2026 Conference Schedule

Pre-Conference (Tuesday, April 28, 2026)

Schedule is subject to change.

A table of the 2026 Pre-Conference schedule. Under the column St. Peter: Traverse des Sioux Guided Tours & Talk, 10am-12pm, host & location: NCHS; Lunch on Your Own 12-1pm, Traverse des Sioux self-guided tours, local shopping, & exploration 1-4pm; under the column BECHS: Check-in at BECHS 10am-4pm; Lunch On Your Own 12-1pm; Wet Salvage Mini-Workshop 1-3pm, host: MA Team; under the column Mankato: Buffalo Ambassadors 1, 11am-12pm; host: BECHS, location: Minneopa State Park; Lunch on Your Own 12-1pm; Buffalo Ambassadors 2, 1:30-2:30pm, host: BECHS, Location: Minneopa State Park; MNSU Exhibit Talk & Tour, 2:30-4pm, host: MNSU, location: Mankto; under the column On Your Own: self guided tours (St. Peter, North Mankato, Mankato), local shopping, & exploration 10-4pm

10:00am-4:00pm Check-In at Blue Earth County Historical Society (BECHS); Self-Guided Tours &
Exploration

Official check-in will be open at BECHS from approx. 10am-4pm on Tuesday. Due to the distance, you're welcome to attend events in St. Peter (if registered) without checking in first! If you arrive later in the day on Tuesday, you may have to wait until Wednesday to pick up your badge and folder.

A variety of self-guided tours around St. Peter, North Mankato, and Mankato will be available to attendees who want to choose their own adventure! Each tour will be self-contained and attendees can spend as little or as long as they like exploring.

10:00am-12:00pm Traverse des Sioux Guided Tours & Talk at Nicollet County Historical Society (NCHS)

11:00am-12:00pm Buffalo Ambassadors at Minneopa State Park

Visit the Minneopa State Park Waterfalls & Bison Drive! The word Minneopa means "water falling twice" in Dakota. The park is home to a bison herd, part of statewide efforts to protect wild bison and preserve their genetic diversity. Attendees can drive their own vehicles through the bison range and stop at the historic Seppmann Mill Overlook, where the park's knowledgeable Bison Ambassadors are stationed. They share stories, answer questions, and help visitor discover the rich history and natural wonder of the American Plains Bison. You can also view bison artifacts and learn more about their role in Minnesota's landscape.

A Minnesota State Parks permit is needed for entry into the park— consider carpooling or checking one out from your local library!

12:00pm-1:00pm Lunch On Your Own

1:00pm-3:00pm Wet Salvage Mini-Workshop w/MALHM Mutual Assistance Team (BECHS)

Learn and practice wet salvage skills with the MALHM Mutual Assistance Team at BECHS. They will share a short presentation at 1pm and then give you a chance to practice retrieving & drying historic materials. Space will be limited (room for ~20-25 people at a time)— feel free to drop in & out between other activities.

1:30pm-2:30pm Buffalo Ambassadors at Minneopa State Park

2:30pm-4:00pm This Statue in This Place: Creating an Exhibit for the Abraham Lincoln Statue at
Minnesota State University, Mankato (Memorial Library)

This pre-conference session will include a presentation about the development of the exhibit, "This Statue in this Place: Abraham Lincoln Statue at Minnesota State University, Mankato." The goal of the exhibit is to create a space that stimulates deeper discussions and new research while helping the Greater Mankato community better understand the history of the Dakota people, the complexities of Lincoln's time, and how historical events shape contemporary thought and people.

Following the presentation, attendees can visit the exhibit and/or do an optional tour of the Marilyn J. Lass Center for Minnesota Studies and the University Archives and Southern Minnesota Historical Center at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The session will include students, faculty, and administrators involved in the project. It will be of interest for those wanting to learn more about: contextualizing monuments, Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants, working with college students, and exhibit design.

TBA Exhibitor set-up at Mayo Event Center

4:00pm-7:00pm Dinner & drinks on your own, check-in at hotel, explore area

7:00pm-9:00pm Mixer at Nicollet County Historical Society

Main Conference (Wednesday, April 29, 2026)

Schedule & details are subject to change.

REGISTRATION CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST

7:30 – 9:00 AM

EXHIBIT HALL & RESOURCE SWAP OPEN (AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT DAY)

WELCOMING REMARKS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:00 AM

SESSION 1

9:20 – 10:20 AM

Letteracy Deck: A Novel History Museum Engagement Project In Which Visitors Read Other People's Mail & Write Their Own

Anne Brataas, Minnesota Children's Press; Annie Buresh, Cook County Historical Society

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Activity/Demonstration | Audience Level: All

In this session we will: *Introduce the innovative concept of a free and screen-free public letter writing park called Letteracy Deck www.letteracydeck.org housed on the Cook County History Museum outdoor deck in Grand Marais, overlooking Lake Superior. *Explore how Letteracy Deck works *Report its impact: huge! In 2025 summer, Letteracy Deck attracted an estimated 4,000 visitors who wrote and mailed 5,327 cards and letters *Engage session attendees in a pop-up Letteracy Deck experience

State of the Nonprofit Sector

Jackie McNeil, Minnesota Council of Nonprofits

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: All

Join Jackie McNeil of the Minnesota Council of Nonprofits for a concise look at statewide nonprofit trends drawn from MCN’s Current Conditions survey and Economy Report. This session highlights key sector challenges and opportunities and offers museum professionals insight into how broader nonprofit dynamics shape organizational needs, capacity, and community impact.

Your Collection is Trying to Kill You - Identifying Hazards in Museum Collections

Ann Grandy & Emma Nyhammer, Pope County Historical Society

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

From arsenic & mercury to unexploded ordnances & exploding film, our museum collections contain hazardous materials. In this session we will discuss common hazards to look for in your collection and steps you can take to keep staff, visitors, and your collection safe.

Website Tune-Up: Strategies for Museum Websites

Joe Hoover, Minnesota Historical Society

Track: Social Media & Marketing | Format: Activity/Demonstration | Audience Level: All

Discover what makes museum websites effective by exploring examples from historical organizations beyond Minnesota. Then, visit the Minnesota Historical Society booth for a personalized consultation to assess your website’s strengths and areas for improvement.

MORNING BREAK & POSTER SESSION

10:30 – 10:50 AM

SESSION 2

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

From History to Healing: Building Community Partnerships for Change

Emily Thabes, Beltrami County Historical Society; Isabella Schaefer, The Recovery Space, LLC

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: All

In an age of social fragmentation and funding uncertainty, museums can be catalysts for community well-being. This session explores how the Beltrami County Historical Society partnered with The Recovery Space, LLC to create collaborative programs—like Menstruation Health Week and the History Mystery event—that connect history to present-day needs, empower marginalized voices, and demonstrate the transformative power of local partnerships.

Be the Heart of Your Organization

Sabrina Anderson, Carlton County Historical Society

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: All

Learn how to increase memberships, donations, community outreach programs and revitalize your organization.

Mapping Memory: Transforming Physical Resources into a Digital Exhibit

Jamison Vierstraete & Josephine Miller, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

This presentation covers the methods of two student workers at the Minnesota State University, Mankato Archives when researching, designing, and developing a digital exhibit looking at a road trip through the American west taken by two geography professors in 1936 and 1996. This research project culminated in a digital exhibit created using Omeka and Knight Lab’s Timeline and Story Map tools, which are freely available and may be useful for others looking to create similar projects.

You Are Here: A public TV tour of MN Counties

Daniel Pierce Bergin, Twin Cities PBS; Mike Sholtz, Minnesota Historia; Hailey Eidenschink-Ziebol, St. Louis County Depot

Track: Social Media & Marketing | Format: Roundtable Discussion | Audience Level: All

Every Minnesota county has a story. Let’s tell them together! A new PBS project proposes to tell a tale from every Minnesota county, which could include the hidden treasures, powerful profiles, quirky keepsakes found in YOUR museums. Learn about engaging, fun, hyper local pbs history content, brainstorm about possible pieces and profiles from your county, and discuss ways this proposed anthology of stories could support your organizations' engagement, events, and education.

LUNCH & NETWORKING

12:00 – 1:30 PM

MALHM 2026 ANNUAL MEETING & VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION

1:00 – 1:30 PM

SESSION 3

1:40 – 2:40 PM

What Makes Cultural Collaborations Work?

Randal J. Forster & Tom Trow, Mower County Historical Society; Noah White & Franky Jackson, Prairie Island Indian Community; Todd Mahon, Minnesota Historical Society

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Panel | Audience Level: Intermediate & Advanced

Successful collaborations between history agencies and tribal communities can depend on multiple factors. In a panel discussion, Noah White and Franky Jackson from the Prairie Island Indian Community (PIIC) Tribal Historic Preservation Office discuss numerous projects and examples of what works from their perspective. Randal J. Forster and Tom Trow will offer the Grand Meadow Chert Quarry/Wahni Yukan project with PIIC as a case study, and moderator Todd Mahon will present funding options available for developing partnerships.

Building Your Soapbox: How to Advocate for Your Organization

MALHM Advocacy Team (Dave Nichols, Emily Thabes, Jess Edberg, Charley Langowski, & Catherine James)

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Panel | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

This session will discuss tips and tricks for how organizations of any level can advocate to their communities, government officials, and members for their importance and value to the communities they serve.

They Asked Us What? The Role of Research Request Tracking in Archives and Research Libraries

Marisa Campanaro, Wright County Historical Society

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Roundtable Discussion | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

This session provides a look at why research request tracking matters within archives and research libraries, and how it can be integrated into your own organization. Whether requests are handled inconsistently, collections have gaps, or shareholders want to know what is being asked, tracking forms can provide the data we need to know. After a roundtable discussion with other colleagues, attendees will leave with practical approaches for implementing a tracking form for your own organization.

History Goes Viral: Connecting with New Generations

Angela Imdieke, Friends of Linden Hill, Inc.; Maddy Ploof, Intern

Track: Social Media & Marketing | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Beginner

Learn how Friends of Linden Hill went from launching TikTok in June 2025 to going viral by August! This session teaches museum pros the basics of TikTok, how to use trends to boost views, and strategies to reach new audiences—engaging a new generation with history in fun, creative ways.

AFTERNOON BREAK & POSTER SESSION

2:50 – 3:10 PM

SESSION 4

Unearthing Hard Truths: Reclaiming, Visualizing, and Mediating Complex Local Histories

3:20 – 4:20 PM

Jeremiah Ellis, Ramsey County Historical Society; Alan Schutte, Platt Hollow Road; Daniel Pierce Bergin, Twin Cities PBS; Jillian Knight, Building Remembrance for Reconciliation

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Panel | Audience Level: Intermediate

Explore the challenge of telling complex hometown stories. Learn creative strategies for addressing tricky/controversial local histories and historical silence, using visual storytelling and media to foster community strength and justice.

What's the plan? Preparing your organization for leadership change

Amy Degerstrom, Stearns History Museum

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: Intermediate & Advanced

We've all been there- our museum or historic site has been led by the same tried and true volunteers or directors for years...and now, they are ready to retire! Or, we've had an unexpected change in leadership due to new opportunities, death of a staff member or lead volunteer, or human resources challenge. So, what's the plan?! Don't panic. This session will talk about the reasons you may need a succession plan, outline the questions and steps to consider when making one, and provide ideas about recruiting the next generation of caretakers for your community's shared history.

Preserving Local Media: A Practical Roadmap for Museums

Ron McCoy & Mark Stanley, Minnesota Media Arts

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Intermediate

Learn a simple approach to preserving photos, slides, film, audio, and video in your museum. This session explains why recorded media is at risk, what steps can protect it, and how preservation can increase visitor engagement. Designed for museums of any size, with examples from Minnesota collections and time for questions.

Completing Archaeology Ahead of Ground Disturbing Projects at Your Historic Property

Jeremy L. Nienow, Nienow Cultural Consultants; Todd Grover, MacDonald & Mack Architects; Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, Minnesota Historical Society

Track: Historic Preservation & Building Maintenance | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: Advanced

Minnesota Legacy Amendment grants on National Register of Historic Places properties now often require archaeology ahead of ground disturbing efforts. This can lead to unexpected delays and project uncertainty. Join Jeremy L. Nienow, Ph.D., RPA, owner of Nienow Cultural Consultants LLC, for a look at the archaeological process with examples taken directly from recent Legacy projects. The presentation will be about 30mins long followed by a 30min “ask an archaeologist” round table focused on the most commonly asked questions involving archaeology.

DINNER & DRINKS ON YOUR OWN

4:30 – 7:00 PM

EVENING MIXER @ BLUE EARTH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY

7:00 – 9:00 PM

Main Conference (Thursday, April 30, 2026)

Schedule & details are subject to change.

REGISTRATION CHECK-IN & BREAKFAST

7:30 – 9:00 AM

EXHIBIT HALL & RESOURCE SWAP OPEN (AVAILABLE THROUGHOUT DAY)

MORNING REMARKS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

9:00 AM

SESSION 5

9:20 – 10:20 AM

Beyond the Chair: Black Barbers, Entrepreneurship, and Civic Engagement in Early Minnesota

Mica L. Anders, Anders Genealogical Services; Emma Peterson, Goodhue County Historical Society; Regan Richardson, Independent Researcher

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Panel | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

Most Minnesota counties had multiple Black barbers operating between 1850-1890, but their stories remain buried in archives. Using Goodhue County as a case study, this panel shows how to uncover documents already in your collections about early Black entrepreneurship, community engagement, and civic leadership. Learn how to collaborate with genealogists and community members to uncover these narratives, strengthen your institutional knowledge, and provide answers when researchers and visitors come asking about early Black communities.

Ready, set, GO!: MNHS Grants Office round table Q&A

Gillian Maguire, Carolyn Veeser-Egbide, Melinda Hutchinson, & John Fulton, Minnesota Historical Society

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Roundtable Discussion
Audience Level: Intermediate

The MNHS Grants Office will answer questions that we have gotten a lot recently (what is the deal with the new $20,000 small grant limit? What is it like to serve on the Historic Resources Advisory Committee?, and so on). Then we will turn the floor over to you for a Q&A session. Bring questions large or small about the grant program, application process, documentation requirements, procurement, etc. If there aren’t enough questions to fill the time, Grants Office staff will conduct a dramatic reading of selections from the Grants Manual.

Content That Connects: Using SEO & Creator Thinking to Reach New Audiences

Leah Zacate, Minnesota State University, Mankato

Track: Social Media & Marketing | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

Learn how museums and archives can apply SEO and creator-style thinking to make their stories more discoverable, engaging, and audience-centered. This session covers practical tools, caption strategies, and content workflows that help small museums and archives reach new audiences through modern, authentic digital storytelling.

MORNING BREAK

10:30 – 10:50 AM

SESSION 6

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM

Crowd-sourcing your archives while increasing engagement

Jess Edberg, Dorothy Molter Museum

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Activity/Demonstration | Audience Level: Intermediate

Learn about Zooniverse, a "people-powered" research platform and how it can be used to support transcriptions of archive material that you just don't have time for while also building an online community of engaged volunteers and supporters. Bring your laptop or tablet to play along as we explore! (mobile device not required)

So You're Going to be Homeless: What to do when the illusion of stability dissolves

Rebecca Ebnet Desens & Chad Roberts, Anoka County Historical Society

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: Intermediate

Find out what ACHS did to cope with the sudden news that their city-owned building would be torn down for redevelopment. Session takeaways include managing emotional responses, adapting to change, and utilizing the network of advocates you've built over time to create a contingency plan.

Myron Hall and the St. Cloud Times: 80 Years of History in Photographs

Grant Wilson, Stearns History Museum

Track: Collections & Exhibits | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Intermediate

The Myron Hall and St. Cloud Times Photograph Collections are two major and ongoing projects at the Stearns History Museum. Combined, these collections contain nearly 80 years of St. Cloud area history in photographs. This session will cover how the collections have been processed and stored in the past and how they are being processed and cataloged now. It will cover accessibility, print and negative storage, description, and condition survey methods.

LUNCH & NETWORKING

12:00 – 1:30 PM

2026 HISTORY AWARDS PROGRAM

12:45 – 1:30 PM

SESSION 7

1:40 – 2:40 PM

Making Your Tours Work For You

Heather Harren, Blue Earth County Historical Society

Track: Education & Outreach | Format: Traditional Presentation | Audience Level: Advanced

Take your tours beyond the simple in-person events and have them earn income for your organization outside a single day. Learn how you can use videos, your website and/or an app and what you can do to extend your tour life and lessen the burden on staff and volunteer time. Video and website editing are necessary for this session to be useful for your organization.

The Review Process - It's not scary!

Randal J. Forster, Mower County Historical Society

Track: Organizational Leadership & Development | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: Beginner & Intermediate

Does your organization have a formal review process for its employees? If the answer is no, how do you start from scratch? If the answer is yes, how is your current process working? How can it be improved to inspire and motivate your staff? The review process should not be difficult or feared. The review process should encourage everyone within your organization to be more productive in order to achieve common goals in a positive collaborative manner.

The Secretary of the Interior's Standards and Maintaining Your Historic Architecture

Mark Johnston, Historic Design Consulting LLC; & Others

Track: Historic Preservation & Building Maintenance | Format: Traditional Presentation
Audience Level: Intermediate

Maintaining and restoring an historic building present many challenges. Chief among these are the materials and building methods that are unique to 19th and early 20th century architecture. This session will discuss the The Secretary of the Interior's Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties and how they apply both to restoration work and applications for funding. Case studies on the restoration historic windows and masonry will introduce you to the standards both for overseeing restoration work and applications for funding.