Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk
History at a Distance 2020
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 12 - 5 p.m. each day
Indoor Seated Performance of Sites - Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at the History Center (Reservation Only - see details below)
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 12 and younger. Taken at gate or buy a pass online starting Oct. 1.
The Voices From the Past: Cemetery Walk is adapting to make a safe event for all. Join the Winona County Historical Society in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery for some history at a distance as we explore the lives of past Winonans a little differently this year. Take a safe self-guided walk to as many of the performance sites as you wish, in any order you choose, to learn about people from Winona’s history with community actors portraying past Winonans.
Voices From the Past 2020 Event Details for a Safe Walk:
Also note that we will only cancel for severe weather; please dress for the weather and bring a coat or
umbrella if there is a chance for light precipitation.
Other Options:
Sponsor a Character:
New this year, to help us recuperate lost field trip funds (over $1800 annually) and offer a free Virtual Voices From the Past Field Trip to area schools, we are asking the public to Sponsor a Character for $50. You can do so below, or by calling or stoping by the History Center.
Winonans Being Portrayed at the 2020 Walk:
Gustave (1826-1890) & Dora Anger (1839-1925) Gustav and Dora were German immigrants. Gustav operated a butcher shop in Winona for many years. The Anger Block on Walnut Street bares his name.
Lewis Kitzman (1851-1926) As a youth, Lew survived the Sioux Uprising of 1862 in western Minnesota. He eventually settled in Winona & worked for the railroad. Ironically, his son Fred was killed trying to hop a train.
Alice S. Quincey (1857-1878) was orphaned as a child and raised by a childless couple in Winona and Mantorville. Her life was brief – she died of consumption a mere six months after her marriage.
Mary Campbell (1842-1880) was born in New York. Mary made her living as a servant girl and dressmaking. She is buried in Potter’s Field. Like many of the folks buried there, we do not know much about her.
James W. Stovall (1837- 1919 ) was born in Decatur, Alabama, as a slave. He served in the Union Army as a cook. He mustered out in Chicago and came to Winona because he had a brother here. James opened a restaurant and eventually bought several properties here. He was active in the Republican party and attended several presidential inaugurations.
Nancy E. Young Strayer (1839-1896) & her daughter Emily Strayer Hulbert (1861-1951) Samuel Strayer, the husband/father of these women died during the Civil War in January 1863, as a POW. Nancy never remarried. She received a widow’s pension & worked as a dressmaker to support her daughter and herself. Emily became principal of Madison School
Sheriff William H. Dill (1822-1895) & Rebecca Moore Allen Dill (1826-1887) William was Marshall, alderman & 8 yrs as sheriff. He was part of a posse who pursued James gang after the Northfield robbery.
Cleanatha Peck Lewis (1820-1893) and Euretta W. Wallace (1813-1885) are both buried with family, but neither has a grave marker. Both women were widowed and proponents of the Temperance Movement.
Elizabeth Lynch Schuler (1883-1918) like two of her brothers, Elizabeth was a physician, who sadly died in Oct 1918 – during the influenza epidemic.
Martha J. Thompson (1838-1926) and James Thompson (1829-1891), Martha was involved in her church, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and in the National American Woman Suffrage Association. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which gave women the right to vote.
Gov. Samuel R Van Sant (1844-1936) and Ruth Hall Van Sant (1848-1928) Sam was a steamboat man and the 15th Governor of Minnesota. He was the only Minnesota Governor from Winona.
Gerald Tarras (1923-1981) was the sole survivor of his hunting party in the 1940 Armistice Day blizzard. His father Carl, brother Ray & his father’s friend, Bill Wernecke, were with him & died of exposure. He was rescued by aviator, Max Conrad.
Helen Keller Mahlke (1910-2005) and Fred Mahlke (1902-1989) Fred’s family operated the Mahlke bakery for years. Fred following in his family’s path ran a Confection Shop. His true passion involved fishing and hunting, he and Helen ended opening the Capitol Bait Shop.
Ruth Fakler Reynolds Lucas (1920-1999) as Miss Winona in 1938, she oversaw the “Greeter Girls” at the Hostess House & was Pancake Queen.
Harriet J. Kelley (1917-2006) and Merritt W. Kelley (1912-1994) were siblings and photographers. From the tragedies of train wrecks and floods to the joys of Steamboat Days and sporting events “One Shot' Kelley’s photography , as well as Harrriet’s, captured funny faces, wild motion, beautiful scenery and daily life of Winonans in the mid 20th century.
Saturday, Oct. 10 and Sunday, Oct. 11 at Woodlawn Cemetery, 12 - 5 p.m. each day
Indoor Seated Performance of Sites - Thursday, Oct. 8, 7 p.m. at the History Center (Reservation Only - see details below)
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 12 and younger. Taken at gate or buy a pass online starting Oct. 1.
The Voices From the Past: Cemetery Walk is adapting to make a safe event for all. Join the Winona County Historical Society in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery for some history at a distance as we explore the lives of past Winonans a little differently this year. Take a safe self-guided walk to as many of the performance sites as you wish, in any order you choose, to learn about people from Winona’s history with community actors portraying past Winonans.
Voices From the Past 2020 Event Details for a Safe Walk:
- No guided groups this year - attendees can make the Walk in any order they choose and can start when they arrive. (performances begin at Noon and end at 5 p.m. - allow about 90 minutes to see all the sites)
- Even though we are outdoors, please maintain a 6 foot distance from others not in your party and bring a mask to wear when at the admission table & performance sites. Thank you for being courteous and understanding.
- Chairs will be available at rest stops along the route and will be regularly sanitized.
- Guides will be throughout the Cemetery to help direct you and answer questions.
- Watch for special history markers along the route for additional information and fun facts!
- There will be no refreshments for sale this year. Please only bring covered or bottled beverages if you wish.
Also note that we will only cancel for severe weather; please dress for the weather and bring a coat or
umbrella if there is a chance for light precipitation.
Other Options:
- Reservation-only accessible performance for a limited seated audience, Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m. at the History Center. You can make your reservation by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. Masks are required. *Check here for any COVID-19 updates for this option.
- A film of the 2020 performances will be available for $7 online or for $10 on DVD later in October.
Sponsor a Character:
New this year, to help us recuperate lost field trip funds (over $1800 annually) and offer a free Virtual Voices From the Past Field Trip to area schools, we are asking the public to Sponsor a Character for $50. You can do so below, or by calling or stoping by the History Center.
Winonans Being Portrayed at the 2020 Walk:
Gustave (1826-1890) & Dora Anger (1839-1925) Gustav and Dora were German immigrants. Gustav operated a butcher shop in Winona for many years. The Anger Block on Walnut Street bares his name.
Lewis Kitzman (1851-1926) As a youth, Lew survived the Sioux Uprising of 1862 in western Minnesota. He eventually settled in Winona & worked for the railroad. Ironically, his son Fred was killed trying to hop a train.
Alice S. Quincey (1857-1878) was orphaned as a child and raised by a childless couple in Winona and Mantorville. Her life was brief – she died of consumption a mere six months after her marriage.
Mary Campbell (1842-1880) was born in New York. Mary made her living as a servant girl and dressmaking. She is buried in Potter’s Field. Like many of the folks buried there, we do not know much about her.
James W. Stovall (1837- 1919 ) was born in Decatur, Alabama, as a slave. He served in the Union Army as a cook. He mustered out in Chicago and came to Winona because he had a brother here. James opened a restaurant and eventually bought several properties here. He was active in the Republican party and attended several presidential inaugurations.
Nancy E. Young Strayer (1839-1896) & her daughter Emily Strayer Hulbert (1861-1951) Samuel Strayer, the husband/father of these women died during the Civil War in January 1863, as a POW. Nancy never remarried. She received a widow’s pension & worked as a dressmaker to support her daughter and herself. Emily became principal of Madison School
Sheriff William H. Dill (1822-1895) & Rebecca Moore Allen Dill (1826-1887) William was Marshall, alderman & 8 yrs as sheriff. He was part of a posse who pursued James gang after the Northfield robbery.
Cleanatha Peck Lewis (1820-1893) and Euretta W. Wallace (1813-1885) are both buried with family, but neither has a grave marker. Both women were widowed and proponents of the Temperance Movement.
Elizabeth Lynch Schuler (1883-1918) like two of her brothers, Elizabeth was a physician, who sadly died in Oct 1918 – during the influenza epidemic.
Martha J. Thompson (1838-1926) and James Thompson (1829-1891), Martha was involved in her church, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union, and in the National American Woman Suffrage Association. This year marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which gave women the right to vote.
Gov. Samuel R Van Sant (1844-1936) and Ruth Hall Van Sant (1848-1928) Sam was a steamboat man and the 15th Governor of Minnesota. He was the only Minnesota Governor from Winona.
Gerald Tarras (1923-1981) was the sole survivor of his hunting party in the 1940 Armistice Day blizzard. His father Carl, brother Ray & his father’s friend, Bill Wernecke, were with him & died of exposure. He was rescued by aviator, Max Conrad.
Helen Keller Mahlke (1910-2005) and Fred Mahlke (1902-1989) Fred’s family operated the Mahlke bakery for years. Fred following in his family’s path ran a Confection Shop. His true passion involved fishing and hunting, he and Helen ended opening the Capitol Bait Shop.
Ruth Fakler Reynolds Lucas (1920-1999) as Miss Winona in 1938, she oversaw the “Greeter Girls” at the Hostess House & was Pancake Queen.
Harriet J. Kelley (1917-2006) and Merritt W. Kelley (1912-1994) were siblings and photographers. From the tragedies of train wrecks and floods to the joys of Steamboat Days and sporting events “One Shot' Kelley’s photography , as well as Harrriet’s, captured funny faces, wild motion, beautiful scenery and daily life of Winonans in the mid 20th century.
