Field Note

Staff from MNHS’s Inclusion, Outreach, and Community Engagement Department visited Hennepin History Museum to meet with Aaron Johnson-Ortiz, director of the Minnesota Latino Museum, and explore its new exhibition, The Mexican Band of 1886. Opened August 20, the exhibition examines the National Mexican Band’s appearance at the 1886 Minneapolis Exposition. Pictured with Johnson-Ortiz are Alyssa Thiede, left, curator and assistant director of Hennepin History Museum, and Teresa Ortiz, center. Photo by Larry Lucio, Jr., courtesy of the Minnesota Latino Museum.

Heritage Preservation Grants

Spotlighted State Capital Grants-in-Aid Project: Norman County Courthouse Courtroom Rehabilitation
The Norman County Courthouse courtroom has been renewed through a rehabilitation project that returned historic character to one of Ada’s most important civic spaces. Built in 1903 and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the neo-Romanesque courthouse has served county residents for more than a century. The project removed non-original drop ceilings, fluorescent lighting, and wall paneling that had concealed the courtroom’s original high coffered ceiling, plaster walls, and wood trim. It also continued restoration of the small round-top windows located near the ceiling, allowing natural light and historic architectural details to once again shape the room.

The work carefully preserved and repaired original materials wherever possible. Workers uncovered wood baseboards and chair rails beneath later paneling, then repaired and refinished the surviving trim. Missing window-head moldings were replicated from original examples, while plaster surfaces were patched and painted in colors matched to historic finishes. Mechanical ductwork was moved out of view, period-style lighting was installed, and the judge’s bench, witness stand, and jury box were refinished. The restored courtroom supports the courthouse’s ongoing role as a working public building while giving residents and visitors a renewed opportunity to experience its craftsmanship, history, and civic importance.
Recipient: Norman County
Amount Funded: $100,000

State Capital Projects 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. The State Capital Projects Grants-in-Aid webpage has been updated, and the 2026 version of the manual is now published. Pre-applications are due January 22, 2027. 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, October 9, 2026. Contact the Grants Office with questions. 

SEPTEMBER Grants Open House
September 3 - 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 Morrison County Historical Society. Have a blog? Let us know!

Locating the Lost Village of LaFond
Have you ever lost something and searched absolutely everywhere for it, only to find it in the most obvious place? Well, that happened to me, except I was looking for an entire town. Kinda. Let me explain.

Earlier this year, we received a research inquiry from an archaeologist working on a project between Little Falls and Flensburg asking for information on the exact location of the village LaFond, later known as St. Stanislaus. The archaeologist provided its recorded section in Pike Creek Township, Section 29, as well as its probable proximity to a railroad and schoolhouse. After my Vawter article last year, the thought of discovering another ghost town’s location excited me. Just a nice, smooth dive into a fun mystery, right? Wrong! Continue Reading »

More MN Blog posts

• In America, museum visits you - Minnesota Brown
• Saloons, Sundays and Someplace Else - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• From the President - September 2026 - Danish American Center
• If These Walls Could Talk . . . They Can and They Do! - Chaska Historical Society
• Before Her Ascent to Fame: Amelia Earhart’s Sojourn in St. Paul - Ramsey County Historical Society
• On Labor Day, Thoughts of School - Wright County Historical Society
• Explore Minnesota topics for National History Day projects using MDL guide - Minnesota Digital Library News

From the Tube

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

More MN Tube posts

• Interview with Sue Wiersgalla - Browerville Legacy Museum
• Exemplary Edith - Robbinsdale Historical Society
• Alfred Robert Voss Farmstead – St. James, Minnesota - Minnesota Bricks
• Author Tamara L. Thayer talks about her book, A Country Doctor Goes to War - Martin County Historical Society
• Carver Stories: Oral History - Dick and Jeanette Lenzen - Carver on the Minnesota
• Casting Betsy in Spite of Herself: The Movie! - Betsy-Tacy Society
• Tom Toftey 2026 Book Talk: "Jots by Ade...and Tom" - Cook County Historical Society
• Donnelly Threshing Bee - Stevens County Historical Society

Heritage Preservation YouTube Playlist »

Job Opportunities

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

MNHS

• Digitization Technician, Publications - MN History Center

LOCAL

• RFP: Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wanhi Yukan Archaeological & Cultural Preserve, Habitat Restoration, Phase 2 - Removal of Invasive Species - Mower County Historical Society, Austin, MN

• Executive Assistant and Office Coordinator - Ramsey County Historical Society, St. Paul, MN

• Schubert Club Music Museum Guide - Schubert Club, St. Paul, MN

• Visitor Assistant Galleries - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN

• Gallery Director - Wyoming Area Creative Arts Community/Hallberg Center for the Arts, Wyoming, MN

• Seasonal Retail Associate - American Swedish Institute, Minneapolis, MN

REGIONAL

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

• Museum Director - Neville Public Museum, Brown County, Green Bay, WI

• Food and Beverage Assistant - Old World Wisconsin, Wisconsin Historical Society, Eagle, WI

• Library Public Services Area Manager - Milwaukee Public Library, Milwaukee, WI

NATIONAL/INTERNATIONAL

• Executive Director - The Vegan Museum, Chicago, IL

• Architectural Content Specialist - Chicago Architecture Center, Chicago, IL

• Membership Coordinator - Adler Planetarium, Chicago, IL

• Digital Initiatives & Digitization Program Officer - Center for Research Libraries, Chicago, IL

• Director of Institutional Giving and Development Operations - Kohl Children’s Museum of Greater Chicago, Glenview, IL

• Seasonal Museum Assistant - Joliet Area Historical Museum, Joliet, IL

• Batavia Depot Museum Weekend Guest Services Attendant - Batavia Park District, Batavia, IL

• Archives & Special Collections Librarian - Knox College, Galesburg, IL

• Early Childhood Senior Program Manager - Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN

• Program Developer - Angel Mounds, Indiana State Museum and Historic Sites, Indianapolis, IN

• Reference Coordinator - Ohio History Connection, Columbus, OH

• Curator - Historical Society of Montgomery County, Norristown, PA

• Historic Preservation Specialist - Washtenaw County Historic Preservation, Ypsilanti, MI

• Administrative & Curatorial Coordinator - Brandywine Museum of Art, Chadds Ford, PA

• Oral History Archivist - Samuel Proctor Oral History Program, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL

• Exhibits & Collection Interpreter - London Children’s Museum, London, ON

• Conservator - Ingenium, Canada's Museum of Science and Innovation, Ottawa, ON

INTERNSHIPS/VOLUNTEERS/FELLOWSHIPS

• Exhibit Fabrication Intern - Minnesota Children's Museum, St. Paul, MN

• Fall Archivist Internship - Iowa Jewish Heritage Museum, Waukee, IA

• Internship - National Afro American Museum and Cultural Center, Wilberforce, OH

Additional Job Postings in the Field »

Do History Here

Pickle Club members seated outside on the lawn in front of a house, 1893.
Image used with permission. From the collections of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.

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

Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum Grand Opening Weekend
Little Falls - The Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum celebrates the opening of its new 40,000-square-foot facility on a 32-acre campus near Camp Ripley with three days of programming. The event also marks the 25th anniversary of 9/11 and the commemoration of America’s 250th anniversary. Learn more »

• September 11 - A day of 9/11 remembrance

• September 12 - The official Grand Opening Community Celebration

• September 13 - Programming honoring Minnesota's Global War on Terrorism Veterans

Revolution! In History, Music, and Art
September 3 @ 4 to 8 pm - Bemidji: Beltrami County History Center - Commemorate the Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War, while exploring the changing meanings of “revolution” in history, music, and art. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Guarding the Northwest Frontier: The Civil War in Minnesota 1862–1865 
September 8 @ 6 to 7:30 pm - Morton: Renville County Historical Society and Museum - Mike Penrod discusses the U.S. Army’s deployment of troops, forts, fortified camps, and peacekeeping activities in Minnesota following the U.S.-Dakota War from late 1862 through 1865. View artifacts from Camp Pope and Camp Burns; refreshments will be served. Cost: Free-will donation and an item for the Renville County Food Shelf. Learn more »

North Country Journal, Volume 2 Release and Contributor Reading
September 10 @ 4 to 6 pm - Bemidji: Beltrami County Historical Society - Celebrate the release of North Country Journal, Volume 2, a collection of 20 accounts of people’s arrivals and lives in northern Minnesota from the 1880s through the 1990s. Contributors will read from their work and answer questions. Cost: Free; copies available for purchase for $15. Email depot@beltramihistory.org for more information.

One More Night at the Riverside
September 10 @ Time not listed - Carver: Carver on the Minnesota, Inc. - Join an informal evening of remembrance celebrating the Riverside Ballroom, Carver’s longtime community gathering place. The program will share stories and memories of the ballroom, which operated from 1930 until it was destroyed by fire in 1985; final owner Loren Huepenbecker is expected to attend. Email info@carveronthemn.org for more information.

Hiking Through History: Rockville County Park
September 10 @ 5:30 to 6:30 pm - St. Cloud: Stearns History Museum - Join Stearns History Museum and Stearns County Parks for a gentle 1- to 1.5-mile walk through Rockville County Park, exploring local natural wonders, ecosystems, and history. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

Sketches of Minnesota in Marshall
September 10 @ 5 to 8:30 pm - Marshall: Lyon County Historical Society Museum - Share what makes Marshall distinctive, enjoy a catered dinner, and watch Danger Boat Productions turn community conversations into an unscripted improv-comedy performance, followed by a talkback. Location: Marshall YMCA. Cost: Free; registration required. Learn more »

Civil War Roundtable: Lew Wallace — General, Artist, Governor, Diplomat, Author
September 10 @ 1:30 pm - Litchfield: Meeker County Museum - George Romano presents the remarkable life of Civil War General Lew Wallace, including his varied public career and how he came to write the novel Ben-Hur. Learn more »

A Historical Look at the Sax-Zim Bog
September 11 @ 4 pm - Virginia: Virginia Area Historical Society - Sara Blanck, associate director of Friends of Sax-Zim Bog, introduces the bog’s history, including its origins in failed early-20th-century agricultural drainage efforts and its transformation into a renowned birding destination. Dinner includes a choice of brat, burger, or hot dog with fixings. Location: Italian American Building in Olcott Park. Cost: $15 adults; $7.50 ages 18 and under. Learn more »

Travel Webinar: Connect with Norway’s Forest Finn and Sámi Past
September 11 @ 9 to 10 am (CT) - Online: Norway House - Learn about Norway House’s February 2027 trip with Up Norway, featuring Forest Finn history, mysticism, food and sauna traditions; winter adventures under the Northern Lights; and experiences centered on Sámi life and knowledge. Cost: Free. Learn more »

September Genealogy Saturday
September 12 @ 11 am to 12 pm - Elbow Lake: Grant County Historical Society - Look back at historic school days, including how classrooms, school buildings, and the student experience differed in earlier generations. Learn more »

Wheels of Murder by Jeffery M. Sauve
September 12 @ 5:30 pm to 7 pm - Stillwater: Warden's House Museum, Washington County Historical Society - Author Jeffery M. Sauve recounts the true story of Hans and Lew Kellihan, whose 1896 Sherburn bank robbery became the world’s first bicycle heist and sparked a 150-mile manhunt across southern Minnesota and northern Iowa. Learn more »

No Destination - Part 3: Asia
September 12 @ 12 to 2 pm - Buffalo: Wright County Historical Society - Chad and Lisa share stories and imagery from their travels in Asia, with practical tips for budget travel and engaging with new cultures. Light refreshments will be provided. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Carver on the Minnesota Steamboat Days Open House and Mini-Museum
September 12 @ 9 am to 5 pm - Carver: Carver on the Minnesota, Inc. - Explore Church By The River as a one-day mini-museum featuring historic Carver photographs, documents, artifacts, Steamboat Days memorabilia, and a rediscovered 1895 proposed street-bridge blueprint. Tour the historic church, speak with COTM members, and view a 45-minute photographic presentation on Carver history. Cost: Free. Email info@carveronthemn.org for more information.

The Skally Line Band and Historical Storytelling
September 15 @ 5:30 to 7:30 pm - Cloquet: Carlton County Historical Society - Hear early American string-band music rooted in Minnesota history, with the story behind each song shared during the performance. Light refreshments will be provided. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Director’s Welcome Reception & Fall Open House
September 15 @ 5 to 7 pm - Winona: Winona County Historical Society - Welcome new Executive Director Emily Kurash Casey, enjoy refreshments, hear about upcoming museum projects, and be among the first to explore the new River Gallery. Cost: Museum admission; free for members. Learn more »

Morrison County Historical Society Annual Meeting: Charles Lindbergh: Beyond the Spirit of St. Louis
September 15 @ 6 pm to 8 pm - Little Falls: Morrison County Historical Society - Following a social and brief annual business meeting, historian Lacey Fontaine explores Charles Lindbergh’s achievements, challenges, and controversies beyond his 1927 solo nonstop transatlantic flight. Email mocohistory@gmail.com for more information.

History Break: Mica L. Anders
September 16 @ 12 to 1 pm - Red Wing: Goodhue County Historical Society - Professional genealogist Mica L. Anders explores African American life in Minnesota from the territorial era through the 1880s, highlighting early residents’ experiences as homesteaders, barbers, business owners, Civil War veterans, and community builders. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Polish Literature in English Reading Group – September 
September 16 @ 7 to 9 pm - Minneapolis: Polish American Cultural Institute of Minnesota - Discuss The Slave by Isaac Bashevis Singer, a novel about Jacob, a 17th-century Jewish captive in Poland whose relationship with Wanda, his master’s daughter, unfolds amid religious conflict and violence. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Learn to Make Crop Art with Molly Althoff
September 16 @ 5:30 to 8 pm - Rochester: History Center of Olmsted County - Local artist Molly Althoff leads a hands-on crop-art workshop covering the tradition’s history, Minnesota State Fair guidelines, and techniques for creating an original seed-and-plant-material artwork. Choose The Corn Tower, a stylized “Ope,” or bring your own design; supplies are included. Cost: $40 members; $45 non-members. 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: Blackduck History and Art Center in Blackduck, MN.
Photograph by Tammy & Patrick Lanaghan, distributed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 license.

FREE Upcoming Midwest Art Conservation Center Workshop 
Free to Minnesota Residents. Funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society. 

In-Person Safe Storage: Making Boxes + Mounts for Collections
October 15 to 16 @ 10 am to 4:30 pm. This two-day, hands-on workshop introduces stable and inert materials for collection storage and display, along with the protective and environmental benefits of storage enclosures. Participants will learn basic box-making skills, create a tool-storage box and a custom box and support for an example or personal collection item, and leave with a starter set of box-making tools. Led by preventive conservator Bailey Kinsky, the workshop is geared toward library and archival materials but applies to all collection types. Location: St. Olaf College Archives, Northfield, MN. Cost: Free Minnesota residents; $600 nonresidents. Learn more »

MALHM Emergency Response Workshop
September 14 @ 10 am to 3 pm - Glensheen, Duluth: Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museums - Join the MALHM Mutual Assistance Team for an emergency response workshop at Glensheen! Learn about wet salvage techniques, mold, and more. Space will be limited - reserve your spot today. Cost: $35 members; $45 non-members. Registration ends at midnight, September 7. Learn more »

BenefitsMN Overview: Health Benefits for Nonprofits
September 9 @ 11:30 am to 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Minnesota Council of Nonprofits - Learn about BenefitsMN, MCN’s association health plan for Minnesota nonprofits, and explore options for health, dental, vision, life, disability, and other employee benefits. The session covers eligibility, administrative support, plan offerings, and how comprehensive, cost-effective benefits can help organizations attract and retain staff while supporting employee well-being. Cost: Free. Learn more » 

What Is STEPS and Can It Help My Site?
September 9 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: American Association for State and Local History - Learn how the Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (STEPS) can help small- and mid-sized history organizations—including all-volunteer sites—assess their current practices and develop a practical road map for meaningful organizational change. Cost: Free. Learn more »

Rebuilding the Barn While It’s Still on Fire: Museum Leadership in a Season of Survival
September 10 @ 11 am (CT) - Online: Museums and Change - Andrea Jones, Director of AASLH’s History Leadership Institute, explores how museum leaders can move beyond survival mode amid funding cuts, political pressures, and post-pandemic exhaustion. Drawing on her experience as a consultant, educator, and museum leader, she will share practical, everyday strategies that can strengthen leadership, support institutional change, and expand museums’ long-term impact. Cost: Free. Meeting chat link. Join Meeting »

Fundamentals of Nonprofit Budgeting
September 10 @ 9 am to 12 pm (CT) - Online: Propel Nonprofits - Learn how to use budgeting as a strategic tool for communicating your organization’s plans, priorities, and aspirations. Propel’s 10-step budgeting process will also highlight ways to involve board members and staff throughout the organization in effective financial planning. Cost: Not listed. Learn more »

Caring for Born-Digital Collections: Digital Collection Management
September 14 @ 2 to 3 pm (CT) - Online: Connecting to Collections Care - This practical session explores how small and mid-sized cultural heritage organizations can apply digital collection management principles to born-digital materials. Topics include accessioning and safe transfer, file organization and description, preservation, storage, and access, as well as removable and obsolete media, cloud storage, email, websites, and social media. Cost: Free. Learn more »

On Academic Publishing
September 15 @ 12:30 pm (CT) - Online: Association of Academic Museums and Galleries - This webinar offers practical guidance for navigating the academic publishing process, from preparing a first publication to strengthening an established approach to sharing scholarship and reaching appropriate audiences. The program features publishing and museum professionals with expertise in scholarly communication, editing, academic museum practice, and research. Cost: $29 members; $59 nonmembers. Student members: Free. Learn more »

SMAll Talk: Museum Horror Stories
September 24 @ 6 pm (CT) - Online: Small Museum Association - This SMAll Talk conversation invites small-museum professionals to share challenging and memorable moments—from red tape and visitor complaints to damaged collections and poor management—and reflect on how they responded. Following a brief presentation, participants will join facilitated discussions to exchange ideas, learn from peers, and find a little catharsis together. Cost: Free. Learn more »

When Resources Fall Short: Supporting Museum Security Teams Through Technology
October 15 @ 1 pm (CT) - Online: International Foundation for Cultural Property Protection - Join IFCPP, Art Sentry, and the Montgomery Museum of Fine Arts for a practical case study on using technology to support museum security teams facing staffing shortages, budget constraints, difficult gallery sightlines, and visitor concerns. Chief of Security Ken Nielsen and Art Sentry Sales Manager Carrie Heflin will discuss lessons learned and considerations for strengthening collection protection without compromising visitor experience, followed by a Q&A and peer discussion. Cost: Free. Learn more »

TIPS & TOOLS

• Documenting in Times of Crisis: A Resource Kit - Society of American Archivists
• How to build accessible online content - American Library Association

UPCOMING EVENTS & CONFERENCES

Additional Educational Opportunities »

Funding & Awards

Supporting Conservation Professionals in Preparing Publishable Manuscripts to Advance Conservation Literature
Deadline - January 22, 2027: FAIC/Kress Conservation Publication Fellowship - Provides a $35,000 stipend over up to 18 months to support conservation professionals in preparing publishable manuscripts that contribute substantially to conservation literature. Payments are made in three installments as the manuscript progresses, with the final manuscript due 18 months after the start date. Learn more »

Post-Graduate Fellowship Grants to Develop Emerging Conservators' Skills in Art and Cultural Heritage Conservation
Deadline - January 22, 2027: FAIC/Kress Foundation Conservation Fellowship - Competitive grants of up to $44,000 support cultural institutions and conservation facilities in hosting supervised post-graduate fellowship opportunities. The program helps emerging conservators strengthen professional skills, gain hands-on experience, and grow within a structured learning environment. Preference is shown to first-time requests, but exceptional second-year projects may also be considered. Learn more »

Promoting Indigenous Self-Determination and Community Resilience
Deadline - Ongoing: Vadon Foundation - This grant supports innovative community-based initiatives that sustain healthy, thriving Indigenous nations across the U.S. Funding focuses on language revitalization, missing and murdered Indigenous women, girls, and two-spirit people, innovative community leadership, and COVID-19 food insecurity and essential needs. Learn more »

Additional Funding & Award Opportunities »

News

Vintage Museum Photo: Fillmore County Museum, Fountain, MN (1987). 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.

Minnesota genealogists, historians raise alarm about planned closure of Chicago National Archives
MPR - ...In June, the National Archives and Records Administration released a three-sentence statement announcing it will close its buildings in Chicago and the Bay Area in the next few years. The Chicago branch holds federal documents linked to the upper Midwest, including Minnesota. Shaffer says her clients find records there that “make names and dates into actual people.”... Continue reading »

Valerie Nygren accepts manager position at Ely-Winton Historical Society
Ely Echo - The Ely-Winton Historical Society (EWHS) is proud to announce the appointment of Valerie Nygren as its new Museum Manager. Nygren started this work on July 13. With an impressive background in business and office management, Nygren brings organizational and customer service skills to the challenging museum environment. Continue reading »

New Historical Society Director Seeks to Uplift Untold Histories
Duluth News Tribune - For Thomlin Swan, the new director of the Carlton County Historical Society, history is a question of whose history is being prioritized and celebrated, whose history has been marginalized, and how those stories can inform a person’s sense of identity. Continue reading »

Featured Book Boarding School Seasons: American Indian Families, 1900-1940, by Brenda J. Child University of Nebraska Press.	Featured Article Minnesota History Recollections of rural revolt: An Interview from the Oral History Collection of the Southwest Minnesota Historical Center Volume 44, Issue 8, 1975	Featured Article MNopedia John Franklin McGee (1861–1925) 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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