By Rev. Paul Jarvis

You’ve seen the coffee table books for sale.

“Lost Twin Cities”

“Minneapolis … then and now”

“St. Paul … then and now”

Readers of these pictorial books marvel at historic beauty that can now be appreciated only in print. Victorian mansions on Summit Avenue in St. Paul, brownstone skyscrapers in Minneapolis.

By Mark W. Olson

Chaska brick is our town’s pride and joy.

Homes, businesses and churches constructed from the locally produced cream-colored brick can be found throughout the metro area.

“The beauty of the brick work isn’t something that you see on any modern buildings. You don’t see it in any modern brick structures,” said mason Patrick Sieben.

By Mark W. Olson

The brick walls of Guardian Angels Catholic Church have protected its parishioners from the elements for 125 years. Now the parishioners hope to protect the walls from the elements.

“The skin of the church is peeling off like a bad sunburn,” said the Rev. Paul Jarvis, leader of the Guardian Angels parish.

Another round of Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Grants were announced on Wednesday, by the Minnesota Historical Society.

The announcement includes the first 27 recipients of Mid-size and Large Grants for fiscal year 2010.

An additional 56 organizations received $248,787 in Fast Track Grants, for a total of $1,711,287 awarded for projects of enduring value, according to the press release.

More than 50 communities throughout Minnesota will benefit from the grants.

The Preservation Alliance of Minnesota is now accepting nominations for its annual list of the state’s 10 Most Endangered Historic Places through Friday, Jan. 29. The nomination form is available at the Alliance's website, www.mnpreservation.org.

Last year Chaska’s Athletic Park made the list of the top 10 endangered places. It follows a number of other local structures that have made the list in past years, including the Gehl-Mittelsted farm and the Andrew Peterson farmstead.

Organizations from 23 counties receive a total of $161,666 in grants for historic and cultural projects, according to a Minnesota Historical Society press release.

The Society today announced the first 30 recipients of Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Fast Track Grants of $7,000 or less, the release stated.

By Mark W. Olson

At a time when newspapers are struggling with their role in a new digital information age, there’s a similar debate at the Minnesota Historical Society (MHS).

Since territorial days, the society has been collecting and preserving area newspapers. And, for the past 60 years, this preservation has taken the form of plastic microfilm – lots of microfilm.

Gone are the days of steamboats and horse carts in Carver, but that doesn’t mean that a trip downtown now can’t elicit the same feel as it did when early settlers first came to the area.

Carver’s Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC) recently released its revised design guidelines for commercial buildings in the historic district. The 73-page document details how the district can recapture and enhance its 19th century river town settlement feel.

Writer: Caryl B. Storrs

Year: 1916

What: A vivid description of a German wedding in Chanhassen.

Published: Originally published in the Minneapolis Tribune, then reprinted in the book “Visitin’ ‘round in Minnesota.” The book includes short stories on several towns throughout the state. Storrs gives this description: “The inconsequent sketches included in this book represent a portion of a most interesting summer spent in rambling over this wonderful State of Minnesota.” A portion of this story was reprinted in “Chanhassen: A Centennial History.”