Society News
Lobby Floor Refinishing
Over 11 years ago the (originally) Nevious Livery Stable and Owl Motors buildings were razed while WCHS was planning the Laird Norton Addition. Stone and lumber were repurposed in the finishes of the lobby. Highlighted within the platform steps there are remnants of oak from the pegs the lumberjacks used when climbing up to cut the huge white pines in sections. The old growth pine is showing some wear now. Thanks to a grant from the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation they are being refinished the week between Christmas and New years. The History Center will need to be closed during that time.
Over 11 years ago the (originally) Nevious Livery Stable and Owl Motors buildings were razed while WCHS was planning the Laird Norton Addition. Stone and lumber were repurposed in the finishes of the lobby. Highlighted within the platform steps there are remnants of oak from the pegs the lumberjacks used when climbing up to cut the huge white pines in sections. The old growth pine is showing some wear now. Thanks to a grant from the Carl & Verna Schmidt Foundation they are being refinished the week between Christmas and New years. The History Center will need to be closed during that time.
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Welcome New Board Members
This year the Society had four board member retirees. We thank Sue Hovell (2 terms), Ken Lindemann (2 terms), Denise McDowell (1 term) and Dennis McEntaffer (1 term) for their time and talents in leading this vibrant organization. At the 86th annual meeting of the Winona County Historical Society members voted in the following new board members.
We welcome:
Matt Becker is the Chief Financial Officer at WNB Financial. Matt moved here from the Twin Cities with his wife, Sheila, and daughters Isabelle and Olivia. Matt describes himself as somewhat of a history buff and enjoys biking and riding his motorcycle. He is also on the Habitat for Humanity board, serving as Treasurer.
Gwen Carman has over 35 years of experience working in public education and has been the superintendent of the Lewiston - Altura School District since July 2020. Prior to this position, Gwen was superintendent for the Carlton School District. Gwen also worked in the Cook County School District for 23 years as a teacher and principal. Gwen is a member of the Lewiston Lions and she looks forward to learning more about and promoting the history of Winona County.
Stephen Swenson grew up in Northfield, Minnesota and graduated from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He is currently serving as Chief Information Officer at Merchants Bank. He also is on the Information Technology Advisory Committee of Southeast College. Stephen has a lifelong interest in history through his travels and reading. Besides history, Stephen is interested in outdoors sports and prairie restoration and conservation.
Jill Veerkamp was the editor and photographer of the St. Charles Press for more than five years. In 2021, she became the Director of the St. Charles Public Library. Jill grew up in rural St. Charles and still lives in Saratoga Township. Jill was very visible in the community during her time with the paper and is implementing wonderful new programs for the library.
This year the Society had four board member retirees. We thank Sue Hovell (2 terms), Ken Lindemann (2 terms), Denise McDowell (1 term) and Dennis McEntaffer (1 term) for their time and talents in leading this vibrant organization. At the 86th annual meeting of the Winona County Historical Society members voted in the following new board members.
We welcome:
Matt Becker is the Chief Financial Officer at WNB Financial. Matt moved here from the Twin Cities with his wife, Sheila, and daughters Isabelle and Olivia. Matt describes himself as somewhat of a history buff and enjoys biking and riding his motorcycle. He is also on the Habitat for Humanity board, serving as Treasurer.
Gwen Carman has over 35 years of experience working in public education and has been the superintendent of the Lewiston - Altura School District since July 2020. Prior to this position, Gwen was superintendent for the Carlton School District. Gwen also worked in the Cook County School District for 23 years as a teacher and principal. Gwen is a member of the Lewiston Lions and she looks forward to learning more about and promoting the history of Winona County.
Stephen Swenson grew up in Northfield, Minnesota and graduated from the Carlson School of Business at the University of Minnesota. He is currently serving as Chief Information Officer at Merchants Bank. He also is on the Information Technology Advisory Committee of Southeast College. Stephen has a lifelong interest in history through his travels and reading. Besides history, Stephen is interested in outdoors sports and prairie restoration and conservation.
Jill Veerkamp was the editor and photographer of the St. Charles Press for more than five years. In 2021, she became the Director of the St. Charles Public Library. Jill grew up in rural St. Charles and still lives in Saratoga Township. Jill was very visible in the community during her time with the paper and is implementing wonderful new programs for the library.
Tove Joins Staff
Tove Wiggs has officially joined the WCHS staff this fall. She will be sharing her many talents by working in various capacities with facilities management, the Museum Shop and Online services.
Tove Wiggs has officially joined the WCHS staff this fall. She will be sharing her many talents by working in various capacities with facilities management, the Museum Shop and Online services.
Cemetery Walk Wrap-up
We had a fantastic Voices From the Past: Cemetery Walk in October. Over 1000 people enjoyed Scoundrels, Scandals and Skulduggery, bringing in over $8,000 for WCHS! A huge thank you to the committee members, actors, guides, admission and other volunteers who make this event such a success. Thank you to Merchants Bank for their generous sponsorship and support. Thanks also is due to Winona HyVee and Target for providing refreshments for our event
volunteers, the Woodlawn staff and volunteers for their help, and of course all the people who came to event. Thank you all for supporting local history!
We had a fantastic Voices From the Past: Cemetery Walk in October. Over 1000 people enjoyed Scoundrels, Scandals and Skulduggery, bringing in over $8,000 for WCHS! A huge thank you to the committee members, actors, guides, admission and other volunteers who make this event such a success. Thank you to Merchants Bank for their generous sponsorship and support. Thanks also is due to Winona HyVee and Target for providing refreshments for our event
volunteers, the Woodlawn staff and volunteers for their help, and of course all the people who came to event. Thank you all for supporting local history!
New LED lights in the Lobby
Thanks to EnerChange and the Center for Energy and Environment for grant monies and rebate for LED light fixture conversion. Bauer Electric installed new LED lights in the Slaggie Family Lobby of the History Center. The new lights offer energy and replacement savings and create a brighter space.
Thanks to EnerChange and the Center for Energy and Environment for grant monies and rebate for LED light fixture conversion. Bauer Electric installed new LED lights in the Slaggie Family Lobby of the History Center. The new lights offer energy and replacement savings and create a brighter space.
Thank You Burgraff’s Ace Hardware
Volunteer, Roger Berg, and curator, Andy Bloedorn, spruced up the back area of the History Center. We were able to repaint faded doors and window covers thanks to a generous donation of paint and supplies by our local Ace Hardware.
Volunteer, Roger Berg, and curator, Andy Bloedorn, spruced up the back area of the History Center. We were able to repaint faded doors and window covers thanks to a generous donation of paint and supplies by our local Ace Hardware.
Conservation Grant
We have been awarded $3,350 through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Program in order to hire a conservator to treat an 1885 plat map of Troy, Minnesota and an associated document which provides the provenance for the map. The treatment for these documents will include cleaning, flattening, removal of tape and adhesives, mending, and rehousing.
We have been awarded $3,350 through the Minnesota Historical and Cultural Heritage Program in order to hire a conservator to treat an 1885 plat map of Troy, Minnesota and an associated document which provides the provenance for the map. The treatment for these documents will include cleaning, flattening, removal of tape and adhesives, mending, and rehousing.
New Office at History Center
The Frozen River Film Festival made the move to a downtown storefront earlier this fall. We will miss them, but congratulate them on the larger facilities as they grow. The Art of the Rural, directed by Matthew Fluharty has moved in and we are excited to have him and this wonderful organization in the building.
The Frozen River Film Festival made the move to a downtown storefront earlier this fall. We will miss them, but congratulate them on the larger facilities as they grow. The Art of the Rural, directed by Matthew Fluharty has moved in and we are excited to have him and this wonderful organization in the building.
Third Edition of A History of Wapasha’s Prairie Coming Soon!
The second edition of the popular book by Myron Nilles is nearly sold out. We are working with Leonard Wabasha, Director of Cultural Resources, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, on a few updates and hope to print a third edition within the year.
“Most everything Dakota was taken away, but many things were hidden from even our own people. Today these things are coming back. Our people are coursing through time of healing, a healing that must come from within as individuals and then as a Nation.”
- Leonard Wabasha
Introduction, A History of Wapasha’s Prairie
The second edition of the popular book by Myron Nilles is nearly sold out. We are working with Leonard Wabasha, Director of Cultural Resources, Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, on a few updates and hope to print a third edition within the year.
“Most everything Dakota was taken away, but many things were hidden from even our own people. Today these things are coming back. Our people are coursing through time of healing, a healing that must come from within as individuals and then as a Nation.”
- Leonard Wabasha
Introduction, A History of Wapasha’s Prairie