All Projects

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.

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 provide children an opportunity to see a puppet show with a theme to protect the planet and environment.

Local television station (KTTC) donated 485 BETA videos and 557 16mm films to the History Center of Olmsted County. New storage methods and materials were implemented to preserve and stabilize these donations. The historic collection was sorted, organized and rehoused into archival containers which were then labeled, cataloged and entered into a Past Perfect database.

This valuable resource, now stored in the HCOC research library, has been made more accessible to the public.

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 enhance the Creative Arts building on the fairgrounds in order to improve the arts experience for fairgoers. The Freeborn County Fair will replace archaic lighting, add glass display cabinets, add a new display area of pre-school art, and provide musical performances.

An exhibit on the early history of Gladstone was developed and implemented by the Maplewood Area Historical Society using grant funding, donations and a generous amount of volunteer labor and hours. A professional exhibit planner guided the research and planning for the displays. Ten (10) panels were printed and artifacts, maps and photographs were selected. Display cases and boards were installed. Interactive displays include a DVD presentation, a clothing try-on station and an old school desk on which to color pages.

Self-guided interpretive markers were installed to facilitate public access to the Glen Location historic resource at the Minnesota Discovery Center. Illustrations support the text and the markers are placed so that the viewer can see the resource described. The well researched and historically accurate signage allows visitors to learn about the history of the site and the significance of each component of the site.

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.

To hire a qualified historian to conduct primary source research on the history of the Gumm and Milne families in Minnesota.

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 host lumberjack shows and a lumberjack camp to highlight Minnesota's logging history, and a chuckwagon camp to reenact the lives of settlers.

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.

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.

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.

To increase access to the fair's historic village buildings by creating a boardwalk. Buildings will be handicap accessible.

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.

The city hired a preservation consultant to complete a Historic Context Study for the City of Buffalo. The general history of the community, organized by theme, provides useful information about the city's historic resources. Copies of the completed report have been given to the City Council and Planning Commission, the City Library, the Wright County Historical Society, the state Senator and Representative for the area and is available on the City's website.

This project provided documentation of the oral histories of former local directors of Special Education who were involved in implementing changes in policy and services for children with disabilities and their families in Minnesota during the 1950's to the 2000's. Seven interviews and a three-person panel discussion were conducted, recorded and transcribed. The interviews and transcriptions are available at the Minnesota Administrators of Special Education (MASE) office and the Minnesota History Center.

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.