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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Programs and Classes |
Food For Thought Series |
Learn on your lunch hour! The Food For Thought learning series takes place at the Winona County History Center. Programs, Films, and Book Chats begin at 12:05 p.m. and last approximately one hour (unless otherwise noted). The 4th Wednesday of each month, a book is discussed by the FFT Book Chat group, but all are welcome to partake. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own lunch. A beverage is served. All are free and open to the public.
Book Chat, Nothing to Envy by Barbara Demick, April 17, 12:05 p.m.
Note: April’s Book Chat is a week early due to our discussion leaders being at a book conference the fourth week this month. In this landmark addition to the literature of totalitarianism, award-winning journalist Barbara Demick follows the lives of six North Korean citizens over fifteen years—a chaotic period that saw the death of Kim Il-sung, the rise to power of his son Kim Jong-il (the father of Kim Jong-un), and a devastating famine that killed one-fifth of the population. (From Amazon Book Description) Program, James Stovall and Mister Jeff - Researching, Writing, and Producing a Winona History Play with Margaret Johnson, May 1, 12:05 p.m. Learn more about Margaret’s research for this new local play and the history she has uncovered and turned into a stage performance. Program, The Manhattan Project’s Secret Weapon: Dr. Wilhelm with Teresa Woldorf, May 8, 12:05 p.m. When the United States was attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, one thing became abundantly clear: the atomic bomb project would need to move forward, and at a breakneck pace. For the Manhattan Project to succeed, millions of pounds of purified uranium was needed, but it didn’t exist. Since the discovery of uranium more than one-hundred-fifty years earlier, no one had successfully purified it. Dr. Harley Wilhelm, a chemist at Iowa State, was recruited onto the project. In September 1942, Dr. Wilhelm went to Chicago, carrying with him a secret cargo: the world’s first ingot of purified uranium. When Dr. Wilhelm presented the ingot to Arthur Compton, the leader of the Manhattan Project’s Metallurgical Laboratory, Compton didn’t believe it was pure. Wilhelm proved otherwise. The man who grew up a sharecropper’s son in southern Iowa was an unlikely character to change world history. His life, from country bumpkin to prolific inventor and Manhattan Project scientist, is an untold story, one which enabled the United States to win World War II. Book Chat A Wrinkle in Time, by Madeleine L’Engle May 22, 12:05 p.m. A tesseract (in case the reader doesn’t know) is a wrinkle in time. To tell more would rob the reader of the enjoyment of Miss L’Engle’s unusual book. A Wrinkle in Time, winner of the Newbery Medal in 1963, is the story of the adventures in space and time of Meg, Charles Wallace, and Calvin O’Keefe (athlete, student, and one of the most popular boys in high school). They are in search of Meg’s father, a scientist who disappeared while engaged in secret work for the government on the tesseract problem.(From Amazon Book Description) Note: "A Gentleman in Moscow" will be discussed in June. Program, A Portrait of Stephen Taylor with Walt Bennick, June 6, 10:45 a.m. Note the date and time of this special presentation. The Southeastern Minnesota Daughters of the American Revolution have opened up the program portion of their Annual Meeting to the public.. Walt Bennick will, with the use of documents from the National Archives, papers from the DAR and a thesis written by a distance relative of Stephen Taylor, attempt to weave a portrait of life and legend of Stephen Taylor, the only Revolutionary War soldier buried west of the Mississippi River, right here in Winona at Woodlawn Cemetery. Book Chat, A Gentleman in Moscow, by Amor Towles, June 26, 12:05 p.m. In 1922, Count Alexander Rostov is deemed an unrepentant aristocrat by a Bolshevik tribunal, and is sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol, a grand hotel across the street from the Kremlin. Rostov, an indomitable man of erudition and wit, has never worked a day in his life, and must now live in an attic room while some of the most tumultuous decades in Russian history are unfolding outside the hotel’s doors. Unexpectedly, his reduced circumstances provide him entry into a much larger world of emotional discovery. Brimming with humor, a glittering cast of characters, and one beautifully rendered scene after another, this singular novel casts a spell as it relates the count’s endeavor to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a man of purpose (from Amazon Book description). |
Programs and
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The Power of Silver: Traditional Norwegian Jewelry
April 23, 7 p.m. Winona County History Center, Free. For centuries, Norwegians have treasured the beauty of silver. Silver showed the prosperity of a family, and, according to folk belief, could cure sickness in humans and livestock, improve crops, and protect against storms and evil spirits. Brooches were more than simple shirt fasteners. Laurann Gilbertson, Chief Curator at Vesterheim, The National Norwegian - American Museum & Heritage Center, describes different styles of Norwegian silver brooches and jewelry, and the traditional beliefs surrounding this powerful metal. |
Classes |
Painting the Past: Grace's Garden
May 24, 6 -8 p.m., Winona County History Center, $25 public, $22 members, pre-registration required. Join us for some wine, watercolors and Winona history! We pulled inspiration from Grace Watkins King’s drawings and painting in our collection. Learn about Watkins Co. founder, J.R. Watkins’ amazing daughter and paint a pretty floral study with our own, Visitor Service Manager, Tess Pfohl leading you step by step. A glass of wine, your choice of white, red or blush, along with some tasty snacks are included. All supplies for creating your floral watercolor are also included. What a great Mother’s Day gift! Must be 21 or older. $25 Public or $22 members, pre-registration required. Space is limited so register today! 507.454.2723 ext. 0 or stop in the History Center. Payment is due upon registration. Pioneer School The Society’s fun Pioneer School day camp will have two session to choose from this summer! They will be held July 23-24 and July 29-30, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. each day. Pioneer School is for 1st-8th graders at the Gainey-McCarthy Schoolhouse at the Rural Heritage Museum in St. Charles, Minnesota. Students explore life as a pioneer student with class lessons, games, crafts, and more. Pioneer School is taught be a licensed teacher with a partnership with the Winona State University Education Department, with future teachers offering special lessons and activities. WSU was founded as the Winona Normal School, the first west of the Mississippi, opening in 1858. Teachers were trained there and were sent to the surrounding area schools in our rural region. Registration is open and you can register your pioneer student by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stop in at the Tickets Desk at the Winona County History Center. Pioneer School costs $50 per student or $40 for WCHS members. Space is limited! |
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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 will go on sale for WCHS members May 1 and then to the public May 6 and 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.
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
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
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 will go on sale for WCHS members May 1 and then to the public May 6 and 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.
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
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
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 |
Hats Off to Mark!: Retirement Reception for Mark Peterson, WCHS Exec. Director
May 18, 3 - 5 p.m., remarks at 4 p.m., Winona County History Center, Open to the public.
Come wish Mark a happy retirement as he passes the local history leadership baton. Mark has been the Executive Director at WCHS since February 1983, coming back to Minnesota after getting his masters in Oregon. Mark is originally from Mankato, Minnesota. During his 36 year career with WCHS he led two major capital campaigns; has developed a strong and lasting presence in the community for the Society and its museums, and much more. Enjoy some cake, music by H3O with a brief presentation at 4 p.m.
Chocolate, Shakespeare & Champagne
June 7, 7 p.m. Winona County History Center, $30/$25 members.
Summer is almost here and that means its time for Chocolate, Shakespeare and Champagne! Just as the name says, enjoy delicious chocolate desserts, some bubbly champagne (with additional beverages), and get an exclusive preview of the Great River Shakespeare Festival season 16 performances, plus a chance to mingle with the cast and crew. Each year GRSF sets the performances in various, and sometimes unexpected, historical eras. This year we are highlighting the theme of Cymbeline for the event, taking you back to Roman times. This fun WCHS summer fundraiser event is a featured event in the May/June 2019 issue of Midwest Living magazine! Come see what all the excitement is about and enjoy some Chocolate, Shakespeare and Champagne. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Upcoming WCHS Fundraiser Events
May 18, 3 - 5 p.m., remarks at 4 p.m., Winona County History Center, Open to the public.
Come wish Mark a happy retirement as he passes the local history leadership baton. Mark has been the Executive Director at WCHS since February 1983, coming back to Minnesota after getting his masters in Oregon. Mark is originally from Mankato, Minnesota. During his 36 year career with WCHS he led two major capital campaigns; has developed a strong and lasting presence in the community for the Society and its museums, and much more. Enjoy some cake, music by H3O with a brief presentation at 4 p.m.
Chocolate, Shakespeare & Champagne
June 7, 7 p.m. Winona County History Center, $30/$25 members.
Summer is almost here and that means its time for Chocolate, Shakespeare and Champagne! Just as the name says, enjoy delicious chocolate desserts, some bubbly champagne (with additional beverages), and get an exclusive preview of the Great River Shakespeare Festival season 16 performances, plus a chance to mingle with the cast and crew. Each year GRSF sets the performances in various, and sometimes unexpected, historical eras. This year we are highlighting the theme of Cymbeline for the event, taking you back to Roman times. This fun WCHS summer fundraiser event is a featured event in the May/June 2019 issue of Midwest Living magazine! Come see what all the excitement is about and enjoy some Chocolate, Shakespeare and Champagne. Tickets are available in advance or at the door.
Upcoming WCHS Fundraiser Events
- Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk, October 12 & 13, 2019
- Christmas House Tour, December 6, 2020 (offered even numbered years)
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Exhibits and Openings |
2019 Slaggie Family Lobby Exhibit Schedule
Whitewater 100, Now - June 7
Whitewater State Park is nestled in the Whitewater river valley between St. Charles and Elba, Minnesota. The Park was established in 1919 and has a vast and interesting history that includes a CCC camp, floods, WWII German POWs, and much more. Explore the park’s past in this new exhibit and join in the fun of the park’s celebrations all year!
The Art of Fine Furniture 2019, June 15 - August 10
The 7th annual Art of Fine Furniture exhibition is sure to delight again! Showcasing the historic talents of fine furniture making, the pieces in each annual exhibit are handcrafted by regional artists and craftsmen and are testaments to age old woodworking skills with artistry of design, and are sure to be future heirloom pieces admired for generations. Founded in 2013 The Art of Fine Furniture is an annual exhibit featuring the creations of professional and hobbyist studio furniture makers. Related educational and inspirational workshops and discussions encourage professionals and aspiring amateurs alike to think deeper about the works they create and to push themselves to create new extraordinary works. Also learn more at theartoffinefurniture.com!
Opening Event: Saturday, June 15, 1 - 3 p.m.; meet and visit with the artists and enjoy some snacks!
Victorian Winona: Through the Lens of Charles Tenney, August 14 - January 26
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.
Whitewater State Park is nestled in the Whitewater river valley between St. Charles and Elba, Minnesota. The Park was established in 1919 and has a vast and interesting history that includes a CCC camp, floods, WWII German POWs, and much more. Explore the park’s past in this new exhibit and join in the fun of the park’s celebrations all year!
The Art of Fine Furniture 2019, June 15 - August 10
The 7th annual Art of Fine Furniture exhibition is sure to delight again! Showcasing the historic talents of fine furniture making, the pieces in each annual exhibit are handcrafted by regional artists and craftsmen and are testaments to age old woodworking skills with artistry of design, and are sure to be future heirloom pieces admired for generations. Founded in 2013 The Art of Fine Furniture is an annual exhibit featuring the creations of professional and hobbyist studio furniture makers. Related educational and inspirational workshops and discussions encourage professionals and aspiring amateurs alike to think deeper about the works they create and to push themselves to create new extraordinary works. Also learn more at theartoffinefurniture.com!
Opening Event: Saturday, June 15, 1 - 3 p.m.; meet and visit with the artists and enjoy some snacks!
Victorian Winona: Through the Lens of Charles Tenney, August 14 - January 26
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.