Twin Cities Residents Invited to Help Make History

Minnesota Historical Society Holds Public "Listening Sessions" in St. Paul December 6.
 
What do you want to accomplish with history funds from Minnesota's Legacy Amendment over the next 20 years? 

The Minnesota Historical Society (MHS) will ask Twin Cities residents that question at two listening sessions on Thursday, Dec. 6, 2012, at Historic Fort Snelling.   The first session, from 10:30 a.m. to noon, is open to people currently working in the history field.  The second listening session, from 1 to 2:30 p.m., is open to the general public.  For directions and information about Historic Fort Snelling, please visit www.historicfortsnelling.org/plan-visit/directions.
 
The Clean Water, Land and Legacy Amendment was approved by Minnesota voters in November 2008.  One of the Amendment's four funds, the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund (ACHF), supports the preservation of Minnesota's history and cultural heritage.  Many millions of ACHF dollars will be invested in Minnesota history over the 25-year life of the Legacy Amendment.
 
“We have an unprecedented opportunity to shape how history looks in the future,” said Matt Hill, MHS Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund Manager.  “We encourage Minnesotans to make history by giving a voice to this process.  What do you want to accomplish with Legacy history funds?”
 
To participate in either listening session, please RSVP to Nancy Franke Wilson, 763-360-3875 or mnhistory@comcast.net.
 
MHS is holding listening sessions in five communities throughout Minnesota in December.  Other listening sessions will be held in Marshall on Dec. 4, Virginia on Dec. 7, Owatonna on Dec. 11 and Detroit Lakes on Dec. 14. To learn about current MHS initiatives funded by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, please visit legacy.mnhs.org.
 
This event is made possible by the Legacy Amendment's Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008.
 
The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. The Society 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.

Mill City Museum Staff on Recent KFAI MinneCulture Feature: St. Anthony Falls

Mill City Museum Public Programs Specialist, David Stevens, and Director, Laura Salveson, featured in KFAI's January 4 MinneCulture segment entitled St. Anthony Falls.

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Larry Millett Talk and Book Signing at Mill City Museum

Author Larry Millett entertained a crowd of several hundred at the Mill City Museum October 6 with a talk and book signing for his new book, Once There Were Castles: Lost Mansions and Estates of the Twin Cities.   His examples ranged from grandiose downtown mansions (considered temporary and disposable by the wealthy), to sprawling estates that were vacated due to lost riches.  In this age of passionate preservation efforts, it's hard to comprehend how some of the most magnificent mansions were razed in as little as 20 years of being built.

Once There Were Castles is the first in-depth look at the history of Twin Cities’ mansions, covering ninety lost mansions and estates.  Organized by neighborhood and illustrated with photographs and drawings, it brings these “ghost mansions” back to life.

Mr. Millett not only possess a wealth of information, he presents it in an entertaining manner.  Future opportunities to see him are:

October 11, Hopkins Public Library
October 19, Common Good Bookstore
November 7, Author’s chat with Garrison Keillor, Fitzgerald Theater
December 11, St. Paul Public Library