The Carver County Historical Society website (www.carvercountyhistoricalsociety.org) was completely redesigned to reflect the community expressed need for the ability to research local history. This included, newspaper indexing, photo research, plat maps/GIS, historic properties, National Register information, and local resources.
The surveys sent to member reinforced their desire to be able to research online. More than 90% of respondents asked for access to research photos. Another 80% asked for plat map access.
Funding for Make-a-Play which allows students in ages 12 – 17 to work with professional theatre artists in the creation of an original play. The project will take place in the summer of 2011 at Yellow Tree Theatre.
Funds will assist Bagley High School Seniors and Drama Club Members to attend the Guthrie Theater production of Shakespeare’s “A Winter’s Tale” in Minneapolis.
Funding for the 2010 Summer Performance Series, featuring Minnesota Sinfonia, a Shakespeare Festival, the Dakota Valley Summer Pops Orchestra and Chorale, Sumunar Indonesian Gamelan and Dance Ensemble, Voice of the Culture Drum and Dance and the Bill Evan
Funding for the company’s debut at the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts featuring original choreography inspired by African-American painter Ernie Barnes. Performances will take place in May 2011.
To offer new arts and cultural heritage programming at the East Otter Tail County Fair. Programming will include a performance by Sherwin Linton, depression era toy making demonstrations, and a lumberjack show.
To hire a professional historian to complete research and documentation of the Hamline United Methodist Church building, in preparation for nomination to the National Register of Historic Places.
A Microfilm Scanner System and associated computer and software were purchased for the Museum. Staff and volunteers were trained in their uses. Improved image quality was immediately noticeable. The purchase enhances the overall plan to preserve local history in Otter Tail County.
A collaboration between the Bois Forte Band of Chippewa and the White Earth Nation. The long term goal of this grant is to build whole families of first generation speakers. The short-term goals are to enable the partners to continue forward with their language revitalization efforts by providing digital media support, purchase digital high definition audio and video equipment. Additionally, they will host an elders and youth gathering.
Archival newspaper storage boxes were purchased to rehouse the Verndale newspaper collection at the Wadena County Historical Society. The newspapers were sorted by oldest dates to newest dates on top. Labels were put on the boxes to identify the contents of each. The newspaper collection is now in better storage conditions than prior to the project.
Funds used to address water infiltration of museum collections storage by improving exterior drainage.
Water from melting snow and rainfall has been leaking into the museum's agricultural wing artifact storage room and Main Street exhibit gallery due to inadequate drainage and insufficient landscaping on the building's north side.
Partners: Olmsted County Historical Society and Zumbro Watershed Partnership. The Zumbro River in Southeastern Minnesota is an important part of America's river history. This project seeks to collect and research historical and environmental data on the river to prepare for the creation of an environmental history. The project will observe and identify how human actions and policies have affected the Zumbro and its communities, and also how the river has shaped the human landscape.
