To expand on a partnership program that will provide archaeology and cultural resource management outreach services for alpha sites at three metro area history organizations.
In 2006, Ramsey County Historical Society (RCHS) purchased an additional 1.5 acres of the original Gibbs farmstead located adjacent to the existing Gibbs Museum property in Falcon Heights, Minnesota. This purchase provided the impetus for updating and expanding the interpretive programs at Gibbs Museum of Pioneer and Dakotah Life and creating a new master plan and landscape plan for the Museum.
Partner Organizations: Anoka County Historical Society, Dakota County Historical Society, Scott County Historical Society, and Ramsey County Historical Society
Four county historical societies will begin a pilot program in 2015 to provide archaeology and cultural resource management outreach services to local history organizations in the seven-county metro area.The pilot project will address immediate needs of participating organizations, including public programming, data collection, collections care and staff training, while also providing valuable insight into long-term needs of local his
As preparation to additional historic preservation work on the Odeon Theatre, listed in the national Register of Historic Places, a qualified historical architect was hired to inspect and evaluate the building. Issues of safety/building codes, accessibility concerns, weather-tightness and future functional improvements were addressed. The final report included a mechanical/electrical evaluation of the building and its proposed future addition. Improvements will include accessible restrooms, a second accessible exit, expanded storage space and the repair of the stage floor.
To conduct an architectural assessment of a roof replacement project for the Great Northern Depot, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and currently in use as the Mille Lacs County Historical Society.
To hire a qualified consultant to develop architectural drawings for the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
To hire a qualified consultant to develop architectural drawings for reuse of Halfway Ranger Station, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A total of 961 linear feet of archival quality shelving was purchased and installed in the "vault" area and the College Archives storage room at Gustavus Adolphus College. Old, used shelving was re-purposed for use in other areas of the college. The installation of this shelving has alleviated overcrowding, provided a safer more secure storage environment and consolidated the collections to one location.
To make the Cathedral of St. Paul archives more accessible to the public, the Cathedral heritage foundation undertook a two-step project to sort, organize, inventory and file their collections. The first step involved general cleaning and the reorganization of materials. All materials were re-housed in archival storage units. Inventory information was entered into PastPerfect. The second step of the project focused on the recruitment and training of volunteers folow up on and continue the new preservation/storage best practices.
To hire qualified consultants to evaluate the John and Martin Mower House and Arcola Mill Site for possible inclusion in the National Register of Historic Places.
We Are Hmong Minnesota, a 2,500-square-foot exhibit, debuted March 7, 2015, timed for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Hmong migration to Minnesota. MNHS staff worked in partnership with the Hmong community to develop the exhibit. A traveling version of the exhibit for loan to libraries, schools, and community centers was also developed and is currently circulating. A companion exhibit at the James J. Hill House displayed a collection of Hmong textiles recently donated to the Minnesota Historical Society.
To repair windows and add storms for energy efficiency on the Arnold Schwyzer Summer House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and used as an environmental learning center.
The RCHS determined to gain intellectual and physical control over their historical collections documenting Ramsey County.
PastPerfect software was purchased and installed, and training was received by staff. An inventory technician was hired and trained to apply the software using best practice inventory methods. 2,306 artifacts (9% of the total inventory) were recorded and catalogued. The daily information was backed up and stored offsite.
