To allow visitors of the Washington County Fair to experience life in the 1800s. The fair will offer children's games from the era, dancing demonstrations, and educational fashion shows which will feature styles from the 1800s along with explanations of an item's function and symbolism.
Increasing the public's online access to the permanent collections remains a top priority for MNHS. Since the beginning of FY17, more than 800 artifacts have been digitally photographed and cataloged, including American Indian material culture, fine art, recent acquisitions and artifacts related to current events and MNHS initiatives. The digitization of edged armaments and artifacts associated with brewing and breweries in Minnesota has now been completed.
MNHS continues actively preserving and making accessible newspapers published in the state. In FY16, MNHS concentrated efforts on the backlog of hardcopy newspapers, piloting an approach to microfilming and digitizing issues in mass quantity to reduce the physical storage burden and increase access for researchers and local historical societies. MNHS also began testing in-house digitization of current newspapers, securing equipment and developing processes and staff expertise to support this activity. Online access continues to be offered through the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub.
To provide opportunities to Pine County artists to show their talents to the 30,000 attendees of the Pine County Fair. Funds will cover 30 hours of arts programming, consisting of demonstrations and workshops, and 30 hours of music by local musicians. Additionally, a sun shade will be purchased to encourage visitors to stay for programming.
Partners: Associated Colleges of the Twin Cities (ACTC), Minnesota State Colleges and Universities (MNSCU), Minneapolis Public Schools, St. Paul Public Schools, Through this program, partners are extending the reach of Minnesota History Day while providing History Day support for students from diverse backgrounds and strengthening the mentoring skills of Minnesota college students. Undergraduate students from ACTC and MNSCU colleges are trained to become History Day mentors and work with History Day students at local schools.
The Division of Indian Work’s First Language Project will service youth who attend Minneapolis Public Schools. The goal of this grant is that American Indian youth, ages 7-17 will increase their knowledge and practice of conversational Ojibwe language. Additionally, the goal is that these students will continue to study the language after the grant cycle is over. Measurement of these goals will be determined through periodic testing of the Ojibwe language acquisition.
The 1901 Dodd Ford Bridge, a significant contributor to the development of Amboy, was slated for replacement by Blue Earth County. Federal funds were sought by the County for the project. This initiated section 106 and 4(f) reviews, which concluded that it would be prudent and feasible to renovate the bridge on site. However, more specific data is required about the historic bridge renovation program and costs. The grant money assisted in funding the hire of a consultant to examine costs and methods to restore and preserve the 1901 Dodd Ford Bridge.
To improve lighting in the the building that houses horticulture and FFA projects at the Dodge County Free Fair. Funds will also be used to construct a mobility ramp, allowing fairgoers with mobility restrictions to access exhibits showcasing local work.
Duluth women who gave birth prior to WW II were interviewed about their experiences. Birth locations, attitudes, techniques, labor support and new baby care were the focus for the questions. The interviews were transcribed into Microsoft Word and PDF documents. The documents are to be used by the applicant organization and other interested groups to aid mother and labor support and for other public outreach.
Technical equipment was purchased that digitized historical images from the Society's photograph collections. The ELMHS Digital Image Viewing Project included the digitization, cataloging and web publishing of 525 images. A PastPerfect add on software program, called Virtual Exhibit, was used for the web publishing. Digitization will continue until the full 1500+ photograph collection has been reproduced. The photographs are now more accessible to researchers while the actual images can be better preserved through lack of physical contact.
The restoration of the Episcopal Church of the Transfiguration restored the building to a condition that is suitable for occupancy and prevented the building from becoming unsafe thus requiring it to be demolished. The largest portion of the restoration involved repairs to the foundation. The Episocopal Church of the Transfiguration, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and located in a city park.
The Pope County Historical Society hired experienced an HVAC engineer, to conduct an evaluation of their mechanical system. This included three site visits to document current conditions through interviews, photos and temperature/humidity dataloggers placed throughout the museum. With this information, they prepared a written analysis including recommendations to improve the HVAC system toward current museum standards.
To enhance the viewer's ability to see fine arts exhibits by upgrading the lighting in the Fine Arts Building and modifying the display area to allow for additional exhibits.
To expand arts, educational, and history programming at the Scott County Fair. Funds will be used to bring the county historical society to the fair to share their educational resources, host quilting demonstrations, feature a local polka band, and presentations about the role of animals in agricultural history.
To connect fairgoers with Minnesota history through storytelling and a dog sled exhibition. Paul Bunyan, portrayed by David Ward, told about legends involving his life as a lumberjack. The Iron Will Dog Sled exhibit displayed the actual sled used in the movie Iron Will, which was filmed in Northeastern Minnesota.
To highlight local talent by enhancing the fine arts display area with finished display cabinets. Additionally, funds will be used to bring live bluegrass music to the fair.
An illustrated, self-guided tour booklet was developed and produced that describes Fort Snelling during the WWII years. The guide contains many photos of historic and current views and the sketch maps are easy to follow to locate the identified sites. Approximately 200 copies were distributed to libraries, cultural institutions, participants in the Upper Post redevelopment process, The Veterans Administration Hospital, services organizations and the MN soldiers Home.
As a requirement for the transfer of certain properties within the Upper Post area of Fort Snelling to the Historic Surplus Property Program, a Program for Preservation and Utilization (PPU) was designed and developed to preserve and enhance the public use and future redevelopment of the Fort Snelling area. The report was created for the project using the National Park Service format. It will serve as a central resource when changes are to be made to the Upper Post.
To fabricate and install 26 interpretive markers along portions of Minnesota highways 104, 55, 28 and 29
The grant assisted in hiring a consultant to review and revise 26 historical markers and pictorial tables to make a determination regarding historical accuracy and to facilitate Tribal consultation and input for the Glacial Ridge Trail Scenic Byway Interpretive Signage Project along portions of Minnesota highways 104, 55, 28 and 29.
To improve the arts display area at the Goodhue County Fair. Funds will be used to upgrade display cases and shelves, improve lighting by replacing and repairing windows, and making the building handicap accessible.
The Great Rivers Network portal promotes the development, discovery and use of historical collections held by the Minnesota Historical Society and its partners across Minnesota.
Through this project, the Society provides support and training to organizations statewide for the preparation of digital collections data, while providing a technical infrastructure that enables access to various collection components, such as photographs, manuscripts, vital record indexes and library catalogs.
A pocket guide to historic locations in and near Redwood Falls was created to make people more aware of the historical and cultural significance of the buildings and sites in the area. This is the first collection of historic sites in this form to be made accessible to the public in the region. Copies of the Guide were distributed at City Hall, City Library, the Chamber of Commerce and Redwood County Historical Society.
The Minnesota Historical Society is developing creative, hands-on learning projects for K-12 students that adhere to state social studies standards and introduce students to important aspects of Minnesota and U.S. history. For example, students will explore the role of slavery in American history by examining historical newspapers, letters and laws and by watching a series of dramatic portrayals of Dred and Harriet Scott who lived at Fort Snelling in the 1830s. These projects will be made accessible to teachers around the state and around the country in 2013.
To host a variety of arts and cultural heritage activities at the Hennepin County Fair, and enhance the display area for fine arts exhibits. The fair will host a bluegrass band, a MN original singer/songwriter, a storyteller, and a variety of arts demonstrations.
To increase access to arts and cultural heritage programming at the Stearns County Fair by building a permanent stage for demonstrations, performances, and workshops.
Preventative conservation products were used by the HCHS to preserve a part of their collection using limited funds.
UV filter sleeves and acid-free barrier boards were installed to mitigate deterioration of artifacts in the Heritage Room of the Hubbard County Historical Museum due to lighting, moisture and dust.
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.
A sturdy display case was built to house historic artifacts from the Hesper shipwreck. An interpretive sign was designed, constructed and hung on the wall above the display case telling the history of the ship and stories of the artifacts. Space for the display has been provided in the lobby of the Silver Bay Marina. Through this project, artifacts in private collections have been brought back into public view.
Equipment and supplies were purchased to digitize and preserve the Hibbing Historical Society's glass negative collection. The images and photographs, depicting the old town of Hibbing and mining industry scenes from the 1910s-20s, were then displayed on a web site.
The original negatives were cleaned, catalogued and stored in foam-lined archival boxes for preservation.
To reduce wear on fifty Minneapolis high school yearbooks, dating from 1890-1922, they were made accessible to the public through digitization. This highly used collection is housed in the Minneapolis Central Library's Special Collection.
The digitized books can now be found online at the Hennepin County Library homepage and on its Special Collections page. They are searchable by keyword or can be veiwed page-by-page.
Legacy funds were used at the James J. Hill House for reproductions of two historic textiles: a Persian carpet in Hill's den and a canopy shade for the art gallery. The previous canopy, also a reproduction, was 28 years old, stained and faded. Both the canopy and the reproduction Persian carpet will be seen by all site visitors and will enhance the Hill House for decades to come.
A consultant was hired to research and assemble materials to implement plans for the Summer 2011 Walking and Biking Tours to historic resources in the city of Minneapolis. Tour guides were recruited and 29 neighborhood routes were chosen. A brochure was created. A tour page was developed on the Preserve Minneapolis website and advertisements were posted in magazines , newspapers and on various non-profit websites. Preserve Minneapolis collaborated on this project with AIA MN and the Minneapolis HPC.
The city of Springfield hired a qualifed historian to conduct a historic context study of this brick manufacturing town. The result is a brief history of the city with an emphasis on its historic buildings. Copies were given to the City Council and Planning Commission, the city Library, the Springfield Historical society, The Brown County Historical society, the local state senator and representative, the local school and is available on the city website.
Amount adjusted as a survey is being completed through other sources.
To engage the residents of Hubbard County in the arts and encourage them to exhibit their work in the Open Class Building. Funds will additionally be used to restore the one room school house.
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.
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."
To expand the awareness of the arts and history of music in America. The fair will host a jug band, polka band, folk singer and yodeler. To enhance the performances, a sound system and portable bleachers will be purchased.
To increase interest in and access to programming on the performance arts stage by purchasing a sun shade for audiences. The shade will provide relief from the scorching summer sun so that participants and spectators can enjoy the historical and cultural programming.
