NEWS & INFORMATION

2010 MINNESOTA HISTORY AWARDS - Posted 29 June 2010
The Alliance is now taking nominations for the 2010 Minnesota History Awards. There are three categories for nominations this year: Public Programs; Publications; Behind-The-Scenes.

A nomination form can be found at this link (this is a fillable-pdf file).

Entries are due by July 30 and will be announced by September 17 with a formal presentation at the Alliance's fall conference in October.

INPUT SOUGHT ON LEGACY FUND ACTIVITIES - Posted 16 June 2010
The Minnesota History Coalition is solciting input on the the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Legacy Amendment. Meetings will be held at:
     Preston, July 14
     Moorhead, July 20
     Virginia, July 21
     Windom, July 27
     North St. Paul, August 2
     Edina, August 3

To RSVP, use this form or call John Fulton at 651-259-3467.

MUSEUM ON MAIN STREET LOOKING FOR NEW SITES - Posted 11 June 2010
The Smithsonian Museum's traveling display program, Museum on Main Street, is looking for applicants for its next exhibit, New Harmonies: Celebrating American Roots Music. The Minnesota Humanities Commission is coordinating this tour.

A news release and application information can be found here.

The current display making its way across the state is Journey Stories.

MHS MICROFILM LAB - Updated 16 June 2010
The cost of acquiring copies of microfilms from the MHS Microfilm Lab has increased. The new prices are: $60 for black and white microfilm reels; $75 for silver negative reels. MHS members still receive a 10 percent discount on their orders. A complete list of MHS reproduction costs can be found here.

In other items about the microfilm lab, the Chaska Herald has a terrific article on that closure and its ramifications to local historical organizations. Click here to see the article. The Howard Lake Herald Journal also had a feature about the lab closure. Click here to see that article.

ARE YOU ON WIKIPEDIA? - Posted 17 November 2009
The popular web site, Wikipedia, features a listing of Minnesota museums. In keeping with the open (and somewhat contreversial) nature of Wikipedia, entries can be created and edited by registered users. Does your organization have a Wikipedia entry?

MUSEUMS OF MINNESOTA WEB SITE CREATED - Posted 16 November 2009
A new web site, Museums of Minnesota, has been started through the efforts of Twin Cities Public Television. This site will highlight museums of all sizes from across the state as a part of its research efforts for a new television series. To post your organization, simply go to the site and sign up. It is a quick, easy, and free way to increase your organizations presence on the net.

MINNESOTA HISTORY AWARDS ANNOUNCED - Posted 6 October 2009
In mid-September, a committee of past-presidents of the Minnesota Alliance of Local history Museums and current board members evaluated the submissions for the first annual Minnesota History Awards. The awards program not only provides recognition to the excellent work being done in Minnesota’s public history community, but we hope that it will also serve as maker to individuals and organizations in Minnesota on how to do great work.

Nominations were requested in four categories: Public Programs, Publications, Behind-the-Scenes, and Minnesota Sesquicentennial. The sesquicentennial category was a special category for the awards first year. A heartfelt thank you for the nominations that were submitted. We hope that the awards program will continue to grow in prominence and esteem in our field.

2008 Minnesota History Award Winners
Category: Public Programs
Arlington Historical Society for the Arlington Fire Hall Restoration Project.

Category: MN Sesquicentennial
Hennepin County Library for the program Minnovation: 150 Years of Ingenuity.

Jon Olson for the Minnesota Statehood Sesquicentennial Wagon Train.

The Ramsey County Historical Society, University UNITED, and the University Avenue History Group for “At The Center: 150 Years at Prior and University Avenues.”

Robert Waltz for The Minnesota Heritage Songbook.

The inaugural class of Minnesota History Award winners will be recognized at the Minnesota Alliance of Local History Museum’s October 26 annual meeting at the CSPS Sokol Hall in St. Paul. Click here for a registration form. The meeting is open to the public.

MINNESOTA LOCAL HISTORY WEBLOG
Looking for a forum to discuss issues relating to local history museums in Minnesota? Than look no further the the MHS Local History Weblog. Topics are added weekly. Viewers are strongly encouraged to add their thoughts and views to the forum. It is a simple way to share information between professionlals in our field. Our thanks to the staff at MHS for hosting this vital service.

COLLECTIONS INITIATIVE MANUALS & DVDS
As of August 1, 2006, there are NO manuals remaining. No new copies will be printed. A DVD of teleconference highlights has been compiled. Complimentary copies were sent to institutions and individuals who participated. Extra copies are available at $40 each. Contact Mike Worcester to order the DVD copy.