Society News
Executive Director is Announced: Carrie Johnson
The Winona County Historical Society is pleased to welcome Carrie Johnson to the Executive Director position starting November 1. Carrie is originally from Sauk Centre, Minnesota and has been director at the Cook County Historical Society, headquartered in Grand Marais, for over 12 years. She holds an MS in Applied Anthropology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Carrie loves the outdoors, kayaking, gardening and hiking.
While at Cook County Historical Society, Carrie increased the annual operating budget from $35,000 to $180,000. She unified the organization’s five historic sites by connecting their stories and averaged $70,000 in grant projects annually. Carrie is excited to bring her successful skills and passion for local history to Winona County.
Carrie says, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve Winona County. I love stories from the past and helping people today share their own stories for future generations.”
The Search Committee narrowed the field from 24 applicants under the direction of chair Diane Dingfelder. Also serving on the committee was Mike Bernatz, Brian Voerding, Erich Lippman, Laurie Lucas, Deb Beckman, Mary Alice Anderson, and Mark Peterson. Many candidates were from the Midwest, but also some from the east coast and Texas.
The Winona County Historical Society is pleased to welcome Carrie Johnson to the Executive Director position starting November 1. Carrie is originally from Sauk Centre, Minnesota and has been director at the Cook County Historical Society, headquartered in Grand Marais, for over 12 years. She holds an MS in Applied Anthropology from Minnesota State University, Mankato. Carrie loves the outdoors, kayaking, gardening and hiking.
While at Cook County Historical Society, Carrie increased the annual operating budget from $35,000 to $180,000. She unified the organization’s five historic sites by connecting their stories and averaged $70,000 in grant projects annually. Carrie is excited to bring her successful skills and passion for local history to Winona County.
Carrie says, “I am very grateful for the opportunity to serve Winona County. I love stories from the past and helping people today share their own stories for future generations.”
The Search Committee narrowed the field from 24 applicants under the direction of chair Diane Dingfelder. Also serving on the committee was Mike Bernatz, Brian Voerding, Erich Lippman, Laurie Lucas, Deb Beckman, Mary Alice Anderson, and Mark Peterson. Many candidates were from the Midwest, but also some from the east coast and Texas.
Mary Farrell Joins the WCHS Team
Mary is originally from Hoyt Lakes, a small town in northern Minnesota on the Iron Range. She attended Winona State University and has been working for Visit Winona for the past 12 years as the Visitor Services Coordinator and is now also the Visitor Services Coordinator for WCHS, managing the tickets and information desk at the History Center.
Her interests include Photography, film making, outdoor activities, and building relationships with friends and community members. Mary is very involved with the community and is a board member of the Friends of the Winona Public Library and Catholic Charities of Southern MN. She also volunteers with the Winona Catholic Worker, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Winona Community Warming Center.
We would like to thank Catherine Schmidt for all the work she's done here the past year. Catherine was Visitor Services Coordinator for the past year and left to be with her daughter during this uncertain school-year due to COVID-19 and care for her Dad. We will be looking forward to her visits!
Mary is originally from Hoyt Lakes, a small town in northern Minnesota on the Iron Range. She attended Winona State University and has been working for Visit Winona for the past 12 years as the Visitor Services Coordinator and is now also the Visitor Services Coordinator for WCHS, managing the tickets and information desk at the History Center.
Her interests include Photography, film making, outdoor activities, and building relationships with friends and community members. Mary is very involved with the community and is a board member of the Friends of the Winona Public Library and Catholic Charities of Southern MN. She also volunteers with the Winona Catholic Worker, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the Winona Community Warming Center.
We would like to thank Catherine Schmidt for all the work she's done here the past year. Catherine was Visitor Services Coordinator for the past year and left to be with her daughter during this uncertain school-year due to COVID-19 and care for her Dad. We will be looking forward to her visits!
WCHS Annual Quilt Raffle 2020
Check out more about this year's raffle quilt, Women of Influence. A lucky winner will be drawn December 7 at 9 a.m. (need not be present to win). Get your chances to win and support local history!
Check out more about this year's raffle quilt, Women of Influence. A lucky winner will be drawn December 7 at 9 a.m. (need not be present to win). Get your chances to win and support local history!
WCHS Benefits from Co-op Beans for Bags
The Bluff Country Co-op Beans for Bags program celebrates sustainability and local organizations. Every time a customer uses a reusable bag for their groceries they receive one bean per bag to place in a mason jar displayed near the checkout. There are four mason jars, and each jar represents an area organization. For each bean placed in the jar, we will donate five cents to that organization. The WCHS is lucky to be selected to have ajar for October - December, 2020. Thank you Bluff Country Co-op!
The Bluff Country Co-op Beans for Bags program celebrates sustainability and local organizations. Every time a customer uses a reusable bag for their groceries they receive one bean per bag to place in a mason jar displayed near the checkout. There are four mason jars, and each jar represents an area organization. For each bean placed in the jar, we will donate five cents to that organization. The WCHS is lucky to be selected to have ajar for October - December, 2020. Thank you Bluff Country Co-op!
Volunteer Spotlight: Joanne Riska
I am Joanne Riska, one of the volunteers for WCHS. It is my job to help coordinate volunteers for mailings. I was born and raised in Winona, attending public schools, graduating from the College of St. Teresa and later earning my Masters Degree from Winona State University. I retired from teaching after 44 years. I have taught Elementary as well as Middle School students in Winona, Austin, Texas and then Jacksonville, Florida. Upon retiring from Florida we returned back to Winona. Our two sons, Kurt and Nathan, are married and each have one daughter. Sadly, they live on the East Coast, so I do not get as many chances to be a Grandma-Nanny as I would like.
Once back in Winona, I began working for the Winona Visitor Center and then volunteering at the Page Theatre along with WCHS. It just seemed like a natural move as I love talking about Winona to the many visitors we see each year. We have been so happy to be back in Winona, especially with all the Cultural changes that have taken place in the past 10-15 years. The natural beauty, recreational opportunity and family were just some of the reasons we returned. I love walking and biking the trails in the safety of Winona and away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. I am looking forward to a COVID-free world and welcoming everyone back to the all that Winona has to offer
I am Joanne Riska, one of the volunteers for WCHS. It is my job to help coordinate volunteers for mailings. I was born and raised in Winona, attending public schools, graduating from the College of St. Teresa and later earning my Masters Degree from Winona State University. I retired from teaching after 44 years. I have taught Elementary as well as Middle School students in Winona, Austin, Texas and then Jacksonville, Florida. Upon retiring from Florida we returned back to Winona. Our two sons, Kurt and Nathan, are married and each have one daughter. Sadly, they live on the East Coast, so I do not get as many chances to be a Grandma-Nanny as I would like.
Once back in Winona, I began working for the Winona Visitor Center and then volunteering at the Page Theatre along with WCHS. It just seemed like a natural move as I love talking about Winona to the many visitors we see each year. We have been so happy to be back in Winona, especially with all the Cultural changes that have taken place in the past 10-15 years. The natural beauty, recreational opportunity and family were just some of the reasons we returned. I love walking and biking the trails in the safety of Winona and away from the hustle and bustle of big cities. I am looking forward to a COVID-free world and welcoming everyone back to the all that Winona has to offer