History Never Stops...Learning Never Stops
Also visit our museums to explore local history through exhibits, tours and more!
COVID-19 Message: The History Center and Laird Lucas Library & Archives is currently closed until further notice.
Some staff is available by email or phone and you can find their direct contact information here.
Some staff is available by email or phone and you can find their direct contact information here.
Educational Programs & Classes
Programs,
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The WCHS has cancelled or postponed activities through June (History on the River though July) while more information becomes available to best make the transition to opening our doors and hold these wonderful engaging experiences in person again.
In the meantime we invite you to stay connected and experience local history at home through our ever growing online content. A Page in History
Learn more about the culture, history, and stories behind some of the Page Series performances with this partnership programming with the Page Theatre. Join us Online! - A Page in History: SPEAK, Wednesday April 22, Noon As part of the Driftless Dance Festival, learn about two historically male-dominated and marginalized forms of dance, Kathak and Tap. We will hear about how these forms con- verged through the female- led production of SPEAK. Learn more about the festival at pagetheatre.org. 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. We hope to see you soon!
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. We hope to see you soon! |
History on the River
Along with our partners, we have decided to cancel the History on the River cruises until August to maintain a safe environment while more information becomes available and we can make the best choices possible for moving forward with program offerings during these unprecedented times. As of now the rest of the History on the River season is on-hold too. We will announce when tickets will go on sale once we know more about when we can safely gather together for these wonderful experiences again.
The WCHS’ History on the River cruises offer educational experiences with a different topic each week that celebrate Winona County’s community with music, culture, story, and history. Cruises are aboard either The Cal Fremling or Winona Tour Boat on Thursday evenings during the summer season. Each cruise is 90 minutes long with a program and sightseeing time. Light refreshments are included with each cruise as well. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the listed departure time. Please note the earlier departure times as we near the end of the season when the days get shorter.
Ticket sales are on hold until further notice, and will be sold in advance at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. They are $27 or $22 for members; Pick 3 for $75 or $60 for members.
Once the season can start any cancellations will be determined 4 hours prior to departure time and are decided by the captain. We will go in rain. Note that river levels and flooding do not normally affect the cruise schedule and we will announce any cancellations if needed. 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. Unfortunately any cancelled cruise topics are not rescheduled.
Parking is available near the Levee off Johnson St. and Walnut St. as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. The Cal Fremling is docked near Johnson St., and the Winona Tour Boat is near Walnut Street. If Cal Fremling Drive is closed due to flooding, access is usually still available to the docks and either end.
New this year, the City of Winona is offering special Polish Heritage programs on the first Thursday each month of this season in celebration of Winona’s Kashubian Capital Celebration 2020. Topics include: Polish Workers, Immigration, Hometown Heroes, and Fighting Poles. A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will be served by Ground Round. Proceeds will benefit WCHS, but tickets for these special cruises are a flat rate of $30 ea. and must be purchased separately through KCC2020.org. Unfortunately these cruises are also affected by COVID-19 and you can find updated schedules at KCC2020.org.
2020 History on the River Schedule
Key: CF - Cal Fremling ; WTB - Winona Tour Boat; FF - Family Friendly (great for children 8 and older too).
August
13 -”The Geologic History of the Driftless Area” with Dylan Blumentritt, Winona State University Geoscience Department,
7 p.m., CF
20 - H3O, jazz trio, 6:30 p.m., CF
27 - Lock and Dam Adventure, 6:30 p.m., WTB, FF
September
10 - “Songs of the River” with The Bell House Band, 6 p.m., CF
17 - “Owl Detectives,” owl identification, including audience practice calls with the International Owl Center,
5:30 p.m., CF, FF
24 - Exploring Winona’s Boathouse Communities 5:30 p.m., WTB
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope to see you soon!
The WCHS’ History on the River cruises offer educational experiences with a different topic each week that celebrate Winona County’s community with music, culture, story, and history. Cruises are aboard either The Cal Fremling or Winona Tour Boat on Thursday evenings during the summer season. Each cruise is 90 minutes long with a program and sightseeing time. Light refreshments are included with each cruise as well. Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to the listed departure time. Please note the earlier departure times as we near the end of the season when the days get shorter.
Ticket sales are on hold until further notice, and will be sold in advance at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. They are $27 or $22 for members; Pick 3 for $75 or $60 for members.
Once the season can start any cancellations will be determined 4 hours prior to departure time and are decided by the captain. We will go in rain. Note that river levels and flooding do not normally affect the cruise schedule and we will announce any cancellations if needed. 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. Unfortunately any cancelled cruise topics are not rescheduled.
Parking is available near the Levee off Johnson St. and Walnut St. as well as on Cal Fremling Drive. The Cal Fremling is docked near Johnson St., and the Winona Tour Boat is near Walnut Street. If Cal Fremling Drive is closed due to flooding, access is usually still available to the docks and either end.
New this year, the City of Winona is offering special Polish Heritage programs on the first Thursday each month of this season in celebration of Winona’s Kashubian Capital Celebration 2020. Topics include: Polish Workers, Immigration, Hometown Heroes, and Fighting Poles. A cash bar and hors d’oeuvres will be served by Ground Round. Proceeds will benefit WCHS, but tickets for these special cruises are a flat rate of $30 ea. and must be purchased separately through KCC2020.org. Unfortunately these cruises are also affected by COVID-19 and you can find updated schedules at KCC2020.org.
2020 History on the River Schedule
Key: CF - Cal Fremling ; WTB - Winona Tour Boat; FF - Family Friendly (great for children 8 and older too).
August
13 -”The Geologic History of the Driftless Area” with Dylan Blumentritt, Winona State University Geoscience Department,
7 p.m., CF
20 - H3O, jazz trio, 6:30 p.m., CF
27 - Lock and Dam Adventure, 6:30 p.m., WTB, FF
September
10 - “Songs of the River” with The Bell House Band, 6 p.m., CF
17 - “Owl Detectives,” owl identification, including audience practice calls with the International Owl Center,
5:30 p.m., CF, FF
24 - Exploring Winona’s Boathouse Communities 5:30 p.m., WTB
Thank you for your patience and understanding. We hope to see you soon!
Fundraisers and Special Events
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Upcoming 2020 Special Events
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