According to an Associated Press story on the LaCrosse, Wisc., television station WKBT, visitation at Wisconsin historic sites is up 11 percent from last year, after years of decline. According to Minnesota Tourism employment in the tourism industry here is expected to rise 19 percent this decade, apparently to meet a growing demand. While the 2007 local history survey is still coming in, the past three years do show a reported steady increase in visitation at local historical organizations in Minnesota. In 2004 total reported visitation was 934,919, in 2005 it was 964,431, and in 2006 it was 1,008,528. These numbers are likely very low as at most 130 of the 350 organizations reported on visitation. Do you see an increase in attendance at your historical organization? What do you think is driving renewed interest in local history?

In the course of our comprehensive inventory project, we are discovering many redundant items in our collection and are about to start deaccessioning some of the items. We do have a policy in place, but are wondering if any of you have advice about the deaccessioning process that would help us refine our collection without upsetting donors, families, or the community.

Thank you!

Ann Grandy
Pope County Historical Society

The June 26, 2007 issue of the Mankato Free Press noted the Blue Earth County Historical Society providing tours of the historic Blue Earth County Courthouse. Does your organization provide tours of buildings it does not own? If so, what are some issues of which you have to be aware? What have you learned that you wished you knew before you started providing tours?

The Corporation for National and Community Service announced the top 50 large cities that have the strongest rates of volunteerism. Minneapolis-St. Paul was first on the list. The report states generally that men provide slightly more hours on average than women, but that a much higher percentage of women volunteer than men. Is that true for your organization? And regarding the report, why do you think the rate for volunteering is higher in Minnesota? Anecdotally, are many people volunteering to help your organization?