The Grants Office and Local History Services attended the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC) Spring meeting on May 15, 2026, hosted at the Glensheen historic estate in Duluth. During a site tour, Glensheen manager Dustin Heckman highlighted the estate’s animal barn, where a model cow in an original iron stanchion demonstrated historic milking practices. HRAC meets each spring to review policies and procedures ahead of the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program’s annual large grants round.
Spotlighted Project: Rehousing of Bound Newspapers
Recipient: Nobles County Historical Society
Amount Funded: $6,667
Large Grant Deadline
Pre-applications for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants large grant round (requests over $20,000) will be due Friday, May 22, 2026. This is a required part of the large grant application process. Contact the Grants Office with questions.
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.
JUNE Grants Open House
June 4 - 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: First Steps Towards a Grant
May 21 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: In this webinar, you will learn what you need to do to register for a grants portal login, how to apply, what the grant programs offer, what the programs can fund, and which resources are available for applicants. If you have never applied for a grant before or would like to hear about the process again, this webinar is for you. Presented by Gillian Maguire, Grants Specialist.
Join online: meet.google.com/zwx-krei-com
Join by phone: (US) +1 386-361-3086 PIN: 420 891 978#
Grants Office YouTube Playlist »
This week's blog post is from the St. Louis County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!
Duluth Armory to Depot
May flowers may be a little late this year with snow showers of April but Spring looks like it’s taking root now (finally!). Time to get out and view two of Duluth’s most classic architectural gems that militarily relate to one another, yet they are fifteen city blocks from one another.
Whether it was to report for duty or return from assignments, the soldiers marched between these two buildings down Superior St., the common artery between the two points.
From The Armory:
The Duluth Armory was built in 1915 to replace the aging and inadequate sized Armory building of the day. It housed the National Guard and Naval Militia. In the bowels of the building there was a drill area, rifle range, and dirt pits in order to train for land-based combat. Continue reading »
This week's post is from Pioneer PBS. Have a video channel or podcast? Let us know!
Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »
Minnesota Historical Society's Job Announcement, Internship, Fellowship, and Volunteer Opportunity pages.
Senior Exhibit Developer - MN History Center
Registrar/Receptionist - Minnetonka Center for the Arts, Wayzata, MN
Marketing & Communications - Rum River Art Center Inc., Anoka, MN
Festival Lead - MN Arboretum, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
Government Records Archivist - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
Director of Education and Rural Arts - North Dakota Museum of Art, Grand Forks, ND
Military Gallery Exhibit Project Manager - North Dakota Heritage Center & State Museum, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Bismarck, ND; Job: ID3032960
Lead Store Clerk - Fort Buford State Historic Site and Missouri-Yellowstone Confluence Interpretive Center, State Historical Society of North Dakota, Williston, ND
Visitor & Education Center Manager - South Dakota Hall of Fame, Chamberlain, SD
Section 106 Cultural Resources Specialist - State of Illinois, Department of Transportation, Springfield, IL
Project Manager - Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks, Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH
Curator of Fashion Arts & Textiles - Cincinnati Art Museum, Cincinnati, OH
Exhibits Specialist - National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo, OH
Special Collections Access Specialist - University of Dayton, Dayton, OH
Librarian - Chester County History Center, West Chester, PA
Corporate Archivist & Chief Historian - Procter & Gamble, Cincinnati, OH
Manager of Event Sales & Development - Fair Lane, Henry Ford Estate, Dearborn, MI
Archaeologist, Planner 3, Historic Preservation - City of Detroit, Detroit, MI
IT Support Technician - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO
Media Director - Nebraska Prairie Museum, Holdrege, NE
Assistant Preparator - Sheldon Museum of Art, University of Nebraska, Lincoln, NE
Executive Assistant - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Retail and Earned Revenue Specialist - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Interpreter - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB
Director & Chief Executive Officer - Winnipeg Art Gallery–Qaumajuq, Winnipeg, MB
Professional Development Assistant - Ontario Museum Association, Toronto, ON
Policy and Advocacy Assistant - Ontario Museum Association, Toronto, ON
Interactive Media Producer - Canadian Museum of Nature, Ottawa, ON
Exhibit Designer - Royal Alberta Museum, Government of Alberta, Edmonton, AB
Resident Collections Fellow – Cranbrook Center for Collections & Research, Bloomfield Hills, MI
Additional Job Postings in the Field »
People in costume going to a costume or hard times dance.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Clearwater County Historical Society.
FAQ: How Can I Share My Event for the Local History News E-Newsletter?
Friends of the BWCA
May 20 @ 6:30 to 8 pm - Two Harbors: Lake County Historical Society – Members of the Friends of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area education team will present on the history of their organization as it enters its 50th year. Location: Tipsy Mosquito. Learn more »
Era Nine: Contested Freedoms
May 21 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Humanities Center – Hands-on online pedagogy session for high school U.S. History teachers exploring how recent U.S. history from the 1990s to the present shaped debates over democracy, rights, and responses to global and domestic crises. Using content and sources from Dr. Walter Greason, MDE Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg, and experienced classroom educators, the workshop supports inquiry-based, standards-aligned unit design. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Mary Bruno and Friends: Women in Printing
May 21 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Join local artist and Bruno Press owner Mary Bruno as she explores the little-known history of women in printing and the printing press, highlighting their often-overlooked role in the industry. Location: Pantown Brewing Company. Learn more »
America's 250th Lecture Series: Supreme Court from 1789–1986: Marshall, Taney, Warren, and Burger
May 21 @ 6 to 8 pm - South St. Paul: Dakota County Historical Society - This session explores what the Constitution says about the Supreme Court, how the Court’s role has evolved, and key cases from the Marshall Court through the Burger Court, including the Taney, Fuller/Harlan, Hughes, and Warren Courts. Cost: $5 members/$10 general public. Learn more »
America’s 250th Genealogy Series: All Kinds of Loyalists
May 24 @ 6 to 8 pm - Online: Dakota County Historical Society - Explore the diverse experiences of Loyalists during the American Revolution in this virtual genealogy program. Cost: Free (suggested $5 donation). Learn more »
Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart
May 26 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society - Sarah Peterson presents on her book, “Dish and Tell: Recipes from the Heart,” highlighting stories and recipes from passionate home cooks. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Racial Covenants in Central Minnesota
May 28 @ 5:30 to 7 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Join a community discussion on the history of racially restrictive covenants and housing segregation in Minnesota, including a docuseries screening and a hands-on transcription session led by Mapping Prejudice. Co-sponsored by the Great River Covenants Project, Mapping Prejudice, and St. Cloud State University. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Centennial Celebrations
May 28 @ 12 to 1 pm - Austin: Mower County Historical Society - MCHS Curator Jaimie Timm shares how Austin commemorated its Centennial in 1956 and the Nation's Bicentennial in 1976. Celebrate local history and join the Historical Society as Mower County marks the Semiquincentennial. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Free Fix-It Clinic
May 29 @ 4 to 7 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum & Reuse Minnesota - Community members can bring textiles and household items to be repaired by skilled volunteers. Spanish and Somali interpretation available. Presented in partnership with Reuse Minnesota. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Author Michael Risku: Following the Fish
May 30 @ 2 to 4 pm - Grand Marais: Historic Cook County - Minnesota author Michael Risku presents a look at the commercial fishing industry that shaped North Shore communities from Knife River to Grand Portage, drawing on his new book and years of research into the people, geography, and decline of the trade. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Beginning Genealogy (Class)
May 31 @ 1 to 4 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Genealogical Society – Discover practical tips and tools for starting your family history research with MGS Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker. Includes a helpful handout and a library tour to support beginners as they begin their genealogy journey. Cost: Free. Learn more »
The Story of Amelia Witherstine
June 3 @ 10 to 11 am - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Author Virginia Wright-Peterson presents the story of Amelia Witherstine, the first woman elected to public office in Rochester, Minnesota. Discover her legacy and impact. Cost: Free (suggested $5 donation). Learn more »
The Rule of Law in Modern Times
June 6 @ 4 pm - St. Paul: Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society - Federal District Court Judge John Tunheim and Vice Dean Morgan Holcomb discuss the foundations and modern challenges of the rule of law in the United States, including constitutional structure, the role of courts, and the responsibilities of lawyers. Learn more »
Uff da! I just discovered I'm Norwegian. Now what?
June 6 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Explore your newfound Norwegian heritage and discover next steps in connecting with culture and community. Cost: $7.40 members/$10.69 general admission. Learn more »
Historic Good Counsel Walking Tours
June 8 @ 10 to 11:30 am - Mankato: Blue Earth County Historical Society - Take a guided walking tour of the historic Good Counsel campus in Mankato and explore its architecture and stories. Cost: Timed tickets are $25/person. Learn more »
Explore Minnesota - State of MN's Tourism website
Listings: Museums & Galleries | Culture & Heritage | Attractions & Entertainment
Register for an Account »
Highlighted Museum: Rock County History Center, operated by the Rock County Historical Society in Luverne, MN.
NCPH Consultants Grumpy Hour
June 4 @ 6 pm (CT) - Online: NCPH Consultants Committee – Join public historians for a virtual evening of connection, support, and much-needed venting. Grumpy Hours (in contrast to "happy hours") are dedicated to commiseration and community for those working in or seeking a career in public history. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Succession Planning: Creating a Plan to Preserve Your Team’s Wisdom
June 9 @ 9 am (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits – Explore strategies for identifying and preserving institutional knowledge during succession planning. Cost: $95 members/$135 nonmembers. Learn more »
Burnout, Boundaries, and Belonging
June 16 @ 1 to 2 pm (CT) - Online: Virginia Association of Museums – Explore practical, people-first strategies to build healthier boundaries, foster belonging, and support staff well-being. Gain actionable tools for making museum work more sustainable and human-centered. Cost: Free. Learn more »
Strengthening History Communications: Reframing the Value of History and Your Institution
June 24 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History – Drawing on research from AASLH’s Reframing History project, this workshop will help you communicate more effectively with public audiences and broaden understanding of the value of history organizations. Includes an overview of research findings, peer discussions, and time to craft your own communications materials. Cost: $100 members/$150 nonmembers. Learn more »
Fundamentals of Nonprofit Finance
June 24 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits – Designed for newcomers to the nonprofit sector or those new to nonprofit finance, this workshop covers essential financial principles for staff and board members. Cost: $95. Learn more »
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September 16 - 19, 2026 |
July 26 - 29, 2026 |
July 22 - 26, 2026 |
AWS Imagine Grant
Deadline - Ongoing: Amazon Web Services (AWS) - A public grant program for registered nonprofit organizations using cloud technology to accelerate mission-driven work; supports projects that leverage AWS services for scalability, data-driven impact, and operational efficiency. Learn more »
Revitalizing Small-Town Community Spaces
Deadline - Ongoing: T‑Mobile Hometown Grants Program - Provides funding to build, rebuild, or refresh community spaces in small towns (technology upgrades, art/community centers, historic buildings, parks/trails, and other public spaces); prioritizes shovel‑ready projects that can be completed within 12 months. Grant Amount: Up to $50,000. Learn more »
Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »
Vintage Museum Photo: Hinkley House Museum, Headquarters of the Rock County Historical Society, Luverne, MN (1970s).
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.
The Anoka County Historical Society (ACHS) The Anoka County Historical Society (ACHS) is undergoing a massive relocation. Forced to vacate its long-time museum space to make way for a $60 million downtown Anoka redevelopment, ACHS has purchased and is transitioning its offices and research library to the historic Ticknor House.
ACHS is preparing for a major collection move by the end of the year and invites colleagues to take part in this important work. This large-scale effort includes cataloging, rehousing, and addressing long-standing backlogs and overlooked areas within the collection.
Volunteers of all experience levels are welcome. Those with specialized skills in collections care, digitization, or data entry are encouraged to share their expertise, and ACHS staff will work to match tasks to individual strengths. Accessibility needs are also welcomed and can be accommodated with advance notice.
Workdays run from 9 am to 4 pm and offer flexible participation. Computer workstations will be available, and participants may bring a laptop if they prefer a mobile setup. A limited number of overnight accommodations are available at the Ticknor House for those traveling. Upcoming dates are May 23, June 15, June 27, and July 13.
Sign up online or reserve a spot by replying via email.
'We stay the course.' Minnesota historians react to the push to patriotize history
MPR - North Star Journey Live, a public event series hosted by MPR News and moderated by Angela Davis, recently visited the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums conference in Mankato on April 29. A live panel discussion titled “Erasing Minnesota History” featured panelists Jessica Potter, David Nichols, Mai Nhia Vang Huziel, and Kyle Ward discussing budget cuts, differing views on history, and ideas for their dream exhibit marking the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Listen »
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Featured BookWeaving Community: Indigenous Women and Leadership in the Twin Cities, by Audrey Thayer and Colette A. Hyman. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book Launch Event |
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Minnesota UnraveledA podcast series by the Minnesota Historical Society
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Minnesota History Organizations Directory• County, Chapters, and Local |
Minnesota Main Streets |
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Preservation Specialists Directory |
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