Sandbar Storytelling Festival: Project FINE Immigrant Stories
2025-09-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Please join Sandbar Storytelling Festival at the History Center again as Fatima Said, Executive Director of Project FINE, introduces us to some of the most fascinating, and many times heart-wrenching, stories of immigrants from around the world who have landed in Winona. You will hear their stories, some through language interpreters, of how they left their home countries and came to the United States for a better and safer life for their families. Project FINE (Focus on Integrating Newcomers through Education) has been serving refugees and immigrants in Winona County and the surrounding area since 1990. Hear the personal and inspirational stories of immigrants who have chosen to call Winona home.
This event is free and open to the public. However, the Wanek Room only holds 80 people. So, arrive early to get a seat! Refreshments will be served.

Voices from the Past: Indoor Accessible Performance
2025-10-02 18:00 - 20:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 4-7 years old
Come hear about “Disasters!” during the 2025 Voices from the Past Indoor Accessible Performance at the History Center! Traverse through time with community actors portraying people of our past. In 2025, meet past Winona County residents who have stories to tell about local….Disasters! From fires and floods to tornados and accidents, learn about the resilience of county communities of the past.
Admission is taken at the front door when you arrive. Seats are first-come-first-served, so keep this in mind as you plan your evening!

Voices from the Past Cemetery Walk
2025-10-04 12:00 - 16:00, 2025-10-05 12:00 - 16:00 | Woodlawn Cemetery, 506 W Lake Blvd, Winona, Minnesota, 55987
Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students, $3 Youth 4-7 years old
Come hear about “Disasters!” during the 2025 Voices from the Past Cemetery Walk held in beautiful Woodlawn Cemetery. Traverse historic Woodlawn to sites with community actors portraying people of our past. In 2025, meet past Winona County residents who have stories to tell about local….Disasters! From fires and floods to tornados and accidents, learn about the resilience of county communities of the past.
Admission is taken at the main gate when you arrive and includes a map with site information and more history. You may start your walk anytime and go in any order, but leave at least 90 minutes to view all the acting sites. Acting begins at 12:00pm and ends at 4:00 p.m. each day. In case of inclement weather, the actors will perform their site programs in Wanek Hall at the Winona County History Center (160 Johnson St., Winona).
If you cannot make the walk, then join us at the History Center for an accessible performance of the sites on October 2nd at 6pm.

Winona Walking Tours: Haunted History at Woodlawn Cemetery
2025-10-23 13:00 - 14:00 | Woodlawn Cemetery, 506 W Lake Blvd, Winona, Minnesota, 55987
We’re bringing back the Haunted Walking Tour at Woodlawn Cemetery on Thursday, October 23, 1 – 2pm! We will walk outdoors together through one of Winona’s most haunted locations. Meet at the main entrance to the cemetery, rendezvous with your guide, and get ready for stories of ghosts, vampires, and more.
Space is limited, so reserve your spot by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0. Your host will collect exact cash or check payment at the Woodlawn Cemetery entrance gate upon your arrival on the tour date. Tickets: Adult $10, Member $6.

Winona Walking Tours: Haunted History of Downtown Winona
2025-10-24 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-25 13:00 - 14:00, 2025-10-26 13:00 - 14:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
SOLD OUT
Winona Walking Tours: Haunted History of Downtown Winona brings you history thrills and a brisk fall walk! Navigate the storied past of people and places in downtown Winona and learn about ghost stories and legends that helped people understand the unknown of the past.

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.

Trick or Treat at the History Center Offices
2025-10-31 10:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Trick-or-treat the Winona County History Center! Bring your best costume and your candy buckets, and take advantage of the free museum day to rove in the exhibits hall.

Heritage Dinner
2025-11-06 17:00 - 19:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Help Winona County Historical Society honor Chuck and Judy Shepard at this year’s Heritage Dinner on November 6! Every few years, the Society holds a special meal in honor of long-time and above-and-beyond volunteers. We are pleased to celebrate Judy and Chuck Shepard with an evening of food, fun, and good company.
About the Shepards
Chuck and Judy Shepard are long-time supporters of the Winona County Historical Society. Both have helped make big and small projects possible over the decades. Judy has been an avid volunteer for the WCHS. She has served on the Board of Directors and was President during her term. Judy’s love has been the Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk. She has been involved with the Walk as a planning committee member, guide trainer, school group organizer, naturalist site presenter, group guide, and more. Judy was characterized as “skippy” by fellow volunteer, Al Smith, as she often traded a skirt for knee pants so she could travel Woodlawn Cemetery on her bicycle. She is currently a member of the Education & Outreach Committee and volunteers at events.
RSVP
Invitations have been mailed to WCHS members, but all are welcome. Space is limited, so secure your seats soon. Dinner is $40 per person. Register by mailing back your RSVP card, stopping in, or calling the History Center with your payment. Donations are also being accepted in honor of the Shepards.
The History Center doors will open at 5:00 p.m. Stop at the cash bar by Muddled Thyme with wine, beer, cocktails, and mocktails. Attendees will find plated salads at tables. A buffet dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. featuring chicken with a cranberry glaze, wild rice, green beans, bread, and blueberry crumble. Vegetarian/vegan option available. Water and coffee are also included.
An award program will follow dinner to honor the Shepards’ volunteerism for local history. We hope you will join in the celebration.

This is event is proudly sponsored by Winona Health.

The War at Home
2025-11-07 18:00 - 19:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Americans went to war in 1917 literally against Germany but also against each other. In The War at Home, historian Greg Gaut focuses on the lives of individual Minnesotans to tell the dramatic story of this period, when the North Star State experienced bitter polarization, nativism, flagrant disregard for democratic norms, and intense, sometimes violent, confrontations.
Greg will explore his research and stories from this new book, which is for sale in the Museum Shop. His article on a World War I espionage case, “Hardware Store Sedition: The Case of Charles W. Andring,” won the Solon J. Buck Award for the best article in Minnesota History for 2020. He holds a doctorate in modern European and Russian history from the University of Minnesota.
This event is free, but space is limited. Seating is first come, first serve!

Handmade Neighborhood Market
2025-11-22 10:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Handmade Neighborhood Market is an annual artisan sale held the Saturday before Thanksgiving. The market features a carefully curated selection of quality local items made by area artists and artisans. The market will be open to shop in the History Center Slaggie Family Lobby and in Wanek Hall. Find handcrafted bath products, yummy edibles, glassworks, jewelry, pottery, apparel, fine art, woodwork, and much more.
Handmade Neighborhood was established in 2009 by a group of Winona-area artisans with a mission to support local artists, and to provide our community with an opportunity to purchase quality, original, locally produced, handmade goods at reasonable prices. The Winona County Historical Society became the steward of the event in 2020 to foster the time-honored traditions of handmade work, cultural crafts, and art.

December Members' Sale
2025-12-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Winona County Historical Society members get 25% off qualifying purchases in The Museum Shop during the December Members’ Sale! Not a member? It’s a great time to join! Membership also makes a great gift, just saying….
PLEASE NOTE: (The Museum Shop will be closed December 24th, 25th, 27th, and 28th.)

Make a Local Gift Basket
2025-12-01 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-02 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-03 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-04 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-05 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Combine your Museum Shop purchases into a fun local gift. Basket, wrap, and ribbon included with $25 purchase or more (starting Dec. 1, while supplies last).

Gift Shop Hop
2025-12-06 10:00 - 16:00, 2025-12-07 10:00 - 16:00 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Get a chance to win a $50 gift card when you make at $50+ purchase at the History Center during Gift Shop Hop weekend! We’ll draw the winner on Dec. 8 at 10 a.m.
The fun goes all weekend during this event hosted by Visit Winona. It highlights several of Winona’s unique gift shops! Stop into any of the esteemed establishments below for your chance to win prizes, enjoy great discounts, seasonal snacks & sips & more!
Gift Shop Hop Hours | December 6 & 7, 2025:
Kashubian Cultural Institute & Museum:
Saturday 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Minnesota Marine Art Museum:
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Watkins Museum & Store:
Saturday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Winona County History Center:
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Winona Visitor Center:
Saturday and Sunday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Museum Makers Class: Holiday Cards and Ornaments
2025-12-07 13:00 - 15:30 | Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson Street, Winona, MN, 55987
Craft holiday cards and ornaments during this Museum Makers Class at the Winona County History Center! Learn simple sewing skills to make a fabric tree ornament and/or get creative using vintage designs to create a custom holiday card. Bring a copy of photos to incorporate if you wish. Make your craft as a special gift or keep it for your décor.
Space is limited. Register by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 0 or stopping by the History Center. Cost is $15 for members and $20 for the public. Best for ages 10 and up. All supplies are included and you take your creations home. Hot cocoa will be served.
