Field Note

On April 28-30, the Minneota Alliance of Local History Museums held its annual conference in Mankato. Wrapping up the day's activities on April 29, Minnesota Public Radio hosted a live taping of its North Star Journey. MPR host Angela Davis asked guests from the history field about the state of history work in Minnesota, focusing on the funding climate and policy directives that impact it. On the stage, from left to right are Angela Davis (MPR), Jessica Becker (Blue Earth County Historical Society), Dave Nichols (Rice County Historical Society), Mai Vang Huizel (Hmong Museum), and Dr. Kyle Ward (Minnesota State University Mankato). 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Albert & Jennie Sperry House Improvements
The Kandiyohi County Historical Society completed the first phase of preservation work on the Albert H. & Jennie C. Sperry Home, a historic house listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Built in 1893, the home is an important part of Willmar’s local history and a key site for sharing the story of early settlement in Kandiyohi County. This phase followed earlier studies that identified the most urgent repair needs and helped guide the work.

The project removed a non-historic garage addition, repaired the foundation, replaced the roof on the pantry and bathroom addition, and restored exterior wood siding, trim, and shingles. Crews also rebuilt two collapsing window wells and matched new materials to the home’s historic character. These repairs address water damage, protect the structure, and support the long-term preservation of the Sperry House for future visitors, education, and interpretation.
Recipient: Kandiyohi County Historical Society
Funded Amount: $115,076
Project Details

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. 

MAY Grants Open House
May 7 - 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 Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County. Have a blog? Let us know!

What's in a name? - Moorhead's Public Schools
Names are special, doubly so for public schools. They help you identify shared experiences and "figure out" someone you may have just met. Moorhead's elementary schools are named after several important figures who devoted themselves to education or other endeavors. Here are their stories.

Ellen Hopkins Elementary

Ellen “Nellie” Hopkins was a beloved teacher in Moorhead for many years. Hopkins was born in 1875 in Brainerd but moved to Moorhead with her family as a baby. She graduated from Moorhead High School in 1896 and attended the Moorhead State Normal School (now MSUM). Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Pigeon Racing Part I: Who Doesn’t Love Pigeons? - Winona County Historical Society
• Museum Parking Under Construction – Summer 2026 - Northwest Airlines History Center
• Handkerchiefs - Wright County Historical Society
• From the President, May 2026 - Danish American Center
• Walker Pilot - Cass County Historical Society
• Construction Update Page 2.0 - Morrison County Historical Society

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• Wrestling Their Way Out of Robbinsdale - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Double Feature: A Touch of Tweed: Jewish Garment Businesses & Poetry Out Loud - U of MN Libraries
• Play List: Making a Hardanger Fiddle with Bud Larsen. Parts 01 - 52 - Historical and Cultural Society of Clay County
• An Author Talk: Dr. Kasey Keeler - Hennepin History Museum
• Unions - Dorothy Molter Museum
• A Reputation for Caring: How Mayo Clinic Became Known in the World - History Center of Olmsted
• All Roads Lead to Betsy: Book Review 8 - Betsy-Tacy Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Senior Exhibit Developer - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Facilities Service Technician - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN

• Communications Specialist - Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, MN

REGIONAL

• Museums Director and Chief Curator - University Museums at Iowa State University, Ames, IA

• Curator of the Iowa Women’s Archives - University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA

• Office Manager - Beloit Historical Society, Beloit, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Museum Experience Facilitator - Arlington Heights Historical Museum, Arlington Heights, IL

• VP of Collections and Interpretation - Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL

• Chief Executive Officer - Frank Lloyd Wright Trust, Chicago, IL

• Reference Librarian - Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, Springfield, IL

• Assistant Librarian, Reference Archivist/Curator - Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN

• Assistant Librarian, Digital Processing Archivist - Indiana University Northwest, Gary, IN

• Historical Site Interpreter - Corydon Capitol State Historic Site, Corydon, IN

• Historic Clothing Manager - Conner Prairie Museum, Fishers, IN

• Technical Preservation Services Manager - Ohio History Connection, Columbus OH

• Director, Facilities Management - Ohio History Connection, Columbus OH

• Site Director - National Afro-American Museum and Cultural Center, Ohio History Connection, Wilberforce, OH

• Archives Assistant - Wright State University, Dayton, OH

• Curatorial Assistant - The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

• Museum Education Associate - Michigan Maritime Museum, South Haven, MI

• Content & Graphic Design Associate - Ford House, Grosse Pointe Shores, MI

• Communications & Community Programs Coordinator - Saugatuck-Douglas History Center, Douglas, MI

• Executive Director - Oakland County History Center, Pontiac, MI

• Digital and Technical Services Archivist - American Civil Liberties Union, New York City, NY

• Exhibitions Fabricator - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Director of Exhibitions - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Museum Specialist - Marianna Kistler Beach Museum of Art, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS

• Director & Chief Executive Officer - Winnipeg Art Gallery Qaumajuq, Winnipeg, MB

• Event Operations Coordinator - Manitoba Museum, Winnipeg, MB

• Collections Assistant - Toronto Railway Museum, Toronto, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Museum Internship - Raupp Museum, Buffalo Grove, IL

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Someplace Else Restaurant in 1968.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Robbinsdale Historical Society.

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

Violins and Hope – From the Holocaust to Symphony Hall
Now through June 29 - St. Paul and Minneapolis: Minnesota JCC - Exhibition of 70 restored string instruments played by Jewish musicians before and during the Holocaust, with related events, film screenings, book talks, family programs, and worship services across Minnesota; select instruments also on display at Orchestra Hall and The Museum of Russian Art. View Full lineup of events »

Absent by Design: Oromo Knowledge Making and Ethiopian State Archives
May 6 @ 3:30 to 5 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center, University of Minnesota - Work-in-progress workshop with archivist and scholar Ayantu Tibeso, PhD, on Oromo knowledge traditions in Ethiopia and its diaspora, documenting and preserving Indigenous and marginalized community knowledges. Location: Elmer L Andersen Library, Room 308 Cost: Free. Learn more »

Lighthouse Soft Open
May 7 @ 9 am to 4 pm - Two Harbors: Lake County Historical Society - Kick off the spring season at the Lighthouse and Depot Museums, both open for the day to ring in spring; regular hours begin May 8. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Where Fortunes Were Made: A Member Tour of the Duluth Board of Trade Building
May 7 @ 5:30 to 7:30 pm - Duluth: St. Louis County Historical Society - Exclusive behind-the-scenes tour with Executive Director Wayne Gannaway and Curator Terry Johnson of the 1895 Duluth Board of Trade building, once a global hub for grain futures and now managed by INH Properties. Cost: Free members/$5 general public. Location: 301 W. First Street. Learn more »

Forever Looking Forward: The Remarkable Life of Dr. Henry Plummer
May 7 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Discover the legacy of Dr. Henry Plummer, whose innovations at Mayo Clinic shaped modern healthcare, through a short film and presentation by Karen Koka. Cost: Free members/$5 non-members. Learn more »

ASI Annual Meeting
May 7 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Minneapolis: American Swedish Institute - Annual membership meeting for ASI members to elect new trustees, review the past year, and learn about future plans, with light refreshments provided and registration required. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Living History for Families: Ole Olesen and the Immigrant Trunk
May 9 @ 10:30 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Experience Norwegian immigrant history with re-enactor Roger Hellesvig, hands-on trunk packing, stories, and language fun for families. Cost: $25.75 individuals/$36.05 families. Learn more »

Urban Research: Using Correlation of Data to Solve Family Mysteries
May 9 @ 10 to 11:30 am - Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogical Society - Case-study class on organizing research, correlating data, and using FAN club methods, maps, and multiple record types to solve family mysteries and avoid confusion from same-named or hard-to-trace people. Cost: $30 members/$40 non-members. Learn more »

Doors Open Minneapolis
May 9 & 10 @ 10 am to 5 pm - Minneapolis: Rethos - Explore dozens of exciting venues, from theaters and historical gems to business hubs and engineering wonders, with behind-the-scenes perspectives from building owners and caretakers. Cost: Free. Learn more »

May Genealogy Saturday: The Daughters of Liberty
May 10 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Society - Presentation by Jeryn Konezny, co-founder of The Glinda Factor, highlighting 120 women who supported the Patriot cause and helped shape the founding of America. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Halcyon Days: Leisure at Lake Shetek
May 12 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society - Explore the nostalgic history and environmental realities of Lake Shetek, reflecting on leisure, community memories, and the evolving landscape. Presented by Janet Timmerman. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Our Natural Parks and Trails
May 13 @ 9 to 10 am - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Learn how three decades of advocacy by the Natural Parks and Trails Coalition had an extraordinary impact on preserving our region’s natural heritage, with photos of nearby natural parks. Cost: Free. Learn more »

A Cemetery Stroll: Step into Golden Valley's Past
May 14 @ 7 to 8:15 pm - Golden Valley: Golden Valley Historical Society - Guided walking tour of the 1869-founded Golden Valley Public Cemetery (Winnetka Ave & Medicine Lake Rd.) packed with pioneer tales, surprising connections, town founders' stories, veterans' tributes from Civil War era, and the preservation efforts that saved this 157-year-old historic site, partnering with City of Golden Valley and Chester Bird American Legion. Cost: Free. For more information email gvhistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Origins: How the Minneapolis Arts Spotlight Shifted from Downtown to Northeast
Opens May 15 - Minneapolis: Northeast Minneapolis Arts District - Timeline history exhibit at Arts District Welcome Center tracing Minneapolis' art scene evolution from 1970s-80s Warehouse District galleries to 1990s Northeast shift and thriving creative community establishment. Cost: Free. Location: Arts District Welcome Center. Learn more »

Tracing Early African American Legacies in Minnesota, at Sibley
May 15 @ 6 to 8 pm - Mendota: Dakota County Historical Society - Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders presents an exploration of early African American life in Minnesota from the 1850s through the 1880s, highlighting homesteaders, barbers, shopkeepers, Civil War veterans, and other underrepresented stories. Cost: $20 per person; $15 for DCHS, MNHS, and Friends of Sibley Site members. Learn more »

Justice Harry A. Blackmun Today: Legacy, Insights, Memories
May 16 @ 10 am - St. Paul: Minnesota Supreme Court Historical Society - Hear from former law clerks and his biographer as they discuss Justice Blackmun’s legacy, insights, and memories, with reflection on his influence and the U.S. Supreme Court. Cost: Free. Location: MN History Center Auditorium. Learn more »

May GAI Café - Author Presentation
May 17 @ 9:30 am to 12:30 pm (11 am presentation) - St. Paul: Germanic-American Institute - Enjoy homemade German cakes, strong coffee, and a special presentation with guest author Gary Heyn, who will read from his book, Standing at the Grave, followed by a talk about how he researched and developed this powerful story tracing his family’s journey from the Grand Duchy of Posen to the prairies of North Dakota and Southeastern Minnesota. Learn more »

Pedagogy Session – Era Nine: Contested Freedoms
May 21 @ 4 to 5:30 pm (CT)- Online: Minnesota Humanities Center - Evaluate how recent U.S. history—1990s to present—shaped American 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 will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Sheekooyinka Soomaalida: Live Play
May 23 @ 6:30 to 9 pm - Minneapolis: Somali Museum - Enjoy a vibrant stage performance by Somali youth and kids, celebrating heritage, community, and tradition. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Mid-Century Modern: Concrete and More Hands-on Workshop
May 23 @ 9 am to 12 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Hands-on workshop at Colie and Naomi Guy's 1930s poured concrete "House-of-Tomorrow" on the Mississippi River, covering mid-century modern architecture, concrete history/structure, mixing/pouring slabs, maintenance/repair techniques, home tour, and flat roof challenges, taught by renovation specialist Eric Cheever. Cost: $25 members/$30 general. Learn more »

History on the River Educational Cruise Series: Pushing the River with Frank Bures
May 28 @ 4 pm & 6 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - History on the River educational cruise series kicks off with author Frank Bures sharing exciting canoeing tales from his Minnesota Historical Society book Pushing the River, aboard the Cal Fremling at Winona Levee with sightseeing, refreshments by Steak Shop Catering, and books available for purchase. Cost: $45 members/$60 public. 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:  West Riverside School, operated by the Isanti County Historical Society, Cambridge Township, MN.
Photograph by McGhiever, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

Nonprofit Compliance: Legal Requirements and Best Practices
May 18 @ 4 to 5 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits & LegalCORPS - Join this one-hour session covering essential legal requirements and best practices for Minnesota charitable organizations and private foundations. Designed for new and experienced nonprofit leaders. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Preserving Through Podcasting: Making Historic Preservation Accessible Through Digital Preservation
May 19 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: Kentucky Museum and Heritage Alliance - Discover how podcasting and digital storytelling can make historic preservation more accessible. Erica Friis shares strategies for translating complex preservation concepts into engaging content, building public support, and extending preservation's reach. Cost: Free for members/$10 for nonmembers. Learn more » 

May Day 2026: Assessing Risk to Protect Your Collections
May 20 @ 12 to 1 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections - This webinar provides an introduction to risk assessment for small and mid-sized institutions, focusing on emergency preparedness and practical tools for effective planning. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Demystifying AI for History Organizations
June 4 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Presented by Robert Becker of the Keizer Heritage Museum, this webinar explores what AI is, how it can support administrative, research, and interpretive work, and where its limits lie. Learn practical, responsible approaches to using AI in history organizations while addressing concerns like bias, copyright, and environmental impact. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

Managing Cash Flow
June 9 @ 9 to 11 am (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - This workshop will help you anticipate and prepare for the ebb and flow of cash in your organization, covering tools and strategies to avoid and manage cash flow challenges. Cost: $70. Learn more »

Sustaining Engagement After Commemorations
June 11 @ 2 to 3:15 pm (CT) – Online: American Association for State and Local History – Presented by heritage tourism strategist Heidi Schlag, this webinar explores how to turn short-term commemorations into lasting community engagement. Learn practical strategies for sustaining partnerships, extending exhibit life, and building long-term impact beyond milestone anniversaries like the 250th. Cost: $25 members/$45 nonmembers. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• 'Restoring' Old Photos With AI Is a Fundamentally Broken Concept - PetaPixel
• Vanishing Culture: A Report on Our Fragile Cultural Record - Internet Archive Press

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Website | Register 
Registration is NOW OPEN for NAPC's biennial conference FORUM! Happening this summer (July 22-26, 2026) in Minneapolis, MN, FORUM is the only conference dedicated to the issues facing local preservation commissions. Early Bird Rate applies today through May 8, 2026.

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Small Grants for Big Community Impact
Deadline - May 11, 2026: Max and Victoria Dreyfus Foundation - Supports community nonprofits with funding to make a big difference through small grants. Funding priorities include museums, arts and cultural programs, schools, hospitals, youth and senior services, disability programs, environmental and wildlife protection, and other local initiatives. Grants may be used for projects, activities, or general operating support. Amount: $1,000–$20,000. Learn more »

Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant
Deadline - May 15, 2026: KidsGardening - The 2026 Growing the Future Intergenerational Garden Grant, brought to you by Miracle-Gro and KidsGardening, is designed to support gardens that intentionally bring children and older adults together through shared gardening experiences. In 2026, 75 programs will receive a grant valued at $750. Learn more »

Boreal Waters Community Foundation: 2026 Community Opportunity Fund
Letter of Interest Deadline - June 1, 2026: Boreal Waters Community Foundation - Supports bold ideas, local leadership, and long-term solutions across northeastern Minnesota and northwestern Wisconsin through program or project support, general operating support, capacity building, community-led solutions, and systems change. Grant Amount: $25,000–$50,000. Learn more »

Lots of Compassion Grant
Deadline - June 15, 2026: KidsGardening - Together, Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day and KidsGardening designed the Lots of Compassion Grant program to support local leaders looking to transform vacant lots into gardens to help grow compassion in their community. In 2026, 10 grantees will receive $20,000 each to transform a vacant lot into a garden. A total of $200,000 will be awarded annually. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Waseca County Museum, Waseca, MN (1986). 
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 - April 2026
A content update to the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub today added 3,756 new issues and 57,774 new newspaper pages.

New publicly available titles & date spans:

• Zumbrota news (Zumbrota, Minn.) 1961-1978 added

• Duluth posten (Duluth, Minn.) 1890, 1918-1920

• Svenska amerikanska tribunen, Duluth posten (Duluth, Minn.) 1921-1922

• Minneapolis weckoblad (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1893-1901

• Linnea (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1899-1905

• Svensk familj journal (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1902-1923

• Eden Valley journal (Eden Valley, Minn.) 1902-1919 added

New issues for the years 2008-2024 were also added to several existing current newspaper titles, available to view only in the MNHS Library. 

Duluth museum of rare letters and artifacts to close, taking trove of history with it
Star Tribune - A museum with rotating exhibits of obscure manuscripts — Revolutionary war-era letters written by Benjamin Franklin and King George III, sheet music from Wagner’s “Wedding March” and a certificate of clearance from the Titanic — will soon disappear from the city. Continue reading »

A century of collecting Robbinsdale stories
Sun-Post - The Robbinsdale Historical Society began when Amy Robbins and other women formed a library club in 1907. In 1920, they raised money to turn an old bakery into a library. They opened the Robbinsdale Public Library at 4915 N. 42nd Ave. in 1926. Today, the building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. Historical Society President Pete Richie said it was a great achievement when the group hired Minneapolis-based Frances Pollard to serve as the city’s librarian. Pollard worked there into the 1960s. Continue reading »

New book looks at history of St. Cloud through images
St. Cloud Times - The Stearns History Museum is releasing "Images of America: St. Cloud," a new book featuring the city's history. Continue reading »

Featured Book Following the Fish: A History of Commercial Fishing Along Minnesota’s North Shore by Michael Risku. Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book Launch Date: May 12 @ 6 to 8 pm Location: The Bookstore at Fitger's, Duluth, MN	Featured Article Minnesota History Minnesota State Forestry Association: Seedbed of Forest Conservation Volume 44, Issue 1, 1974	Featured Article MNopedia Mesaba Co-op Park 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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