Spring Seminar, Minnesota Historical Society, 2011

Agenda for April 5th 

8:00-8:30Gather at Minnesota History Center


8:30-8:45Welcome and Announcements

Audrey, Sean, and Jen will begin the day.


8:45-9:45Meet Frederick McKinley Jones

                                    An inventive Minnesotan shares his life story and teaches about important themes related to 20th history, including African American migration, technological advancements, and WWII. 


9:45-10:00            Introduction to the Minnesota’s Greatest Generation (MGG) Initiative


10:00-11:15            MGG Exhibit Exploration

Visit the newest permanent exhibit at the History Center.  Be prepared to discuss:

·one story you would like to share with students

·one primary source/historical object that would totally confuse your students

·which exhibit section you enjoyed the most (Depression, War, Boom)


11:15-11:30              Exhibit Debrief Conversation

Share findings from above and compare/contrast exhibit learning with classroom learning


11:30-1:00             Lunch & Additional Exhibit Viewing Time


1:00-2:20                MGG Website Exploration

Jen will introduce teachers to the MGG web resource.  During the remainder of this guided exploration, teachers will delve into the rich content available in this website and share their findings.


2:20-2:30               Break


2:20-3:35                Primary Source Activity: Gangster Murder in Minneapolis

Jen will model an activity that explores the intersection of muck-raking journalism, gangster activity, and the government in post-prohibition Minnesota.


3:35-3:55                 Transport to State Capitol


4:00-5:10Historic State Capitol Tour


Agenda for April 6th


8:00-8:30Gather at the Minnesota History Center


8:30-8:45Welcome and Announcements

Audrey, Sean, and Jen will begin the day.


8:45-9:45               Presentation: 1968—Telling the Stories of a Pivotal Year

Brian Horrigan, lead exhibit developer and story teller for the upcoming exhibit,1968, will share stories being told in the exhibit and will speak about the “underreported” stories of ’68.  


9:45-10:00           Break


10:00-11:10Primary Source Activity: What Happened at Morrill Hall in January of 1969?

Jen will lead teachers through an examination of primary sources related to the events at the University of Minnesota in the late ‘60s.


11:10-12:10             Behind the Scenes Collections Tour

Lori Williamson, Collections Department Program Associate, will lead the group on a special tour of the state archives and 3-d object collections.


12:10-1:40             Lunch & Additional Exhibit Viewing Time


1:40-2:00               Debrief Conversation and Wrap-Up

·Debrief about new learning from the exhibit touring

·Discuss topics, tidbits, and tools that will be taken back to the classroom

·Complete evaluations            



Minnesota Historical Society Facilitator:

Jennifer Cadwell


Questions? Contact Project Director Audrey Shafer-Erickson

This site sponsored by Minnesota State University Moorhead