Minnesota Historical Society Celebrates Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage

ST. PAUL, Minn (April 25, 2025) – May will mark an especially significant Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, as it commemorates the 50th anniversary of several Southeast Asian communities’ arrival in Minnesota. 

The Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) will celebrate the history and heritage of Minnesota’s AAPI communities through several partnerships, programs, grants, and books:

Hmong 50th Commemoration, Minnesota History Center, May 16, 5:00 pm–8:00 pm
Stories of migration and resilience will fill this commemoration of 50 years of Hmong Americans in Minnesota. This free event intends to spark conversations and reflection on the cultural, economic, and civic contributions of the Hmong community. Hands-on activities for all ages offered throughout the evening including seed planting, needlework, LEGO®, photography, and story mapping. Portrait exhibitions on view and performances will be held in the auditorium.

Author Event: Enmity and Empathy, Historic Fort Snelling, May 31, 1:30 pm–2:30 pm
In his new book Enmity and Empathy: Japanese Americans in Minnesota During World War II (MNHS Press), Ka F. Wong explores the courageous struggles of trailblazers who relocated to Minnesota during World War II and the multiple ways Japanese Americans transformed the state and their own lives. To celebrate the book’s publication, Wong and guest speakers Sally Sudo and Karen Tanaka Lucas, whose stories are featured in the book, will hold a panel discussion and answer audience questions. Books will be available for purchase and signing. This event is free, thanks to the support of the Alonzo Pickle Endowment.

Grants and Partnerships
More than a dozen organizations will receive support in the form of grants and partnerships to commemorate 50 years of the Southeast Asians in Minnesota. These grants and partnerships will support community commemorations through exhibits, performances, publications, oral histories, educational programming and other activities to preserve this important history.

Eleven organizations were selected to receive grants from funds appropriated by the state legislature. There was a very high level of demand for these grant funds; the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) received approximately $2 million in requests for $400,000 available. MNHS followed the procedure outlined by the legislation to award grants, using a competitive process, to cultural, historical, and veterans organizations. Grant applications were reviewed by a citizens panel.

In an effort to increase the representation of Southeast Asian communities, MNHS is dedicating $147,000 in Legacy funds appropriated by the state legislature to partner with three additional organizations. 

The full list of grantees and partner organizations can be found here.

About the Minnesota Historical Society

The Minnesota Historical Society is a non-profit educational and cultural institution established in 1849. MNHS collects, preserves and tells the story of Minnesota’s past through museum exhibits, libraries and collections, historic sites, educational programs, and book publishing. Using the power of history to transform lives, MNHS preserves our past, shares our state’s stories, and connects people with history.