A Place of Learning: Repairing Minnesota’s Humanities Center, Strengthening Humanities Impact Statewide

FAIN: CHA-268816-21

Minnesota Humanities Center (St. Paul, MN 55106-2046)
Anne Hunter (Project Director: May 2019 to March 2020)
Kevin Lindsey (Project Director: March 2020 to June 2020)
Carol Aegerter (Project Director: June 2020 to December 2024)
Aby John (Project Director: December 2024 to October 2025)

Renovation of the headquarters building for the Minnesota Humanities Center, focusing on replacement of the HVAC system.

The Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) serves as a critical hub for public humanities scholarship, engagement, and resources throughout the state. MHC produces impactful programs and grantmaking in diverse and geographically dispersed communities, touching 36,100 people in 34 municipalities statewide in 2017-18 alone. Since moving to its current home in a historic building on St. Paul’s East Side, MHC has provided a unique venue for critical thought, deep connection, and continuous learning for program participants and external clients. This building (and the land it is on) is the foundation to MHC’s success, both programmatically and fiscally. However, it is in urgent need of repairs and updates to stop ongoing damage from water intrusion and to replace an outdated, inefficient HVAC system. An estimated $3.53 million is needed for renovations. Nearly $2.2 million has been secured, and a $350,000 NEH challenge grant will support replacement of the building’s outdated HVAC system.