Laird Lucas Memorial Library & Archives

 

Recognized as one of the finest local archives in Minnesota, the Laird Lucas Memorial Library contains irreplaceable collections of manuscripts, documents and photographs. Professional historians, students and family researchers find this outstanding facility accessible to fill their needs for research, study and information. If you have ancestors from our area, you may discover your "roots" in this research center. We can provide you with information on how to trace your family tree or assist you with research in most areas of local history.

Our archivists are available to serve you on weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to noon, and from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. $4.00 Admission fee, except for students doing research. A research fee of $15.00 per hour is charged for mail, telephone or e-mail requests. e-mail us at archives@hbci.com

[About Us]    [Research Resources] [Attention Students]

About Us

reading roomThe Winona County Historical Society Archives are located in the Laird Lucas Library on the lower level of the Winona County History Museum, 160 Johnson Street in Winona, Minnesota. The library reading room can accommodate up to ten researchers at a time.

Research topics should be prepared in advance. Students should understand that our collections may not contain exactly the information required and should be prepared to modify, refine or narrow the scope of their project to make the best use of what is offered.

Stacks are closed to the public; staff archivists will bring materials to researchers as requested. While the staff will not supply or refine topics, they will help researchers identify potentially useful sources within the library.

Both photocopies and photo reproductions/enlargements are available for a charge. Microfilm reader-printer may be used with newspaper and census records stored on microfilm reels.

Research Resources

·         Selco Online Catalog, including our own archives (under construction at this time): http://www.selco.info/catalog.html

·         Winona County and regional newspapers from 1860 to the present

·         WSU Winona Newspaper Project, searchable online collection of Winona Newspapers: http://www.winona.edu/library/databases/winonanewspaperproject.htm

·         Winona City Directories from 1866 to the present

·         Telephone books from 1914 to the present

·         Federal Census Microfilm for Winona County 1857 to 1920

·         Winona area business records, including Winona Wagon Co., Chamber of Commerce, C&NW Railroad, etc.

·         "Historical File" includes extensive and cataloged manuscript correspondence, press clippings, handbills, other published material and miscellaneous artifacts

·         Scrapbook Collection

·         "Old Settlers' Scrapbook," indexed, with material from 1841 to 1932

·         Image Collection, Winona and region, from 1860, including street scenes, river views, steamboats, stores and businesses, residences, group photos and individual portraits

·         Biographical/Genealogical File

·         Sanborn Insurance Maps of Winona for 1894 and 1917

·         Winona County Plat Books, from 1867

·         Map Collection Winona and regional

·         Winona County birth, marriage and death records, from newspapers) indexed

·         Winona County cemetery records, indexed

·         Historical, pictorial and biographical volumes

·         Passenger and immigration list, first edition

·         Other collections include post, greeting and calling cards, sheet music, records, posters, Bibles, film, slides, videos, programs and architectural renderings

The library also contains a substantial number of books related to local political and business history, river and rail transportation, institutions, cities and towns in the region, Native Americans and the Mississippi River.
 

Attention Students

Archive Rules

·         Backpacks and bags are not allowed in the Archives; they may be left at the desk

·         No food or beverages allowed

·         Students must sign in on arrival

·         Unruly behavior is not tolerated

Research Subjects

The Winona County Historical Society Library and Archives contains books and research materials related to: 

·         Native Americans and Native American-European American relations in the Upper Mississippi Valley

·         Winona city, county and regional geography

·         Mid 19th-century westward expansion

·         Regional, sectional and Civil War politics

·         Winona's Civil War home front

·         Urbanization

·         Regional business and industrial development

·         Regional social, educational and religious institutions

·         Social and political conflicts within the region

·         The Great Depression and the New Deal in the Winona region

·         Winona home front in World Wars I and II

·         Regional economic and social developments in the 1950s and '60s

·         Winona entrepreneurs and business history

·         Immigration and ethnicity as factors in Winona's history

·         Village and town history

 

What Our Archivists Can Do To Help

·         Suggest appropriate materials

·         Advise and assist in the use of indices and directories to access the collections

·         Teach the use of microfilm readers

·         Provide appropriate photo files

·         Make copies (fee charged)

·         Professionally reproduce or enlarge photos (fee charged)

·         Provide suggestions for outside additional sources (libraries, individuals, archives, etc.)

What We Won't Do

·         Pick, define, or refine the general subject and the specific research topic

·         Lend materials for outside use

·         Write a research paper

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