WINONA COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
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Programs, Classes, Events, and more fun stuff to do.

Events & Fundraisers


Our Annual Events​
  • WCHS Annual Meeting, March 
  • NEW! Swing into Spring Tour Series, April
  • Voices From the Past: Cemetery Walk, ​​Oct. 7 & 8
  • Heritage Dinner,  coming 2024
  • Handmade Neighborhood, November 18
  • Holiday Family Fest, December 2023
  • Holiday House Tour, coming 2024

Programs, Activities & Classes


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Click to find Opening Receptions & Show Schedules!

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MUSEUM MAKERS CLASS
VINTAGE VALENTINES
February 4 • 12 to 3 PM • Briarcombe Room
Cost: Free with Museum Admission
Led by: Lori Ortega
Register: Call 507-454-2723 ext. 0, drop-ins welcome but register to guarantee a spot.
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Create your own vintage inspired Valentines. Spend 30 minutes, an hour or the whole time creating! Also learn more about the tradition of exchanging Valentines. All the supplies are provided, along with some historic valentines from our collection on display for inspiration.


COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIP
YOU ARE HERE/BE HERE NOW PROJECT
February 28 • 5:30 to 7:30 PM • History Center
Cost: Free
Led by: Sarah Johnson
Register: Call 507-458-8258 or Online through Winona Park and Rec.

Community members are invited to a workshop to learn about and practice simple mindfulness activities. Together, the participants will then create paintings on a theme of their choice. These paintings will be digitized and printed onto sturdy outdoor signs that will be placed in parks across the community. The signs will include a brief mindfulness activity and a “What Was Here” section provided by the Winona County Historical Society that will highlight the historical significance of where the signs are placed.
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The Winona Fine Arts Council named Sarah Johnson Winona’s first ever Creative Laureate in 2020. During her three year term, Johnson has led several community engagement projects involving art and added many murals around town.
Johnson was immediately excited about offering a series of workshops that could help people learn more about mindfulness, increase public art in Winona, and create welcoming environments to increase our sense of belonging and connection to neighbors and outdoor environments. Thus hatched the “You Are Here/Be Here Now” project.

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BOOK CHAT
Book Chat is free and open to the public. Participate in great discussions about the themes in each month’s book. Held monthly at the History Center. Discussions begin at 12:05 p.m. for about an hour. Led by Audrey Gorny.

The Book Chat is taking a winter break and resume in April. 


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HISTORY ON THE RIVER
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Educational Cruises Celebrating Our Heritage!
2023 schedule will be announced in the spring.

Experience the history, culture, arts, science, stories, music, and more that make Winona County, Minnesota so unique...on the Mississippi River. 

Cruises are on the third Thursday in May, June, July, August and September aboard The Cal Fremling. Each cruise is 90 minutes long with a program, a changing assortment of hors d’oeuvres or desserts with a variety of beverages and sightseeing time.  Please note the earlier departure times as we near the end of the season when the days get shorter.

General Cruise Information
  • Parking is available near the Levee off Johnson St., Main Street and Walnut St. as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. The Cal Fremling is docked near Johnson Street.
  • History on the River cruises are aboard The Cal Fremling operated by Winona State University. The two-level vessel features AC and heat in the enclosed lower deck with an open canopied upper level with seating. There is a restroom on board. The lower deck is handicap accessible. Light refreshments are included.
  • Updates or cancellations will be posted here at least 3 hours prior to the cruise or call 507-454-2723 ext. 0 with any questions. ​If a cruise is canceled due to weather (we will go in rain) or river conditions, ticket holders can choose another cruise or can be issued a refund, otherwise cruise tickets are non-refundable. Unfortunately, any canceled cruises are not rescheduled. 
Cruise Updates or Cancellations: None 

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Online Lecture Series: The Ecological History of Winona County
A Webinar Series in partnership with Winona State University
​Diane Wilson | Seeds for Seven Generations
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Michael Lee | Minnesota’s Driftless Area: a Biodiversity Hotspot
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​Andy Robertson, Kevin Stark, Roger Meyer, and Kathy Allen | Mapping Ecologic History in the Driftless Area of Minnesota
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Gregory Edge | Oak Savanna and Woodland: Using the science of disturbance ecology and silviculture to help restore unique Driftless Area ecosystems
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Eli Sagor | A View from the Minnesota Woods
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Michael Dockry | Learning from the Indigenous Roots of Sustainable Forestry in the USA: Promoting Sustainability, Community Healing, and Partnerships
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This lecture is co-sponsored by the All-University Arboretum and Land Stewardship Committee as part of the 8th Annual Arbor Day celebration and WSU’s “Tree-Campus USA” recognition.
The Ecological History Lecture Series, March 23 – April 21, 2021, is made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. We thank the generosity of the people of Minnesota. The webinar series is open and free to the public.
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  • Home
  • About
    • Board & Staff
    • Volunteers
    • Employment
    • Facility Rentals
  • Museums
  • To Do
    • Activities
    • Tours
    • Exhibits >
      • Fabric of Winona
      • Virtual Visit
    • Art Gallery
  • Archives
  • Support
    • Join
    • Donate
  • News
  • Shop