Experience the people, places, and stories of historic Minneapolis
Join scholars for an in-depth look at topics in Minneapolis history. These in-person and virtually hosted lectures last approximately one hour. Pre-registration is required.
NOVEMBER 2024
Lecturer: Kate Solomonson
Subject: Minnesota’s First Public Housing Project, Sumner Field Homes
Date: Nov. 13
Time: 6:30pm
Format: In Person
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The Sumner Field Homes: Minnesota’s First Public Housing Project
Hennepin History Museum is excited to announce we are partnering with Preserve Minneapolis as part of the museum’s new Program Partners initiative. This lecture, which focuses on the Sumner Field Homes, is part of Preserve Minneapolis’s Minneapolis History Lecture Series. Two more lectures will be held at the museum over the next several months with speakers provided by Preserve Minneapolis. Click here for information about future topics.
The Sumner Field Homes, completed in 1938, was the first federally-funded housing project in
Minnesota. Kate Solomonson will discuss Sumner Field’s design and the controversies that surrounded its construction; as well as the 1990s lawsuit that led to its demolition, the preservation and social issues that arose, and the question of how Sumner Field—and Heritage Park, which replaced it—relate to the city’s heritage.
Kate Solomonson, Ph.D., is an architectural historian who taught in the University of Minnesota’s School of Architecture for over thirty years. In the early 1990s, she was part of a research team that documented Sumner Field’s history and developed scenarios for the site’s future. Currently she serves on Minnesota’s State Historic Preservation Review Board, and co-edits a book series—Architecture,
DECEMBER 2024
Lecturer: Kristen Zschomler
Subject: Prince
Date: Dec. 11
Time: 6:30pm
Format: In Person
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Funk, Folk, Punk, and More! Places that Brought Minneapolis Music to The World
Explore Minneapolis’s diverse and vibrant music history with local historian Kristen Zschomler. From Prince and Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis’ creation of “The Minneapolis Sound” to Bob Dylan and the Cedar-Riverside folk scene to the high-energy punk rock of bands like Hüsker Dü and The Replacements, Kristen will take you on a musical and geographical journey through the city’s rich sonic heritage and will explore the social factors that lead to the development of so many influential musical genres.
Kristen Zschomler is a Minneapolis-based historian who researches and writes about places associated with Prince, The Minneapolis Sound, and music history in the Twin Cities. Kristen’s work resulted in two Prince places being recognized as historically significant in the National Register of Historic Places and as Minneapolis historic landmarks, preserving his legacy. Kristen is also the co-owner of SoundAround Music Tours, an innovative self-guided, GPS-led, audio tour app that tells the stories of Minneapolis’s music scene and artists including Prince, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, Bob Dylan, and many more.
JANUARY 2025
Lecturer: Kristin Anderson
Subject: Preservation and Loss: A History of the Augsburg University Campus
Date: Jan. 30
Format: Zoom
Time: 6:30pm
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Augsburg University Campus has been in Minneapolis since 1872 and has evolved over the past 150 years. From Old Main (National Registry of Historic Places) to the Christensen Center, James G. Lindell Library, Sverdrup Hall and more, it’s a fascinating look at preservation and loss and what the future holds for this beautiful campus.
Kristin Anderson is a Professor Emerita of Art & Design at Augsburg University. Kristin serves on the Minnesota State Review Board for National Registry of History Places and Designations and is past president of the Minnesota Chapter of the Society of Architectural Historians.
FEBRUARY 2025
Lecturer: Aaron Isaacs
Subject: MPLS Streetcar History
Date: Feb. 5
Time: 6:30pm
Format: In Person
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Ride along for an exciting and illustrated history of streetcars in Minneapolis, including where remnants of the streetcar system can still be found today. At its peak, the system had 524 miles of track and could take you from Lake Minnetonka areas all the way to White Bear Lake, Stillwater and Bayport. The system was in operation from 1872 to 1954.
Minnesota Streetcar Museum historian Aaron Isaacs has volunteered with the museum for 50 years, edits their quarterly history magazine and is the author of three books on Minnesota streetcar history.
Share Your knowledge – Be a Lecturer
We’re always accepting applications for lecturers. All lecture topics must be related to preservation of historic and/or cultural resources in Minneapolis. In addition, all lectures must be no more than one hour, including 10 minutes for Q&A.
Preserve Minneapolis will pay each lecturer a $250 honorarium.
Submit a proposal, of no more than 300 words, to Preserve Minneapolis Lecture Series Sub-Committee,
Please include the following in your proposal:
- Your name
- Your professional position and/or affiliation
- The title of your proposed lecture
- A summary of the content of your proposed lecture, including a brief description of the visuals you will use.
- Tell us why you are the right person to present this lecture.
- Your resume or curriculum vitae