If you want to learn about Winona and the surrounding area this is the place you visit first. - Z.E.L
The Winona County History Center is the Society's main museum and is located in historic downtown Winona, Minnesota. The History Center is housed in Winona's 1915 National Guard Armory and the award-winning contemporary Laird Norton Addition.
Hours: Open Daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and The Laird Lucas Library & Archives by appointment.
Closed holidays: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day.
Explore
Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Free for WCHS Members, Students doing research and Children 7 and younger. The Art Gallery is free.
Location: 160 Johnson St., Winona, Minnesota. The History Center parking lot is located off 4th Street.
Offices at the History Center: WCHS Staff, Visit Winona and Art of the Rural
Accessibility: The History Center is ADA compliant.
Hours: Open Daily 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. and The Laird Lucas Library & Archives by appointment.
Closed holidays: New Year's Day, Easter, Memorial Day, July 4, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve & Day.
Explore
- Engaging Exhibits (We are updating! Some exhibits may be down. We thank you for your patience.)
- Art Gallery featuring regional artists in partnership with the River Arts Alliance
- The Laird Lucas Library & Archives (by appointment only)
- The Museum Shop filled with Winona gear and locally made gifts
Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Free for WCHS Members, Students doing research and Children 7 and younger. The Art Gallery is free.
Location: 160 Johnson St., Winona, Minnesota. The History Center parking lot is located off 4th Street.
Offices at the History Center: WCHS Staff, Visit Winona and Art of the Rural
Accessibility: The History Center is ADA compliant.
Interpretive Center
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The Bunnell House
Open Friday & Saturday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. during June - August
At the Bunnell House visitors take a step back to the 1850s. Willard Bunnell was up to no good and travelled west to escape a run in with the law over some silver coins. He was a trapper, fur trader, and strong willed man. His wife Matilda, who spoke French, Dakota and Ojibwa, soon followed. Their children moved on when they both died of tuberculosis about ten years later, and Willard's brother Lafayette moved in, who was quite the character himself. Come tour their unique steamboat gothic house and learn what life was like as canoes gave way to steamboats.
Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Free for WCHS Members, Students doing research and Children 7 and younger.
Location: Three miles down river from Winona, just off Highway 61, at Homer, Minnesota. Watch for the brown signs! Parking in lot and on street.
Accessibility: The Bunnell House is not fully accessible. There are steps and uneven grounds.
Open Friday & Saturday 2 p.m. - 6 p.m. during June - August
At the Bunnell House visitors take a step back to the 1850s. Willard Bunnell was up to no good and travelled west to escape a run in with the law over some silver coins. He was a trapper, fur trader, and strong willed man. His wife Matilda, who spoke French, Dakota and Ojibwa, soon followed. Their children moved on when they both died of tuberculosis about ten years later, and Willard's brother Lafayette moved in, who was quite the character himself. Come tour their unique steamboat gothic house and learn what life was like as canoes gave way to steamboats.
Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Free for WCHS Members, Students doing research and Children 7 and younger.
Location: Three miles down river from Winona, just off Highway 61, at Homer, Minnesota. Watch for the brown signs! Parking in lot and on street.
Accessibility: The Bunnell House is not fully accessible. There are steps and uneven grounds.
The Rural Heritage Museum
Open for the Winona County Fair on July 13 - 16 • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
& Gladiolus Days on Aug. 26 - 27 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Opened in 2017, the WCHS' newest museum is located on the Winona County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, Minnesota. Along with the museum exhibit building, visitors can explore the historic Gainey-McCarthy Schoolhouse, the Hill sisters’ log house, and an early log barn. Explore agricultural heritage of Winona County.
Admission: Free will donation. Suggested $5.
Location: Just off Hwy 14 in St. Charles, Minnesota. Follow Fair entrance signs, we are to the far left of the main entrance, up front, where the fair parking area ends. The main museum building is red and white with a green roof and there is a large sign on the building...you can't miss it!
Accessibility: The Heritage Museum is on uneven ground. The museum building is accessible. The historic buildings all have steps to enter.
Learn more about the Winona County Fair!
Open for the Winona County Fair on July 13 - 16 • 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
& Gladiolus Days on Aug. 26 - 27 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Opened in 2017, the WCHS' newest museum is located on the Winona County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, Minnesota. Along with the museum exhibit building, visitors can explore the historic Gainey-McCarthy Schoolhouse, the Hill sisters’ log house, and an early log barn. Explore agricultural heritage of Winona County.
Admission: Free will donation. Suggested $5.
Location: Just off Hwy 14 in St. Charles, Minnesota. Follow Fair entrance signs, we are to the far left of the main entrance, up front, where the fair parking area ends. The main museum building is red and white with a green roof and there is a large sign on the building...you can't miss it!
Accessibility: The Heritage Museum is on uneven ground. The museum building is accessible. The historic buildings all have steps to enter.
Learn more about the Winona County Fair!
Get Involved! Become a Volunteer.