Created: 05-15-24
Last Login: 10-28-26
Cook County Historical Society advertisements
Into the Cook County Historical Society Archives
Description: Join us for "Into the Cook County Historical Society Archives," an introductory and training workshop designed for community members who want to get involved with CCHS to help process and organize our collections. The event, led by CCHS Board President Margaret Hedstrom, will explore the differences between archival materials, such as documents, photographs, and manuscripts, and our broader object collections, covering artifacts, textiles, and tools. We will also share our current organizational needs, focusing specifically on how volunteers can assist us in working through a backlog of recent donations and historical records. This event is open to the public and requires no prior archival experience. “Into the Cook County Historical Society Archives” will also be held on Tuesday, November 10 at 4 p.m. at the Cook County History Museum.
Publish Date: 10-28-26
ISO: Winter holiday decor for Museum by Candlelight event
Description: The Cook County Historical Society is excited to announce a brand new event, “Museum by Candlelight.” The 1st annual “Museum by Candlelight” will take place on Saturday, November 28, 2026, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Cook County History Museum. A second event will take place on a weeknight in December. Stay tuned for a specific date. Decor Donations Additionally, to help make this event a success, we’re looking for decoration donations! If you have extra garland, string lights, or natural decor taking up storage space, we’d love to take them off your hands. Your contributions will help us host this event for years to come. Here are a few specific items we need. All donations should be clean, in working order, and in excellent condition. To reflect our historic setting while keeping the event open, inclusive, and accessible to all, we request nondenominational decorations with a natural look and feel that celebrate the spirit of the winter season. Garlands Wreaths Ornaments Small Christmas trees (4 ft or smaller) String of lights (working condition, multi-colored ok) Stars Birch logs/branches Pinecones Battery-operated/electric flameless candles (working condition, with batteries if applicable) Lanterns (if battery-operated, in working condition with batteries) Candlesticks and candle holders (decorative only, not to be lit) Mason jars (16 oz/pint size, wide or regular mouth OK) Electric tea lights/fairy lights (working condition, with batteries) We unfortunately CANNOT accept: Santa or snowman decorations Inflatables or blow mold decorations Any religious iconography Donation Drop-offs Donations can be dropped off in person at the History Museum (8 S. Broadway) during regular hours (winter hours beginning October 22: Thursday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.). Please do not leave items at the front or back door when we are not open. The last day to drop off donations is Saturday, November 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. 8 S. Broadway Ave, Grand Marais, MN 55604 Learn more: https://www.cookcountyhistory.org/museum-by-candlelight
Publish Date: 10-28-26
Time Travel Through Letters and Art
Description: The Cook County Historical Society launched Letters to Our Future earlier this year to document community reactions and experiences to major events, preserving local history in real time for future generations. Shortly after launching, the project expanded across the region, inspiring organizations statewide to adopt a similar model. Now, thanks to a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council and a partnership with the Carlton County Historical Society and Oldenburg Arts and Cultural Community, the project continues to expand with an open Call to Artists for individuals or a group to design and build a physical time capsule to hold these letters. Join the Cook County Historical Society and the Johnson Heritage Post Art Gallery on October 24 at 2 p.m. for "Time Travel Through Art and Letters," a kickoff event celebrating this project expansion, the Call to Artists, and our ongoing call for community letter submissions. The event will include: A presentation by CCHS staff, who will share insights into how historical letters in our archives help us research and tell the stories of Cook County. A hands-on activity to draft your own letter reflecting on life in 2026 to be included in our public exhibit, historical archives (viewable by request only), or locked in a 20-year time capsule. A Call to Artists Q&A for those interested in submitting a proposal for the physical time capsule. (This portion of the event will be recorded. Questions may be submitted in advance to victoria@cookcountyhistory.org.) This event is free and open to the public. To learn more about the project, view artist submission guidelines, or submit a letter, visit: cookcountyhistory.org/letters-to-the-future
Publish Date: 10-22-26