To reduce wear on fifty Minneapolis high school yearbooks, dating from 1890-1922, they were made accessible to the public through digitization. This highly used collection is housed in the Minneapolis Central Library's Special Collection.
The digitized books can now be found online at the Hennepin County Library homepage and on its Special Collections page. They are searchable by keyword or can be veiwed page-by-page.
No project funds were spent. The Lessard-Sams Outdoor Heritage Council did not request that any services be performed with project funds. Accordingly, the $50,000 appropriation will be returned to the Outdoor Heritage Fund.
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.
Partner Organizations: Historic St. Paul, The St. Paul Heritage Preservation Commission and Ramsey County Historical Society.
Traditionally, the goal of historic properties surveys is to collect information to make determinations of National Register eligibility or local landmark designation. This ACHF project took that objective a step further.
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.
To hire a qualified consultant to write a historic structure report for the Alliance Francaise building, a contributing structure in the Warehouse District, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
The website currently under development will include an explanation of the digitization process and importance of the conservation project and 3D-scanning techniques performed during 2012 and 2013. It will also house the 3D images, providing a user-friendly way to search images by categories and learn the interpretation of the carvings.
The Minnesota Historical Society continued to work on revitalizing some of the state's most important and prominent historic sites. Program planners developed new programs at Historic Fort Snelling, Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post and the Charles A. Lindbergh Historic Site. Evaluation results showed that 81% of program guests surveyed felt that these programs increased their knowledge of Minnesota history, places and culture. 71% of guests responded that these programs increased their personal connection to history.
To hire a qualified architect to conduct a conditions assessment of the Crookston Carnegie Public Library, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
Partner: Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps
The Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps develops lifelong workforce skills by connecting young people to the earth, cultures, and traditions through historic preservation work and outdoor service. In partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society, a feasibility study was conducted and a business plan developed outlining the initiative's purpose and goals, detailing the proposed scope and strategies, and demonstrating that the initiative is financially viable.
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, web sites and papers, much like a "science fair for history."
Arts and Cultural Heritage funding made it possible for the Society to provide additional services to 118 schools in 39 counties across the state.
Partner Organization: University of Minnesota Twin Cities.
This program, sponsored by the Minnesota Historical Society and the University of Minnesota, provided 10 undergraduate college students with the opportunity to become History Museum Fellows in 2010.
The program launched with a semester-long course at the University of Minnesota where the students were introduced to issues related to diversity and museums, followed by a paid summer internship at the Society.
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.
Partner: The University of Minnesota--Twin Cities
University of Minnesota students from diverse backgrounds explored the museum field through a semester-long course at the U, followed by a paid summer internship at the Minnesota Historical Society. The course introduced students to issues related to diversity and museums. Students then chose from a wide range of internship positions and also interacted with professionals in the field during a museum study trip to Washington, D.C.
A 2,500-square-foot exhibition, "We Are Hmong/Peb Yog Hmoob," timed for the celebration of the 40th anniversary of the beginning of Hmong migration to Minnesota, is planned to open on March 7, 2015 and will run through November 29, 2015.
The Hmong Oral History Project aims to document Hmong stories and perspectives and for these interviews to be used as a resource for the We Are Hmong exhibit. MNHS worked with Mitch Lee, director of St. Paul's Hmong Broadcasting Company (HBC), to interview 10 prominent Hmong individuals. The interviews were created in video format by HBC's film crew. The interviews will be featured on HBC and will also become part of the MNHS collection available online at the Voices of Minnesota website, collections.mnhs.org/voicesofmn/.
Hokah city history was put on display with the installation of six historical markers in various locations throughout the city. The markers consist of narrative information and photographs of historically relevant structures. All markers are ADA height, located in high traffic areas and are enhanced, produced and presented under a silicone hardcoat panel. An unveiling ceremony was held in June, 2011.
