<\/em><\/p>\n The 21st century finds both counties at a crossroads in their suburban development.\u00a0 Each has only one township remaining (Linwood and Hassan), and Anoka County has seen two other townships incorporate in just the last four years.\u00a0 Hassan has recently started its own historical society over the threat of annexation by Rogers.\u00a0 Hennepin County is seeing its first ring suburbs, like Richfield, Bloomington, and St. Louis Park, face redevelopment issues, while up in Anoka County, Ramsey and Nowthen (Anoka County’s newest incorporated city), are facing land use decisions and other pains of suburban growth like the extension of city municipal services and law enforcement.\u00a0 Policy makers across the two counties are in need of resources to inform their decisions that will impact the planned growth of these communities.<\/em><\/p>\n In addition to their shared histories, the impact of suburbanization has been felt, and continues to be felt, but it has only recently been the focus of a serious academic study.\u00a0 The suburbanization has occurred and it is now time to examine it through an historians lens.\u00a0 Both counties have nationally recognized historical societies, but neither have tackled this subject in depth.\u00a0 A report on their shared history will be a benefit for policy makers, academics, and more.\u00a0 The final product will also include tangible programming ideas with realistic road maps to produce these programs and bring the history of suburbanization to the greater public and encourage them to think about and discuss their community, what it is, how it became that, and what they want it to be in the future.<\/em><\/p>\n Contract Historian Position<\/strong><\/p>\n The Anoka County Historical Society (ACHS) and Hennepin History Museum (HHM) seek applicants for a part-time, independent contract position to complete a history of the suburban development of Anoka and Hennepin Counties.\u00a0 This position exists through a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.\u00a0 The Contract Historian will compile an extensive, written history using primary and secondary sources, administer an oral history program, and create a resource guide for others interested in researching the suburban development of the two counties.\u00a0 Other duties will include working with ACHS and HHM staff to hire two interns that will assist with the project, and work with high school students from the Breck School on a phase to be determined by the contract historian and the students\u2019 advisors (possibilities include researching community incorporation dates and changing municipal boundaries, etc.).\u00a0 The final draft must be completed by May 15, 2011.\u00a0 Funding for the grant provides for 973 hours for the contract historian at an hourly rate of $20.00.\u00a0 The successful candidate must have a Bachelors Degree in History or a related field and demonstrate skills commensurate with this type of project.<\/p>\n The project is contingent upon a request from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.<\/p>\n Applicant Instructions<\/strong><\/p>\n Candidates for this position are required to deliver:<\/p>\n 1)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Letter of Application<\/p>\n 2)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Resume<\/p>\n 3)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two Letters of Reference<\/p>\n 4)\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Two writing samples (excerpts from larger works will be accepted.)<\/p>\n Please provide copies as materials will not be returned.<\/em><\/p>\n To: Call Todd Mahon, ACHS Executive Director, for more information. The application deadline is July 23, 2010.<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n The selection of applicants for interviews will be based on the above materials.<\/p>\n Todd Mahon, Executive director of the Anoka County\u00a0 Historical Society, writes that he is looking for a historian to do a study of suburbanization in Anoka and Hennepin Counties in Minnesota. The work is to be funded by a a grant from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund, through the Minnesota Historical Society. Here’s … Continue reading Wanted: Historian to study development of Twin Cities suburbia<\/span> ![\"\"](\"http:\/\/minnesotahistory.net\/wptest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/pf095253-Coon-Rapids.jpg\" "\\"pf095253")
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\nSuburban Development Contract Historian Position
\nAnoka County Historical Society
\n2135 Third Avenue North
\nAnoka, MN 55303<\/p>\n
\nPhone # (763) 421-0600 x104, or via e-mail at todd@ac-hs.org.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/minnesotahistory.net\/wptest\/wp-content\/uploads\/2010\/07\/pf000551-Anoka-Shopping-Center.jpg\" "\\"pf000551")
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