Field Note

On October 13, 2026, an MNHS staff member visited Appleton's former City Hall–Opera House, now the Appleton Heritage Center, to review repair and restoration work. The project focuses on exterior masonry, with limited roofing, foundation, and site work. Before repairs began, the building had been sending distress signals: falling bricks, water infiltration, crumbling interior plaster, and bats making unscheduled appearances in the Opera Hall. The work will address the critical exterior issues identified in the Historic Structures Report and protect this historic structure, making it available for future generations.

Local History News will not be published on November 18 and 25. Local History News will return to your inboxes on Wednesday, December 2. A Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours from the Heritage Preservation staff! 

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted Project: Norwegian Ridge Farmers Documentary: Production and Distribution
Giants of the Earth Heritage Center has completed Dear Land: Norwegian Ridge at a Crossroads, a documentary about farm life near Spring Grove from the 1930s through the 1980s. The hour-long film combines farmers’ oral histories with research and interviews with historians. It examines how families faced the Great Depression, changes in farm technology, and the farm crisis while maintaining ties to their land and Norwegian heritage. The team completed editing, narration, graphics, and closed captioning, then produced DVDs and promotional materials.

The documentary brings accounts of farming from the archives to the public. Farmers describe how their work shaped family traditions, community life, and care for the land. Their stories show how government policies, technology, and competition changed agriculture across generations. By placing these experiences in context, the film helps viewers understand the forces that shaped Norwegian Ridge. It also preserves the voices of residents whose lives connect the community’s past and future, giving researchers and the public a resource for exploring Minnesota’s farming history.
Recipient: Giants of the Earth Heritage Center
Amount Funded: $37,004
Project Details

State Capital Grants-in-Aid Program
This grant opportunity supports capital preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, building systems, and accessibility projects at publicly owned historic properties. Sites must be National Register-listed or determined eligible for listing by SHPO, and applicants must provide a 1:1 match. Pre-applications are due January 22, 2027. Learn more »

Heritage Partnership Grant Program
Once a year, the Heritage Partnership Grant Program supports two or more Minnesota organizations to collaborate on history-oriented projects. Pre-applications for this grant round (requests of $10,000 or above) are due Friday, January 22, 2027. Contact the Grants Office with questions. Learn more »

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, January 8, 2027. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

Grants Office Webinar: First Steps Towards a Grantsomething
November 19 @ 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 »

From the Blog

This week's blog post is from the Nicollet County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

Paid in Full: A Family’s Story Told Through Paperwork
Little did I know when I was handed a pile of seemingly inconsequential papers piled haphazardly above a goldenrod kraft paper clasp envelope that I would find the story of a man with a knack for arithmetic, Jacob A. Schuck; a mother with six children and a store to her name, Josephine M. Schuck; a singing shopkeeper with a mother to care for, Arthur “Art” Schuck; and a son entrusted with putting his mother’s affairs in order, Frank Schuck.

As I went through the first account book within this collection, I imagined myself in the grocery aisles of 1973, surrounded by promises of “New and Improved!”—a familiar refrain in postwar food advertising. I imagined this singing shopkeeper, who had spent more than twenty-five years providing his mother with care and companionship adjusting his glasses before wandering into a brightly-lit grocery store. In my mind, there were shelves of colorful packages and a frozen-food case offering dinner without much fuss, features already established in American supermarkets by this time. Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• Time in the Aleutian Islands - Wright County Historical Society 
• Northland Community and Technical College shares student newspapers with MDL - Minnesota Digital Library News
• Taking a Victory Lap - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• November is National Native American Heritage Month - Genealogy by Paula
• Erickson Wagon Train part 5 - Roseau County Historical Society
• Rethos Wrecking Ball Remarks - Rethos
• November Friday History: From a 20’s Economic Engine to 430 Oak Grove Apartments - Kraus-Anderson
• Snapshot: Sundseth Undertaking/Sundseth-Anderson Funeral Home - 106 Group
• Part one of the Jackson family series Giving back to the library that meant so much to him - Jim Froemming 

From the Tube

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

Armistice Day  "The War is Over" - Or was it? Researcher Gail Hockert looks at the early celebration in Morris over the end of World War I on this week's edition of the Stevens County History Museum podcast Museum Moment. Listen to Podcast »

More MN Tube posts

• Henry Davis - Oral History Selections for Veterans Day - Douglas County Historical Society
• From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Esther Robbins Scott - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• AMM 2026 Distinguished Career Award: Peter James Ward Richie - Association of Midwest Museums
• It Took Courage: Eliza Winston's Quest for Freedom - Christopher Lehman - Linden Hills History Study Group
• Carver, MN - A Brief History - Carver on the Minnesota
• Rock Art: FM Poster Artists of the 1990s and 2000s - Clay County Historical Society
• Crossing Threads Exhibit Virtual Tour HORA - Heritage of Romanian-Americans of Minnesota

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Head of Risk Management & Security - MN History Center

• IT Enterprise Business Applications Manager - MN History Center

• Associate Financial Analyst - MN History Center

• Project Manager III - MN History Center

LOCAL

• Executive Director - Carver County Historical Society, Waconia, MN

• Visitor Experience Staff - The Works, Bloomington, MN

• Weekend Lead - Bell Museum, St Paul, MN

REGIONAL

• Food & Beverage Coordinator - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

• Director of Community Engagement - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI

• WI Digital Newspaper Project Assistant - Wisconsin Historical Society, Madison, WI
• Weekend Visitor Service Representative - State Historical Society of North Dakota, Bismarck, ND Job ID: 3033938
• National History Day in Iowa Assistant - State Historical Society of Iowa, Des Moines, IA

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Museum Technician II-Graphics Technician - Illinois State Museum, Springfield, IL

• Executive Director - Lillstreet Art Center, Chicago, IL

• Technician - Arts of Africa & Arts of Greece, Rome, & Byzantium - Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Assistant Director, Development - Smart Museum, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL

• Senior Associate Director of Development - Block Museum, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

• Engagement Fellow McCormick House Visitor - Robert R. McCormick Foundation, Wheaton, IL

• Farm Museum Program Assistant - Bensenville Park District, Bensenville, IL

• Project Manager, Capital Projects - Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

• Manager of Programs and Experience - National Veterans Memorial and Museum, Columbus, OH

• Executive Director - Wilson Bruce Evans Home Historical Society, Oberlin, OH

• Facilities & Operations Specialist - National Museum of the Great Lakes, Toledo, OH

• Executive Director - Ella Sharp Museum, Jackson, MI

• Museum Curator/Director - Baraga County Historical Museum, Baraga, MI

• Assistant Preparator - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Preparator - Missouri History Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Romare Bearden Graduate Museum Fellowship 2027-2029 - St. Louis Art Museum, St. Louis, MO

• Executive Director - Mid America Veterans Museum, O'Fallon, MO

• Deputy Director and Chief of Curatorial Affairs - Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City, MO

• People and Culture (HR) Partner - Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

• Archaeological Project Administrator - Archaeological Services Inc, Toronto or Burlington, ON

• Archaeological Technical Writer - Archaeological Services Inc, Toronto or Burlington, ON

• Archaeological Project Manager - Archaeological Services Inc, Toronto or Burlington, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Museum Education Assistant Internship - State Historical Museum of Iowa, Des Moines, IA

• Special Collections Internship - State Archives of Iowa, Des Moines, IA

MNHS Internship and Volunteer Opportunities

• Intern (Hybrid) - Lindbergh House (Partnership)

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

A parade on Bush Street in Red Wing, MN, April 1917.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the Goodhue County Historical Society.

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

Voices of Vietnam: Honoring Service, Confronting Memory, and Understanding a Divided Era
November 11 @ 10 to 11:30 am - West St. Paul: Minnesota Humanities Center - Honor Veterans Day with a panel of Vietnam-era veterans sharing experiences of enlistment, combat and non-combat service, returning home, and decades of reflection. Presented in partnership with Thompson Park Activity Center, this conversation invites understanding, recognition, and healing. Registration required; space is limited. Location: Thompson Park Activity Center. Cost: Free. 
Learn more »

Partners in Peace: Armistice Day Commemoration
November 11 @ 7 to 9 pm - Minneapolis: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - Join the Polish community to commemorate the armistice that ended World War I and celebrate Poland’s Independence Day. Reflect on November 11’s dual significance, marking both the end of the war and the restoration of Polish sovereignty in 1918 after more than a century of partition. Location: Brit’s Pub Clubhouse Room. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Exhibit: Cokato’s Decorated - A History of Honorable Military Service
November 12 to February 1 - Cokato: Cokato Museum - Explore a new exhibit honoring local men and women who received military honors for their service and sacrifice. Photographs, personal stories, and historical artifacts highlight their courage, dedication, and commitment to duty. Learn more »

Conversations Featuring Mark Stutrud
November 12 @ 5 to 7 pm - Minneapolis: Norway House - Join Summit Brewing Company founder Mark Stutrud for a conversation moderated by Lee Schafer. Hear about Stutrud’s journey from local homebrewer to brewery founder and his 37 years at Summit, from its founding in 1986 to his retirement in 2023. Cost: Free for members; $10 general public. Learn more »

Babies at the Castle: Remember When
November 13 & 14 @ 9:15 to 10 am - Minneapolis: American Swedish Institute - Explore Swedish art, culture, and holiday traditions with your baby during a guided tour of the Turnblad Mansion’s Remember When displays. Designed for caregivers and infants up to 18 months, each session includes 30 minutes of stories, close looking, and age-appropriate activities, followed by 15 minutes of sensory play. Location: Turnblad Mansion, American Swedish Institute. Cost: $16 ASI member adult & baby; $21 general public adult & baby; $17 additional adult. Learn more »

Beginning Genealogy
November 14 @ 1 to 4 pm - Mendota Heights: Minnesota Genealogical Society - Start exploring your family’s history with Library Manager Jeanne Bielke-Rodenbiker, who will share practical tips and research tools for beginning genealogists. Includes a helpful handout and library tour. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Family Fun Day: The History of Pie
November 14 @ 12 to 3 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Celebrate pie season with a free, family-friendly exploration of this favorite dessert’s history. Discover where pie originated and explore the story behind the phrase “as American as apple pie.” Cost: Free. Learn more »

Floyd B. Olson: Echoes Across a Century
November 14 @ 12:45 to 3:30 pm - Minneapolis: Hennepin History Museum & St. Louis Park Historical Society - See the Floyd of Rosedale football trophy at 12:45 pm, then join historian Bill Beyer at 2 pm to explore its origins and the complicated life of Governor Floyd B. Olson. Discover stories of political scandal, immigrant communities, labor struggles, and organized crime that still echo today. Location: Hennepin History Museum. Cost: Pay as you can. Learn more »

World War II Through Cloquet’s Eyes
November 17 @ 6:30 to 7:30 pm - Carlton: Carlton County Historical Society - Explore World War II through the experiences of Cloquet residents and servicemembers. Carol Klitzke will share Edward Kennedy’s letters from 1943–1945, wartime Pine Knot news stories, and historical insights from her book, So Long and Best of Luck. Location: Streetcar Kitchen and Pub. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Racist Surveillance in Immigration Enforcement: What Facial Recognition Technology Means for Black Migrants
November 17 @ 5:30 to 7 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center and campus partners - Join the Black Alliance for Just Immigration for a panel exploring its research on racial discrimination in facial recognition technology used in U.S. immigration enforcement. Hear about international advocacy efforts and Minnesota organizer Nelima Sitati Munene’s work addressing immigration enforcement technology in the Twin Cities. Location: Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Hungarian Refugees and the United States: Legacies and Lessons
November 19 @ 4:30 to 7 pm - Minneapolis: Immigration History Research Center and university partners - Join historian Carl J. Bon Tempo for a lecture examining the U.S. response to the 1956 Hungarian refugee crisis, its influence on future refugee admissions, and its lessons for America’s commitment to refugees today. Part of the symposium “The 1956 Hungarian Refugee Crisis as Global History.” Location: Elmer L. Andersen Library, Room 120, 222 21st Ave S. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Hmong History with Mai Huizel
November 19 @ 6 to 7 pm - Faribault: Rice County Historical Society - Join Mai Huizel, founder and executive director of the Hmong Museum, to explore Hmong history, the Secret War, and Hmong communities today. Learn more »

Dinner with Our Ancestors: History of Hosting Dinner Parties and the Recipes They Used
November 19 @ 7 to 8:30 pm - Stillwater: Washington County Heritage Center - Join Heritage Director Alexis Foster to explore dinner-party traditions, dining etiquette, and menus from Ancient Greece to the Victorian era. Discover historic cookbooks, handwritten notes, and recipes from the society’s archives that offer a glimpse into the lives of Washington County residents through the food they shared. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Learn at LeDuc: The Real Nurses of the Civil War
November 21 @ 1 pm (one-hour presentation with time for questions) - Hastings: LeDuc Historic Estate, Dakota County Historical Society - Explore the Civil War through the eyes of its nurses with historian Pamela D. Toler, author of Heroines of Mercy Street: Real Nurses of the Civil War. Includes light refreshments. Cost: $12 members; $15 general public. Learn more »

Gingerbread Architecture: The Sweet Elements of Design — St. Joseph
November 21 @ 11 am to 12 pm - St. Joseph: Stearns History Museum - Discover the basics of construction and design while creating your own gingerbread masterpiece in this all-ages, family-friendly workshop led by JLG Architects senior project architect Whitney Lougheed. Stay afterward for an optional church tour with business administrator Lisa Barton. Location: Church of Saint Joseph, downtown St. Joseph. Cost: $15 general public. Learn more »

Utopia at Utepils: America’s City Planning Idealism & Its Successes & Failures
November 23 @ 6:30 pm to 8 pm - Minneapolis: Rethos - Join Continuing Education Manager Anna Schmiel to explore the utopian, and sometimes dystopian, origins of American city planning and the social movements that shaped generations of architects, designers, and planners. Discuss how these experiments in living and community can inspire a better future. Location: Utepils Brewing. Cost: $10. Learn more »

Veterans Memorial Hall Annual Remembrance Dinner and Silent Auction
December 3 @ 5 pm - Duluth: Veterans Memorial Hall, a program of the St. Louis County Historical Society - Honor veterans at the 21st annual gathering featuring a social hour at 5 pm, dinner catered by Valentini’s at 6 pm, and a presentation at 7 pm. Historian Stephen B. Daniel will present “Shipbuilding in the Twin Ports During World War II,” exploring the ships, shipyards, and people who supported America’s war effort. Includes a silent auction benefiting Veterans Memorial Hall. Cost: $65 per person. Learn more »

Westgate Theater and John Gaspard’s Held Over
December 5 @ 10 am to 12 pm - Minneapolis: Linden Hills History Study Group - Explore the history of Edina’s Westgate Theater with John Gaspard, author of Held Over. Discover how this neighborhood movie house, which opened in 1935, became legendary for screening Harold and Maude for 115 weeks, helping turn the film into a cult classic. Location: St. John’s Episcopal Church. 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: Cold Spring Area Historical Society Museum in Cold Spring, MN.

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Board Governance
November 17 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Build confidence in nonprofit board service by exploring board responsibilities, authority, and relationships. Designed especially for new and prospective board members, this three-hour workshop includes Propel’s Nonprofit Board Governance workbook and guidance on the fiduciary duties of directors of charitable organizations. Cost: $95. Learn more »

Lock It Down: Nonprofit Cybersecurity Essentials
November 19 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits, in partnership with host Utah Nonprofits Association - Learn practical strategies to protect your nonprofit’s sensitive data and digital assets from evolving cyber threats. Explore password and account security, phishing prevention, email protection, employee security awareness, and effective cybersecurity policies. Cost: $25; $20 with promo code LearnMCN. Learn more »

Photographic Processes
November 23 @ 6 pm (CT) - Online: Backlog - Explore nearly two centuries of photographic processes, from early nineteenth-century formats to modern materials. Learn to identify photographs by their physical characteristics, understand how different processes affect handling and storage, and select appropriate preservation materials and enclosures for your collection. Cost: Free. Learn more »

AASLH History Hour: A New Revolution of Belonging
November 24 @ 2 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Join AASLH’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee for a conversation about fostering belonging through organizational practices, visitor engagement, and community relationships. Building on the recent AASLH/NCPH conference session “A New Revolution of Belonging: What We Build Next Matters,” participants will explore barriers and opportunities in small-group discussions. All attendees receive a Belonging Builder Starter Toolkit. Registration required. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Basics of Fundraising
December 3 @ 12 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Join Melissa Prycer, Principal of Prycer Consulting, for a practical workshop on fundraising beyond grants, with an emphasis on individual donors. Designed especially for smaller history organizations with modest budgets and limited staff time, this session explores donor relationships, membership and annual giving, manageable fundraising systems, and board involvement. Cost: $100 members; $150 nonmembers. STEPS participants receive a 10% discount using the promo code in the online STEPS Community. Learn more »

How to Write a Digital Preservation Plan
December 15 @ 11 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Conservation Center for Art & Historic Artifacts - Join CCAHA Digital Preservation Specialist Kaitlyn Pettengill to explore the essential elements of a digital preservation plan and the practical decisions involved in managing and preserving digital collections. Case studies and a planning template will help participants begin developing a plan for their own organizations. Questions submitted in advance will help shape the presentation. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Managing a Multigenerational Workforce in the Nonprofit Sector - Nonprofit Leadership Alliance
• How to Address Ageism in Nonprofit Leadership and Staffing - Funds for NGOs

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Midwest Award for Artists with Disabilities
December 8, 2026: Arts Midwest - Now accepting applications for a $3,000 award for mid-career 2D and 3D visual artists with disabilities who live in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, Ohio, South Dakota, Wisconsin, or the Native Nations in these areas. Awardees will be notified in August. Learn more »

Wyeth Foundation for American Art Grants
Deadline - December 15, 2026: Wyeth Foundation for American Art - Supports nonprofit institutions working to advance the study, appreciation, and recognition of historic American art. Funding may support innovative exhibitions, scholarly publications and catalogues, research, and conservation or restoration of American masterpieces. Grant Amount: Typically $5,000–$25,000. Learn more »

Youth in Philanthropy Grants
Deadline - January 1, April 1, and October 1, 2027: Northland Foundation - Awards grants up to $1,000 three times yearly for youth-led school and community projects in northeast Minnesota counties or Superior, Wisconsin. Projects must be written and implemented by youth in grades 7–12 with adult advisor support and may address community needs through after-school enrichment, STEM, environmental learning, volunteerism, and related activities. A fiscal sponsor is required if the applicant does not have nonprofit status. Grant Amount: Up to $1,000. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Office space at the Le Sueur County Museum, Elysian, MN (1986). 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 October 2026
This month's updates include newly cataloged collections, additions and digital content for existing collections, and finding aids available online for the first time. We're also publishing new and legacy finding aids in the beta version of our public ArchivesSpace site.

Newly Added Collections: The following collections and record series were added this month.

All have catalog records, and many also have XML/HTML finding aids. Finding aids are also being created in ArchivesSpace.

Collection Additions and New Digital Content: The following collections received additions or newly available digital content.

• Various record series of the Faribault County District and Probate Courts

• Stillwater State Prison: Prison Industries: Farm Machinery Department: Records

• Finding Aids Newly Available Online

Many newly encoded finding aids are now available online for the first time. This month's full list also includes new and legacy manuscript finding aids published on our public ArchivesSpace site.

Thanks to the hard work and ingenuity of interns Ellie Heebsh and Christina Szitta, the following legacy finding aids have been converted from typescript, Word, and PDF versions for publication in ArchivesSpace.

Work continues to convert legacy finding aids, prepare additional finding aids for publication in ArchivesSpace, and develop and refine the public user interface. The A–Z index lists all current digital finding aids and the digital content they include.
View the full list of movies and newly available and updated finding aids »

Historical society takes next steps after Two Harbors lighthouse fire
Duluth News Tribune - One week after the fog signal building at the Two Harbor lighthouse grounds caught fire, the Lake County Historical Society is deciding what the repair process might look like to restore the site. Continue reading »

Featured Book Guns Like Lightning: The 1st Minnesota Light Artillery in the Civil War by Hampton Smith Minnesota Historical Society Press. Book Launch Event Date: November 14 @ 1 to 3 pm Location: Historic Fort Snelling, St. Paul	Featured Article Minnesota History A Finnish savusauna in Minnesota Volume 45, Issue 1, 1976	Featured Article MNopedia Soldiers and Sailors Memorial, St. Paul Featured MNopedia Article	Inclusion & Community Engagement News, Resources & Events  Featured story: Descendants retrace African American family history in Fergus Falls Fall edition

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.

Local History News is produced by the Minnesota Local History Services Office, a service of the Minnesota Historical Society since 1916, which helps local historical organizations in preserving and making accessible Minnesota history and cultural heritage.
Services include: On-site, online, phone, and e-mail consultation; Professional development; and Grants.

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