Society News
Patricia Howard
New Visitor Services Coordinator
We are excited to announce Patricia Howard is taking on the role as the WCHS Visitor Services Coordinator! Patty has been working the weekends at the History Center and has been a wonderful addition to our staff. Patty was raised in Winona, then lived in Riverside, CA and Rochester, MN before moving back to Winona about 6 years ago. Patty enjoys photography and vintage photography, leatherworking, jewelry making, gardening, qi gong and tai chi, attending local arts and cultural events and farmer's markets, researching her family genealogy, and backgammon. She is a volunteer at the Minnesota Equestrian Center.
Mary Farrell is back to her full time position at Visit Winona. The VW offices are in the History Center so she did not go far.
We are excited to announce Patricia Howard is taking on the role as the WCHS Visitor Services Coordinator! Patty has been working the weekends at the History Center and has been a wonderful addition to our staff. Patty was raised in Winona, then lived in Riverside, CA and Rochester, MN before moving back to Winona about 6 years ago. Patty enjoys photography and vintage photography, leatherworking, jewelry making, gardening, qi gong and tai chi, attending local arts and cultural events and farmer's markets, researching her family genealogy, and backgammon. She is a volunteer at the Minnesota Equestrian Center.
Mary Farrell is back to her full time position at Visit Winona. The VW offices are in the History Center so she did not go far.
Collections Assistants Hired for Photograph Collection Project
Nikki Pegarsch and Yves Hoppie have joined the WCHS staff as the collection assistants for the negative and photograph collection project. Nikki and Yves will work closely with our Curator of Collections and a grant-hired Consultant. This $105,215 project will be the second significant project for us as we continue to focus on our two-dimensional materials by tackling a considerable backlog of unprocessed items, improve storage and preservation, and make this part of our collection more accessible to the community. Our first large project, completed in May of 2018, was a basic processing project for our library and archives. This project is made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Nikki Pegarsch and Yves Hoppie have joined the WCHS staff as the collection assistants for the negative and photograph collection project. Nikki and Yves will work closely with our Curator of Collections and a grant-hired Consultant. This $105,215 project will be the second significant project for us as we continue to focus on our two-dimensional materials by tackling a considerable backlog of unprocessed items, improve storage and preservation, and make this part of our collection more accessible to the community. Our first large project, completed in May of 2018, was a basic processing project for our library and archives. This project is made possible in part by the people of Minnesota through a grant funded by an appropriation to the Minnesota Historical Society from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
Space for Local Artists to Showcase their Work
The Slaggie Family Lobby of the Winona County History Center will be featuring local artworks in partnership with the River Arts Alliance (RAA). We are really excited about this new opportunity for partnerships and to showcase Winona County’s cultural heritage through local art. Our goals are reaching new audiences and making local art more accessible.
The History Center’s lobby space will still be available for rentals and the annual Art of Fine Furniture exhibition will be this autumn. Other traveling exhibits will still be offered as they become available.
The Slaggie Family Lobby of the Winona County History Center will be featuring local artworks in partnership with the River Arts Alliance (RAA). We are really excited about this new opportunity for partnerships and to showcase Winona County’s cultural heritage through local art. Our goals are reaching new audiences and making local art more accessible.
The History Center’s lobby space will still be available for rentals and the annual Art of Fine Furniture exhibition will be this autumn. Other traveling exhibits will still be offered as they become available.
Annual Meeting Postponed
The Society’s board of directors has decided to postpone the Annual Meeting of the Winona County Historical Society to September 30 at 7 p.m. when we can hopefully host an in-person event. Normally the WCHS Annual Meeting is held in March, but with gatherings still placing people at risk for COVID-19 we will wait until it is safer. Mark Peterson, retired WCHS Executive Director and previous Mayor of Winona, will give a presentation about the history of Winona’s mayors.
The Society’s board of directors has decided to postpone the Annual Meeting of the Winona County Historical Society to September 30 at 7 p.m. when we can hopefully host an in-person event. Normally the WCHS Annual Meeting is held in March, but with gatherings still placing people at risk for COVID-19 we will wait until it is safer. Mark Peterson, retired WCHS Executive Director and previous Mayor of Winona, will give a presentation about the history of Winona’s mayors.
Winter Coloring Contest Winner
The History Center’s colonnade of windows were graced with the fun artwork from our Winter Coloring Contest. Entries arrived throughout January and the winner was announced February 1. Shekinah Bailey was drawn as the winner of a fun prize package that included games, toys and books from the Museum Shop. Thank you to all who participated!
The History Center’s colonnade of windows were graced with the fun artwork from our Winter Coloring Contest. Entries arrived throughout January and the winner was announced February 1. Shekinah Bailey was drawn as the winner of a fun prize package that included games, toys and books from the Museum Shop. Thank you to all who participated!
Snazzy New Workspace
The workspace in the Laird Lucas Library and Archives got an update in January. Wes Hamilton created a safer and spacious work station for staff and volunteers working with collections in the archives.
The workspace in the Laird Lucas Library and Archives got an update in January. Wes Hamilton created a safer and spacious work station for staff and volunteers working with collections in the archives.
Educator Joins the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission
WCHS’ Museum Educator, Jennifer Weaver will serve a two-year term on the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission representing the Hastings to Iowa border region. The Commission was established in 1938 to facilitate the development of highways and amenities along the byway called the “Great River Road” and promote tourism along the Mississippi River. Learn more at mnmississippiriver.com.
WCHS’ Museum Educator, Jennifer Weaver will serve a two-year term on the Minnesota Mississippi River Parkway Commission representing the Hastings to Iowa border region. The Commission was established in 1938 to facilitate the development of highways and amenities along the byway called the “Great River Road” and promote tourism along the Mississippi River. Learn more at mnmississippiriver.com.