Minnesota History: Building A Legacy Report to the Governor and the Legislature on Funding for History Programs and Projects supported by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund January 2012 Table of Contents Letter from the Minnesota Historical Society Director . 1 Introduction . 2 Feature Stories on 2012 Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) History Programs, Partnerships, Grants and Initiatives U .S .-Dakota War of 1862 . 7 Civil War . 10 U .S . and Minnesota Constitutions . 11 History in Our Hands . 12 History Musuem Fellows . 14 Grants Highlights . 15 Archaeological Surveys . 17 Minnesota Digital Library . 18 2012 ACHF History Appropriations Language . Grants tab 2012 Report of Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants (Organized by Legislative District) . 19 2012 Report of Statewide History Programs . 31 2012 Report of Statewide History Partnerships . 43 2012 Report of Other Statewide Initiatives Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites . 51 Minnesota Digital Library . 52 Update of ACHF Expenditures, Jan .–June, 2011 . 53 Estimated cost of preparing and printing this report (as required by Minn. Stat. § 3.197): $2,093 Upon request the 2012 report will be made available in alternate format such as Braille, large print or audio tape. For TTY contact Minnesota Relay Service at 800-627-3529 and ask for the Minnesota Historical Society. For more information or for paper copies of the 2012 report contact the Society at: 345 Kellogg Blvd W., St Paul, MN 55102, 651-259-3000. The 2012 report is available at the Society’s website: www.mnhs.org/legacy. COVER IMAGES, CLOCKWIse FROM upper-LEFT: American Indian Museum Fellowship students view MHS collections; Bride Crystal Vang during traditional Hmong wedding ceremony; Minnesota History Day performance at the State Fair; Gordon Parks High School student conducting oral history interview; craft fun during Asian Pacific Heritage Day at the History Center. Letter from the Director As we enter the second biennium since the passage of the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment, we at the Minnesota Historical Society are eager to share the valuable and exciting history initiatives touching Minnesotans around the state, all made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). We are grateful to the people of Minnesota for passing the Legacy Amendment in Novem- ber 2008. We take very seriously our constitutional mandate “to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage.” ACHF-supported history projects are creating a legacy for all Minnesotans in many ways. Education — Society staff are using cutting-edge technology to reach more schoolchil- dren and help them create deeper, more meaningful connections to history. Important stories that shaped our state are being told to new generations through exhibits about the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and the Civil War. Preservation — Like environmental resources, once historical resources are gone, they can never be replaced. ACHF support is helping local historical organizations statewide protect fragile collections and historic buildings. Access — Minnesotans in the farthest corners of the state can log on to the internet to find an ever-growing wealth of historical resources including newspapers, artifacts, teacher training courses and interactive history lessons delivered straight to the class- room via video conferencing technology. Building Community — In small towns and large cities across Minnesota, young and old are forging deep connections by documenting their community’s history together. Dozens of small Minnesota cities are learning how to best preserve their historic down- towns while boosting business. The Minnesota Historical Society is not alone in creating this Legacy gift for future generations. We are collaborating with history-minded groups around the state —from major universities to tribal organizations, libraries and a range of cultural institutions. Together, we are writing the book of Minnesota’s history. The Legacy Amendment is allowing us to add pages we never dreamed possible — each page building a richer, more complete resource for future Minnesotans to use and enjoy. On behalf of the groups and individuals carrying out Legacy history projects, we thank the legislature and Governor for making possible these opportunities to preserve the past. Sincerely, D. Stephen Elliott, Director www.mnhs.org/legacy 1 Introduction On November 4, 2008, Minnesota voters approved the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment to preserve some of the most important elements that make Minnesota what it is today. This amendment to the Minnesota Constitution, often referred to as the “Legacy Amendment,” created four funds, one of which is the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF). The Legacy Amendment mandates that a portion of the ACHF be used “to preserve Minnesota’s history and cultural heritage” (Minnesota Constitution, Article XI, Sec. 15). Each January, the Minnesota Historical Society is required to submit an annual report to the governor and legislature detailing expenditures it has made from the ACHF. This report details all ACHF projects and programs funded through the Society in the first six months of fiscal year 2012. It also includes an update of ACHF projects conducted in the last half of fiscal year 2011, after the submission of last year’s annual report. ACHF history projects are benefitting Minnesotans statewide by: • Creating new, innovative learning opportunities for students and teachers • Preserving and sharing our state’s historic stories and treasures • Giving Minnesotans unprecedented access to historical and cultural resources • Empowering Minnesotans to connect and make improvements in their communities Appropriations The Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF) receives 19.75% of overall Legacy funding. In 2011, the legislature appropri- ated $24.1 million from the ACHF to the Minnesota Historical Society for the two-year period July 2011–June 2013. That appropriation breaks down to $12,050,000 for fiscal year 2012 and $12,050,000 for fiscal year 2013. The legislature divided the fiscal year 2012–2013 appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society into the following five categories: Category 2012 Appropriation 2013 Appropriation Statewide Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants $5,250,000 $5,250,000 Statewide History Programs $4,800,000 $4,800,000 Statewide History Partnerships $1,500,000 $1,500,000 Statewide Survey of Historical and Archaeological Sites $250,000 $250,000 Minnesota Digital Library $250,000 $250,000 Total $12,050,000 $12,050,000 2 www.mnhs.org/legacy STATEWIDE OUTREACH H ISTORIC RESOURCES ADVISORY COMMITTEE Since late 2008, the Minnesota Historical Society has Legislation specifies that the Historic Resources Advi- collaborated with the public and many history-minded sory Committee have balanced statewide membership organizations to maximize the efficiency and effective- and include representatives of local, county and state- ness of historical projects funded by the Arts and Cul- wide historic and cultural organizations and programs. tural Heritage Fund. It further requires that the committee shall include, but is not limited to, members representing the interests of To date, the Minnesota Historical Society has hosted historic preservation, local history, archaeology, archi- or participated in 64 statewide events involving more val programs and other cultural programs related to than 2,000 people (some map locations indicate mul- the history of Minnesota. tiple events): Serving a two-year term ending fall 2013: Chair Mark Peterson—Executive Director, Winona County Historical Society. Qualified in history, historic preservation and history museum administration. Leanne Brown—Director of Development, Carver County Library/Library Foundation. Qualified in history, project management and museum studies. Jack Byers—Manager, Minneapolis Community Planning and Economic Development Department. Qualified in historic preservation, architecture, urban geography and planning. Tamara Edevold—Executive Director, Clearwater County Historical Society. Qualified in history, archaeology, anthropology and history museum administration. Ram Gada—Engineer from Eden Prairie. Active in the documentation of Minnesota’s East Indian community, former member State Historical Records Advisory Board. Qualified in engineering, energy consulting and grants administration. Historic Resources Advisory Committee: As required William Latady—Bois Forte Deputy Tribal Historic by law, the Society appointed a volunteer citizen panel Preservation Officer and Curator, Bois Forte to guide decisions for the Minnesota Historical and Heritage Museum. Qualified in archaeology, Cultural Heritage Grants Program. These recommenda- anthropology, historic preservation and history tions are then reviewed and approved by the Society’s museum administration. governing board. Benjamin Vander Kooi—Attorney at Vander Kooi Law Offices, P.A., in Luverne, MN, active in Workshops and Outreach Activities: The Society Vote Yes! Campaign, past chair of MN State Arts solicited opinions and ideas from citizens around Board, advisor for National Trust for Historic the state regarding history expenditures and where Preservation. Qualified in historic preservation and funding is needed most and also helped potential nonprofit and grants administration. grantees apply for funding through the ACHF-funded Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grants Program. Serving a one-year term ending fall 2012: Brenda Child—Chair, Department of American 10- and