Arts and Cultural Heritage funds supported staff time devoted to creating "Then Now Wow," a major, new, hands-on exhibit that brings fascinating people, places and stories of our state to life. Visitors to "Then Now Wow" (the exhibit's working title was "Our Minnesota") which opened at the Minnesota History Center in late November 2012, explore the state's distinctive places and meet the diverse people who have made their homes here.
Then Now Wow is a long-term educational exhibit designed specifically for Minnesota's children and families. This year staff created a comprehensive marketing strategy to increase overall attendance while driving specific increases among diverse families. New programs, including a monthly offering called WOW! Family Sundays, will give families the opportunity to discover the connections between old and new through activities, games, hands-on art projects and sharing stories.
MNHS is promoting the "Then Now Wow" exhibit at the Minnesota History Center to ensure that Minnesota families, schoolchildren and teachers are aware of, and therefore visit, the exhibit to learn about the history of our state. The marketing program to date is extremely successful. Family attendance increased 73% and school group attendance increased 19% from FY12 to FY13.
Developed for families with children and school field trips, and complementing the Northern Lights state history curriculum, this highly interactive exhibit explores the regions and cultures that have defined Minnesota over the course of the state's history.
To create and install an exhibit bringing to light the absent narratives behind 129 graffiti signatures in the soft yellow bricks of the Canadian National Railways Depot, listed in the National Register of Historic Places and current cultural center
To hire a qualified consultant to develop architectural drawings for the Third Street Bridge, Cannon Falls, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A second opinion for a treatment proposal for the inspection certificate recovered from the shipwreck of the steamer Thomas Wilson was obtained by the Lake Superior Maritime Museum Association. The clearly written report, including detailed recommendations, was prepared by a qualified paper conservator. The LSMMA is now able to prioritize where this project fits into their Long Range Plan.
To do preservation work at the Thorstein Veblen Farmstead National Historic Landmark, located near Nerstrand, in Rice County, Minnesota, that will provide urgently needed stabilization and preservation of three out-buildings at the farmstead, including the original small barn, the large hay barn, and the granary.
The Upper Sioux Community secured the services of a qualified consultant to assist in completing an application for certification as a Tribal Historic Preservation Office (THPO) for the National Park Service. Public input meetings were conducted as part of the preparation for the application. Having THPO status will support one of the leading Dakota communities' efforts to secure and document their history.
The purpose of the project is to create a fresh introduction to the museum. The five panels that previously lined the wall outside the museum doorway were put in place nearly thirty years ago in the1980s. These panels have faded over the years and were in need of replacement. In addtion there was a desire to expand the time line back to the Paleolithic peoples who first inhabited the region in about 10,000 years ago.
To contract with qualified professionals to prepare construction documents for the preservation of the Tinnes-Baker House, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, and used as a cultural center.
To reconstruct interment records of the Lone Oak Lutheran Cemetery, a subscription service-cemetery software developer was contracted to manage cemetery records. The cloud-based solution is economical, saving on hardware costs and data storage. The yearly subscription saves on periodic high-cost upgrades. A new updated cemetery map was also generated by the service. After cross-checking the data it was entered as planned. The cemetery information has been shared with the Dakota County Historical Society, making it more accessible to the public.
The Together in Time project meets the needs of a diverse, aging population by empowering them as lifelong learners, encouraging them to tell stories, and supporting their caregivers in carrying out their essential roles.
The Together in Time project meets the needs of a diverse, aging population by empowering them as lifelong learners, encouraging them to tell stories, and by supporting their caregivers in carrying out their essential roles. Core elements of the program include leading programs in multiple locations for those with memory loss and their caregivers and working on tools such as a mobile app to show objects from MNHS's collections in order to spark conversations.
Unified Worldwide is a Hmong language Hip Hop project which includes songs accompanied by a curriculum. This is a journey to relearn Hmong language through writing lyrics. A strong focus of songs on this album are "message" and "content" to address social issues, reflect personal stories and preserve cultural identity. This album incorporates collaborations with Hmong elders who are masters of traditional instruments such as rab ncas (mouth harp), lub raj (flute) and xim xaus (violin).
To hire qualified professionals to repair exterior masonry and other features on the Tower Fire Hall, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
A professional historian was hired to prepare a nomination of the Duluth Missabe and Iron Range Depot to the National Register of Historic Places. The project's documentation was found to meet Secretary of Interior standards. The Depot was determined to be eligible for National Register Nomination.
The Chippewa Falls Townhall has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1979 as part of the Terrace Mill Historic District.
Storm damage accelerated the need for repairs to the more deteriorated areas of the building. Four areas were identified for this repair project. Roof shingles were replaced, the bell tower was restored, cornice returns were reconstructed and window frames and sashes were repaired, reglued and repainted. These maintainance measures are estimated to provide the building with protection from the elements for the next twenty years.
The society purchased 40 double-sided display racks and rack stands for a two-part exhibit. The first part of the exhibit, writing and displaying township histories has been completed. The second part, writing and displaying biographies of early settlers to each township using the 1900 census and plat maps, was only partially completed.
The exhibit told the stories of the toys of the baby boom era--of the kids who played with them, the adults who bought them, the child-rearing experts who judged them, and those who invented, packaged and advertised them--reflecting the rhythms of American life. Minnesota originals such as Tonka, Gumby, Twister and Cootie were highlighted. The 5,000-square-foot exhibition opened at the Minnesota History Center on May 24, 2014, and ran through January 4, 2015.
