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      Girlhood (It’s complicated)

      Minnesota History Center
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      Our Home: Native Minnesota

      Minnesota History Center

    Plan Your Visit

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    Locations

    In the metro

    • Alexander Ramsey House

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    • Mill City Museum

    • Minnehaha Depot

    • Minnesota History Center

      • Gale Family Library

    • Minnesota State Capitol

    • Oliver Kelley Farm

    • Sibley Historic Site

    In Greater Minnesota

    • Birch Coulee Battlefield

    • Charles Lindbergh House and Museum

    • Comstock House

    • Folsom House

    • Forest History Center

    • Fort Ridgely

    • Harkin Store

    • Historic Forestville

    • Jeffers Petroglyphs

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    Themes & Topics

    • Black History I Black Voices

      Black History I Black Voices

    • Votes for Women

      Votes for Women

    • Duluth Lynchings

      View of police station after damage by the lynching mob.

    • LGBTQIA + Communities in Minnesota

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    • US-Dakota War of 1862

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    Overview

    • Minnesota People Records

      Discover materials associated with a particular person or name. Includes birth, death, census, veterans graves, and Gold Star Roll records.

    • Search Collections

      Search photographs, artifacts, maps and atlases, oral histories, works of art, sound recordings and much more from MNHS Collections.

    • Gale Family Library/Research Help

      Start your research here. Tools, library and archival collection guides and information on distance and in-person library services.

    • Digital Newspapers

      Access to millions of digital newspaper pages through the Minnesota Digital Newspaper Hub.

    • MNHS Press

      Browse MNHS books, and explore MNopedia, our online Minnesota encyclopedia.

    • Minnesota History magazine

      A lively, richly illustrated magazine published quarterly. Purchase recent issues and explore the archive.

    • Minnesota Unraveled

      Journey into our state’s past with the new podcast from the Minnesota Historical Society

    • MNopedia

      Minnesota’s online encyclopedia with entries about significant people, places, events and things in Minnesota history.

    • Preservation

      Learn how we preserve and protect our state’s objects, documents, and places.

    • Archaeology

      Learn about the Minnesota Historical Society’s archaeology collections, with more than 950,000 artifacts dating back about 11,500 years.
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  • Educate

    • Free Classroom Materials

      Enrich your social studies activities with these free resources from the Minnesota Historical Society and our partners.

    • Northern Lights

      Minnesota social studies curriculum for sixth graders.

    • National History Day

      Students choose a topic on an annual theme, then research and present papers, exhibits, performances, documentaries and websites.

    • Teacher Professional Development

      Discover new teaching practices and broaden your knowledge in an MNHS professional development workshop.

    • Supplemental Curriculum Products

      Enrich your lessons and engage students in complex history topics with our curriculum products.

    • Teaching Native American History & Culture

      Resources developed to broaden your knowledge and engage students.

    • Field Trips

      Transport your students to hands-on history destinations.

    • Teacher Memberships

      Discounted admission for educators.

    • 6th Grade History Pass

      Minnesota 6th graders are granted FREE admission to MNHS historic sites and museums for one year. Teachers and parents may order them now!
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  • Who We Are


    Learn how we use the power of history to transform lives

    Preserving our past, sharing our state's stories and connecting people with history.

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    Your support helps us harness the power of history to transform lives.

    Overview
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    • Become a Member

      Your historic adventure begins with membership, with free general admission to all 26 MNHS historic sites and museums for a full year.

    • Donate

      Tax-deductible donations of all sizes help MNHS provide extraordinary services to nearly one million visitors each year.

    • North Star Circle

      North Star Circle members are a distinguished group of supporters who serve as Minnesota history’s strongest advocates.

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      Making a gift to the Minnesota Historical Society through your estate ensures MNHS remains strong for future generations.

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      Help preserve and share Minnesota's heritage for the benefit of all Minnesotans.

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      Contributing to MNHS supports a variety of programs and services that benefit communities statewide.

    • Volunteers

      Volunteers from diverse backgrounds are essential to help tell the story of all Minnesotans.

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      Speak up for history. Talk with your legislators, our governor, and your community leaders.

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Judge Training Materials

Ticketing and admission services will be unavailable from 9 pm on Sunday, May 11 to 2 pm on Monday, May 12, due to scheduled maintenance. We apologize for any inconvenience.

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  1. MNHS
  2. National History Day in Minnesota
  3. Contests and Judging
  4. Judges
  5. Judge Training Materials

Judge Training Materials

The following resources are available to help judges to understand the process, see what materials are available, and feel more confident when reviewing projects.

Contest Information

General

  • Annual Theme 2025
  • Judge Glossary and Tips
  • MN History Day Judging Process
  • Judging Criteria
  • Completed Sample Comment Sheet

Videos for Judges

  • Historical Context 101
  • Multiple Perspectives 101
  • Student Voice 101
  • General Judging Information

Category-Specific Information

Documentary

  • NHD Judging Instructions: Documentary
  • Video: Documentary
  • Judge Rubric: Documentary

Exhibit

  • NHD Judging Instructions: Exhibit
  • Video: Exhibit
  • Judge Rubric: Exhibit

Paper

  • NHD Judging Instructions: Paper
  • Video: Paper
  • Judge Rubric: Paper

Performance

  • NHD Judging Instructions: Performance
  • Video: Performance
  • Judge Rubric: Performance

Website

  • NHD Judging Instructions: Website
  • Video: Website
  • Judge Rubric: Website

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  • Educate
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