Visit the Gallery

What happens when we breathe new life into history?

Art Inspired by the Archives invited community members to explore the Winona County Historical Society’s archives, discover an object that inspired them, and create an original artwork. The word “inspire” comes from the Latin inspirare—“to breathe into”—reminding us that creativity enlivens the past, giving it new relevance. The archives are a rich source of meaning for our community—both in what they preserve and what they do not. As community members reinterpret these archival objects, they breathe new life into history, drawing us all into a more connected and meaningful present.