Society News
Help Share Winona and Local History
June 27 marks the start of the 2023 season of river cruise dockings at Winona. There will be 30 stops by American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages, bringing thousands of visitors to Winona. WCHS has several opportunities to get involved during the busy tourist season.
The History Center is seeking volunteers to help greet visitors on these busy days, June through October. Museum Greeters are part of the guest services team. Greeters welcome visitors, answer questions, and assist the museum’s guest service crew. We are also looking for volunteer museum guides to offer deeper conversations and activities in the exhibits when river cruise passengers are in town.
Visit Winona leads a volunteer welcome crew that is available to passengers right at the levee too. They hand out maps and provide additional visitor information.
Contact Jennifer Weaver to learn more about WCHS greeters and guides. Contact Mary Farrell at Visit Winona to learn more about being a welcomer. You can also come to the informational meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the History Center. We will introduce the ways you can be involved and have sign-up sheets for the various roles. Coffee and Bloedow donut holes will be served. The meeting will last about 30 minutes.
Museum Educator Completes CIG Training
Jennifer Weaver, the museum educator for WCHS, completed certified interpretive guide training in March in partnership with the Olmsted County Historical Society. The training was conducted by the National Association for Interpretation. Jennifer will use her certification to continue to grow and enhance the WCHS local tour guide program, interpretive exhibits, and activities.
Grant Awarded for Music History Exhibit
The Winona Community Foundation recently awarded the WCHS $7,500 to develop and install a new exhibit in commemoration of Winona’s Lake Park Band Shell’s 100th anniversary in 2024. The exhibit will open in the History Center’s main exhibit hall early next year. It will explore Winona County’s history of the arts, focusing first on music, especially bands and Winona’s band shell (pictured below).
WCHS Jazz Jam on May 21
Local jazz trio, H3O, began contributing all donations (aka their tips) received during the monthly Jazz Jam to area nonprofits. They decided to step it up a few notches! H3O and Island City Brewing now match the total donation — tripling everyone’s contributions.
The WCHS will be the lucky nonprofit to receive the donations from the May 21 Jazz Jam. Enjoy music, have some pints, and your tip to H3O will triple and be donated to WCHS. Music starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 at Island City Brewery. Thank you, H3O and Island City Brewery, for your community support!
June 27 marks the start of the 2023 season of river cruise dockings at Winona. There will be 30 stops by American Cruise Lines and American Queen Voyages, bringing thousands of visitors to Winona. WCHS has several opportunities to get involved during the busy tourist season.
The History Center is seeking volunteers to help greet visitors on these busy days, June through October. Museum Greeters are part of the guest services team. Greeters welcome visitors, answer questions, and assist the museum’s guest service crew. We are also looking for volunteer museum guides to offer deeper conversations and activities in the exhibits when river cruise passengers are in town.
Visit Winona leads a volunteer welcome crew that is available to passengers right at the levee too. They hand out maps and provide additional visitor information.
Contact Jennifer Weaver to learn more about WCHS greeters and guides. Contact Mary Farrell at Visit Winona to learn more about being a welcomer. You can also come to the informational meeting on Wednesday, May 10 at 10:00 a.m. at the History Center. We will introduce the ways you can be involved and have sign-up sheets for the various roles. Coffee and Bloedow donut holes will be served. The meeting will last about 30 minutes.
Museum Educator Completes CIG Training
Jennifer Weaver, the museum educator for WCHS, completed certified interpretive guide training in March in partnership with the Olmsted County Historical Society. The training was conducted by the National Association for Interpretation. Jennifer will use her certification to continue to grow and enhance the WCHS local tour guide program, interpretive exhibits, and activities.
Grant Awarded for Music History Exhibit
The Winona Community Foundation recently awarded the WCHS $7,500 to develop and install a new exhibit in commemoration of Winona’s Lake Park Band Shell’s 100th anniversary in 2024. The exhibit will open in the History Center’s main exhibit hall early next year. It will explore Winona County’s history of the arts, focusing first on music, especially bands and Winona’s band shell (pictured below).
WCHS Jazz Jam on May 21
Local jazz trio, H3O, began contributing all donations (aka their tips) received during the monthly Jazz Jam to area nonprofits. They decided to step it up a few notches! H3O and Island City Brewing now match the total donation — tripling everyone’s contributions.
The WCHS will be the lucky nonprofit to receive the donations from the May 21 Jazz Jam. Enjoy music, have some pints, and your tip to H3O will triple and be donated to WCHS. Music starts at 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 21 at Island City Brewery. Thank you, H3O and Island City Brewery, for your community support!