To research the history of Minneapolis preparatory to student-centered scholarship that will create a central hub for the interpretation of Minneapolis history and an innovative model for urban collegiate history departments.
To hire an architect to write a Historic Structure Report to guide future restoration of the 1910 Sam S. Shubert Theatre and Shubert Building, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The Over Here project will be a new traveling exhibit created by Minnesota History Center staff and focused on America during the World War I-era, 1914-1919. The 5,000-square-foot exhibit will depict the era as a dramatic time in American history when the nation grappled with massive upheavals brought on by social movements, mobility, and modernity at home, while exerting its growing military, industrial, and cultural influence abroad. Visitors will gain a better understanding of this tumultuous period
Through a competitive process, the Heritage Partnership Program awards grants to historical organizations statewide to support programs that will build the capacity of partnering organizations to preserve and enhance access to Minnesota's history and cultural resources. The program supports the creation and development of sustainable, history-based partnerships throughout the state.
The Minnesota Historical Society is developing an extensive, hands-on exhibit designed to bring the rich cultural tapestry of Minnesota into vivid focus. Visitors to “Then Now Wow” (the exhibit's working title was "Our Minnesota") at the Minnesota History Center will explore the state’s distinctive places and meet the people who have made their homes here.
The Minnesota Historical Society is developing a major, new, hands-on exhibit designed to bring the rich cultural tapestry of Minnesota into vivid focus. Visitors to “Then Now Wow" (the exhibit's working title was "Our Minnesota") at the Minnesota History Center will explore the state’s distinctive places and meet the people who have made their homes here.
In 2011, Arts and Cultural Heritage funds supported staff time devoted to creating the exhibit which opens in fall 2012.
Arts and Cultural Heritage funds supported staff time devoted to creating "Then Now Wow," a major, new, hands-on exhibit that brings fascinating people, places and stories of our state to life. Visitors to "Then Now Wow" (the exhibit's working title was "Our Minnesota") which opened at the Minnesota History Center in late November 2012, explore the state's distinctive places and meet the diverse people who have made their homes here.
Then Now Wow is a long-term educational exhibit designed specifically for Minnesota's children and families. This year staff created a comprehensive marketing strategy to increase overall attendance while driving specific increases among diverse families. New programs, including a monthly offering called WOW! Family Sundays, will give families the opportunity to discover the connections between old and new through activities, games, hands-on art projects and sharing stories.
MNHS is promoting the "Then Now Wow" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center to ensure that Minnesota families, schoolchildren and teachers are aware of, and therefore visit, the exhibit to learn about the history of our state. The marketing program to date is extremely successful. Family attendance increased 73% and school group attendance increased 19% from FY12 to FY13.
Developed for families with children and school field trips, and complementing the Northern Lights state history curriculum, this highly interactive exhibit explores the regions and cultures that have defined Minnesota over the course of the state's history.
To create and install an exhibit bringing to light the absent narratives behind 129 graffiti signatures in the soft yellow bricks of the Canadian National Railways Depot, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and current cultural center
To hire a qualified consultant to develop architectural drawings for the Third Street Bridge, Cannon Falls, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A second opinion for a treatment proposal for the inspection certificate recovered from the shipwreck of the steamer Thomas Wilson was obtained by the Lake Superior Maritime Museum Association. The clearly written report, including detailed recommendations, was prepared by a qualified paper conservator. The LSMMA is now able to prioritize where this project fits into their Long Range Plan.
To do preservation work at the Thorstein Veblen Farmstead National Historic Landmark, located near Nerstrand, in Rice County, Minnesota, that will provide urgently needed stabilization and preservation of three out-buildings at the farmstead, including the original small barn, the large hay barn, and the granary.
The Upper Sioux Community secured the services of a qualified consultant to assist in completing an application for certification as a Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) for the National Park Service. Public input meetings were conducted as part of the preparation for the application. Having THPO status will support one of the leading Dakota communities' efforts to secure and document their history.
The purpose of the project is to create a fresh introduction to the museum. The five panels that previously lined the wall outside the museum doorway were put in place nearly thirty years ago in the1980s. These panels have faded over the years and were in need of replacement. In addtion there was a desire to expand the time line back to the Paleolithic peoples who first inhabited the region in about 10,000 years ago.
To contract with qualified professionals to prepare construction documents for the preservation of the Tinnes-Baker House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and used as a cultural center.
To reconstruct interment records of the Lone Oak Lutheran Cemetery, a subscription service-cemetery software developer was contracted to manage cemetery records. The cloud-based solution is economical, saving on hardware costs and data storage. The yearly subscription saves on periodic high-cost upgrades. A new updated cemetery map was also generated by the service. After cross-checking the data it was entered as planned. The cemetery information has been shared with the Dakota County Historical Society, making it more accessible to the public.
The Together in Time project meets the needs of a diverse, aging population by empowering them as lifelong learners, encouraging them to tell stories, and supporting their caregivers in carrying out their essential roles.
The Together in Time project meets the needs of a diverse, aging population by empowering them as lifelong learners, encouraging them to tell stories, and by supporting their caregivers in carrying out their essential roles. Core elements of the program include leading programs in multiple locations for those with memory loss and their caregivers and working on tools such as a mobile app to show objects from MNHS's collections in order to spark conversations.