The book, "Backward Glances" by Lawrence Sunsdahl (1982), about the history of Stephen, Minnesota was updated and republished. It is a collection of articles printed in newspapers and periodicals over a twenty-two year period (1989-2010) about the area and its residents. The author, a lifelong resident of Stephen, had compiled information gathered from newspapers, microfilm and personal contacts.
Thirty monitors were installed to measure moisture readings in the upper reaches of the Basilica of St. Mary. Restoration projects had been put on hold due to previous water infiltration and the damage that was caused by saturation of masonry walls and ceiling plaster. Such infiltration takes a long time to dry. There were concerns that plaster was continuing to absorb moisture from the attic insulation or the masonry walls.
To update and enhance cultural heritage exhibits at the Cass County Fair. Projects will include brightening display areas, installing speakers, and removing outdated displays to replace with new exhibits of art and cultural artifacts from the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwa and other pieces relating to regional heritage.
Preservation of a historically important collection of photographs, taken for the purposes of insurance underwriting in the mid-1950's, was the goal of this project. Appropriate storage was researched and determined. Archival grade sleeves and storage boxes were obtained. An inventory of all photographs was performed, cataloged and entered into a professional software database. Digital imaging of the original photographic prints provides researchers with a sustainable alternative to viewing the prints.
With the grant the Northfield Public Library was able to research, write and published a centennial history of the Northfield Carnegie Library entitled "Everlasting Influences: The Centennial History of the Northfield Carnegie Public Library 1910-2010."
To offer hands-on art workshops with local artists. The Clay County Fair will hold hour-long classes with Melissa Kossick and Steve Stark, for both children and adults, on portrait-painting, painting with fingers, pointillism, collage, and local historical drawing. The project is meant to have lasting impact on participants by instilling interest and confidence in order to inspiring them to pursue more art projects on their own.
To preserve the stories known only to older members of the community a narrative history of Silver Bay, Minnesota was compiled using interviews of longtime residents. The students of William M. Kelley High School recorded and transcribed 15 hours of small-group and individual interviews of 44 early and former residents of the town including officials and employees of Reserve Mining Company. These interviewees relate their experiences of living and working in the area. Silver Bay was established as a "company town" in the late 1950's and remained as such into the early 1980's.
The Dakota immersion camp will last for nine weeks, beginning June 7, 2010 and ending on August 6th, 2010. It is expected that there will be 25 participants at the camp. Specific camp activities include: speaking, listening, and interacting in Dakota. Going on field trips; nature, culture, others. Preparing and eating meals. Participating in community services. Attending Dakota culture presentations. Mentoring children with Dakota play. Nurturing community garden. Playing games; moccasin, lacrosse, other. Learning and participating in Dakota singing and dancing, as appropriate.
The grant was to research content, write, design and fabricate 10 interpretive panels at six sites along the MN River Valley to better tell the stories of the MN River Valley, specifically of the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862. This is Part 1 of an overall interpretation of sites related to the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862.
Fifteen Minnesota cartoonists were interviewed, recorded and the recordings transcribed for an oral history project conducted by the Minneapolis College of Art and Design. Interviewees were selected to represent the history of cartooning in Minnesota from the 1940's to 2011.
Through this program, partners are extending the reach of National History Day in Minnesota. MNHS staff coordinate school services with an emphasis on support for students from diverse backgrounds. Higher education partnerships help build college readiness skills for middle and high school students and strengthen the mentoring skills of college students.
To create an area that will improve the visual impact of heritage hand-crafted arts, art (drawing/painting) and culinary departments and to create a demonstration area. Demonstration area will have a stage constructed for programs and presentations that allows an audience to learn and be inspired to preserve the heritage of various arts.
A comprehensive report, including three options for new service, was developed by a consortium of professionals for a new HVAC system for the Plummer House of the Arts. This group of professionals consisted of an AIA/LEED certified architect, an HVAC engineer, an historical consultant and a forester. The Henry S. Plummer House is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and contains pieces of art and furnishings requiring museum quality climate control.
The final edit, of a manuscript describing the work of women of the Eastern bands of the Dakota Nation, was prepared by the author/project director for submission to the Minnesota Historical Society Press for publication.
The story of how contact and conflict with Europeans and European Americans, war and forced relocation changed how these women retained the knowledge and traditions of their grandmothers is tied to the U.S. - Dakota War of 1862 and carries forward to today.
To organize a fiddler's contest of all ages at the 2012 fair. Contest will also include musical entertainment, two hours before the contest, by a bluegrass band.
Partner Organization: Minnesota Geospatial Information Office.
In partnership with the Minnesota Geospatial Information Office, the Minnesota Historical Society is adding geographical markers to more than 120,000 of the Society's historic photographs.
One outcome of this initiative will be the creation of a web experience that will allow students and the public to use "place" as a gateway for discovering other collections materials.
To enhance and expand the fair’s educational exhibits and cultural performances. The history of Goodhue County, the state, and the nation, was shared through demonstrations and displays provided by the Historical Society, Prairie Island Indian Community and individual artists that specialize in early American crafts. History of music and different styles of music were provided by various musical artists. The art of dance was highlighted with workshops given by a local dance studio.
Three consultants with historic preservation, architectural and structural engineering expertise were contracted to conduct a structural assessment of the Grant County Courthouse concrete slab floors. They collected and analyzed data through a detailed visual survey of the floor slabs, materials testing using non-destructive methods and performing engineering analysis. Recommendations were made for the retrofit of the floor slabs.
The city hired a qualified historian to research and prepare materials for a Guide highlighting the historic resources of the city. The goal of the project was to make residents and visitors more aware and more appreciative of the historical and cultural significance of downtown Chaska's buildings. They include a National Register Historic District (Walnut Street), seven buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places and over 50 buildings listed on the Local Register.
The GTHS hired a conractor who: 1. Transcribed 32 recorded oral interviews of residents of the Gunflint Trail. 2. Conducted further interviews (to be recorded and transcribed as well) of many more area residents, some in their 80's and 90's. 3. Digitized all oral histories and transcriptions and entered them into PastPerfect Software.
To offer aspects of Minnesota’s heritage that fairgoers normally would not be able to enjoy. The Hennepin County Fair offered performances and demonstrations in storytelling, clogging, old time string music, blacksmith, potter, dog sled, textile creation, knitting, weaving and wood carving. The storyteller, Bob Gasch, told and acted out stories about Minnesota’s settlement period including Johnny Appleseed, and more and the cloggers demonstrated a historical style of dance from the early settlement of Minnesota.
Professional planning services were used to assist with the development of the Baudette Depot Historic Project to include preservation and display of Canadian National Railway artifacts, historical documents and various other memorabilia in a self-guided interpretive exhibit highlighting the importance of railway transportation in Minnesota's Canadian border history and settlement of the region.
Historic Fort Snelling is an MNHS historic site and the state's first National Historic Landmark. A major project at the site prioritizes the adaptive reuse of two historic buildings concentrating on opportunities for public use, education, engagement and reflection. This project supports an MNHS strategic priority and speaks to the mission by returning historic facilities to public use while fostering new dialogues. A master plan was done in 2015, and predesign was completed in June 2016.
To provide heritage music and arts programming for school age children at the fair. The Houston County Fair enhanced their sound system and introduced a Polka band. The objective of this project is to enhance the arts with the involvement of the youth and preserve the history of the fair.
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.
This project is sixth in a series between the India Association of Minnesota and the Minnesota Historical Society. It was developed to convey the history of the Indian Music Society of Minnesota (IMSOM) in three ways:
1. The collection and transcription of seven interviews telling the oral history of IMSOM.
2. The digitization of thirty years of concert performance recordings by leading musiciains from India as well as local artists.
To improve display areas that feature quilts, historic and artistic photographs, American Indian fine art, indigenous floral arrangements, locally grown herbs, and other handiwork indicative of Becker county by purchasing display cases and improving lighting. Additionally, to feature American Indian performers and a Norwegian performing pair to share their talents under the free tent during the fair.
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.
The Society worked with Nancy O'Brien Wagner from Bluestem Heritage group to develop a new interpretive plan for the Eugene St. Julien Cox House's exhibits and programs. The National Association of Interpretation's recommendations were used as the framework for the new plan for this home that is listed in National Register of Historic Places.
To create a venue in which to offer arts and culture programming at the fair. The Entertainment Committee of the Jackson County Fair Board will schedule a diverse set of artisans and musicians to provide demonstrations and educational programming for all ages of fair visitors. The free stage will give emergent local musical groups and individuals a stage upon which to showcase their growing talent.
The St. Paul Historic Preservation Commission hired a qualified consultant to complete the local Historic Preservation Site Designation form for the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company Historic District. After commission review and a public hearing the proposed historic district was recommended for approval to the St. Paul City Council. The City Council adopted the Jacob Schmidt Brewing Company Historic District as a Heritage Preservation Site along with the Preservation Program. The ordinance was adopted in July, 2011.
To offer fairgoers an opportunity to celebrate local history and culture. The Kandiyohi County Fair has rehabilitated the Old Settlers’ Cabin on the fair grounds. The Old Settlers’ Building was built in 1926 and will be used as memorial hall on the fair grounds. It was used as a gathering place for old settlers and will now be a place to house relics of earlier days.
To partner with the Lac qui Parle Historical Society to provide a historical display that takes the viewer through 141 years of the fair, county, and local 4-H history. The Lac qui Parle County Fair will also offer an interactive one room schoolhouse exhibit and host several arts demonstrations-as taught by the Milan Village Arts School.
To create a mural depicting Lake County's history, build a stage to accommodate performances, and provide a venue and supplies for painting, pottery, spinning, and other fine art workshops and demonstrations. Workshops and necessary supplies will be free to the public.
A traveling exhibit was developed to display museum-quality copies of fragile artifacts recovered from the archaeological site: Roosevelt Shores 21-CW-173. The exhibit tells the story of 2000 years (up through the late 1800's) of American history at the site.
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.
Information was gathered as a follow-up to the public hearing testimony of Liberian immigrants' experience, given to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in 2008. Interviews were conducted of Liberian people who gave original testimony to the commission to document how they experienced the hearings and what impact the hearings had on those that testified as well as on those that assisted them.
To better showcase the talent of local artists by enhancing the display areas of the open class and 4-H buildings. Will also create a "Minnesota Made" butterflies exhibit.
