The historic objects in the Winona County Historical Society’s collections are “physical storytellers,” and one of the goals of the “History is Present” 2024 Capital Campaign is to honor those objects we so carefully preserve. From the hulking wagon once owned by the local Hillyer Furniture Company to the pendant necklace awarded to the Winona musical sensation Babette Reese (pictured above), the relationship between artifact and historical moment is what makes this campaign worth every penny invested by community members and visitors alike. The fund drive ensures the care of well-worn artifacts and the unveiling of collection pieces that have not yet met the public eye; it helps us – as people with a shared past – to celebrate the rich tapestry of Winona County’s history together.
For Jennifer Weaver, Winona County History Center’s Museum Educator, an artifact is the embodiment of a shared history. “What makes an artifact an artifact is that it holds a story,” she says. “They’re important storytellers – they’re holders of our history in a different way than a book or a blog.” Winona County Historical Society prizes these storytellers, and that respect prompts the upcoming exhibits overhaul. Don’t be fooled: the current displays in Winona County History Center exhibits hall aren’t disappearing into oblivion with the next updates. Several fan-favorite artifacts will remain on display, though the exhibits team plans to share them within new contexts envisioned through the ongoing research funded by the capital campaign. The rest of the artifacts will return to the collections vault for care, which testifies to their priceless value and their special place in the history of Winona County.
The cyclical pattern of display and then rest for artifacts provides the History Center with a nearly endless amount of exhibits content – enough that even the most dedicated visitors will never see it all in their lifetimes! Babette Reese’s necklace from the Chicago Musical College, for example, is one of the newly-revealed artifacts that will charm the public from it’s exhibit case at the History Center for some time into the future. However, the creation of new exhibits like this is labor-intensive and costly, says Educator Weaver. While most complications stem from budgets, other considerations like audience age, reading level, design, interactive elements, availability of artifacts, ethical representation, and collaboration with experts all play a role in final plans. Despite the long and nuanced planning period, Weaver finds the process of creating interactive public displays to be incredibly rewarding work. The end product makes forgotten or unheard stories like Babette’s accessible to the community in which they took place.
As Weaver’s comments prove, Winona County Historical Society is home for countless items that experienced history in a way that few living people can boast. It is a public history organization that answers to the people of its county. Finally, it is an institution that aims to use its physical storytellers as a bridge between the people and their history. If you want to be a part of this process, please attend one of the History Center’s open house sessions on September 25th (4-6pm) or September 26th (10am-12pm) to share your exhibit opinions. Stimulated by complimentary snacks, free admission, guided activities, and community energy, you can enrich the existing museum content by sharing your piece of the story. After all, YOU are Winona County.
Give to the History Is Present 2024 Capital Campaign online at winonahistory.org/capital-campaign, mail a check to WCHS at 160 Johnson Street, Winona, or call 507-454-2723 ext. 0 to donate over the phone.
