History Day, an annual program co-sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota, challenges young people to research a historical subject related to an annual theme and present their findings in the form of exhibits, documentaries, performances, web sites and papers, much like a "science fair for history."
Arts and Cultural Heritage funding made it possible for the Society to provide additional services to 118 schools in 39 counties across the state.
Partner Organization: University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
This program, sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota, provided 10 undergraduate college students with the opportunity to become History Museum Fellows in 2010.
The program launched with a semester-long course at the University of Minnesota where the students were introduced to issues related to diversity and museums, followed by a paid summer internship at the Society.
Hokah city history was put on display with the installation of six historical markers in various locations throughout the city. The markers consist of narrative information and photographs of historically relevant structures. All markers are ADA height, located in high traffic areas and are enhanced, produced and presented under a silicone hardcoat panel. An unveiling ceremony was held in June, 2011.
A professional heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) engineer was hired to conduct an HVAC evaluation comparing the relative merits and costs of a conventional HVAC system with a geothermal system. The result was the geothermal system was more expensive with a fifty-year payback term. Purchasing a conventional system was recommended as the upgrade for meeting climate standards.
An interpretive exhibit was created with table displays using historically factual text and illustrative photographs and a short play was developed to tell the story of how the dam was built and its affect on the local people and economy. The exhibit counters negative impressions about the dam and provides little known information to the public.
In 2009 and 2010, more than 565 Minnesota teachers benefitted from professional developmentworkshops led by the Minnesota Historical Society. These innovative training opportunities included:
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.
Connecting Generations through History launched in November 2009 with 12 projects statewide, facilitated by Minnesota Historical Society staff, historic sites and public libraries.
Minnesota’s Legacy Amendment raises revenue for Clean Water, Outdoor Heritage, Parks and Trails, and Arts and Cultural Heritage. Libraries are beneficiaries of a portion of the Arts and Cultural Heritage Funding.
Affordable transportation is one of the biggest barriers for schools' ability to plan field trips to Minnesota Historical Society sites and museums.
By June 2011, nearly 600 schools across Minnesota will access the Society's Legacy Field Trip Support Fund, which means more than 50,000 students will be able to learn about history through field trip experiences they otherwise might have missed.
Every year, more than 2,300 people volunteer in support of programs and projects delivered by the Minnesota Historical Society. With the addition of more than 100 Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) projects, the need for volunteers also increased.
ACHF funding enabled the Society to recruit, coordinate and supervise volunteers helping with Legacy projects. As of December 2010, nearly 80 new volunteers were recruited, trained and placed, including 10 percent from diverse communities.
Partner Organizations: 1000 Friends of Minnesota (renamed Envision Minnesota), Twin Cities Public Television (TPT)
Through this partnership, Minnesota history will be made more accessible to thousands of Minnesotans. The "Legacy Letters" project will result in up to 25 one-minute films that draw their content from a sampling of the 150 people, places, organizations, events and natural features of the state as compiled by the Minnesota Historical Society's MN 150 exhibit and book.
