During "Discover the Real George Washington: New Views from Mount Vernon," an exhibit at the Minnesota History Center in early 2011, Minnesotans got a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience first-hand original artifacts associated with George Washington. Washington put his personal stamp on our country at the moment of its birth, a stamp that still resonates and has modern-day relevancy for today's Minnesotans, as we learn about our state's history in the larger context of our nation's history.
The Historical Rulemaking Web Site will allow legislators, state agency staff, the Office of Administrative Hearings, and the general public to track the progress of administrative rulemaking from 1983 to date. The project involves extracting the public information contained in an internal rule tracking system maintained by the Office of the Revisor of Statutes and displaying the information on a public web site. In addition, the project involves scanning of additional historical documents, such as State Registers, and providing a method for historical documents in the possessio
To create a Historic Structures Report (HSR), a specialized study that provides documentary information about a historic property's significance, history of use, and current condition. It will be an early step in preservation planning, that considers goals for a structure's use, significant features, and outlines a recommended course of treatment and scope of work for repair and restoration.
The award-winning History Live program served more than 5,500 Minnesota students in FY12 while creating new history lessons to deliver via video conferencing technology. New programs focus on Dred and Harriet Scott, Dakota history and Jeffers Petroglyphs. History Live staff are also developing a way to deliver content to seniors living in residential facilities and will continue building a state and nationwide audience for these unique, high-energy history programs.
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, websites and papers. It is a rigorous program used by schools to meet state graduation standards for history and applied learning. Minnesota is widely recognized as a national leader in using the History Day program to improve academic achievement in history.
Connecting Generations through History launched in November 2009 with 12 projects statewide, facilitated by Minnesota Historical Society staff, historic sites and public libraries.
As a strategic document, the Legacy Strategic Agenda (LSA) has four goals that build on achievements realized during the first five years of Legacy funding. Over the next four years, the LSA strategic priorities in education, grants, partnerships and unfamiliar stories will be acted on, measured and sustained at the community level. A dedicated LSA Collaborative representing a cross-section of the history community meets quarterly around the state to guide the work of LSA Priority Action Teams and to share successes.
To bring together a diverse assortment of educational opportunities to one location and provide an easily accessed way for all ages and backgrounds to enhance their knowledge of the arts, culture and heritage. The McLeod County Fair connected with community people from multiple communities and backgrounds by hosting presentations and demonstrations by local artists and experts within the areas of the arts, cultural heritage and Minnesota history.
To promote and highlight artistic excellence by displaying artists’ works at the fair. The Meeker County Agricultural Society purchased display cases in which to display fine arts like quilts and embroidery. The fair will be able to increase the number of exhibits it offers and will keep the object safe.
To offer several types of historical music and dance lessons to fairgoers. The Meeker County Agricultural Society will host two bands along with a professional dance teacher to teach fairgoers swing, the jitterbug, lindy, waltz, and other types of historical dance. The events follow the 4-H’s motto of “learning by doing.”
Funds are appropriated for programs and purposes of the Minnesota Humanities Center. The humanities remind us of where we have been, bring knowledge and insights to current life, and help us envision where we are going. We work to articulate and strengthen what connects us, rather than what divides us.
Legacy-funded programs at the Minnesota Humanities Center demonstrate our determination to collaboratively create humanities programs for the broader public by forging strong partnerships with local, state, and national cultural organizations. These programs show the broader community how the humanities can be used to address issues important to their everyday lives. Each activity, event, and program shares an Absent Narrative with participants, which help residents across the state engage in a more sophisticated understanding of their community.
Partners: Preservation Alliance of Minnesota (primary), Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, University of Minnesota Extension Center for Community Vitality, University of Minnesota Tourism Center, Minnesota Design Team
Minnesota's Legacy Website is a site that follows the progress of all projects and programs receiving constitutionally dedicated funding from the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment as well as the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.
-Engage young children, strengthen families' cultural wellness through Indigenous language acquisition
-Revitalize cultural parenting practices
-Teaching parents to be advocates of holistic health for children
-Enroll 12-15 children and their families
-Bi-weekly language nest sessions with focus on language and cultural identity
To repoint masonry and preserve windows of the B'nai Abraham Synagogue, undergoing rehabilitation for use as a community center. The building is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.