This past year marked the 20th Anniversary of the Winona Newspaper Project, a free digital archive that contains the Winona Argus (1855-1857), the Winona Daily Republican (1860-1901), the Winona Republican Herald (1901-1954), and the Winona Daily News (1954-1976). Thanks to funding from the Minnesota Legislature for Minnesota State Colleges and University libraries, Winona State University teamed up with the Online Computer Library Center, the Winona County Historical Society (WCHS) and many other partners to provide over 100 years of newspaper articles for not only students but the entire Winona County community.

Winona County History for Everyone

For the Winona County Historical Society, the Winona Newspaper Project has been transformative in making our shared local history accessible for all. “It especially aids us in our goal of accessibility: people both near and far can use it for free, and there is less overall wear and tear on the actual resource whether fragile newsprint or microform,” said WCHS archivist Anna Gaffey. “I use it every shift at work! It has helped me answer questions, refute assertions, verify lifespans, and sometimes put faces to names and full names to sparse records. It is the first thing I recommend to local patrons and researchers.”

Once you’ve spent a few minutes on the database, consider yourself hooked. “I use the Winona Newspaper Project daily and often find myself diving into areas of history that I never knew existed. The database has expanded my knowledge of Winona County and is a crucial resource for my work,” said WCHS curator Lindsay Stussy. “One of the best parts of my job is suggesting the database to other researchers and seeing them appreciate and utilize the site as much as we do here at the History Center.”

A Milestone for Professional Research

Whether she’s looking for people, places, businesses, or happenings in town or across the nation, WCHS researcher and content writer Leanna Gerry always starts her exploration with the database. “Newspapers provide incredible insight into what people valued at a particular moment in time, making them a great starting point for learning more about the many perspectives that have shaped where we are today.” Gerry noted how imperative the database is for the work of museums like the Winona County History Center. “Beyond that, opening these archives to the public is a fantastic way to spark interest in local history and empower people to connect with the past from the comfort of their own homes,” she said.

Start Your Journey into Winona County’s Past

On behalf of the Winona County Historical Society, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the Darrell Krueger Library and Winona State University Librarians for continuing to provide this essential resource for students, researchers, local community members, and beyond!

Don’t miss the 20th Anniversary Celebration on Tuesday, April 21, 2026 from 5:30pm – 7:00pm at the first floor of the Krueger Library. Check out the Winona Newspaper Database by visiting newspaperarchive.winona.edu/