Winona County Historical Society

History on the River: Historical Tales of Local River Rats
2025-08-28 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-08-28 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Cal Fremling Cruise Boat, Winona Levee, Winona, MN, 55987
Our Museum Educator will share some historical stories of notable people from Winona County’s past who had a love for the river. She will explore the lives and legacies of Cal Fremling, Emil Liers, John Latsch, and stories from the 1940 Armistice Day Blizzard.
Cruises must be booked in advance by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping in the History Center. Space is limited.

Rural Heritage Museum
2025-08-24 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-23 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-13 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-12 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-11 10:00 - 19:00, 2025-07-10 10:00 - 19:00 | Rural Heritage Museum, Winona County Fairgrounds, St. Charles, Minnesota, 55972
Visit the Rural Heritage Museum on the Winona County Fairgrounds in St. Charles, MN to learn about life in the county long ago! It’s free!
Open for the 2025 Winona County Fair, July 10 – 13, 10:00 AM – 7:00 PM and the 2025 Gladiolus Days, August 23 -24, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Winona Walking Tours: Broadway & Back
2025-08-17 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-08-16 10:30 - 11:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Take a walk to Broadway & back! Uncover a some of the notable places in the History Center’s neighborhood. We will explore the Public Library, Lumberman Building, Washington Crossings, First Congregational Church, Wesley United Methodist Church, Central Park, Masonic Hall, WNB Financial, Main Square, and more.

REGISTER HERE in advance for this upcoming Winona Walking Tour! Submit your name, phone, email, and which tour(s) you plan to go on. Pay at the tickets desk when you check in on tour day. Fees are $10 public or $6 WCHS members, per person, per tour. All tours start and end at the Winona County History Center, are 60 minutes, include a bottle of water, and $1 off museum admission if you also want to explore the museum too.

Meet the Bunnells: Matilda
2025-08-16 14:00 - 15:00 | Bunnell House, 36106 Old Homer Road Homer, MN, Homer, Minnesota, 55987
In “Meet the Bunnells: Matilda,” a knowledgeable speaker will opens up the world of Matilda Bunnell against the backdrop of her historic home. Matilda was the daughter of a family that farmed and was part of the fur trade industry. She was known to speak several languages. She married Willard and ventured west all while growing a family of her own. She is also described as a gentlewoman that kept a fine house but could also easily use a shotgun.
Program space is limited. Seating preference is given to season pass holders and registered guests. Call 507-454-2723 ext. 0 to sign up!
General Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Members Free
Admission + Meet the Bunnells Season Pass: $15 per person or free for WCHS members. Purchase at the door, at the WCHS Tickets Desk, or by phone. Show receipt of your purchase for entry.

Up next:

September 6 – Meet the Bunnells: The Children

Bunnell House Self-Guided Tour
2025-08-16 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-08-15 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-26 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-07-25 13:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-28 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-06-27 13:00 - 16:00 | Bunnell House, 36106 Old Homer Road Homer, MN, Homer, Minnesota, 55987
Self-guided explorations into the world of the Bunnell family are offered monthly June – September at the historic Bunnell House in Homer. Be welcomed with an introduction and then explore the three floors of this unique historic home at your own pace. Admission paid at the door, free for WCHS members.
Built about 1850, the home is made of pine with a limestone foundation. The style is often described as Rural or Steamboat Gothic. It was a private residence until acquired by the Winona County Historical Society in 1954. It is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Museum Makers Class: Beginning Stitching and Embroidery
2025-08-04 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-08-03 12:00 - 15:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Beginning stitching and embroidery? Learn seven common stitches and practice them during this new Museum Makers Class at Winona County History Center! Create a beautiful floral design using your new skills, and utilize them at home to patch clothing or add custom details to apparel, bags, kitchen towels, and more. This class is led by WCHS member, Mary Nelson, of Mary’s Custom Quilting.
This class has two time offerings to pick from, August 3 and August 4, each 12:00 – 3:00 p.m. at the Winona County History Center. The cost is $30 for WCHS members, $40 public. Best for ages 12 and up. Children must be accompanied by an adult. All supplies are provided and yours to keep. Limited to 10 people per class.
Space is limited, so please register and pay in advance by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping in the History Center (open daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.) Class fees are nonrefundable unless canceled by WCHS. Learn more and plan your visit at winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723.

History on the River: Healthy Waterways
2025-07-31 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-07-31 16:00 - 17:30 | Cal Fremling Cruise Boat, Winona Levee, Winona, MN, 55987
Learn about local water systems and try the Water Bar on the History on the River: Healthy Waterways cruise! Can you taste where different water comes from? John Howard will discuss ongoing efforts to improve the water quality of Lake Winona, and to maintain flood plain forests. Sheila Harmes will review historical and recent work in Winona County to improve water quality.
Cruises must be booked in advance by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping in the History Center. Space is limited.

Winona Walking Tours: People of the Past & Their Places
2025-07-27 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-07-26 10:30 - 11:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Learn about people of the past & their places! Through the lens of built environment, discover William Harris Laird, Grace Watkins King, Hannibal Choate, and more along this walking tour of downtown Winona. Explore the lives of those that influenced the architecture that still defines the community today.

REGISTER HERE in advance for this upcoming Winona Walking Tour! Submit your name, phone, email, and which tour(s) you plan to go on. Pay at the tickets desk when you check in on tour day. Fees are $10 public or $6 WCHS members, per person, per tour. All tours start and end at the Winona County History Center, are 60 minutes, include a bottle of water, and $1 off museum admission if you also want to explore the museum too.

Meet the Bunnells: Lafayette
2025-07-26 14:00 - 15:00 | Bunnell House, 36106 Old Homer Road Homer, MN, Homer, Minnesota, 55987
A knowledgeable speaker introduces you to Lafayette, brother of Willard Bunnell in the “Meet the Bunnells: Lafayette” program. Lafayette fought in the Mexican war of 1846 to 1848, the California Indian War of 1851, and the Civil War during which he became a surgeon in the 36th Wisconsin Infantry regiment. He wrote two books, one about the area around Winona and one about Yosemite. He lived in the Bunnell house after Willard and Matilda died and gave lectures about his adventures in the parlor.
Program space is limited. Seating preference is given to season pass holders and registered guests. Call 507-454-2723 ext. 0 to sign up!
General Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Members Free
Admission + Meet the Bunnells Season Pass: $15 per person or free for WCHS members. Purchase at the door, at the WCHS Tickets Desk, or by phone. Show receipt of your purchase for entry.
Up next:

August 16 – Meet the Bunnells: Matilda
September 6 – Meet the Bunnells: The Children

The Story of Bay State Milling
2025-07-17 19:00 - 20:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Winona County Historical Society brings you Local History Talk: The Story of Bay State Milling. Dustin Sanborn, operations manager for Bay State Milling, will explore the history of and operations at the Winona site since 1899. Learn about the varieties of flour produced here, which include traditional bakery, whole wheat, rye, organic and specialty. The importance of quality products has been a guiding ambition for over 100 years at Bay State Mill.
This program is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. In partnership with Sandbar Storytelling Festival.

Winona Walking Tours: Winona's Red Light Disctrict
2025-06-29 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-06-28 10:30 - 11:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
On Sunday December 27, 1942 at 1:20 a.m., the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension entered houses of “ill-repute” in Winona’s Red-Light District. The Vice Raid of 1942, as the event came to be known, was Minnesota’s first sweep in the history of the state’s crime bureau. It concluded an unrestrained era that had defined Winona for almost a century. Learn more about the era of Winona’s Red Light District on this walking tour along Second Street.

REGISTER HERE in advance for this upcoming Winona Walking Tour! Submit your name, phone, email, and which tour(s) you plan to go on. Pay at the tickets desk when you check in on tour day. Fees are $10 public or $6 WCHS members, per person, per tour. All tours start and end at the Winona County History Center, are 60 minutes, include a bottle of water, and $1 off museum admission if you also want to explore the museum too.

Meet the Bunnells: Willard
2025-06-28 14:00 - 15:00 | Bunnell House, 36106 Old Homer Road Homer, MN, Homer, Minnesota, 55987
Learn about the turbulent life and times of Willard Bunnell through the “Meet the Bunnells: Willard” program. Willard Bunnell came to the area as treaties kept forcing Native tribes westward. The Bunnell House is the last home he built for his family in the new settlement he named Homer after where he was born, Homer NY. From stolen silver coins to the removal of Dakota people.
Program space is limited. Seating preference is given to season pass holders and registered guests. Call 507-454-2723 ext. 0 to sign up!
General Admission: $5 Adults, $3 Students, Members Free
Admission + Meet the Bunnells Season Pass: $15 per person or free for WCHS members. Purchase at the door, at the WCHS Tickets Desk, or by phone. Show receipt of your purchase for entry.
Up next:

July 26 – Meet the Bunnells: Lafayette
August 16 – Meet the Bunnells: Matilda
September 6 – Meet the Bunnells: The Children

History on the River: The Clamming and Pearl Button Industry
2025-06-26 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-06-26 16:00 - 17:30 | Cal Fremling Cruise Boat, Winona Levee, Winona, MN, 55987
This cruise has been CANCELLED due to inclement weather. WCHS will contact participants with further details.
In “The Clamming and Pearl Button Industry as Told by a Clammer’s Wife,” storyteller Terry Visger shares a variety of stories for people of all ages. Taking on the persona of a clammer’s wife from 1900, Terry tells the story of the clamming industry in which freshwater mussels were harvested from the Mississippi River, sent to factories, and made into buttons. After the story, Terry shares information about these mussels, which are now one of the most endangered animals in the US.
Cruises must be booked in advance by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping in the History Center. Space is limited.
