Winona County Historical Society

History on the River: Healthy Waterways
2025-07-31 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | 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 (America/Chicago) | 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 (America/Chicago) | 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

Bunnell House Self-Guided Tour
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 (America/Chicago) | 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.

The Story of Bay State Milling
2025-07-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | 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.

Rural Heritage Museum
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 (America/Chicago) | 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: Winona's Red Light Disctrict
2025-06-29 10:30 - 11:30, 2025-06-28 10:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago) | 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 (America/Chicago) | 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 (America/Chicago) | 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.

The Story of Winona Farmers' Market
2025-06-19 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Fresh food, fresh stories…. Join us for Local History Talk: The Story of Winona Farmers’ Market. Sandy Dietz and Sarah Schaub will talk on the history of the Winona Farmers’ Market and the impacts of the market on the local community and economy.
Sandy, along with her husband Lonny, own Whitewater Gardens Farm, a small family vegetable farm in the bluffs above the Whitewater Valley.
Sarah a 4th generation family farmer a is co-owner and co-operator of Valley Gardens LLC and works alongside her parents on their organic produce farm nestled in the beautiful Western Wisconsin bluff country.
This program is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. In partnership with Sandbar Storytelling Festival.

The Story of the Blue Heron Coffeehouse
2025-06-05 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Coffee, anyone? Join us for Local History Talk: The Story of the Blue Heron Coffeehouse. The driving force behind the Blue Heron Coffeehouse has always been its passion for providing good food and service to the community. Larry Wolner will present on the family business which began in September 1998, directly across from Winona State University. Creating quality food products made from scratch using organically grown ingredients whenever possible has made it a destination.
This program is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. In partnership with Sandbar Storytelling Festival.

Member Drive Cash Prize Drawing
2025-06-02 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | MN
We’re holding our May Member Drive cash prize drawing on June 2nd! If you joined as a new member, renewed at a higher level, or upgraded to autopay (online only) in May 2025, you are eligible to enter the drawing for a $500 cash prize!
You do not need to be present to win, but we will be spinning the golden raffle wheel, announcing a winner, and celebrating with Bloedows donuts, lemonade, and a behind-the-scenes tour for members. Get to know the organization where you just renewed or joined! We’d love to get to meet you.
Get a membership by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0, stopping in at Winona County History Center, or signing up online at winonahistory.org/membership. All autopay options are available online only.

History on the River: Music by Johnson Street Underground
2025-05-29 18:00 - 19:30, 2025-05-29 16:00 - 17:30 (America/Chicago) | Cal Fremling Cruise Boat, Winona Levee, Winona, MN, 55987
Johnson Street Underground is Winona’s premiere acapella group. The group includes Matt Schultz, Seth Flatten, Charlie Opatz, and John Chernega. They perform in and around Winona covering a wide variety of songs and styles, including songs by Green Day, Dolly Parton, the Beatles, and Adele. They bring their beautiful melodies aboard this History on the River Cruise to create a great time on the water.
Cruises must be booked in advance by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping in the History Center. Space is limited.

May Membership Mondays
2025-05-19 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-12 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-05 10:00 - 16:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
We’re inviting you to May Membership Mondays! Join the Member Drive for Winona County Historical Society during Minnesota Museums Month (May). Swing into the History Center and sign up or renew your membership. Then join us for a cup of coffee and a Bloedow’s treat! Stop by May 5th, 12th and 19th from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Anyone who becomes a new member, renews at a higher level, or upgrades to autopay will be automatically entered to win a cash prize! It’s a win-win—become part of our community and you could walk away with $500.
If you can’t make it to a Membership Monday, you can also purchase a membership any time in May by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0, visiting the History Center Info Desk, or signing up online at winonahistory.org/membership.
Deadline: May 31st
Cash Prize Winner Announced June 2nd

Tracing Early African American Legacies in Minnesota
2025-04-03 18:00 - 19:00 UTC | MN
Genealogist Mica L. Anders presents Local History Talk: Tracing Early African American Legacies in Minnesota at the Winona County Historical Society. Learn about black local history from the Minnesota Territory years to the 1880s after the region became a state. This presentation brings to life the stories of communities and individuals who contributed to the Minnesota’s early development as homesteaders, barbers, shop owners, Civil War veterans.
This program is open to the public and light refreshments will be served. Any free-will offerings will benefit the WCHS and Residents Organizing Against Racism.

Vintage Valentines
2025-02-02 18:00 - 21:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
For this Museum Makers Class, stop in the History Center between 3 – 6 p.m. to create up to three vintage valentines! All supplies are included and class leaders will provide ideas, inspiration, and some history of valentines.
Valentine cards evolved from handwritten notes in the 15th century to ornate, mass-produced creations in the Victorian era, fueled by postal reforms and printing advances. Esther A. Howland become the “Mother of the American Valentine” for her 1840s commercial success in the U.S. with elaborate, laced designs.
This drop-in style class is $5 for members and $8 for the public. You can pay upon arrival. Groups are welcome, please give us a heads-up by calling 507-454- 2723 ext. 0 or 3. Open for all ages, but best for those 6 and older. Adults must accompany children.

Winona Walking Tour: Winona's Red Light Disctrict
2024-08-10 10:30 - 11:30 UTC | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Register in advance for an 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.
