses women's vital contributions to the fur trade in Northern Minnesota and Canada during colonial times. Cost: Free. Learn more »

State Census Records - Filling in the Federal Census Gaps
March 14 @ 10 to 11:30 am – Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogical Society – Workshop exploring Minnesota state census records to bridge gaps in federal census data for genealogical research. Cost: $30 members/$40 general. Learn more »

House History Revealed
March 17 @ 2 to 3:30 pm - Sacred Heart Area Museum – Local historian Elaine Johnson presents stories about houses on 6th and 7th Avenues in Sacred Heart. Wear your party hat while sampling St. Patrick’s Day appetizers. Cost: Pay as you can. For more information, email them at shahs@hcinet.net. 

New York's Sephardic Cafes: Communal, Musical, Culinary, and Political Hubs
March 18 @ 12 to 1 pm – Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Center for Jewish Studies & Immigration History Research Center – Explore how Sephardic Jews from the Ottoman Empire used New York cafes (kavané) as vital hubs for comfort, Eastern Mediterranean foods and music, culture-building, and political development amid early 20th-century immigration challenges and identity struggles. Location: Pillsbury Hall, Room 120. Cost: Free. Learn more »

America's 250th Lecture Series: The Bill of Rights (Part 1)
March 19 @ 6 to 8 pm – Burnsville: Dakota County Historical Society – Attendees explore the historical origins of the Constitution's first ten amendments. Cost: $5 members/$10 general. Learn more »

Online Pedagogy Session – Era Seven: U.S. and the World
March 19 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT) – Online: Minnesota Humanities Center – Using content from Dr. Katharine Gerbner, MDE Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced educators lead a hands-on workshop for high school U.S. History teachers to design inquiry-based, standards-aligned units exploring WWII, the Cold War, global migrations, and U.S. societal transformations. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Fix-It Clinic
March 20 @ 1 to 4 pm – Cold Spring: Stearns History Museum – Free community repair event in partnership with Reuse Minnesota at Rocori Senior Center where skilled volunteers mend textiles and household items like small appliances, electronics, toys, and clothing; hands-on learning to prevent waste (carry-in items only, first-come first-served). Cost: Free. Learn more »

March 21: African American Genealogy
March 21 @ 11 am – Sauk Rapids: Benton County Historical Society – Dr. Christopher Lehman, St. Cloud State professor, shares genealogy research uncovering African American lives and histories in the region. Free. Learn more »

March 28: Native American History in Minnesota
March 28 @ 11 am – St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum – Dr. Rob Galler, St. Cloud State professor, examines Native American history with focus on northern plains peoples and their enduring presence. 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: Minnesota Pioneer Park, Annandale, MN.

Podcasting in 2026: Past, Present and Future
March 12 @ 12 to 3 pm (CT) – Online: American Alliance of Museums & PRX – Explore how podcasting continues to evolve as a storytelling tool in the museum field. Learn from media experts and museum professionals about the trends, technologies, and creative approaches shaping the future of audio engagement. Cost: Free for members/$40 for nonmembers. Learn more »

41st Annual Minnesota Indian Education Association Conference
March 18-20 @ 8 am to 5 pm – Prior Lake: Minnesota Indian Education Association – Professional development conference focusing on American Indian education, language preservation, culture, and meeting the distinct needs of Native students statewide at Mystic Lake Center. Registration required through MIEA. Cost: Varies. Learn more »

Building an Effective Executive Director + Board Chair Partnership
March 25 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) – Minneapolis: Propel Nonprofits – Strengthen collaboration between executive directors and board chairs to enhance leadership alignment and organizational impact. Location: Open Book. Cost: $95. Learn more »

What Is Your Building Telling You? | The Why of Environmental Monitoring
March 25 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) – Online: Connecting to Collections Care – Presented by Megan Brakob Narvey, Outreach Conservator at the Minnesota Historical Society. This session explores how familiar signs like musty smells or recurring leaks serve as environmental clues. Learn how to interpret those signals, assess risk factors like humidity and temperature, and use data to strengthen preservation and funding strategies. Cost: Free. Register »

Our Missing History: Building a Toolkit for Change
March 31 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) – Online: National Trust for Historic Preservation – Join Arabella Delgado, lead researcher for the Los Angeles Women’s Landmarks Project, and Chris Morris, senior director for preservation programs, for a lively discussion on expanding preservation to include women and historically overlooked communities. Learn practical tools, research methods, and partnerships that help tell a more complete American story. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Outdoor History Walking Tours 101
April 2 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Learn techniques and best practices for planning, promoting, and leading engaging outdoor history walking tours. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

MDL Regional Meeting - St. Cloud
April 6 @ 9:30 am to 3 pm – St. Cloud: Minnesota Digital Library at Stearns History Museum – First 2026 regional meeting for Central MN contributors with registration at 9:30 am, welcome/MDL updates (10 am) by Stephanie Hess & Greta Bahnemann on digital storytelling, Wikimedia images, AI transcription, traveling exhibits; lunch at noon; afternoon workshop (1-3 pm) by Carol Kussmann & Sara Ring on digital preservation toolbox—identifying content, risks like data decay, storage, sustainable plans & free tools (registration required). This is the first of three 2026 regional meetings. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Meaningful Conversations In & Out of Public History Institutions
April 10, 17, and May 8 @ 1 to 2:30 pm (CT) – Online: National Council on Public History – Part of the NCPH + Creative Futures Workshop Series, this three-session program helps public historians strengthen communication and collaboration skills through facilitated, dialogic workshops led by Linda Norris, Braden Paynter, and Stacey Marie Garcia. Each session focuses on practical strategies for dialogue, ethics, and organizational communication in public history settings. Cost: $40–$65 per workshop or $100–$150 for the full three-part bundle. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Learning from History: Museum Heroes in the Archives - Center for the Future of Museums Blog

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Nominate a Colleague for an AMM Award
Deadline - April 30, 2026: The Association of Midwest Museums - Members are invited to submit nominations for the 2026 Annual Awards Program, honoring museum professionals and projects that serve their communities. Four awards—Promising Leadership, Distinguished Career, Best Practices, and Groundbreakers—recognize contributions across the field. Nominees must be AMM members. Award recipients will be recognized at an in-person lunch on Tuesday, July 28, during the AMM Conference in Chicago, with additional virtual events planned for the fall. Learn more »

Endangered Latinx Landmarks Program
Deadline - May 15, 2026: Latinos in Heritage Conservation – The Endangered Latinx Landmarks program invites nominations of at-risk Latinx heritage sites in the continental U.S. and Puerto Rico. The initiative aims to identify, prioritize, and protect sites of cultural, historical, and social significance that face threats such as demolition, neglect, gentrification, or climate change. Community members, historians, preservationists, volunteers, and organizations are encouraged to participate by nominating sites, spreading awareness, and supporting preservation efforts. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Minnesota Pioneer Park, Annandale, 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.

MN Digital Newspaper Hub - February 2026
Content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 5,702 new issues and 103,151 new newspaper pages.
New publicly available titles & date spans:

• Starbuck times (Starbuck, Minn.) 1924-1932 added

• Eveleth news (Eveleth, Minn.) 1967-1969 added

• Range scene (Eveleth, Minn.) 1977-1979 added

• Eveleth Range scene (Eveleth, Minn.) 1979-1982 added

• Eveleth scene (Eveleth, Minn.) 1982-1998 added

• Le Roy independent (LeRoy, Minn.) 1901-1934 added

• Prairie leaflet (Scrambler, Minn.) 1878-1880

  New issues for the years 2007-2024 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library. 

Share Your Archives Story at “A Finding Aid to My Soul”
The Society of American Archivists’ Committee on Public Awareness invites archivists to share true stories for the 2026 storytelling event, A Finding Aid to My Soul, on Thursday, April 30, from 1 to 2 pm (CT). Hosted by storyteller Micaela Blei, the virtual program will feature five archivists telling five-minute stories about how archives have shaped their lives. Anyone with a story to tell can participate—no performance experience is needed—and support will be available to help you prepare. Stories might explore moments of discovery, challenge, or change in your work or life. Submit a 100–200 word summary of your story by March 16 for a chance to take part. Learn more »

Anoka council approves first reading for historical society relocation to Ticknor House
Union Herald - The Anoka City Council cleared the way during its Feb. 17 meeting for the Anoka County Historical Society to relocate to the historic Ticknor House, a move triggered by the city’s pending $60 million downtown redevelopment that will replace the former library building the organization currently occupies. Continue reading »

Featured Book Writing Local History Today by Thomas A. Mason, J. Kent Calder. Rowman & Littlefield/American Association for State and Local History.	Featured Article Minnesota History State Historical Agencies and the Public Volume 9, Issue 2, 1928	Featured Article MNopedia Neighborhood Resistance to I-94, 1953–1965 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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