Online Pedagogy Session – Era Nine: Contested Freedoms
2026-05-21 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Online
Evaluate how recent U.S. history—1990s to present—shaped American debates over democracy, rights, and responses to global and domestic crises. Using content and sources from Dr. Walter Greason, Minnesota Department of Education (MDE) Social Studies Specialist Brittany Rawson-Haeg and experienced classroom educators will lead this hands-on workshop supporting high school U.S. History teachers in designing inquiry-based, standards-aligned units.
All Pedagogy Sessions will be conducted via Zoom. Educators who participate in all Pedagogy Sessions will leave the year with a complete U.S. History course aligned to the new standards.
Educators are invited to participate in companion Content Sessions.
Registration
Pedagogy Sessions are designed for high school U.S. History teachers and may also be relevant for 5th and 7th grade educators. Educators are welcome to register for individual sessions that align with their interests and schedules. Join us for one or more sessions throughout the year.
This event is free but registration is required. Separate registration is required for each offering.
Registration Questions: Brittany.Rawson-Haeg@state.mn.us
Register Now
This offering is part of Navigating the U.S. History Eras: Content, Pedagogy, and Inquiry in the Classroom is a yearlong professional learning opportunity supporting implementation of Minnesota’s 2021 K–12 Academic Standards in Social Studies presented by MHC and MDE.

St. Paul - Open House and Ice Cream Social
2026-05-27 16:00 - 19:00 | Capitol Region Watershed District, 595 Aldine St, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Join We Are Water MN and Capitol Region Watershed District (CRWD) for staff-led demonstrations, art-making, and free ice cream!
Visitors are invited to

Explore the We Are Water MN exhibit
Experience short, family-friendly demonstrations of CRWD’s work
Tour CRWD’s LEED Gold-certified building
Make and take-home custom art in partnership with two artists from Springboard for the Arts’ Ready-go program: Custom screen printing with Jessica Lopez Lyman from La Luchadora and Water-themed metal casting with Sara Hanson from WOW Mobile Metal Lab.

This event is part of the We Are Water MN exhibit at Capitol Region Watershed District’s Watershed Learning Center from April 23 to June 14, 2026.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: Contact the Capitol Region Watershed District
Register Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Little Mekong Cultural District
2026-05-29 15:00 - 18:00 | XIA Books & Cafe, 422 University Ave W, St. Paul, MN, 55103, United States
St. Paul’s Little Mekong Cultural District invites participants into a vibrant Southeast Asian cultural corridor shaped by migration, resilience, and entrepreneurship along University Avenue. Beginning at XIA Books & Cafe, participants are welcomed by community leader Va-Megn Thoj, who grounds the journey in the story of the Mekong River and its connection to identity and place, while guiding the group through the neighborhood. Along the walk, participants encounter the bold, colorful murals by local artist Kao Lee Thao, hear reflections on the Vietnamese refugee experience, and learn how community-rooted organizations continue to support families across generations. The experience comes alive through the sights and smells of a Lao owned local grocery store, where participants sample exotic fruits and learn about favorite rice and fish sauce brands, along with staple ingredients. At the Hmong Cultural Center, participants deepen their understanding of heritage through storytelling and the sound of the qeej, a traditional Hmong instrument whose breath and movement carry ancestral voice and ceremony. The journey continues through local Cambodian and Thai restaurants, where dishes such as somlaw kao kou, a savory Cambodian soup with green papaya, eggplant, and pumpkin, evoke memories, family traditions, and stories of food across generations and borders. The experience closes with group reflection, inviting participants to connect these sensory and human experiences to a deeper understanding of community, culture, and belonging.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Asian Economic Development Association (AEDA), a non-profit organization whose mission is to create economic and cultural opportunities for Twin Cities Asian American.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Maplewood - Learning from Place: HmongTown Marketplace & Beyond
2026-06-05 15:00 - 18:00 | Pan Asian Center, 3001 White Bear Ave, Maplewood, 55109, United States
This Learning from Place experience offers a rare opportunity to witness the becoming of place through an inspiring vision of founder and CEO of HmongTown Marketplace and Pan Asian Center, Toua Xiong, who dreamed of having a place to call home. Beginning at the Pan Asian Center, participants are welcomed by Yao Yaj, Executive Director of HmongTown Connections who will share 50 years of Hmong resilience and economic contributions while traveling to the iconic HmongTown Marketplace. There, participants step into a vibrant marketplace rooted in culture and tradition, where many vendors and community members are from an older generation, carrying forward cultural knowledge and memories through everyday commerce. Participants experience rows of fresh herbs, traditional goods, and street foods like Hmong sausage, papaya salad, and steamed fish, while sampling exotic fruits and tri color dessert.
The journey returns to Pan Asian Center, where participants will have the opportunity to hear Toua Xiong share his inspiring story surviving the jungles of Laos to mastering English and the hard lessons navigating city codes and permits in his pursuit to create a place to call home. The program ends just in time for participants to experience the full flair of Asian Street Food Night Market.
Through this experience, participants gain tangible insight into how communities evolve over time, how cultural assets can drive economic development, and how investing in place can strengthen identity, expand opportunity, and shape the future for the next generation.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with HmongTown Connections, whose mission is to create spaces where Hmong can live, work, and connect while preserving, teaching, and sharing Hmong history, languages and culture.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

St. Paul - Art + Water Workshop: Aquasonos – Community Listening with Dameun Strange
2026-06-06 18:00 - 21:00 | Capitol Region Watershed District, 595 Aldine St, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Listening is a daily act that is both solo and collaborative: a conversation between family members over breakfast, taking in a lesson at school, a podcast that plays in your ears as you wait for the bus.
What happens when we listen, intentionally, together?
At this evening event, you are invited to listen together to the sounds of our watershed, from the ancient history of Como Lake to the birds of Frogtown Farm. Sound scores by musician and composer Dameun Strange will be installed as listening environments in CRWD’s building and outdoor gardens. Tune in to three immersive works, including a new piece composed of field recordings gathered at the previous Aquasonos workshop on April 25. Read an interview with Dameun Strange about his work, AquaSonos: An Interview with Dameun Strange.
About the Artist
Dameun Strange is an acclaimed sound artist, multi-instrumentalist, and award-winning composer. His body of work encompasses conceptual electronic and improvised electro-acoustic compositions that delve into the narratives and themes of the African diaspora, frequently incorporating surrealist and Afrofuturist aesthetics. Through sound and poetry, Strange’s artistic aim is to articulate the beauty and resilience of the Black experience, drawing upon ancestral influences to convey stories of triumph and forge connections across the past, present, and future.
Strange has composed for notable artists and choreographers including Leslie Parker, Ananya Chatterjea, Joanna Lees, and Pramila Vasudevan. His significant accolades include the 2018 ACF | Create Award and a 2019 Jerome Hill Fellowship. Most recently, he was named the inaugural composer-in-residence for the Association for the Advancement of Creative Musicians (AACM) for their 2025-26 60th anniversary season.
This event is part of the We Are Water MN exhibit at Capitol Region Watershed District’s Watershed Learning Center from April 23 to June 14, 2026. Art + Water Workshops are organized by CRWD Artist-in-Residence Sarah Peters and CRWD Community Engagement Coordinator Maricella Xiong.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: Contact the Capitol Region Watershed District
Register Now

Marshall - The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now: A Community Conversation
2026-06-09 18:00 - 20:00 | Lyon County Museum, 301 W Lyon St, Marshall, 56258, United States
Join us at the Lyon County Museum for a community conversation in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This conversation, “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” brings community members together to reflect upon the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the importance of these principles in our daily lives, what our shared values are as residents of Minnesota and the United States, and how we envision the country will look 250 years into the future.
Gather with neighbors for a facilitated discussion grounded in curiosity, respect, honesty, and active listening to deepen understanding. This event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Dinner will be served from 6:00 – 6:30 p.m.
This event is part of “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” conversation series, presented in partnership with Braver Angels of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Minneapolis - Book Launch for Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin: Political Pathfinder
2026-06-15 18:30 - 20:00 | Birchbark Bizhiw, 1629 Hennepin Ave, Minneapolis, 55403, United States
Join us for the official launch of Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin: Political Pathfinder, a newly released title in the acclaimed Native American Lives Series. Hear from series editor and former Minneapolis Poet Laureate Heid E. Erdrich alongside author Hema Erdrich Patel as they discuss the life, legacy, and political vision of Marie Louise Bottineau Baldwin.
This biography was written because Baldwin’s story, while not widely known, has much to teach us today. One of the first Native people to work in the White House in 1904, Baldwin’s legal career in which she spent decades defending her tribe in Washington, exemplifies how politics and activism can be bridged through advocacy, and that education is a path to sovereignty.
Designed especially for educators, parents, and youth, this event is an opportunity to engage directly with the creators of the series and explore the teachings of Baldwin’s story. The evening will include a reading, conversation with the authors, and space for questions and dialogue.
About the Author
Hema Erdrich Patel is a writer, artist, dog lover, and lifelong student. She comes from a beautiful blend of cultures—on her mother’s side, mixed German and Turtle Mountain Ojibwe, and her father’s side, Gujarati Indian. She was raised in Belcourt, North Dakota, and Sisseton, South Dakota, and calls Minneapolis, Minnesota, home. She graduated from Yale University with a BA in the History of Science, Health, and Medicine and an Education Studies Certificate. Her most recent artistic adventure consisted of a three-month bharatanatyam dance intensive in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India. She is pursuing a path toward medicine.
About the Editor
Heid E. Erdrich is the author of a dozen books in both poetry and prose. She grew up in North Dakota and is Ojibwe, enrolled at Turtle Mountain. She curates art exhibits, teaches, researches, and collaborates with other artists. In 2024, Heid served as the Inaugural Minneapolis Poet Laureate. She is the 2025-2026 Camille Gage Fellow.
This event is presented in partnership with Birchbark Books which is operated by a spirited collection of people who believe in the power of good writing, the beauty of handmade art, the strength of Native culture, and the importance of small and intimate bookstores.
Registration
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Join the Waitlist

Itasca - We Are Water MN
2026-06-18 - 2026-08-10 | Itasca State Park, 36750 Main Park Drive, Park Rapids, MN, 56470, United States
The We Are Water MN traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities.
Host Partner: MN DNR Itasca State Park and U of M Itasca Biological Station
As we reach the height of summer in Minnesota, We Are Water MN travels north to a deeply significant site for water in our state: the headwaters of the mighty Mississippi River! The water found at Lake Itasca begins here and flows on its winding way 2552 miles to the Gulf of Mexico. Join the thousands of visitors from all over the state, country, and world this summer and see the We Are Water MN exhibit next to the serenity and natural beauty of Lake Itasca, a national landmark.
This hosting will be within Itasca State Park, run by the DNR, and co-led by the U of M Itasca Biological Station, an active field station devoted to research and teaching on how ecosystems work, with an eye to cultivating an appreciation of their value and preservation for future generations. Itasca Station has been in operation since 1907 and is one of the oldest continuously operational field stations in the United States of America.
About We Are Water MN?
We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.
Learn more about the We Are Water MN exhibit, partnership, and programs.
Learn More

Minneapolis - Juneteenth Brunch
2026-06-18 08:45 - 11:00 | Quincy Hall, 1325 Quincy St NE, Minneapolis, MN, 55413, United States
Please join us for the annual Juneteenth Brunch to hear award-winning author and poet Clint Smith in conversation with MHC’s CEO Kevin Lindsey. Their conversation will connect the history of Juneteenth to the broader American story – examining how freedom has been defined, delayed, expanded, and calls of us today.

In addition to wonderful food, music, and company, all attendees will receive a copy of Mr. Smith’s book, How the Word is Passed: Remembering Slavery and How It Shaped America.

Since 2022, MHC has hosted a series of Juneteenth events to examine African American narratives, history, and experience in fulfilling the ideals articulated within the Declaration of Independence.
Registration
For KMOJ discount please email Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org.

Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

Individual Tickets: Register now to take advantage of special early bird pricing that ends on Tuesday, May 26: $75 for individual tickets.

Price will go up to $100 per ticket on Wednesday, May 27.

Individual Ticket

Full (10 seats) or Half Tables (5 seats): Buy your tables now to take advantage of special early bird pricing that ends on Tuesday, May 26: $700 for a full table, $350 for a half table, and $600 for nonprofit full table, $300 for a half table.

Price will go up to $800 for a full table, $400 for a half table on Wednesday, May 27.

Full or Half Table

Funders and Supporters

St. Paul - Learning from Place: Bdote
2026-06-23 08:30 - 14:30 | Fort Snelling State Park, 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul, MN, 55111, United States
Learning from Place: Bdote is a place-based experience led by Dakota community members at sites of deep significance in the Twin Cities. Participants engage with Dakota history and contemporary perspectives through story, observation, and shared reflection.
This experience is open to the general public and is particularly beneficial for educators and others seeking to deepen their understanding of Minnesota history and Dakota perspectives. Due to the nature of the content and the length of the day, this experience is not recommended for young children.
For more information, visit the Learning from Place: Bdote program page.

Co-Leads (click to expand/collapse)
Ramona Kitto Stately is an enrolled member of the Santee Sioux Dakhóta Nation. She has a BA in Dakota Art and Culture and a MAE in Teacher Leadership. She is Project Director for We Are Still Here Minnesota and serves as chairperson of the Minnesota Indian Education Association. Ramona was the recipient of the 2021 Ron McKinley Award from Minnesota Education Equity Partnership and the 2023 McKnight Culture Bearers Award. She currently serves on the Indigenous Elder Advisory Board for Carleton College.
Fern Naomi Renville is an artist, storyteller, enrolled citizen of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate, and seventh-generation descendant of Chief Gabriel Renville. Born on the Lake Traverse Reservation in South Dakota, Fern currently lives and works in Saint Paul as an educator sharing music, story, and land-based learning to promote greater understanding and knowledge of Dakota people.

What to Expect (click to expand/collapse)

You will visit Bdote (Fort Snelling State Park)* in the morning and Wic̣aḣapi** in the afternoon, with a break for lunch on your own.

A Minnesota state park vehicle permit is required for Fort Snelling State Park. [Day passes can be purchased in advance.]
You will walk up to one mile over mostly flat terrain with periods of standing. You are welcome to bring a small folding or camping chair for comfort.
The experience takes place outdoors; please dress for the weather and wear comfortable shoes.
Some of the content may bring up strong emotions.

*Fort Snelling State Park: 101 Snelling Lake Road, St. Paul – access is via Post Road, near the Mpls.-St. Paul Airport
**Wic̣aḣapi: Mounds Blvd and Earl St., St. Paul

Accessibility (click to expand/collapse)
For information about accessibility and physical considerations, please visit the FAQ section of the Learning from Place: Bdote program page. If you have additional questions or would like to discuss your needs, contact Eden Bart.

K-12 educators will receive 5 clock hours.
Participants provide their own transportation, lunch, snacks, and beverages.
Registration
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Registration for this event has SOLD OUT.
Join the Waitlist

St. Paul - Feeding Our Souls: The Essence of Juneteenth Joy
2026-06-23 17:30 - 20:30 | St. Paul College, 235 Marshall Ave, St. Paul, 55102, United States
Upon hearing the news of the Emancipation Proclamation, African Americans celebrated by singing songs of worship, dancing, and eating good food. In commemoration, MHC invites you to Jubilee where you will enjoy Spirituals and music from Vocal Essence under the direction of G. Phillip Shoultz, hear stories about the wonderful intersection of food and music, and be treated to delicious dishes and treats from prominent local Black chefs:

Chef Lutunji Abram
Chef Jamal Hashi
Chef James “Jay” Johnson
Chef Mateo Mackbee
Chef Motunrayo “Rayo” Odedina
Chef Robert Taylor

Since 2022, MHC has offered a series of Juneteenth events to examine African American narratives, history, and experience in fulfilling the ideals articulated within the Declaration of Independence.

Registration
For KMOJ discount please email Jessica Rust at jessica@mnhum.org.

Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org

Register Now

Funders and Supporters

St. Paul - Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story, 30th Anniversary
2026-06-26 14:00 - 16:30 | The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine University, 2004 Randolph Ave, St. Paul, MN, 55105, United States
Join us for the 30th anniversary of this beloved stage performance that brings the audience on a journey through time and the imagined impact of the Emancipation Proclamation.

Kumbayah The Juneteenth Story, written by Rose McGee, is a 90-minute two-act play that addresses a factual and traumatic time in our history – when news was deliberately withheld that Black people were no longer to be kept enslaved in this country. Storytelling and music weave together mesmerizing scenes. Although tragedy is depicted, this play within a play is tremendously uplifting. For this anniversary performance, the audience will be treated to special guest appearances from cast members from previous years, who grew up as a part of this important story.

Although interpretation is best suited for ages 8 and up, children of all ages are welcome to attend.
Registration
This event is free, however registration through The O’Shaughnessy at St. Catherine’s University is required.

Registration Questions: oshaughnessy@stkate.edu

Register Now

Funders and Supporters

Minneapolis - The Making of America Film Premiere & Gallery Reception
2026-06-28 12:00 - 16:00 | Minneapolis Institute of Art, 2400 3rd Ave S, Minneapolis, 55404, United States
Directed by Monique Linder, and produced by OMG Studios in partnership with MHC, the film explores how Enlightenment-era systems of knowledge—art, science, architecture, and cartography—produced enduring frameworks for racial slavery, territorial extraction, and Indigenous dispossession in what became the United States of America. The film, the seventh in the Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery film series from OMG Studios, advances the argument that these outcomes were deliberate consequences of its visual and systemic commitments to order, hierarchy, and control.

“After our last film about Reconstruction Destructed, I felt it was important that the next film go back to the very beginning, the making of America. This film really helps tie all the pieces in the Juneteenth Reckoning with Slavery film series together in a significant way. I’m looking forward to sharing it with others.” – Monique Linder, Director

Join us inside the beautiful Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) for a reception with refreshments before and after the film, and to view a collection of stunning works from artists who are supporting the messages of this film through their own artistic voices.

This film is presented in partnership and co-produced with our valued partners at OMG Media Solutions.

Important Venue Notice: The Making of America premiere and art showcase is an independent production of OMG Media Solutions. The Minneapolis Institute of Art (Mia) is generously serving as our host venue; however, they are not a sponsor, organizer, or partner in the curation, administration, or logistics of the exhibition.

Registration
This event is free, however registration with Mia is required.

Registration Questions: visit@artsmia.org

Register Now

Funders and Supporters

Winona - The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now: A Community Conversation
2026-07-09 11:30 - 13:30 | Minnesota Marine Art Museum, 800 Riverview Drive, Winona, 55987, United States
Join us at the Minnesota Marine Art Museum (MMAM) for a community conversation in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This conversation, “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” brings community members together to reflect upon the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the importance of these principles in our daily lives, what our shared values are as residents of Minnesota and the United States, and how we envision the country will look 250 years into the future.
As MMAM’s ongoing exhibition “The Coast and the Sea” considers how waterways shaped American identity, commerce, conflict, and expansion, this community conversation invites visitors to reflect on the evolving ideals of liberty and citizenship that developed alongside that history. MMAM is excited to host this conversation and encourages participants to see the exhibition before or after the program.
Gather with neighbors for a facilitated discussion grounded in curiosity, respect, honesty, and active listening to deepen understanding.
This event is part of “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” conversation series, presented in partnership with Braver Angels of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required. Lunch will be served from 11:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Freeborn County - Sketches of Minnesota
2026-07-10 17:00 - 20:30 | Events at the Broadway, 201 S Broadway Ave, Albert Lea, 56007, United States
Join the Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and Freeborn County Communities Foundation for the Sketches of Minnesota civic improv comedy tour! These free events use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides, and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment.
Beginning with a catered meal, these gatherings invite audience members to share what makes their town great, what they think people get wrong about it, what local divisions concern them, and what future they imagine. An improv comedy troupe listens in on the conversations, takes everything they heard from residents, and brings it to life on stage through entirely unscripted improv comedy theater.
5:00–6:00 PM: Doors open / Community hour
6:00–7:15 PM: Dinner
7:15–8:00 PM: Improv show
8:00–8:30 PM: Talkback
Host Partner: Freeborn County Communities Foundation
The work of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to create a stronger Minnesota by increasing our understanding of the beauty, wisdom and stories of its people. Through partnerships, we facilitate the spaces, like Sketches of Minnesota, that seek to build connections and deepen understanding of ourselves and our communities in pursuit of a more just society.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Summer on the Lawn: Shakespeare in Our Parks
2026-07-12 19:00 - 21:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
On the 12th day of July, Classical Actors Ensemble presents the 12th season of “Shakespeare in Our Parks,” featuring a play about a wizard exiled to a remote island for … 12 years! This year’s tumultuous tragicomedy, “The Tempest,” follows the adventures of Prospero and his family as they shipwreck their enemies and decide whether to enact revenge or seek redemption. Batten down the hatches and brace yourself for a production that twists and turns through tears and laughter, betrayal and forgiveness, solemnity and whimsy in one of the last plays that William Shakespeare wrote.
Picnics, lawn chairs, sun umbrellas, and blankets are welcome. Note that the performance is in an open field with minimal shade. Please plan accordingly. Restrooms will be available for use at the Minnesota Humanities Event Center. Can’t make it on July 12? Check out Classical Actors Ensemble’s full calendar for other performances across the Twin Cities this summer.
From Classical Actors Ensemble: “The Theater is a sacred place. It is a public forum where actors and audience gather to contemplate what it means to be human. Shakespeare and his contemporaries grappled with that question in some of the English language’s best poetry, leaving behind a canon of compelling stories with universal themes that provide invigorating challenge for actors and an awe-inspiring legacy for audiences. Classical Actors Ensemble performs the plays of the English Renaissance as they were originally intended: as popular entertainment for everyone. By demonstrating why these works of art are considered classic, we freshly prove their relevance in today’s world.”
This event is part of MHC’s 2026 Summer on the Lawn series.
Registration
This event is free to attend. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Edina - The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now: A Community Conversation
2026-07-16 12:00 - 14:00 | Edina Senior Center, 5280 Grandview Square, Edina, 55436, United States
Join us at the Edina Senior Center for a community conversation in recognition of the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. This conversation, “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” brings community members together to reflect upon the principles of the Declaration of Independence, the importance of these principles in our daily lives, what our shared values are as residents of Minnesota and the United States, and how we envision the country will look 250 years into the future.
Gather with neighbors for a facilitated discussion grounded in curiosity, respect, honesty, and active listening to deepen understanding.
This event is part of “The Declaration of Independence and Liberty, Then and Now” conversation series, presented in partnership with Braver Angels of Minnesota, the Minnesota Historical Society, and the Minnesota Humanities Center.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required. Lunch will be served from 12:00 p.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Somali South Minneapolis
2026-07-16 15:00 - 18:00 | Somali Museum, 2950 Chicago Ave, Suite C, Minneapolis, 55407, United States
South Minneapolis is home to a vibrant corridor of Somali owned businesses, cultural institutions, and public art that reflect the community’s resilience, cultural pride, and contributions to Minneapolis. This Learning from Place experience begins at the Somali Museum, where participants will learn about Somali cultural heritage and, if scheduling allows, experience traditional dance. The group will then take a short walk to Hoyo Sambusa to sample sambusa and watch a cooking demonstration, where founder Mariam will share the story behind her social enterprise and the cultural significance of sambusa in Somali homes and gatherings.
Participants will continue along the Lake Street corridor with mural artist Guulsan, who will guide a mural walk and share the stories and inspiration behind his artwork, offering insight into how public art expresses community identity and shapes how stories of place are remembered and shared. Along the way, the group will visit Zizi Boutique, celebrating its 10-year anniversary, to learn about Somali fashion and clothing. The experience concludes at the bustling iconic Karmel Mall, a central marketplace for Somali businesses, where participants can explore the shops and continue reflection over warm chai.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is curated by Yusra Mohamud, as a longtime connector within South Minneapolis’s East African community, Yusra brings a rare combination of deep cultural roots and a gift for storytelling that transforms corridors into living narratives of resilience, identity, and belonging.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Red Wing - Sketches of Minnesota
2026-07-16 17:00 - 20:30 | Red Wing Public Library, 225 East Ave, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join the Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and the Red Wing Community for the Sketches of Minnesota civic improv comedy tour! These free events use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides, and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment.
Beginning with a catered meal, these gatherings invite audience members to share what makes their town great, what they think people get wrong about it, what local divisions concern them, and what future they imagine. An improv comedy troupe listens in on the conversations, takes everything they heard from residents, and brings it to life on stage through entirely unscripted improv comedy theater.
5:00–6:00 PM: Doors open / Community hour
6:00–7:15 PM: Dinner
7:15–8:00 PM: Performances
8:00–8:30 PM: Talkback
Host Partners: Anderson Center, City of Red Wing, Jones Family Foundation, Sheldon Theatre, and Red Wing Arts
The work of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to create a stronger Minnesota by increasing our understanding of the beauty, wisdom and stories of its people. Through partnerships, we facilitate the spaces, like Sketches of Minnesota, that seek to build connections and deepen understanding of ourselves and our communities in pursuit of a more just society.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Learning from Place: St. Paul's West Side Mexican American Culture
2026-07-24 13:00 - 16:00 | Neighborhood House/The Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St E, St. Paul, 55107, United States
Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Latino Museum.
Discover the stories, history, and vibrant culture of St. Paul’s West Side, the heart of Minnesota’s Latino community. This immersive experience focuses on The Flats and the Latino Cultural District, a neighborhood shaped by generations of Mexican Americans, and now home to the future Minnesota Latino Museum.
Minnesota is home to more than 400,000 residents of Mexican and Latino heritage, two-thirds of whom trace their roots to Mexico. Since 2000, Minnesota’s Latino population has grown by 288%, contributing to the state’s cultural, economic, and civic life in countless ways. During this program, participants will learn directly from Latino community members and leaders, exploring the past, present, and future of this important neighborhood.
This Learning from Place experience is guided by Larry Lucio Sr., a long-time resident of St. Paul’s West Side, and Larry Lucio Jr., a descendant of the West Side Flats. Larry Sr. brings a legacy of pioneering educational leadership and systems change, while Larry Jr. engages the next generation through music, poetry, and the arts. Together, they offer a compelling intergenerational perspective that bridges their community history and lived experiences on the West Side.
Event Highlights:

Historical overview of St. Paul’s West Side and future developments
Personal stories from West Side residents
Visit to local businesses in the community
Sampling of Mexican cuisine

K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
Registration
This event begins at Neighborhood House in the Wellstone Center and participants will visit places of significance by bus and light walking.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Edge of the Wilderness - Sketches of Minnesota
2026-08-01 17:00 - 20:30 | Edge Center for the Arts, 101 2nd Ave, Bigfork, MN, 56628, United States
Join the Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and Edge Center for the Arts for a special return visit of the Sketches of Minnesota civic improv comedy tour! This free event use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides, and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment.
We’re excited to welcome back the Sketches of Minnesota to the Edge of the Wilderness and reconnect the community. Beginning with a catered meal, these gatherings invite audience members to share what makes their town great, what they think people get wrong about it, what local divisions concern them, and what future they imagine. An improv comedy troupe listens in on the conversations, takes everything they heard from residents, and brings it to life on stage through entirely unscripted improv comedy theater.
5:00–6:00 PM: Doors open/Community hour
6:00–7:15 PM: Dinner
7:15–8:00 PM: Improv show
8:00–8:30 PM: Talkback
Host Partner: Edge Center for the Arts
The work of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to create a stronger Minnesota by increasing our understanding of the beauty, wisdom and stories of its people. Through partnerships, we facilitate the spaces, like Sketches of Minnesota, that seek to build connections and deepen understanding of ourselves and our communities in pursuit of a more just society.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Summer on the Lawn: Children's Puppet Show!
2026-08-02 15:00 - 17:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Roll up to MHC as Summer on the Lawn continues with a fantastic, family-friendly puppet show! Open Eye Theatre’s Driveway Tour presents “Jeremy & The Giant King,” an all-new production featuring two brothers, a storybook realm with many amazing residents, and oh yes, one Giant King causing trouble! Open Eye performers will remain after the show to give curious kids and adults a behind-the-scenes peek and a closer look at the featured puppets.
Please note that this event will be outdoors, weather permitting. MHC will provide light refreshments during the event. Picnics, lawn chairs, and blankets are welcome. The performance will be in an area with some shading, but audience members should expect exposure to the sun. Please plan accordingly. Restrooms will be available for use at the Minnesota Humanities Event Center. In case of inclement weather, the performances will be moved indoors to the Minnesota Humanities Event Center.
About Open Eye Theatre
Open Eye Theatre is nationally recognized for bringing a visual feast of evocative figure theater to the stage. The company’s whimsical yet profound work surprises and delights whether experienced in the company’s historic jewel box theater in Minneapolis or in neighborhoods throughout the Twin Cities with the Driveway Tour. From experimental object works to puppet shows in backyards to community pageants to miniature spectacles, Open Eye consistently creates a unique, contagious exchange between artists and audiences.
This event is part of MHC’s 2026 Summer on the Lawn series.
Registration
This event is free to attend. Registration is encouraged but not required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

Minneapolis - Learning from Place: Exploring Minnesota’s Religious Landscapes
2026-08-06 09:00 - 14:00 | Temple Israel, 2323 Fremont Ave S, Minneapolis, MN, 55405, United States
This Learning from Place experience invites participants to explore Minnesota’s rich religious landscape through visits to three faith communities in the Twin Cities: Temple Israel, Masjid An-Nur (mosque), and The Basilica of St. Mary. Traveling together by bus, participants will engage in guided visits, storytelling, and facilitated dialogue that deepen understanding of how religious traditions shape the cultural, historical, and civic life of our state.
As participants move through each space, they will learn the significance these places hold and consider how identity, migration, and community life intersect in Minnesota.
Throughout the experience, facilitators will provide context and guide reflection, supporting participants in making connections across sites and considering the implications for their own roles in a pluralistic democracy. Time will also be set aside for a shared lunch and informal reflection.
Come ready to listen, reflect, and engage with curiosity and questions.
K-12 Educators will receive 5 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Minnesota Multifaith Network (MnMN), a non-profit organization committed to convening and connecting leaders, organizations, and individuals across religious, spiritual, and philosophical differences in Minnesota to cultivate understanding, advance justice, overcome fear, and build a more inclusive and compassionate community.
Registration
Registration coming soon!

Staples - Social Studies Standards: Inquiry & Interdisciplinary Shifts
2026-08-11 - 2026-08-12 | Sourcewell, 202 12th Street NE, Staples, MN, 56479, United States
The Social Studies Standards Workshop is a two-day workshop series designed to equip K–8 teachers and school leaders with the knowledge and tools needed to successfully implement the new social studies standards by the 2026–27 school year. Participants will engage in a guided exploration of the revised standards, including analysis of major content shifts, vertical alignment across grade levels, and implications for curriculum planning.
Throughout the workshop, teams will connect the updated standards to the C3 Framework, deepening their understanding of high-quality instructional practices and identifying necessary instructional shifts to support student learning. Time will be provided for participants to apply their learning to their own curriculum (with a focus on inquiry and interdisciplinary skills).
This workshop is a collaboration between Sourcewell and the Minnesota Humanities Center, and will also feature Brittany Rawson-Haeg, Social Studies Content Lead for the Minnesota Department of Education.
Registration
Registration through Sourcewell is required to attend.
Registration Questions: education@sourcewell-mn.gov
Register Now

Little Falls - We Are Water MN
2026-08-13 - 2026-10-05 | Great River Arts, 122 1st Street SE, Little Falls, MN, 56345, United States
The We Are Water MN traveling exhibit examines water issues statewide and in local communities through personal stories, histories, and scientific information. It strengthens Minnesotans’ relationships with water, exposes visitors to new perspectives, and increases participation in water stewardship activities.
Host Partner: Great River Arts
As the summer comes to a close and fall sets in, join We Are Water MN at Great River Arts (GRA) in Little Fall, where creativity meets community. GRA exists to enrich lives through the arts and become the art hub for the Morrison County area, playing a significant role in sustaining the community’s artistic and economic vibrancy. From live theater and music performances to continuous visual art exhibits, art classes for youth and adults, and now the We Are Water MN exhibit, come see how all of the wonderful things that happen when water and art meet!
We are especially excited that the exhibit will be in town during the annual and always highly anticipated Little Falls Arts and Crafts Fair, September 12-13. We look forward to bringing We Are Water MN to the thousands of art enthusiasts visiting the heart of downtown Little Falls.
For this hosting, Great River Arts is partnered with the City of Little Falls, the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, and the Morrison Soil & Water Conservation District.
About We Are Water MN?
We are Water MN is a project of the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the Minnesota Humanities Center in partnership with the Minnesota Historical Society; the Board of Water and Soil Resources; the Minnesota Departments of Agriculture, Health, and Natural Resources; and University of Minnesota Extension.
Learn more about the We Are Water MN exhibit, partnership, and programs.
Learn More

Empire - Learning from Place: Watt Munisotaram (Cambodian Temple)
2026-08-13 13:00 - 16:00 | Watt Munisotaram, 2925 220th St E, Empire, 55031, United States
What does it mean to learn from a place shaped by history, migration, and spiritual practice?
This Learning from Place experience invites participants to explore Watt Munisotaram, the largest Cambodian Buddhist temple in the United States, located in the countryside of Empire, Minnesota. Participants will engage with the temple as a living cultural and spiritual site, learning directly from community members, monks, and the landscape itself.
As we move through the temple grounds, we will explore Cambodia’s history and the experiences that brought Cambodian families to Minnesota – home to the fifth-largest Cambodian population in the United States. Through stories and guided exploration, participants will learn how Watt Munisotaram serves as a place of cultural continuity, community connection, and spiritual life.
Participants will hear from community members and Buddhist monks, explore the temple’s architecture and symbolism, enjoy traditional Cambodian foods, and participate in a brief guided meditation as a way to learn about a practice central to Cambodian Buddhist traditions.
K-12 Educators will receive 3 clock hours upon completion of the event.
This experience is presented in collaboration with Cambodian American Partnership (CAPMN), a non-profit organization committed to building a resilient community that honors Cambodian history by cultivating a sense of belonging.
Registration
To ensure that cost is not a barrier, we have a limited number of complimentary spaces available for Minnesota residents. If you would like to receive a complimentary spot, please register with the discount code FEEWAIVER.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Montevideo - Sketches of Minnesota
2026-08-13 17:00 - 20:30 | Montevideo American Legion Post #59, 613 Legion Dr, Montevideo, MN, 56265, United States
Join the Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and Montevideo community for the Sketches of Minnesota civic improv comedy tour! These free events use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides, and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment.
Beginning with a catered meal, these gatherings invite audience members to share what makes their town great, what they think people get wrong about it, what local divisions concern them, and what future they imagine. An improv comedy troupe listens in on the conversations, takes everything they heard from residents, and brings it to life on stage through entirely unscripted improv comedy theater.
5:00–6:00 PM: Doors open / Community hour
6:00–7:15 PM: Dinner
7:15–8:00 PM: Improv show
8:00–8:30 PM: Talkback
Host Partner: Montevideo Economic Development Authority (EDA)
The work of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to create a stronger Minnesota by increasing our understanding of the beauty, wisdom and stories of its people. Through partnerships, we facilitate the spaces, like Sketches of Minnesota, that seek to build connections and deepen understanding of ourselves and our communities in pursuit of a more just society.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Leading Elementary Social Studies Inquiry (LESSI) Institute
2026-08-17 - 2026-08-19 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
Learn how to do more with less. The Minnesota Humanities Center, in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Education, presents the LESSI Institute. Through LESSI, K–5 curriculum leaders and educators are equipped to strengthen interdisciplinary social studies and English language arts (ELA) instruction through cross-district learning and collaboration.
This 3-day institute guides participants through the curriculum writing process for inquiry-based instruction rooted in the 2021 social studies standards, with intentional connections to the 2020 ELA standards.
Participants will:

Build their understanding of disciplinary literacy to support deeper student engagement
Strengthen their ability to center student inquiry in meaningful, standards-based instruction
Leave with classroom-ready resources and routines that can be immediately implemented in their own classrooms and districts

Participants can expect to return to their contexts with practical tools, stronger instructional design skills, and concrete resources that support more engaging and rigorous social studies learning for students, while also reducing planning time.
K-12 Educators will receive 16.5 clock hours upon completion of the event.
Registration
Light breakfast and lunch are included in the registration fee. Lodging support is available for a limited number of participants traveling from outside the Metro area. Registration closes August 7, 2026.
Note: You must commit to attending all three days to participate.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org | MHC Cancellation Policy
Register Now

Emily - Sketches of Minnesota - Digging Into The Emily Mine: What Lies Ahead
2026-08-18 16:30 - 19:30 | Emily City Hall, 44483 State Hwy 6, Emily, 56447, United States
Join the Minnesota Humanities Center, Danger Boat Productions, and the Emily Mine Information Group for a special return visit of the Sketches of Minnesota civic improv comedy tour! These free events use laughter and comedy to celebrate Minnesota communities, promote dialogue, bridge divides, and help find ways to work constructively across differences in today’s political environment.
This year, Sketches of Minnesota is back and is partnering with the Emily Mine Information Group on a special event that will use laughter and comedy to dive into an important community conversation exploring the potential impacts of a manganese mine in the city. The evening will begin with a catered meal and facilitated conversation with experts who will share information about the mining permitting and the potential impacts of the mine. Audience members will engage with the information presented through both a Q&A and improv comedy show.
4:30–5:30 PM: Doors open & Community Exhibits Viewing
5:30–7:30 PM: Dinner & Program
About the Speakers
Joy Anderson, JD-MN Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA) reviews mine permitting process and public input opportunities. Before joining MCEA, Joy was a shareholder at Minneapolis law firm Gray Plant Mooty, where she litigated cases and headed the firm’s pro bono program. Joy has provided more than 1,200 hours of pro bono service and was named a 2018 Minnesota Attorney of the Year for her work on a pro bono case. She earned her law degree at William Mitchell College of Law and her B.A. in English and print journalism from the University of St. Thomas.
Bob Karls is a hydrogeologist with over 46 years of experience in solving environmental challenges. He has spent 40 years in consulting but has also worked for the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency and the US Geological Survey. Bob holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology and a master’s degree in Hydrology, from University of Minnesota and Arizona University respectively. Bob is also on the Board of Directors of the Northern Waters Land Trust.
Host Partner: Emily Mine Information Group
The work of the Minnesota Humanities Center is to create a stronger Minnesota by increasing our understanding of the beauty, wisdom and stories of its people. Through partnerships, we facilitate the spaces, like Sketches of Minnesota, that seek to build connections and deepen understanding of ourselves and our communities in pursuit of a more just society.
This event is made possible by the generous support of the Saint Paul and Minnesota Foundation.
Registration
This event is free, however registration is required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now

St. Paul - Summer on the Lawn: Pickup Truck Opera
2026-08-20 19:00 - 21:00 | Minnesota Humanities Event Center, 987 Ivy Avenue East, Saint Paul, MN, 55106, United States
What better way to spend a summer evening than listening to great music and finding creative inspiration? Join MHC, Mixed Precipitation, and fellow participants for the Pickup Truck Opera’s presentation of “The Tales of Hoffmann.” Future meets past in the wild adventures of a traveling poet who encounters ghosts, robots, magicians, and shape-shifting demons in pursuit of love and art! This contemporary mashup features 90’s grunge, R&B, and opera classics. Kick back, relax, and enjoy a musical extravaganza on the MHC lawn.
Picnics, lawn chairs, sun umbrellas, and blankets are welcome. Note that the performance is in an open field with minimal shade. Please plan accordingly. Restrooms will be available for use at the Minnesota Humanities Event Center. Can’t make it on August 20? Check out Mixed Precipitation’s full calendar for other performances across Minnesota this summer.
About Mixed Precipitation
Mixed Precipitation’s mission is to create festive theatrical events that inspire social engagement. Since 2009, they have presented their signature events, A Picnic Operetta and Pickup Truck Opera, at community gardens, urban farms, parks, orchards, and vineyards throughout Minnesota.
This event is part of MHC’s 2026 Summer on the Lawn series.
Registration
This event is free to attend. Registration is encouraged but required.
Registration Questions: registrations@mnhum.org
Register Now
