Society News
Meet Genia, Our New Executive Director!
The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) is pleased to announce the hiring of Genia Hesser of Bismarck, North Dakota, as Executive Director.
Ms. Hesser grew up in Rochester, Minn., where her family still lives. She attended Macalester College graduating with a B.A. in English and History. A summer job with the Minnesota Historical Society at Historic Forestville piqued her interest in museum work and public history. She subsequently attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude with an M.A. in Historical Administration. After graduate school, she was hired by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and served as Site Supervisor of Fort Buford State Historic Site for three years. Ms. Hesser then took the position of Curator of Exhibits with the same organization. During her twelve-year tenure, the Heritage Center and North Dakota State Museum underwent a $54 million expansion.
Ms. Hesser has been married for 16 years to a childhood friend. She and her husband have two young children, a fat cat, and a happy little dog. She and her family are very excited to come back home to Minnesota.
Genia started June 3 and we invite the public to join us in welcoming her to Winona and back home to southeastern Minnesota at a special reception on Thursday, June 20 from 4:30- 6 p.m. at the Winona County History Center. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
Looking for Flags
The American and Minnesota Flags that fly atop the Armory deteriorate quickly. We are looking for flag donations to enable us to change them more often. You can drop off gently used or new flags at the History Center or send monetary donations for the purchase of new flags to WCHS, 160 Johnson St., Winona, MN 55987. We appreciate the help!
Parking Lot Coming Along, just Gravel, for Now
The History Center's Parking Lot is now under construction and will not be usable until further notice.
The Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) is pleased to announce the hiring of Genia Hesser of Bismarck, North Dakota, as Executive Director.
Ms. Hesser grew up in Rochester, Minn., where her family still lives. She attended Macalester College graduating with a B.A. in English and History. A summer job with the Minnesota Historical Society at Historic Forestville piqued her interest in museum work and public history. She subsequently attended Eastern Illinois University, graduating summa cum laude with an M.A. in Historical Administration. After graduate school, she was hired by the State Historical Society of North Dakota and served as Site Supervisor of Fort Buford State Historic Site for three years. Ms. Hesser then took the position of Curator of Exhibits with the same organization. During her twelve-year tenure, the Heritage Center and North Dakota State Museum underwent a $54 million expansion.
Ms. Hesser has been married for 16 years to a childhood friend. She and her husband have two young children, a fat cat, and a happy little dog. She and her family are very excited to come back home to Minnesota.
Genia started June 3 and we invite the public to join us in welcoming her to Winona and back home to southeastern Minnesota at a special reception on Thursday, June 20 from 4:30- 6 p.m. at the Winona County History Center. Light refreshments will be served. Free and open to the public.
Looking for Flags
The American and Minnesota Flags that fly atop the Armory deteriorate quickly. We are looking for flag donations to enable us to change them more often. You can drop off gently used or new flags at the History Center or send monetary donations for the purchase of new flags to WCHS, 160 Johnson St., Winona, MN 55987. We appreciate the help!
Parking Lot Coming Along, just Gravel, for Now
The History Center's Parking Lot is now under construction and will not be usable until further notice.
Ada Stangl, right: Ruby McCormick, members of Girl Scout Council Jr. Troop 44762, who helped develop the adventure activities for their Bronze Award project.
Earn a Museum Adventure Patch
The Winona County History Center has a new Museum Adventure Patch that area scouts can earn by completing 5 of 8 adventure stops in the museum. Scout groups or individuals are welcome to earn the patch. Museum admission is just $3 per scout and adults are $5. Explore three levels of exhibits and choose your adventure path with activities for ages 5 and up. Complete 5 of the 8 activities and earn the Museum Adventure Patch! The History Center is open 7 days a week. Plan your visit at winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723 for more information. Larger groups are encouraged to book in advance with our Museum Educator by calling, or emailing educator@winonahistory.org.
The Winona County History Center has a new Museum Adventure Patch that area scouts can earn by completing 5 of 8 adventure stops in the museum. Scout groups or individuals are welcome to earn the patch. Museum admission is just $3 per scout and adults are $5. Explore three levels of exhibits and choose your adventure path with activities for ages 5 and up. Complete 5 of the 8 activities and earn the Museum Adventure Patch! The History Center is open 7 days a week. Plan your visit at winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723 for more information. Larger groups are encouraged to book in advance with our Museum Educator by calling, or emailing educator@winonahistory.org.
Nancy Brown, Director of the Winona Community Foundation, Genia Hesser, WCHS Director, and Jennifer Weaver, WCHS Museum Educator
The Cube opens August 1
With a grant from the Winona Community Foundation and additional support from Willet-Hauer Architectural Glass, the History Center will have a new space for preschool-aged mini museum visitors. The activity area connects educational toys and activities to the larger themes of the exhibits in the museum. The Cube will have an activity table for building blocks, beading, pattern shapes, logs, and more. Willet-Hauser sponsored a light table with translucent shapes for budding stained glass artists to practice their skills The space will also have a book nook with museum, history, and Minnesota related books for youngsters. Stop in and check it out!
With a grant from the Winona Community Foundation and additional support from Willet-Hauer Architectural Glass, the History Center will have a new space for preschool-aged mini museum visitors. The activity area connects educational toys and activities to the larger themes of the exhibits in the museum. The Cube will have an activity table for building blocks, beading, pattern shapes, logs, and more. Willet-Hauser sponsored a light table with translucent shapes for budding stained glass artists to practice their skills The space will also have a book nook with museum, history, and Minnesota related books for youngsters. Stop in and check it out!
Monica
Degrazia, board member of Great River Review, Inc., Gianna Teska, and Jennifer Weaver, WCHS Museum Educator.
Writing Contest Winner
This winter and spring area students were invited to write about an artifact and add their own creative twist. The winner is Gianna Teska of Winona, a 5th grader at St. Stans. She wrote about Joseph Wapasha and the Lacrosse stick we have on exhibit. You can read her full entry on our website, winonahistory.org/news. Watch for another fun writing contest this fall.
This winter and spring area students were invited to write about an artifact and add their own creative twist. The winner is Gianna Teska of Winona, a 5th grader at St. Stans. She wrote about Joseph Wapasha and the Lacrosse stick we have on exhibit. You can read her full entry on our website, winonahistory.org/news. Watch for another fun writing contest this fall.