Check out all the fun activities, engaging programs, classes and exhibits offered by WCHS!
Also visit our museums to explore local history through exhibits, tours and more!
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Educational Programs |
Local Learning
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Food For Thought: A Lunchtime Learning Series
Learn on your lunch hour! The Food For Thought learning series takes place at the Winona County History Center. Programs begin at 12:05 p.m. and last approximately one hour (unless otherwise noted). Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. A beverage is served. Food for Thought: The Travels of Princess Wenonah with Phil Feiten and Harland Knight, Wednesday, November 6, 12:05 p.m., Free.
The “lover’s leap” legend of Princess Wenonah has many versions and has had many disputes since early Euro-Americans romanticized the Dakota word for “first born daughter” upon choosing a new name for Wapasha’s Prairie. She does have a true story, however, in the form of a bronze statue that honors the love of a husband for his late wife. When Ida Cone died in her early 40s, her husband wanted a fitting memorial to her. Artist, Isabel Moore Kimball, a distant relative of Ida’s, was commissioned to fashion a statue of the legendary “Princess Wenonah.” After residing in Central Park for some sixty years, the bronze statue spent some time in storage, in Lake Park, in Plaza Square, before finding her current home in Windom Park through the work of Phil Feiten and Harland Knight. WCHS Book Chat
Book Chat is free and open to the public. Participate in great discussions about the themes in each month’s book. All books selected are available in paperback or at the Winona Public Library. Held monthly on the 4th Wednesday in the Briarcombe Room at the History Center. The Nightingale, by Kristin Hannah, December 11, 12:05 p.m., Free. With courage, grace, and powerful insight, bestselling author Kristin Hannah captures the epic panorama of World War II and illuminates an intimate part of history seldom seen: the women’s war. The Nightingale tells the stories of two sisters, separated by years and experience, by ideals, passion and circumstance, each embarking on her own dangerous path toward survival, love, and freedom in German-occupied, war-torn France - a heartbreakingly beautiful novel that celebrates the resilience of the human spirit and the durability of women. (from Amazon book description) Every Note Played by Lisa Genova, January 22, 12:05 p.m., Free. An accomplished concert pianist, Richard received standing ovations from audiences all over the world in awe of his rare combination of emotional resonance and flawless technique. Every finger of his hands was a finely calibrated instrument, dancing across the keys and striking each note with exacting precision. That was eight months ago. Richard now has ALS. When Richard becomes increasingly paralyzed and is no longer able to live on his own, [his estranged ex-wife] Karina becomes his reluctant caretaker. As Richard’s muscles, voice, and breath fade, both he and Karina try to reconcile their past before it’s too late. Poignant and powerful, Every Note Played is a masterful exploration of redemption and what it means to find peace inside of forgiveness. (from Amazon book description) |
Classes, Tours &
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More coming soon!
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History on the River |
History on the River, our educational cruises, will be back for another season this summer! Join us out on the river on either the Cal Fremling or Winona Tour Boat, both leaving from the Winona Levee. Cruises are on Thursday evenings, and are 90 minutes long with a program and sightseeing time. A variety of refreshments are included with each cruise as well.
Tickets are sold in advance at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. Tickets are $27 for non-members and $22 for WCHS members. Save with our pick 3 option, and go on your choice of any 3 History on the River cruises for $75 for non-members or $60 for our members. Cruise tickets are non-refundable.
Parking is available near the Levee off Johnson St. and Walnut St. as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. The Cal Fremling (CF) is docked near Johnson St., and the Winona Tour Boat (WTB) is near Walnut Street.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the listed departure time on the schedule below. Please note the changing departure times as we near the end of the season when the sun sets earlier.
Weather related cancellations will be determined 4 hours prior to departure time and are decided by the captain. We will go in rain. Plan that the cruise will go unless you get a call from us. If a cruise is cancelled due to weather or river conditions, ticket holders can choose another cruise or can be issued a refund, otherwise cruise tickets are non-refundable. Any cancelled cruise topics are not rescheduled.
Thank you for a fun 2019 Season! The 2020 Schedule will be announced this spring.
Tickets are sold in advance at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. Tickets are $27 for non-members and $22 for WCHS members. Save with our pick 3 option, and go on your choice of any 3 History on the River cruises for $75 for non-members or $60 for our members. Cruise tickets are non-refundable.
Parking is available near the Levee off Johnson St. and Walnut St. as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. The Cal Fremling (CF) is docked near Johnson St., and the Winona Tour Boat (WTB) is near Walnut Street.
Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the listed departure time on the schedule below. Please note the changing departure times as we near the end of the season when the sun sets earlier.
Weather related cancellations will be determined 4 hours prior to departure time and are decided by the captain. We will go in rain. Plan that the cruise will go unless you get a call from us. If a cruise is cancelled due to weather or river conditions, ticket holders can choose another cruise or can be issued a refund, otherwise cruise tickets are non-refundable. Any cancelled cruise topics are not rescheduled.
Thank you for a fun 2019 Season! The 2020 Schedule will be announced this spring.
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Fundraisers and Special Events |
Old Fashioned Family Christmas Festival
Sunday, December 8, 12 - 4 p.m., Winona County History Center, $5 adults, $3 Youth, $15 Family Rate (up to 2 Adults and 5 youth)
Join us for this fun new family friendly event. Santa will be at the History Center to have a photo and visit with. We will also have Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, stories, caroling, christmas ornament collections, a hot cocoa bar and more. Santa will bring some (new) vintage toys to play with in our children's exhibits and help us find the elf hiding in the exhibits!
Schedule of Favorite Christmas Stories with area educators:
12:15 - Barb Rahn
12:30 - Carolyn Goplen
1:00 - Kristi Conway (WAPS Teacher of the Year!)
1:30 - Mary Yahnke
2:00 - Marjie Van Cleave
2:30 - Karen Skugrud
3:00 - Bonnie Kalmes
3:30 - Cheri Weaver
This event is a new addition to our fundraiser events. It will be held on odd numbered years, opposite the famous Christmas House Tour, held on even numbered years. Mark your calendars for December 6, 2020 for the Christmas House Tour!
Sunday, December 8, 12 - 4 p.m., Winona County History Center, $5 adults, $3 Youth, $15 Family Rate (up to 2 Adults and 5 youth)
Join us for this fun new family friendly event. Santa will be at the History Center to have a photo and visit with. We will also have Christmas crafts, cookie decorating, stories, caroling, christmas ornament collections, a hot cocoa bar and more. Santa will bring some (new) vintage toys to play with in our children's exhibits and help us find the elf hiding in the exhibits!
Schedule of Favorite Christmas Stories with area educators:
12:15 - Barb Rahn
12:30 - Carolyn Goplen
1:00 - Kristi Conway (WAPS Teacher of the Year!)
1:30 - Mary Yahnke
2:00 - Marjie Van Cleave
2:30 - Karen Skugrud
3:00 - Bonnie Kalmes
3:30 - Cheri Weaver
This event is a new addition to our fundraiser events. It will be held on odd numbered years, opposite the famous Christmas House Tour, held on even numbered years. Mark your calendars for December 6, 2020 for the Christmas House Tour!
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Upcoming Events
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Exhibits and Openings |
Victorian Winona: Through the Lens of Charles Tenney, On Exhibit Now!
Charles Tenney (1847 - 1917) and his partners left a large collection of their photographs behind when they retired from their photography business in Winona in 1892. Many of these images are now the property of the Winona County Historical Society. These photographs include stereograms, which are double images used with a special viewer called a stereoscope to create a three-dimensional image and what are known cabinet prints, which are mounted on card stock. These images are from the 1870s and 1880s and give us all a detailed look around Winona and the region in Victorian times.
Charles Tenney (1847 - 1917) and his partners left a large collection of their photographs behind when they retired from their photography business in Winona in 1892. Many of these images are now the property of the Winona County Historical Society. These photographs include stereograms, which are double images used with a special viewer called a stereoscope to create a three-dimensional image and what are known cabinet prints, which are mounted on card stock. These images are from the 1870s and 1880s and give us all a detailed look around Winona and the region in Victorian times.