Spokespeople

These Minnesota Historical Society staff members are available to speak to the media about the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862. Please contact Julianna Olsen, 651-259-3039, julianna.olsen@mnhs.org or Amy Danielson, 651-259-3020, amy.danielson@mnhs.org, to schedule an interview.  
 
Stephen Elliott, Director and CEO of the Minnesota Historical Society, joined the Society in May 2011. Previously, Elliott was president and CEO of the New York State Historical Association where he led two related organizations with significant cultural collections: the Fenimore Art Museum with its world-class American Indian art and nationally important American folk and fine art collection, and The Farmers’ Museum, an outdoor living history museum of 19th-century rural life. From 2000-2005, Elliott was the executive director of the First Freedom Center in Richmond, Va. In addition, he served the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation for 28 years in various capacities including vice president of education, administration and planning. He also has served on numerous museum, history, education and civic boards and currently is the chair of the American Association for State and Local History.
Dan Spock, Director, Minnesota History Center, has worked in museums for more than 28 years in numerous positions including exhibit designer, exhibit developer and program administrator. At the Minnesota History Center, Spock oversees exhibits, including the development of the exhibit about the U.S.-Dakota War of 1862 and also educational programs, visitor services and facilities management.
John Crippen, Director of Historic Sites and Museums, has worked at the Minnesota Historical Society for nearly 25 years, with much of that time spent in State Historic Sites Network administration. Prior to his current position, he was director of Mill City Museum, and currently serves on the boards of the Minneapolis Riverfront Partnership and the Mill City Farmers Market. He holds a Master of Arts in History Museum Studies from the Cooperstown Graduate Program in Cooperstown, New York.
Jennifer Jones, Director of Library and Collections, joined the Minnesota Historical Society in 2006. She holds a Master of Arts in American History from the College of William and Mary and did doctoral work in early American history. Prior to working at the Society, Jones was head of the Digital History Center and Visual Resources Department at the John D. Rockefeller, Jr. Library, Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Deborah Locke, Program Manager for Minnesota Historical Society Projects Related to 1862, joined the Society staff in September 2010. Locke assists in planning, promoting , providing content and overseeing the budget for projects related to the war’s commemoration. Locke is a former newspaper editor, editorial board member and reporter.
Kevin Maijala, Manager for Curriculum Development and Teacher Education at the Minnesota Historical Society, has been with the Society for 12 years. He helped develop the exhibit at Lower Sioux Agency and has done extensive research and developed programs on U.S.-Dakota relations for Fort Snelling and the Sibley House Historic Site.
Kate Roberts, Senior Exhibit Developer, Minnesota History Center and exhibit developer for “The U.S.-Dakota War of 1862," has worked for the Minnesota Historical Society since 1989. Roberts developed the permanent exhibits for Mill City Museum, the “Minnesota 150” exhibit at the Minnesota History Center and also developed interpretive signs at Birch Coulee. Roberts has taught several history-related courses and has written articles and books on Minnesota history.
Travis Zimmerman, Indian Affairs Liaison for the Minnesota Historical Society, also serves as Site Manager of the Mille Lacs Indian Museum and Trading Post. Zimmerman has served on several boards for American Indian non-profit organizations, and recently graduated from the Seminar for Historical Administration: Developing History Leaders program. Zimmerman is a Veteran of the United States Army and National Guard and received a BA in History from St. John’s University in Collegeville, MN.