Historic Resources Advisory Committee

Committee Responsibilities

Responsibility for administering this competitive grants program lies with the Minnesota Historical Society. The first appropriations law for Legacy amendment funds (Laws 2009, Chapter 172) created the HRAC:

The Minnesota Historical Society shall appoint a historic resources advisory committee, with balanced statewide membership and representatives of local, county, and statewide historical and cultural organizations and programs, to provide policy and grant-making guidance on expenditures of funds from this paragraph. This membership shall include but is not limited to members representing the interests of historic preservation, local history, archaeology, archival programs, and other cultural programs related to the history of Minnesota. This committee shall seek input from all interested parties, and shall make recommendations for expenditures from these funds to the executive council of the Minnesota Historical Society; all expenditures must meet the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, section 138.01.

Members

The Historic Resources Advisory Committee consists of thirteen members serving two-year terms and two ex officio members. They represent a variety of disciplines and are from diverse areas of the state. The committee roster for the calendar year 2026:

Hillary Swanson, Brainerd, Chair

• Executive Director, Crow Wing County Historical Society and Museum
• Master of Arts in Art History from the University at Buffalo
• Qualified in historic preservation, grant-making, and community development.
• Currently serving 2nd term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Tisha Allen, Minneapolis, Deputy Chair

• Associate Director, National Fund for Sacred Places, National Trust for Historic Preservation
• Master in Historic Preservation from the University of Pennsylvania
• Qualified in historic preservation, grant-making, and community development.
• Currently serving 2nd term (expires on December 31, 2026)

Jennifer Andries, Marshall

• Executive Director at the Lyon County Historical Society in Marshall, MN
• Master in Business Administration, Minnesota School of Business, Richfield, MN
• Qualified in grant writing, collections, exhibits, and museum programs.
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2026)

Michaela Day, St. Paul

• Project Manager - Community Digital Repository at East Side Freedom Library
• Master of Arts in Public History, Metropolitan State University, St. Paul, MN
• Qualified in collaborative research, project management, equity advocacy, grant writing and management, and community engagement
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Melissa Ekman, Minneapolis, Deputy Chair

• Architect at Miller Dunwiddie
• Master of Architecture from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• Meets the SOI professional qualification Standards for Historic Architecture
• Qualified in historic preservation and project management.
• Currently serving 2nd term (expires on December 31, 2026)

Melissa Renville Favila, St. Paul

• Prevention and Early Intervention Consultant at the Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) 
• Lake Area Technical College
• Qualified in grants management, community engagement, equity and inclusion advocacy, and policy development and implementation
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Tamara Halvorsen, St. Paul

• Principal and Co-Founder at Pigeon Consulting
• MS, Architecture - Heritage Preservation and Conservation from the University of Minnesota -Twin Cities, Minneapolis, MN
• Qualified in architectural history and historic preservation
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Bailey Kinsky, Minneapolis

• Preventive Conservator at Midwest Art Conservation Center
• M.A., C.A.S. Art Conservation from the University of Minnesota, Morris
• Qualified in conservation
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Chris Rico, Hampton

• Project Manager at Nienow Cultural Consultants
• Masters in Heritage Studies and Public History from the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities
• Qualified in research, archaeological fieldwork, project management, and community engagement
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Merlin Peterson, Glenwood

• Executive Director/Administrator at Pope County Historical Society
• Bachelor of Arts in Theater Arts from Moorhead State University
• Qualified in grant writing, management and implementation, non-profit administration, local history, collections, exhibit development and construction, museum interpretation, project management, fundraising, and public speaking.
• Currently serving 2nd term (expires on December 31, 2026)

Madelyn Sundberg, Minneapolis 

• Architect, MacDonald & Mack Architects, Ltd, Minneapolis, MN
• Master of Architecture and Master of Science in Architecture: Heritage Conservation and Preservation, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN
• Qualified in the Secretary of the Interior’s Professional Qualifications – Architecture & Historic Architecture and is a State of Minnesota Licensed Architect
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2026)

Dr. Kathleen Thomas, Afton

• Heritage Commission for the City of Afton
• Ph.D. in History, University of Minnesota
• Qualified in DEI administration, historian, grant recipient, author, conference presenter, and curriculum and program development.
• Currently serving 2nd term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Bruce Yang, Roseville

• Software Developer at the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State
• Master of Science in Solid State Physics from Minnesota State University, Mankato 
• Qualified in community engagement
• Currently serving 1st term (expires on December 31, 2027)

Thomas M. Forsythe, MNHS Board President (ex-officio member)
Krista E. O’Malley, MNHS Board Treasurer (ex-officio member)

Meetings

HRAC meetings are open to the public. 

Upcoming Meetings:

• September 17 and 18, 2026, the committee will meet to discuss the FY27 funding recommendation for the Large Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grant round in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul. 

Previous HRAC meetings:

• November 6 and 7, 2025, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2026 large grant award recommendations

  • November 6 - Recording of Meeting

  • November 7 - Recording of Meeting

  • 2026 Large applicant list for HRAC (PDF)

  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index

• May 16, 2025, the committee discussed policy and procedures at the Sherburne County Historical Society in Becker.
• November 22, 2024, the committee met to deliberate and made FY25 funding recommendations for the Commemorate 50 Years of Southeast Asians in Minnesota grant program in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center, St Paul.
  • Recording of the Meeting
• September 26 and 27, 2024, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2025 large grant award recommendations
  • Sept 26 - Recording of Meeting 
  • Sept 27 - Recording of Meeting 
  • 2025 Large applicant list for HRAC (PDF)
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• May 3, 2024, the Albert H. and Jennie C. Sperry House, Willmar, MN, the committee discussed policy and procedures.
• November 2 and 3, 2023, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2024 large grant award recommendations.
  • Nov 2 - https://vimeo.com/event/3807450
  • Nov 3 - https://vimeo.com/event/3807470
  • 2024 Large applicant list for HRAC (PDF)
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• June 16, 2023, Charles Thompson Memorial Hall, St Paul, MN, the committee discussed policy and procedures.
• September 22 and 23, 2022, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2023 large grant award recommendations
  • 2023 Large Grant Applicant list (PDF).
  • September 22 Recording
  • September 23 Recording
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• June 7, 2022, virtually, the committee discussed policy and procedures.
• November 4 and 5, 2021, virtually, the committee deliberated and made FY 2022 large grant award recommendations
  • List of Requests PDF
  • November 4 Recording
  • November 5 Recording
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• June 4, 2021, virtually, the Committee discussed policy and procedures
• September 24 and 25, 2020, virtually, the committee deliberated and made FY 2021 large grant award recommendations.
  • List of Requests PDF
  • September 24 Recording
  • September 25 Recording
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• June 5, 2020, virtually, the committee reviewed policy and procedures.
• November 7 and 8, 2019, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2020 large grant award recommendations
  • November 7 Recording, HRAC Recording Discussion Index - Day 1
  • November 8 Recording, HRAC Recording Discussion Index - Day 2
• May 3, 2019, at Pope County Historical Society, Glenwood, MN. Committee reviewed the results of fiscal years 2018 and 2019 and review upcoming grant manual revisions.
• September 20 and 21, 2018, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul, the committee deliberated and made FY 2019 large grant award recommendations
  • September 20 Recording, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
  • September 21 Recording, Part 1, Part 2, Part 3
  • HRAC Recording Discussion Index
• May 7, 2018, at James J. Hill House, the committee reviewed policy and procedures
• November 2 and 3, 2017, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul. The committee deliberated and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2018 large grants.
• May 5, 2017, at the Stearns County Museum in St Cloud, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., reviewed the results of FY 2016-2017 and grant manual changes.
• September 22 and 23, 2016, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in St Paul. The committee heard presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations, and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2017 large grants.
  • September 22 Recording, Part 1, Part 2
  • September 23 Recording, Part 1, Part 2
  • Meeting Mintues
• May 20, 2016, at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m., provided advice on grants policy and procedures.
• November 5 and 6, 2015, in the State Office Building in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. The committee heard presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations, and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2016 large grants (funds requests over $10,001).
• May 1, 2015, Archer House and Northfield Historical Society, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., reviewed the results of FY 2014-2015, provided advice on grants policy and procedures, and reviewed 13 completed grants at the Northfield Historical Society.
• August 14-15, 2014, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. The committee heard presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2015 mid- and large- grants.
• November 7-8 2013, November 7, the Minnesota State Capitol, room G-153M; November 8, Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. The committee will hear presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations and will make its recommendations for awards for FY 2013 mid- and large- grants.
• May 3, 2013, Tweed Museum of Art in Duluth, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Reviewed the results of FY 2012-2013 grants, toured the paper preservation project, and met with independent investigators concerning overall legacy funding.
• September 6-7 2012, The committee heard presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2013 mid- and large- grants.
• December 19-20, 2011, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. The committee heard presentations by grant applicants, followed by deliberations and made its recommendations for awards for FY 2012 mid- and large- grants.
• November 17, 2011, Committee Orientation at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, noon to 3 p.m.
• June 6, 2011, in the Litchfield Opera House, Litchfield, Minnesota, beginning at 10 a.m. HRAC toured this historic preservation legacy grant project prior to considering the outcome of the FY2010-2011 biennium. HRAC also visited the Meeker County Historical Society to view another four grant projects. Rep. Dean Urdahl guided HRAC on a visit to the Forest City Stockade toward the end of the day.
• May 24-25, 2010, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. both days. The Historic Resources Advisory Committee heard presentations by grant applicants on the first day, followed by deliberations and to finalize its recommendations for grant awards. Further information about the review process is available in the grant guidelines.
• January 11-12, 2010, in the 3M Auditorium at the Minnesota History Center in Saint Paul, beginning at 9 a.m. Historic Resources Advisory Committee met to consider grant applications received for the November 23, 2009, deadline for Mid-Size and Large grants.
• The Committee held its first meeting on September 15, 2009. This was the initial organizational meeting of the committee.