2025
Annual Conference
& Meeting
White Bear Lake, MN
April 22 - 24, 2025
Join us for the 2025 MALHM Annual Conference & Meeting in White Bear Lake, MN!
Connect with colleagues from across the region at Minnesota's largest event for local history people. Explore products and services for your organization, dive into local history through evening socials, and hone your skills in a variety of workshop sessions.
Activities & Events
Pre-Conference Event (4/22/25)
NEW LOCATION: White Bear Lake Armory, 2228 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Tuesday Evening Mixer (4/22/25)
Maplewood Area Historical Society (2170 County Rd D E, Maplewood, MN 55109)
Wednesday Evening Mixer (4/23/25)
Washington County Heritage Center (1862 Greeley St S, Stillwater, MN 55082)
Conference Venues
White Bear Lake Armory & Kellerman's Event Center
2228 & 2222 4th St., White Bear Lake, MN 55110
Hotel
Best Western Plus White Bear Lake Country Inn
4940 US-61, White Bear Lake, MN 55110
80 rooms available at $110/night
Check-In: 3pm / Check-Out: 11am
Reserve online or by calling 651-429-5393 (mention MN Alliance of Local History)
The MALHM reservation block ends on March 22, 2025.
NOTE: After clicking the link, the reservation page will automatically populate the booking dates as April 22-24, 2025. Click the "edit" button at the top right to adjust your dates or number of guests/rooms.
Amenities
-
Complimentary full hot breakfast
-
10 minute walk (4 blocks) from conference facilities
-
Free Wi-Fi
-
Free parking
-
Pool, business center, & fitness center
Alternative Hotels
There are multiple other hotels in the area that conference attendees are welcome to book if they wish. Please note that official conference transportation will only be running from the Best Western WBL Country Inn.
"MALHM's annual conference is my favorite conference of the year!
It's fantastic to learn and share with peers from across the state.
Great energy, great information, and lots of fun!"
"I've attended dozens of conferences over my career, in many different areas, and this is the one I never want to miss.
It's THE conference for local history museums!"
"The MALHM Annual Meeting is a MUST ATTEND! You can expand your practice exponentially by all of the offers and your professional peers."
Schedule & Program
Schedule for 2025 Conference now posted! Please note: this is subject to change.
PRECONFERENCE EVENT– Based at the White Bear Lake Amory
9:30am Registration Check-In Opens (WBL Armory)
10:00-11:15am Gangster Bus Tour #1* (Departing from WBL Armory)
Come along for an adventurous outing to explore the hideouts and haunts of the 1930s-era gangsters who
laid low in the cottages around White Bear and Bald Eagle Lakes. Sights include a Mahtomedi speakeasy and
the location of a notorious night club.
10:00am-2:00pm Self-guided tours at the Washington County Historic Courthouse
Located high on a hill overlooking downtown Stillwater, the Washington County Historic Courthouse is the longest standing courthouse in the state of Minnesota, serving as the county seat for over 100 years. Staff
will be available for conversations, questions, and guiding visitors to different parts of the building. Public
street parking & parking lot available.
10:30 & 11:30am Presentations on Courthouse Preservation Project
Brief presentations by Jack Nilsen (Washington County Parks Coordinator for Historic Sites) on a recently-
finished $5.2 million preservation project that took place at the courthouse. Q&A to follow.
11:30am-1:00pm Lunch (provided at WBL Armory)
11:45am-12:30pm Inaugural Poster Session (WBL Armory)
12:15-1:30pm Gangster Bus Tour #2* (Departing from WBL Armory)
1:00pm Presentation on Courthouse Preservation Project
1:00-4:00pm Warden's House Museum Open for Tours & Explore Downtown Stillwater
The Warden's House Museum was built in 1853 and served as the home for the wardens of the territorial and
state prison. Today, this beautiful limestone house is filled with 19th-century artifacts. Tours of the house include stories about the prison's early days when Minnesota was still a territory and what life was like for
prisoners on the inside.
There is limited parking and an ADA accessible drop off behind the Warden's House Museum. Drive up the hill, bear
right at the driveway split, and the parking lot is behind the house. For ADA accessibility, follow the sidewalk behind
the house to the door on the left side. Public parking is also available across the street.
2:30-3:45pm Gangster Bus Tour #3* (Departing from WBL Armory)
2:30-3:30pm Local Presentation- "Exhibits– The Possibilities Are Endless!" with the Conference Host Committee
We will take a look at a range of exhibits to fit any budget and space. From in-house two-dimensional
displays, to studio-designed custom pieces, we will offer tips and ideas to bring your stories to life.
4:00-5:00pm Vendor Set-Up at WBL Armory
4:00-7:00pm Check-In at Hotel, Explore White Bear Lake, Dinner & Drinks on Your Own
7:00-9:00pm Evening Mixer: Maplewood Area Historical Society
Join us for a lively MALHM mixer at the Maplewood Area Historical Society! Enjoy live music, engaging
games, and delightful hayrides. Savor local munchies while sipping from our cash bar. Expect thrilling
surprises and a vibrant atmosphere! Don’t miss this chance to connect with our colleagues from around the
state and celebrate all we do. See you there!
*Bus Tours will require time sign-ups. Messages will be sent to pre-conference registrants in early April 2025.
-
Session #1 (Wednesday, 9:20-10:20am)North Star Connect Speed Networking MALHM Networking & Inclusion Team Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner Join MALHM’s Networking and Inclusion Team for an hour of speed networking with your Minnesota museum peers! How does it work? Participants will rotate through small groups over 4 rounds, each with its own theme. Moderators from the Networking & Inclusion Team will provide the starting question and keep the conversation flowing. You just need to bring your experience and great ideas. This is a wonderful option for first time conference attendees to meet other museum workers from around the state. You've Got Donations! Piled Up! Now What? A Look at Processing, Accessioning, Deaccessioning, & Registration Systems Rose Kubiatowicz, Have Gloves Will Travel LLC Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: All This session begins with a look at policies, procedures and forms needed to successfully accept & register, accession, record, process & catalog acquisitions according to professional museum standards & best practices, and traditional practices & methods when appropriate. The conversation delves into acquisition & deaccessioning criteria. Several fascinating & engaging case studies from Minnesota museums, are interwoven throughout the presentation. Interaction is encouraged! Ends with a Q & A. Let's Talk Field Trips! Claire Steffen, Minnesota Historical Society Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner Join for this roundtable discussion around current challenges, recent wins, and best practices for history field trips. Meet colleagues and brainstorm how we could best support each other through a community of practice for field trip practitioners. Presenting with Impact: Tools and Techniques for Engaging Audiences Miranda Stueckrath, Stearns History Museum Social Media & Marketing | Audience Level: Beginner Discover the keys to creating and delivering impactful presentations! This session covers practical strategies for planning, designing, and engaging your audience, along with tips for keeping your content clear and memorable. We’ll also explore popular tools—including Prezi, Canva, Adobe Express, PowerPoint, and Google Slides—highlighting each platform’s unique features and best uses. Perfect for beginners and those looking to enhance their presentation skills.
-
Session #2 (Wednesday, 11:00am-12:00pm)Oral History for Beginners: A Lightning-Fast Overview Vicki Albu, Oral Historian; Ryan Barland, Plymouth History Center; Crystal Boyd, Crystal Boyd Consulting LLC; John Crippen, Hennepin History Museum; Jeremiah Ellis, Ellis Heritage Services LLC; Sara Ring, Minitex Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner Everyone loves a good story! Oral history is a powerful way to build relationships, document local history, and diversify representation in museums. This panel will cover oral history projects from the initial idea to a completed interpretive product and beyond. A series of 5-minute presentations will introduce the three phases of oral history: pre-interview, interview, and post-interview, plus community engagement. Building Strong Partnerships: Collaborating with Local Businesses Lisa Beecroft, White Bear Lake Area Historical Society; Additional TBD Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner Discuss the benefits of partnering with local businesses to promote museums and historical societies. Explore strategies for building successful partnerships, including co-marketing initiatives, event sponsorships, and community outreach. Provide examples of collaboration used by White Bear Lake Area HS, Maplewood Area HS, Washington County HS, and Shoreview HS. Congratulations! You're a New Director! Claudia Nicholson, The Museum Lady; Additional TBD Organizational Leadership & Development | Audience Level: Intermediate A discussion of how to begin work at a new institution, in a position of leadership. We will start with the first day on the job, and walk through the most important things a new director needs to manage. Creating a Community Art Space Geoff Welles, Wright County Historical Society Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner Here at WCHS, we took a relatively open area in our museum and have dedicated it to become a Community Art Space. But what does that mean? How did we do it? What will we use it for and how can it benefit our Museum? All of this will be answered and more. The presenter will share their experience, thoughts, and goals with this new open community space.
-
Session #3 (Wednesday, 1:40-2:40pm)Unveiling Minnesota's Early Black History: A Collaborative Research Initiative Mica L. Anders, Anders Genealogical Services; Regan Richardson, Independent Researcher; Dave Nichols, Rice County Historical Society Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Intermediate Early Black history exists throughout Minnesota - even if you don't know it yet. Join us for a panel discussion featuring researchers uncovering these untold stories statewide. Learn about ongoing projects, challenges, and proven research methods. Through case studies and narratives, discover the rich history of Black Minnesotans, from early settlers to Civil War soldiers and beyond. Attendees will leave with practical strategies for researching and preserving Black heritage across Minnesota. Independent Historical Researchers Can Benefit Local Historical Entities and Vise Vera Jay Rendall, Author & Researcher- The Boat Builders of White Bear Lake; Dennis Zerwas, White Bear Water Ski Company Project; Doug Lodermeier, MN Duck Decoys, MN Duck Calls Books Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Intermediate Local citizens can gather a treasure chest of information about a local historical topic when they are researching information for their own books or historical projects. There can be symbiotic relationships between the local history entities and theose local individuals. The three panelists have considerable experience gathering information, graphics, and historic items for their books or history projects. Each has their own story, methods, and results to share. Disorganized Chaos: Making Sense of Mixed-Up Collection Lora Tatinger, Chisago County Historical Society Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner While moisture, critters, and creepy-crawlies are detrimental to any historical collection, so are those with a passion for history, but a lack of organizational skills. Join me for a discussion about the Who-What-When-Where-Whys of reimagining structure in a collection that has been mismanaged by those with good intentions. Captivating Your Audiences: Tips and Tricks from a Professional Storyteller and Museum Director Johanna Ellison, Cokato Historical Society; Robert "Bob" Gasch, Cokato Historical Society Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner/Intermediate refine what you already know? Professional storyteller Bob Gasch, who has enchanted audiences for over 50 years, and Cokato Museum Director Johanna Ellison will be sharing different tips and tricks for captivating audiences of different age groups and interests. We will also be delving into what presentations, programs, and tours have been successful. Sharing your own experiences and techniques is encouraged.
-
Session #4 (Wednesday, 3:20-4:20pm)Engaging Emerging Professionals in Collections Work Mollie Spillman, Ramsey County Historical Society; Heather Carroll, St. Catherine University; Dr. Joseph Harker, Century College; Emma Peterson, MLIS; and Melissa Ward, St. Catherine University Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner By developing and maintaining community connections, non-profit collecting organizations can become a known and desirable site for interested and qualified (or getting qualified) emerging professionals, and volunteers, in collections work. Strategizing your needs and bandwidth will inform where to seek assistance: schools, affinity groups, retirees, or history buffs. You’ll need a plan to train and manage them; have a workspace for them; and have a manual to direct their cataloging. Museum on Fire: Managing Fire Risk to Collections and Historic Properties Adam Smith, Minnesota State University, Mankato, & MALHM; Megan Brakob Narvey, Minnesota Historical Society; Maddison Zikmund, Maple Grove Fire Department; Grant Wilson, Stearns History Museum Heritage Preservation & Building Maintenance | Audience Level: Beginner Fire can cause catastrophic damage to collections and historic properties and it’s not as rare as you might think. Representatives from a local Fire Department will talk about fire safety and response for museums. The fire department would go through some hands on fire extinguisher training. Presenters from MALHM Mutual Assistance and Minnesota Alliance for Heritage Response will introduce our organizations and will discuss the importance of relationships for effective emergency response. Historians at Work: Using Unconventional Spaces to Tackle the Backlog Liz Schmidt, Goodhue County Historical Society Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Intermediate Feeling overwhelmed by backlog? Are your workspaces cluttered with piles of materials, leaving you without enough room to get things done? Then this session is for you. It will explore how the Goodhue County Historical Society tackled this issue by creating a “live exhibit” where museum visitors can observe and engage with the archival process in real time. This innovative approach not only optimized their space but also invited the public to learn more about the museum’s behind-the-scenes work. The One Trick to Rewrite Your Large Grant Application John Fulton, Minnesota Historical Society Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Intermediate The new biennium on July 1 brings eight more small legacy grant rounds and two large legacy grant rounds. When you apply for a large legacy grant, or if you’re not funded, the Grants Office sends back comments and advice to help you rewrite an application with a better chance of being funded. The session will explain what the comments are for and how to use them. We will edit example applications using pre-app comment letters; discuss the common patterns in unsuccessful applications, how to address them and return with stronger applications.
-
Session #5 (Thursday, 9:20-10:20am)Partners on the Trail Lindsay Marshall, Scott County Historical Society & MALHM; Javi Avalos, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community; Heather Hoagland, 106 Group; Additional TBD Organizational Leadership & Development | Audience Level: Intermediate The Shakopee Riverfront Cultural Trail (SRCT) is a 2.5-mile stretch of the MN River in Shakopee with interpretive panels outlining the area's natural and cultural history. A partnershp between Scott County Historical Society, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Scott County, Three Rivers Park District, and City of Shakopee was formed. This session will discuss the partners' roles, the collaboration resulting from the SRCT, and the theme, "Many People, Many Paths, One River." This Conference Proposal was Written with AI: Using Artificial Intelligence in Your Museum Emily Thabes, Beltrami County Historical Society; Joe Hoover, Minnesota Historical Society Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner AI is transforming museum operations, from exhibit planning to visitor engagement. This session explores how AI tools support research, storytelling, and content creation, with real-world case studies showcasing AI-driven collection management and enhanced accessibility. Practical demos will guide participants in using AI for outlining and writing, while addressing ethical concerns like data privacy and authenticity. Join us to discover how AI can responsibly enhance museum practices and values. History Outside the Box: Building Immersive Programs Caitlin Carson, Stearns History Museum; Eric Cheever, Stearns History Museum Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Intermediate Want to develop an immersive history experience that will broaden your community outreach and generate some income? Come hear about two of the Stearns History Museum's most successful programs- At War and At Home: The World War II Experience and our annual Escape Room. Both have a proven track record and Caitlin and Eric will walk you through their development and adjustments made to create success! Each also focuses on different seasons of the year and new ways to engage people in the past. CollectiveAccess Minnesota- Connecting to Your Collection and the World Ann Grandy, MALHM & Pope County Historical Society Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner CollectiveAccess Minnesota is a collection management software consortium managed by MALHM. The software connects museums to their collections AND can share collections with the public. Customized by your peers here in Minnesota, the system is easy for beginners tracking what they have and where to find it. It is robust enough for organizations who want to capture the deeper connections between objects, people, and places. Join this session to learn about CollectiveAccess Minnesota and how it can work for your organization.
-
Session #6 (Thursday, 11:00am-12:00pm)We Weren't In the Room Where It Happened: How Minnesota Museums Can Still Participate in America's 250th Birthday Stephanie Hess, Minnesota Digital Library; Molly Huber, Minnesota Digital Library Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Intermediate The United States of America will be 250 years old in 2026 and celebrations are being planned across the country. History organizations with no direct connection to the American Revolution may be wondering how, or if, they can participate in the anniversary. In this session, Minnesota Digital Library (MDL) staff will explore ways Minnesota museums can join the party, including exhibits, educational projects, and community outreach. Uncovering Diversity: Finding the People History Forgot Kayla Sullivan, Lake Superior Railroad Museum; Corrie Hackbarth, Lake Superior Railroad Museum & MALHM Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner Museums are put together with a specific purpose, especially small local history museums that may be based out of a historic home or building. Sometimes there is a focus on a particular family or individual. It's possible to expand the narrative of your location to include other groups in history. Join your colleagues to discover how they found the people and stories that "big history" forgot. Government Funding Survey Matt Carter, Dakota County Historical Society; Wayne Gannaway, St. Louis County Historical Society Organizational Leadership & Development | Audience Level: Beginner Has your organization wondered how the funding you receive, if any, from a local unit of government compares to your peer organizations? Facing cuts to public support, both DCHS and HCOC had an urgent need to justify their respective annual allocations based on comparable counties. Where do we find that data? What is comparable? TO help answer these questions, and to advance advocacy, DCHS and HCOC created a public funding survey to compile the data. This presentation shares the results. 3D Photography: A Primer to Start Tom Steman, St. Cloud State University; Mike Knaak, St. Cloud State University Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner Ever want to make your 3D objects more accessible beyond physical location and limitations? Using experiences and lessons learned from a pilot project at St. Cloud State, discover how 3D photography was used to make objects more accessible. Discussion will also touch upon the equipment and software used, knowledge needed and gained, and how to easily make accessible to a wider audience.
-
Session #7 (Thursday, 1:40-2:40pm)LGBTQIA+/Queer History in the Local Museum: From Discovery and Research to Interpretation and Community Engagement Leila Stallone, MNHS; Ulysses Swanson, MNHS; Lizzie Ehrenhalt, MNHS; Jamie Kherbaoui, MNHS; Gereon Fuller, MNHS, Luis Valderrama, MNHS Education & Outreach | Audience Level: Beginner In this session, we will discuss how to locate (and relocate) items that could be related to queer history in historical societies and museum collections; approach how items can be further researched and how to handle conflicting information; interpret queer histories; and foster relationships with people and organizations interested in this history. Attendees are encouraged to bring and share examples of collection items, planning and exhibiting experiences, resources related to this session’s topic, or any questions/curiosities on the topic. Lest We Forget: Tracking Down Wright County's Civil War Veterans Marisa Campanaro, Wright County Historical Society; Mary Bischoff, Wright County Historical Society Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner We’ve all received requests concerning a resource in our Research Library that didn’t exist…. at least not yet. Join us for a session where we share our experience of what started as a simple request turn into creating a comprehensive list of Wright County’s Civil War Veterans. Learn about how the project evolved, the ongoing journey, how to read and interpret found material, as well as the stories reflecting both struggles and successes. Using Continuous Improvement (CI) to pursue efficiency, growth and strength within our organizations Julia Mueller, Friends of Linden Hills, Inc. Organizational Leadership & Development | Audience Level: Beginner/Intermediate Simply put, Continuous Improvement (CI) is a process which involves analyzing and making adjustments within organizations to minimize wasted time and resources. In this session, we will explore how to apply this corporate methodology within our small organizations and museums as well as how CI can be used both personally and professionally. Participants will be introduced to various CI methodologies, identify key areas for organizational growth and put it into action. Updating Outdoor Interpretive Signage: MNHS's Experience Madeleine Lawler, Minnesota Historical Society; Additional TBD Collections & Exhibits | Audience Level: Beginner/Intermediate Update on MNHS's ongoing efforts to replace and reinterpreting historic sites with outdoor interpretive signage.
.png)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
2024 Conference
April 23 - 25, 2024 | Duluth, MN
Photos courtesy of Greg Harp