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 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. WCHS Book Chat The 4th Wednesday of each month, a book is discussed by the WCHS Book Chat group. All are welcome to partake. A Page in History Get a deeper experience with A Page in History! Page Theatre performers and special guest speakers dive deeper into the stories of their work. Dates and times vary. All are free and open to the public. Food For Thought: Victorian VR: A History of Stereo Photography with Bob Taunt,
August 14, 12:05 p.m. Bob Taunt is an author and historian, former president of the La Crosse County Historical Society, who has been sharing history in the tri-state area for over 25 years. Bob will explore the world of Stereo photography - pictures in 3-D ! The process was invented in the 1850’s, and stereo photography very popular through World War I, and continues today. Come see and hear about the history of Stereoviews, and learn how to make your own stereo photographs using the digital camera, and your computer. Bob Taunt is also a photographer, who has built his own cameras and taken many stereo photos over the years. He will talk about the history of and the how-to-do Stereo Photography. Book Chat/Food For Thought: Girl on the Leeside, by Kathleen Anne Kenney, WITH AUTHOR TALK, August 28, 12:05 p.m. The Winona County Historical Society Book Chat is hosting a special program this month with local author Kathleen Anne Kenney (which is her maiden name; she is also known as Kathleen Peterson to locals) on Wednesday, August 28 at 12:05 p.m. at the Winona County History Center. Usually the Book Chat discusses a book each month with the group’s member facilitators, but this month the author is joining in! For July the group read Kathleen’s book, “Girl on the Leeside” and for August she is able to give a talk about her work with conversation about “Girl on the Leeside” which takes place in a small village in Ireland when an aspiring poet meets an intriguing American that shakes up her life. A Page in History: Nature, Wednesday, September 4, 6:30 p.m. Join us for a special Page in History event including a bit of local history, a free screening of the Twin Cities Public Television short documentary Nature: Walking with Emerson and Thoreau, and a q&a with members of the TigerLion Arts team who produced Nature, the mythic telling of Emerson and Thoreau’s mutual love affair with the natural world. Nature will be performed outdoors at Yon’s Field at St. Mary’s University. Learn More Book Chat: My Sister’s Keeper, by Jodi Picoult, September 25, 12:05 p.m. My Sister’s Keeper examines what it means to be a good parent, a good sister, a good person. Is it morally correct to do whatever it takes to save a child’s life, even if that means infringing upon the rights of another? Is it worth trying to discover who you really are, if that quest makes you like yourself less? Should you follow your own heart, or let others lead you? Once again, in My Sister’s Keeper, Jodi Picoult tackles a controversial real-life subject with grace, wisdom, and sensitivity. (from Amazon Book description). |
Classes, Tours &
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Warrior Writers Workshop with the Minnesota Humanities Center
July 13, 9:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Winona County History Center, free The Minnesota Humanities Center is bringing their Warrior Writers Workshop to Winona at the History Center on July 13. The workshop provides a safe space for Veterans to tell their own stories, using prompts and discussion covering a variety of military issues and experiences. This workshop encourages sharing stories, opinions, and ideas for productive writing, reflecting, storytelling, and art-making. A highlight of this workshop for many veterans is having a space to release bottled-up thoughts and emotions alongside others who understand, creating a sense of empowerment in the ability to tell their own story. By creating an open and accepting atmosphere, they build a community of support. This workshop is for any service member or veteran regardless of experiences with writing, combat, art, deployment, etc. Find more information and register online. What’s It All For? August 10, 1 p.m., Winona County History Center, Free. Art of Fine Furniture artists, Roger Knudson and Mark Laub discuss functionality of design coupled with artistic beauty of design; what is means for a piece to be “handmade;” the values of original design and copies; and how working with a buyer affects design choices. Each artist takes different views of the approaches to a functionality - artistic “continuum”. Both have different points of view; Mark, the wild Hungarian vs. the dour simplistic Scandinavian, Roger. There is, or should be, a story behind a piece by a “maker” of fine artistic furniture, and Roger and Mark have plenty. These two intelligent, fun, and very talented guys will be a thrill to hear from and visit with during this special program that wraps up the Art of Fine Furniture 2019. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. |
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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.
2019 Cruise Program Topic Schedule
Date, Departure time, program, aboard CF – Cal Fremling, WTB – Winona Tour Boat
June
13, 7:00 - Steamboat Stories with Robert Taunt, CF
20, 7:00 - Indigenous Women Leaders and Their Communities with Audrey Thayer and Colette Hyman, CF
27, 7:00 - Rockin’ on the River with Jeani and the Dreamers, WTB SOLD OUT
July
4, - NO CRUISE, Have a great Independence Day!
11, 7:00 - History of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge: Will Dilg to Today with Ranger Edward Lagace, CF
18, 7:00 - Photographing the River: Then and Now with Mary Farrell, CF (Bring your camera if you wish!)
25, 7:00 - Winona’s Boathouse Communities, WTB
August
1, 7:00 - Wood, Concrete, Stone and Steel: Minnesota’s Historic Bridges with Denis Gardner, CF
8, 7:00 - Mississippi, Missouri, or Big Muddy: What’s in a Name? with Dean Klinkenberg, CF
15, 7:00 - Sifting Through the Years: The History of Bay State with Al Simanovski CF
22, 6:30 - Rockin’ on the River with Jeani and the Dreamers, CF SOLD OUT
29, 6:30 - Winona’s Railroad History, with Erik Brom, WTB
September
5, 6:00 - Steamboat Stories with Robert Taunt, CF
12, 6:00 - Mammals of the Upper Mississippi with Ranger Edward Lagace, CF
19, 5:30 - Eagles on the Mississippi with the National Eagle Center, CF
26, 5:30 - The Lock and Dam System of the Mississippi, WTB
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.
2019 Cruise Program Topic Schedule
Date, Departure time, program, aboard CF – Cal Fremling, WTB – Winona Tour Boat
June
13, 7:00 - Steamboat Stories with Robert Taunt, CF
20, 7:00 - Indigenous Women Leaders and Their Communities with Audrey Thayer and Colette Hyman, CF
27, 7:00 - Rockin’ on the River with Jeani and the Dreamers, WTB SOLD OUT
July
4, - NO CRUISE, Have a great Independence Day!
11, 7:00 - History of the Upper Mississippi River Refuge: Will Dilg to Today with Ranger Edward Lagace, CF
18, 7:00 - Photographing the River: Then and Now with Mary Farrell, CF (Bring your camera if you wish!)
25, 7:00 - Winona’s Boathouse Communities, WTB
August
1, 7:00 - Wood, Concrete, Stone and Steel: Minnesota’s Historic Bridges with Denis Gardner, CF
8, 7:00 - Mississippi, Missouri, or Big Muddy: What’s in a Name? with Dean Klinkenberg, CF
15, 7:00 - Sifting Through the Years: The History of Bay State with Al Simanovski CF
22, 6:30 - Rockin’ on the River with Jeani and the Dreamers, CF SOLD OUT
29, 6:30 - Winona’s Railroad History, with Erik Brom, WTB
September
5, 6:00 - Steamboat Stories with Robert Taunt, CF
12, 6:00 - Mammals of the Upper Mississippi with Ranger Edward Lagace, CF
19, 5:30 - Eagles on the Mississippi with the National Eagle Center, CF
26, 5:30 - The Lock and Dam System of the Mississippi, WTB
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Fundraisers and Special Events |
Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk
October 10, 7 p.m. Indoor Performance, October 12 & 13, Noon - 3 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery
A favorite fall event, Voices From the Past takes a look into the stories and lives behind Winona County’s parks this year. We will meet the people our parks are named after, who were key in establishing them, and those that made significant contributions to our parks. 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of our largest park, Whitewater State Park! Plus, enjoy live music before your tour. The Cemetery Walk is held in Woodlawn Cemetery with groups leaving the main gate every few minutes starting at 12 p.m. with the last group leaving at 3 p.m. Plan on about a 2 hour experience. Admission is taken at the gate and is $10 for adults, $5 for Students, and $3 for youth 12 and under. Refreshments will also be for sale. Proceeds benefit WCHS and Woodlawn. If you cannot make the walk on foot, join us for a fully accessible experience at the History Center. The sites will perform for a seated audience in Wanek Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is the same.
October 10, 7 p.m. Indoor Performance, October 12 & 13, Noon - 3 p.m. Woodlawn Cemetery
A favorite fall event, Voices From the Past takes a look into the stories and lives behind Winona County’s parks this year. We will meet the people our parks are named after, who were key in establishing them, and those that made significant contributions to our parks. 2019 marks the 100th anniversary of our largest park, Whitewater State Park! Plus, enjoy live music before your tour. The Cemetery Walk is held in Woodlawn Cemetery with groups leaving the main gate every few minutes starting at 12 p.m. with the last group leaving at 3 p.m. Plan on about a 2 hour experience. Admission is taken at the gate and is $10 for adults, $5 for Students, and $3 for youth 12 and under. Refreshments will also be for sale. Proceeds benefit WCHS and Woodlawn. If you cannot make the walk on foot, join us for a fully accessible experience at the History Center. The sites will perform for a seated audience in Wanek Hall at 7 p.m. Admission is the same.
Upcoming WCHS Fundraiser Events
- NEW! An Old Fashioned Family Christmas Festival, Sunday, December 8, 1 - 4 p.m. Watch for more soon!
- Christmas House Tour, December 6, 2020 (offered even numbered years)
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Exhibits and Openings |
2019 Slaggie Family Lobby Exhibit Schedule
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.
Opening Event: Wednesday, August 14; with a special Food For Thought program; Victorian VR: A History of Stereo Photography with Robert Taunt at 12:05 p.m.
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.
Opening Event: Wednesday, August 14; with a special Food For Thought program; Victorian VR: A History of Stereo Photography with Robert Taunt at 12:05 p.m.