To hire qualified consultants to develop and install an exhibit on the 50th anniversary of the Minneapolis-Saint Paul Chapter of the Links, Inc., an African American women's organization.
To hire a qualified consultant who will direct The Bakken Museum in collecting more accurate demographic information from visitors to better understand who is and who is not visiting the museum.
To upgrade the HVAC system and insulation at The Charles A. Weyerhaeuser Memorial Museum in order to both meet museum and historic preservation standards.
The Diversity Committee guides MNHS in relation to its strategic priority for diversity and inclusivity. The team meets regularly to discuss current offerings, interactions with various diverse communities and provides services for MNHS to increase cultural competency of staff. The committee activities have emphasized training and development of staff, choosing the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) as an assessment tool to provide a benchmark of the current state of intercultural competency with the plan of reassessing at a later date to gauge improvements.
Partner Organizations: Northfield Historical Society, Rice County Historical Society, Carleton College, St. Olaf College, The Northfield Public Library, Northfield News, KYMN Radio, Northfield Arts Guild, Northfield Hospital, First National Bank of Northfield, St.
In 2009 and 2010, more than 565 Minnesota teachers benefitted from professional developmentworkshops led by the Minnesota Historical Society. These innovative training opportunities included:
The Minnesota Historical Society is removing financial and geographic barriers for Minnesota teachers who want to attend professional development courses. With these funds, the Society is making enriched, affordable Minnesota history training opportunities available to teachers around the state through a series of professional workshops, conferences and immersion experiences. Limited subsidies are available for lodging, mileage and substitute teacher reimbursement.
This exhibit, on view May 23-Aug. 16, 2015, featured the Ebony Fashion Fair traveling fashion show that began in 1958. Over the next 50 years the fashion fair blossomed into an African American institution that raised millions for charity and helped the Johnson Publishing Company
To hire a qualified professional to install light-blocking shades on museum windows in order to provide better storage and exhibit conditions for the artifacts. .
To hire qualified technicians to install a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system in the Ames-Florida House, now part of the Rockford Area Historical Society's museum facilities, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Interactive Video Conferencing, is a program created by the Minnesota Historical Society to provide interactive educational experiences for fourth through sixth grade students using new video-conferencing capabilities.
Using video conferencing technology, the History Live program enables museum educators to deliver high-quality, engaging history lessons to classrooms anywhere in Minnesota. Any location with an Internet connection can participate. In FYs14 and 15, MNHS added two new lessons and introduced an innovative new technique of integrating classroom and student technology, including smart phones, iPods, tablets and laptops into videoconferencing lessons. This technology allows students to access and explore digitized primary resources and answer questions via polls during the live video lessons.
Connecting Generations through History launched in November 2009 with 12 projects statewide, facilitated by Minnesota Historical Society staff, historic sites and public libraries.
Minnesotans of all ages are participating in deep intergenerational learning experiences by working together to document community history and create lasting products (exhibits, documentaries, audio tours etc.) that are shared with their communities. These intergenerational collaborations build relationships among members of older and younger generations, increase students" appreciation for Minnesota history and recognize the importance of older adults and their role in transmitting community history.
Minnesotans of all ages are participating in deep intergenerational learning experiences by working together to document and share community history. Major projects in FYs14 and 15 included a partnership with the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad, in which the MNHS Teen Advisory Council supported Iraqi students in creating an exhibit about life in Baghdad. The teens met regularly via video-conference and had a private Facebook page. The exhibit created by the students was on display at the Minnesota History Center in December.
The Greater Litchfield Opera House Association contracted with an experienced historical architect to design and create a work plan to properly guide interior restoration and preserve remaining historic fabric of the Litchfield Opera House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places. A set of interior planning documents were developed for a final report. It will be used for future restoration work.
"The restoration of the Litchfield Opera House is a communityy project involving hundreds of people of all ages, talents and beliefs."
