Minnesota Historical Society Announces Grants for Civil War Projects
The Minnesota Historical Society recently awarded several grants supporting history-related projects with a focus on commemorating Minnesota’s role in the Civil War. Eight recipients received nine grants (up to $100,000), totaling…
The Minnesota Historical Society recently awarded several grants supporting history-related projects with a focus on commemorating Minnesota's role in the Civil War. Eight recipients received nine grants (up to $100,000), totaling $366,337, as part of the Historic Recognition Grants Program. The awards were approved by the MNHS Executive Council on May 20, 2016.
The Historic Recognition Grants Program was created through an Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund appropriation by the Minnesota Legislature during the 2015 session. This one-time appropriation is an effort to carry on the work done by the Minnesota Civil War Commemoration Task Force.
MNHS and the Civil War Commemoration Task Force collaborated to determine project priorities for the Historic Recognition Grants Program. Projects were required to meet at least of the following priorities:
- Explore reconciliation efforts concerning the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862
- Inform and inspire the next generation of teachers, scholars, students, and reenactors
- Preservation of existing Civil War statues and monuments dedicated to units, regiments or other groups and located throughout the state in public squares, parks, cemeteries, schools, courthouses and other popular gathering spots
The Minnesota Historical Society also recently awarded Historical and Cultural Heritage Small Grants (up to $10,000 each) with 60 recipients of 69 grants, totaling $456,396 in 29 counties.
Historic Recognition Grants Program Recipients
Recipients of grants (up to $100,000) are listed by county, in alphabetical order below. All projects must preserve, recognize, and promote the historic legacy of Minnesota, with a focus on commemoration of Minnesota’s role in the American Civil War.
Dakota County, South St. Paul, Dakota County Historical Society, $17,670
Civil War & Dakota War Publication: To publish a book that collects six articles about the Civil War and one article on the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Books will be distributed in Dakota County.
Hennepin County, Minneapolis, AIM Interpretive Center, $36,850
War Within War: The Dakota, the Anishinaabe, and the US Government in 1862: A traveling photographic exhibit to present the Dakota War as an intersection of Dakota-Anishinaabe rivalry, white settlement, and U.S. government policy in the midst of the Civil War.
Morrison County, Little Falls, Minnesota Military Museum, $7,500
Upgrade Civil War Timeline Permanent Exhibit at Minnesota Military Museum: To integrate components of "Minnesota's Two Civil Wars" temporary exhibit into the museum's permanent but dated timeline gallery.
Otter Tail County, Battle Lake, Prospect House, $38,652
Civil War Museum Education Program: To develop an accredited education program and interpretive tour reflecting Minnesota's role in the Civil War, and the settlement of west central Minnesota after the Civil War.
Ramsey County, St. Paul, Ramsey County Historical Society, $98,820
African-American Minnesotans and the Civil War: To inform and inspire the public and students of the important roles and legacy of African-Americans in or from Minnesota during the Civil War, through video productions for web sharing and classroom use.
Ramsey County, St. Paul, Ramsey County Historical Society, $30,935
Publish “Fort Snelling in the Civil War” book: To edit and publish a 130,000 word manuscript on Fort Snelling during the Civil War.
Scott County, Shakopee, Three Rivers Park District, $31,680
Educational Program Development & Implementation - The Lower Minnesota Valley in the Civil & Dakota Wars: To develop and implement a new suite of educational programs to connect school-age visitors with the story of the Minnesota Valley in the Civil & U.S.-Dakota Wars.
Steele County, Owatonna, Steele County Historical Society, $34,110
Steele County Civil War Textbook: To write and print a book commemorating Steele County’s service in the American Civil War. This book will be donated to Steele County schools.
St. Louis County, Duluth, Northern Bedrock Historic Preservation Corps, $70,120 Soldiers and Sailors Monument Restoration: To restore the Soldier and Sailors Monument at Duluth Civic Center Historic District, a memorial to those who served in the American Civil War.
ABOUT THE MINNESOTA HISTORICAL SOCIETY
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, the Society preserves our past, shares our state’s stories and connects people with history. http://www.mnhs.org/
The Minnesota Historical Society is supported in part by its Premier Partners: Xcel Energy and Explore Minnesota Tourism.
