The Minnesota Historical Society is pleased to announce the newest recipients of 38 historical and cultural heritage large grants (over $10,000) in 24 counties, totaling $4,113,823 in FY2020. The grants, awarded once each fiscal year, are made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
“Every year we see so many exciting projects to preserve Minnesota history for future generations to experience, learn and enjoy, and this year is no exception,” said Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, grants manager for the Minnesota Historical Society.
Grant applications were recommended for funding by the Historic Resources Advisory Committee (HRAC), a volunteer panel made up of citizens from around the state. The MNHS Executive Council approved the recommendations on December 12, 2019.
Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants are made possible by the Legacy Amendment’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on November 4, 2008. The Legacy Amendment supports efforts to preserve Minnesota land, water and legacy, including Minnesota history and cultural heritage.
Local grant recipients
•City of Lanesboro, $66,320.Restoring Historic Heimbygda Lodge Exterior: To hire qualified professionals to repair the exterior of the 1910 Bethlehem Lutheran Church Hall, now operated by the Sons of Norway as Heimbygda Lodge, and listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
•City of Wykoff, $48,750.Mitchell Saloon Renovation and Stabilization: To hire qualified professionals to repair the 1876 Mitchell Saloon, listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
About Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants
The Minnesota Historical Society received a legislative appropriation of $12.85 million for the 2020-2021 biennium for the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage (“Legacy”) Grants: $5,846,000 for FY2020 and $7,004,000 for FY2021.
Grants are available for history and historic preservation projects in two funding tiers. Small grants of $10,000 or less are awarded quarterly. The next small grant application deadlines are April 10 and July 10, 2020. Large grants of more than $10,000 are offered once a year. All grants are administered through a competitive process using professional standards and criteria.
For more information on the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants program, visit www.mnhs.org/preservation/legacy-grants. Applications are accepted only through the MNHS grants portal.