Programs, Activities & Classes
Mini - Museum Visitor Monday!
From Trees to a Home
Monday, September 25 • 10:00 - 11:00 AM • History Center
Preschoolers and their adults are invited to sign-up for a special tour of the WCHS exhibits. We will explore how early settlers made trees into homes. Make a craft to take home and have fun building with blocks and Lincoln logs.
Family Rate: $10 (Preschoolers + Adults),
Preschool Group Rate: $50 (Preschoolers + Staff)
Limited to 20 Preschoolers. Please register in advance by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0.
Stop in the History Center any day to explore The Cube, a preschool activity area.
Also check out the Minnesota Marine art Museum Toddler Tuesdays!
From Trees to a Home
Monday, September 25 • 10:00 - 11:00 AM • History Center
Preschoolers and their adults are invited to sign-up for a special tour of the WCHS exhibits. We will explore how early settlers made trees into homes. Make a craft to take home and have fun building with blocks and Lincoln logs.
Family Rate: $10 (Preschoolers + Adults),
Preschool Group Rate: $50 (Preschoolers + Staff)
Limited to 20 Preschoolers. Please register in advance by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0.
Stop in the History Center any day to explore The Cube, a preschool activity area.
Also check out the Minnesota Marine art Museum Toddler Tuesdays!
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.
Upcoming Titles:
September 27 • The All Girl Filling Station by Fanny Flag
October 25 • Christy by Catherine Marshall
November 29 • The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
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.
Upcoming Titles:
September 27 • The All Girl Filling Station by Fanny Flag
October 25 • Christy by Catherine Marshall
November 29 • The Dutch House by Ann Patchett
Art Show Opening Reception
The Art of Quilting
Friday, September 29 • 4:00 - 6:00 PM • History Center Slaggie Lobby
The Winona Area Quilt Guild was started in September 1983 as an off shoot of the first Quilt Show that was organized and held in the WCHS museum. The Art of Quilting show will feature current guild members’ work in celebration of the Guild’s 40th anniversary. Refreshments will be served.
The Art of Quilting
Friday, September 29 • 4:00 - 6:00 PM • History Center Slaggie Lobby
The Winona Area Quilt Guild was started in September 1983 as an off shoot of the first Quilt Show that was organized and held in the WCHS museum. The Art of Quilting show will feature current guild members’ work in celebration of the Guild’s 40th anniversary. Refreshments will be served.
Halloween Fun!
Trick or Treat the History Center Offices
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM • History Center
Free Museum Admission!
Trick or Treat the History Center staff offices and explore the museum for free on Halloween!
Trick or Treat the History Center Offices
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM • History Center
Free Museum Admission!
Trick or Treat the History Center staff offices and explore the museum for free on Halloween!
HISTORY ON THE RIVER
Educational Cruises Celebrating Our Heritage.
2023 Cruises available now!
Experience the history, culture, arts, science, stories, music, and more that make Winona County, Minnesota so unique...on the Mississippi River.
The favorite educational series, History on the River, is returning this season with added cruises! Choose from two different cruise times on the third Thursdays in May, June, July, August and September. Each presentation will be offered during a 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. cruise and again for a 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. cruise. Also enjoy refreshments and the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River.
Educational Cruises Celebrating Our Heritage.
2023 Cruises available now!
Experience the history, culture, arts, science, stories, music, and more that make Winona County, Minnesota so unique...on the Mississippi River.
The favorite educational series, History on the River, is returning this season with added cruises! Choose from two different cruise times on the third Thursdays in May, June, July, August and September. Each presentation will be offered during a 4:00 - 5:30 p.m. cruise and again for a 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. cruise. Also enjoy refreshments and the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River.
Cost:
Cruises can be purchased at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0.
Cruises can be purchased at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0.
- $35 each for WCHS members
- $45 each for the public
- $150 for members - SOLD OUT
- $200 for the public - SOLD OUT
General Cruise Information:
- Cruises are aboard The Cal Fremling. This two level vessel has an accessible enclosed main deck with a restroom. The Cal Fleming is docked at the foot of Johnson Street at the Winona Levee.
- Parking is available on Cal Fremling Drive (enter at Walnut Street) and off Johnson Street.
- Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to cruise time. Cruises leave on time!
- Cruises are non-refundable unless canceled by the captain or WCHS. We will go in rain. Flooding also rarely affects cruises. If Cal Fremling Drive is closed The Cal Fremling dock is accessible from Johnson Street.
- Cruise Updates or Cancelations: None
Upcoming Cruises:
September 21
People, Plants & Food Sovereignty with Nicky Buck
4:00 - 5:30 & 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Nicky Buck will share her knowledge of the area and land stewardship through a Dakota perspective. "Bdewakantuwan Dakota translates to spirit of the water dwellers that are your friends. The translation says who we are. There is magic in the hills, water and woods and I bring it to life through a Dakota perspective. " - Nicky Buck
September 21
People, Plants & Food Sovereignty with Nicky Buck
4:00 - 5:30 & 6:00 - 7:30 PM
Nicky Buck will share her knowledge of the area and land stewardship through a Dakota perspective. "Bdewakantuwan Dakota translates to spirit of the water dwellers that are your friends. The translation says who we are. There is magic in the hills, water and woods and I bring it to life through a Dakota perspective. " - Nicky Buck
Events & Fundraisers
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Our Annual Events
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Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk
Thursday, October 5 • 6:00 PM • Performance at the History Center
Saturday, October 7 & Sunday, October 8 • 12:00 - 4:00 PM • Woodlawn Cemetery
$10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 4 to 7 years.
Made in Winona! The theme for the 2023 Cemetery Walk will explore the lives of people who were creative creators, beverage brewers, agricultural equipment inventors, sweet-tooth feeders, community builders, and more. Hear their stories through community actors within beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Go at your own pace and in any order, but leave about 2 hours to see it all. Admission is taken at the gate.
Cannot make The Walk? The accessible performance of the sites will be held in Wanek Hall at the History Center on Thursday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Admission is taken at the door, but you can register in advance for a seat by stopping in or calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0.
Thursday, October 5 • 6:00 PM • Performance at the History Center
Saturday, October 7 & Sunday, October 8 • 12:00 - 4:00 PM • Woodlawn Cemetery
$10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 4 to 7 years.
Made in Winona! The theme for the 2023 Cemetery Walk will explore the lives of people who were creative creators, beverage brewers, agricultural equipment inventors, sweet-tooth feeders, community builders, and more. Hear their stories through community actors within beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Go at your own pace and in any order, but leave about 2 hours to see it all. Admission is taken at the gate.
Cannot make The Walk? The accessible performance of the sites will be held in Wanek Hall at the History Center on Thursday, October 5 at 6:00 p.m. Admission is taken at the door, but you can register in advance for a seat by stopping in or calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0.
Click to find Opening Receptions & Show Schedules!
Online Lecture Series: The Ecological History of Winona County
A Webinar Series in partnership with Winona State University
A Webinar Series in partnership with Winona State University
Diane Wilson | Seeds for Seven Generations
Michael Lee | Minnesota’s Driftless Area: a Biodiversity Hotspot
Andy Robertson, Kevin Stark, Roger Meyer, and Kathy Allen | Mapping Ecologic History in the Driftless Area of Minnesota
Gregory Edge | Oak Savanna and Woodland: Using the science of disturbance ecology and silviculture to help restore unique Driftless Area ecosystems
Eli Sagor | A View from the Minnesota Woods
Michael Dockry | Learning from the Indigenous Roots of Sustainable Forestry in the USA: Promoting Sustainability, Community Healing, and Partnerships
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.
