St. Peter Public Library in the aftermath of the 1998 tornado, St. Peter, MN.

ABOUT US

Mission

The Minnesota Alliance for Heritage Response (MN-AHR) is a statewide network of museums, archives, libraries, performing arts organizations, historic preservation groups, and emergency responders dedicated to preparing for and responding to disasters affecting collections and historic properties. The purpose of the group is to share resources and create an environment of cooperation and preparedness in order to reduce the impact of emergency situations on Minnesota collections and historic properties.

Background

Minnesota is home to a thriving art, culture, and heritage community. As an example, there are an estimated 562 historical organizations in the state, ranging from tiny all-volunteer area history museums to the Minnesota Historical Society. Minnesota also hosts roughly 7,000 properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places (NR). 1,600 properties are listed individually and the rest are located within NR-listed historic districts.

Minnesota is susceptible to natural disasters including tornados, flooding, fires, and winter storms. As demonstrated in 2020, collections and historic properties in Minnesota can also be affected by civil unrest, global pandemics, and economic instability. Finally, disasters that cannot be foreseen or explained such as accidental fires and car accidents affect Minnesota’s heritage resources.

Board of Directors

Coming Soon!

Photo of metal map storage cabinet partly burned with burnt rubble surrounding it.
Arson at the Isanti County Historical Society museum completely destroyed the museum and much of the collections.
Photo of flooded archive. Man in wading pants with water up to his hips surveying damaged records on metal shelves.
In 2002 a flood in Roseau, MN filled the basement of their courthouse with water which held the county historical societies archives.

MN-AHR would like to thank the following individuals who have contributed to its creation:

Melissa Amundsen

Crystal Boyd

Dan Cagley

Madeline Cooper

Tiffani Emig

Nicole Grabow

Elaina Gregg

Pejuta Haka Red Eagle




Saira Haqqi

Hannah Novillo Erickson

Catherine Sandlund
Joe Hoover

Kate Hujda

Emily Kurash

Julia Larson

Todd Mahon

Megan Narvey

Adam Smith

Heidi Swank

Todd Topper

Colin Turner

Rita Walaszek Arndt

Richard Walker

Nyle Zikmund

If you are interested in getting involved in the Alliance for Response, please fill out this form or contact allianceforresponsemn@gmail.com.