Metro Area Historical Society Collaborative

Over the past six years, NCC has created its most lasting relationship with a series of Twin Cities historical societies. Four counties: Anoka, Dakota, Ramsey, and Scott banded together to form the Metro Area Historical Society Collaborative. The collaborative has been awarded a series of Legacy Grants through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage grants program to hire an archaeologist to do public oriented archaeology in each county, allowing for maximum use of grant funds.

Each county was able to use NCC’s talents to leverage new relationships with local/neighborhood historical societies. Dozens of archaeological projects have been completed over the past several years, spinning off new projects and research opportunities. Archaeological efforts have ranged from intimate, public talks and demonstrations, to high-end, scientific analysis using powerful equipment including radiocarbon dating, spectral analysis, lipids tests, lithic analysis and more.

NCC has grown as the MAHSC itself has grown to incorporate new projects. In 2019-2020 MAHSC again partnered with NCC to complete a series of “alpha site” research and archaeological survey projects. Building on previous research done by the MAHSC, NCC worked with each county to tailor public programs to each of their individual needs. For example, in Ramsey County, NCC completed work in the Fish Creek Nature Area as well as the Gibbs Farm, while in Scott County, NCC focused its attention on two early Ghost Towns in Helena Township, located in the southern part of the County.

NCC is a truly collaborative effort. Each project requires the expansion of the core team to make sure the work can be done. Subconsultants with their own areas of expertise are treated as the equals they are – work is shared, and the kudos are given where warranted. Below is a series of reports which came out of the most recent round of MAHSC work.

Hruby, A., L. Koski, and F. Sutherland Continued Archaeological Investigations at Gibbs Farm (21RA26) St. Paul, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Final Report February 14, 2020.

Sutherland, F. A Dakota County and Ramsey County Lithic Analysis: A Cross-County Comparison of the Ledo Collection and Two Fred Lawshe Collections. Final Report May 22, 2020.

Nienow, J. and L. Koski Phase I Archaeological Investigation Along Fish Creek Natural Area, Maplewood, Ramsey County, Minnesota. Final Report May 22, 2020.

Nienow, J. and A. Walhovd Phase I Archaeological Investigation 21SC117 (Helena), Helena Township, Scott County, Minnesota. Final Report June 3, 2020.

Nienow, J. and A. Walhovd Phase I Archaeological Investigation in Dakota County, Minnesota. Final Report June 3, 2020.

Walhovd, A., A. Hruby, L. Koski, A. Hedquist, and F. Sutherland Phase I Archaeological Investigation 21SC118 – New Helena, Helena Township, Scott County, Minnesota. Final Report June 3, 2020.

Nienow J. and A. Hedquist Historic Ceramic Vessel Analysis for Collections in Dakota, Scott, and Ramsey County, Minnesota. Final Report June 22, 2020.