Northfield Historical Society Receives Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grant

The Northfield Historical Society has received a $79,000 grant to fund improvements to the society’s archive and collection facilities. Awarded by the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Grant program, grants are made possible by the Clean Water, Land and Legacy Fund, raised through a portion of the state sales tax. The grants are awarded for projects of enduring value for the cause of history and historic preservation across the state. The NHS grant will fund movable shelving, which will better preserve the more than 15,000 artifacts in the society’s collection.

“Making sure that the historical objects we collect are well preserved is at the heart of what we do,” says NHS Executive Director Hayes Scriven. “For years we have been over-capacity — storing objects in places that are less than ideal. This grant will fix that problem by allowing us to install museum-quality movable shelving that will ensure proper storage of all artifacts. ”Visiting researchers will appreciate the enhanced visibility of the collection and archives.  “By more effectively storing our collection, we will meet the highest professional standards, allowing people to learn about the great history of Northfield,” adds Scriven.

The new grant comes on the heels of a 2010 $200,000 Minnesota Historical Society Legacy Grant that allowed the NHS to add six ADA-compliant restrooms and an elevator. The shelving project will begin in November and should be completed by February 2013.