Staff from the Minnesota Historical Society are going to be very busy next week! The American Association of Museums conference, the largest museum conference in the world, is going to be in the Twin Cities April 29-May 2.

MHS staff are presenting a number of education and 21st century learning sessions:

Thanks to everyone who attended the More for the Mission Reception yesterday. It was great sharing our project with you and talking to people who are excited to get involved. 

Today will mark the start of the More for the Mission campaign, where we extend our project from building and infrastructure changes into engagement of staff, visitors, and members.  Our campaign will promote the idea that our sustainability efforts saves money that can go towards achieving our institutional mission.  Today's event for MHS staff will start at the 2pm Staff Forum, where a short presentation will introduce the project.  At 3pm, a reception outside the 3M Auditorium will provide more information, as well as some treats and a surprise!  MHS Green Team members will be at the reception to continue the conversations on sustainability and the More for the Mission campaign. 

Hope to see all MHS staff there today!

The first Earth Day in the U.S. was April 22, 1970. Founded by the U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, Gaylord Nelson, the day was inspired by the student anti-war movement. With a national coordinator and 85 staff members, Nelson was able to create a moment where 20 million Americans “took to the streets, parks, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment in massive coast-to-coast rallies” (Earth Day Network). As the day took hold in the U.S., in 1990, Earth Day went global, mobilizing 200 million people around the world in 141 countries and “lifting environmental issues onto [the] world stage” (Earth Day Network).

Image: Paul and Babe

A group of MHS staff—who are working on the History in Our Hands (HOH) project—visited a St Paul school last week.

We have previously talked about testing with students, but what exactly are we testing and more specifically what goes into creating the games we are testing. The Historical Society has been using the ARIS platform for making these QR code based games, but before we can begin programming, the creative juices start flowing. The History in Our Hands, HOH, team calls these meetings ‘Design Jams’.

Yesterday was the day of our event! We opened our exhibit, LOL: Living Our Lives, to the public for the first time EVER! It went really well. The TAC got to the History Center at 3:30 to get the last of the details done and get the exhibit completely ready. Some people were doing interviews, some were arranging make it take it activities, and some were setting up trivia. Aleah and I were trying to figure out a way to answer the questions at the end of the panels, and we decided to use post it notes and pencils to stick up there with answers.

Here's a great way to promote a cause—21st century style.

Book Burning Party - Troy Library from Leo Burnett Detroit on Vimeo.