Stained Glass Exhibit

The Stained Glass Windows at the History Center

The Ruth Lucas memorial window represents Winona County through a series of meaningful images. The window, designed by Edward Glubka, and fabricated by Conway Universal Studios of Stained Glass, was installed in 1985. Standing tall in the center of the window is “Princess Wenonah,” of the lover’s leap legend, and from whom the town is named after.
Surrounding her are images that represent Winona’s history, agriculture, industry, business, government, education, recreation, and religion.

On either side of the main window are two arches. One is from the chapel at Woodlawn Cemetery (on the right) and the other is a replica.

In one of the armory’s original windows that is now in the lobby, is a stained glass window depicting East Burns Valley, the main highway leading into Winona during territorial and early statehood days.

Also in the lobby are the green glass panels that cap the colonnade at the front of the Laird Norton Addition (2010). Their vibrant hue is that of the Watkins Company’s pineapple extract. Architect Joan Sorrano fell in love with the color when she was touring Winona and gathering knowledge and inspiration for the addition design.

The stained glass window above the main entrance contains the logo of the Winona County Historical Society that was used for over 50 years.

The window above the director’s office came out of an unknown house in Winona.

Stained Glass Coloring Pages

Color part of the Ruth Lucas Memorial Window featuring Wenonah or a detail of the Woodlawn Chapel window!

Click to download

Winona's Glorious Glass

Winona has been famous for its production of stained glass for more than 70 years. Over a half dozen commercial studios and even more private artist studios can be found in Winona county. Historic and contemporary stained glass can be found throughout Winona including the Tiffany windows at WNB Financial, the Prairie School gems at Merchants Bank, churches, schools, and more!

Watkins Administration Building
The Watkins Administrative Building was completed in 1911. George W. Maher, the noted Chicago architect, directed the interior to be finished with the richest of marbles, mosaics, gold, and mahogany. Above the central entrance are the lunettes of leaded art glass, gorgeous in quiet colors, and depicting the famous Sugar Loaf of Winona.

Merchants Bank
The original 1911 Merchants Bank structure was designed in the Prairie School Architecture style by William Purcell and George Elmslie, a student of Louis Sullivan. It is essentially a cube of brick, glass and terra cotta details. The opalescent glass walls and skylight that dominate the interior were produced by Mosaics Art Shops of Minneapolis. Opalescent Glass has the same design and color on both sides and has a milky effect. Today, few glassmakers still make opalescent glass primarily due to the toxicity of the chemicals needed to execute the complex process.

WNB Financial
WNB’s historic downtown office was constructed in 1916. Designed by George Maher, the renowned Chicago architect, who also designed the Watkins Administration Building. The bank is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The stained glass windows were designed by Maher and created by Tiffany Studios of New York City. The opalescent art glass has clear Prairie School influences, featuring a lotus pattern and rectangles. The motif of rectangles within rectangles is repeated throughout the building’s interior, in the marble walls, windows, bronze work, and even the furniture.