Winona County Historical Society

23/03/2023

A few views of Ellsworth Farm in Utica, MN. Benjamin Ellsworth, a native of Maine, platted the town of Utica in 1866. He later built this home on a swell of land overlooking the little burg. The homestead is now on the National Register of Historic Places.

Photo 1 of the farm was taken in 1963, and Photo 2 of the bedroom was snapped sometime in the 1990's. Photo 3 does not have a recorded date.
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22/03/2023

The band Patina plays Celtic music for the members of WCHS at the orgainization's 88th Annual Meeting on March 21st, 2023.

22/03/2023

Thank you members of WCHS for joining us at the History Center for our 88th Annual Meeting! We are honored that you share in the work of this county historical society. We hope you enjoyed the cupcakes, speeches, and music. History never stops, and you're the reason why!
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19/03/2023

Stop in soon to see a the re-exhibition of "Prairie School Architecture." The selections from the original 2002 Minnesota Museum of Art exhibit allow viewers to examine regional school architecture and architects through photography and text.
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18/03/2023

A few Utica, MN public institutions:

1. Christian Science Church
2. Presbyterian Church
3. Utica Public Grade School
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17/03/2023

Happy St. Patrick's Day! A lovely lady and handsome gentleman adorn this 1909 St. Patrick's Day greeting card from the WCHS collection. On their background of clovers, they frame a harp and the phrase "Erin go bragh" - both symbolic of Ireland. The saying roughly translated means "Ireland forever," or quite literally, "Ireland to the end of time" or "doomsday." Allegedly, Irish soldiers flew "Erin go Bragh" on their banners during their 1798 rebellion against the British.
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16/03/2023

An aerial view of Utica, MN looking from south to north in 1907. The visible church building is the Presbyterian Church, with the Utica Public Grade School almost directly across the road from it. You can also see the grain elevator (still standing today) in the middle of the photo, Main Street dividing the photo horizontally, and the Benjamin Ellsworth home and farm in the upper left corner across Highway 14.
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15/03/2023

I CANNOT with these new plaid pot holders! They feature mini cork decals for the Minnesotan at heart. Check 'em out at the History Center gift shop! You might want to grab one of our hot dish cookbooks and Watkins spices on the way through too....
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14/03/2023

Introducing "From the County" - a series of posts that will highlight a few landmarks in a town or area in Winona County.

Today's photograph: A dirt street in Utica, MN, a Winona County town about 20 miles southwest of Winona, MN. The town was originally platted in 1866 and named after Utica, New York.
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12/03/2023

Traces of Winona, past and present so beautifully intertwine in this photo. Did you know that Winona, MN is still home to a few uncovered cobblestone streets?
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11/03/2023

Tickets will be available for the History Center's "Winona's Glorious Glass Tour" on APRIL 1, 2023! Stops on the tour include St. Mary’s Parish, Watkins Administration Building, First Congregational Church, Basilica of St. Stanislaus Kostka (opening at 10 a.m.), Merchants Bank, WNB Financial, Wesley United Methodist, Winona Art’s Center, and more. Associated Crafts & Willet Hauser will be giving studio tours too!

For more information about tickets and event specifics, visit www.winonahistory.org/activities.
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11/03/2023

River mood in river town Winona, MN.
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10/03/2023

By request: Then-and-now photos of Main Street and the foot of the High Wagon Bridge in Winona, MN! The old bridge ramp would have reached ground level somewhere on Second Street near where the colorful Levee Park sign is now. (I took photos from similar places along today's Main and Second streets, but it's difficult to imitate the old pictures exactly due to current street and building structure). Enjoy!

Photo 1: Main (Center) Street view looking towards High Wagon Bridge approach.

Photo 2: Current view of Main Street facing the river (and former bridge approach). Imitation of Photo1.

Photo 3: Main and Second Street at the foot of the Old High Wagon Bridge.

Photo 4: Perspective from beneath the bridge looking towards Second Street and Minnesota bluffs.

Photo 5: Current view standing at Second Street and shooting photos down Main Street towards the Minnesota bluffs. Imitation of Photo 3.
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09/03/2023

We are closed today from 1 - 4pm for disruptive maintenance. Thank you for your patience!
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08/03/2023

Happy International Women's Day! Please enjoy these historic photos of women doing amazing things!

1. Two women (Jane Cornwall and Maude Carpeuter) pose with their bikes.

2. A view of women compiling printing orders in a room at Leicht Press.

3. The daughters of Walter Stanchfield in his car, about the 3rd automobile in the City of Winona. Taken Christmas time in 1905 with West Howard Street in the background.

4. A close-knit group of unidentified area women.

5. Black and white photograph of Red Cross Ladies during World War I.

6. Photo of Normal School Women's Basketball Champions and coach, 1898.
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08/03/2023

08/03/2023

If you're trying to tempt your far-away family members to visit you more often, you might want to send them one of these beautiful new post cards by Kari Yearous Photography, LLC! After all, who can say "no" to THAT view?
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07/03/2023

07/03/2023

TICKETS AVAILABLE APRIL 24, 2023!!!

Visit www.winonahistory.org/activities for more information on dates, purchase instructions, and themes.
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06/03/2023

06/03/2023

Part-Time Janitor Position
Please apply at http://www.winonahistory.org/jobs or contact Carrie Johnson at 507-454-2723 ext. 1 by March 10th, 2023.

Winona County Historical Society is seeking help with cleaning at our History Center in downtown Winona. There is some schedule flexibility for this part-time position. Work 20 hours/week at a starting pay of $13/hour. Must be able to lift 50 pounds, climb ladders, and reach overhead.

Seeking a self-motivated, organized person who keeps regular cleaning schedules. Most work is done independently but communication with staff is important. Close observation of building needs and attention to detail is required.
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05/03/2023

04/03/2023

New merch is in, ya'll! Toys for the young and young-at-heart from one of our favorite vintage toy companies, Channel Craft.
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04/03/2023

WCHS Jobs

Join the Winona County Historical Society team! We are seeking a part-time janitor at the History Center in downtown Winona. This important work maintains a clean, welcoming, and safe environment for people and artifacts and helps to care for an amazing piece of Winona's architecture.

​Accepting applications through March 10, 2023
Contact Carrie with questions: 507-454-2723 ext. 1 or apply by visiting the WCHS employment page (link provided).

We are hiring at WCHS!

03/03/2023

A winter view of the Mississippi river and bluffs.
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03/03/2023

Thank you to The Joy Labs and Winona Park & Recreation for co-hosting this interactive project at the History Center on Tuesday! Another big shout-out to those who joined activity leader Sarah Johnson for small group painting. We can't wait to see your artwork in the community!
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01/03/2023

Save the date...

01/03/2023

Snow at the History Center

Snowflakes visit the History Center again this morning!
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01/03/2023

An an interesting question about Monday's shared post (authored originally by Visit Winona) sparked the idea for this follow-up: What is the history of the Winona Arts Center building?

The structure was indeed a church - the German Presbyterian Church, to be exact. The congregation organized on the Franklin and 5th Streets site in winter of 1864, and all of its services were held in German by a missionary from Iowa. When all of the church's German-speaking members died, the congregation offered services in both English and German. English replaced German for good by the 1940s; at this time, the name of the organization changed to Bethel Presbyterian Church. The remaining group merged with First Presbyterian Church to become what we know today as Grace Presbyterian Church in Winona, MN.

Winona Arts Group purchased the original German Presbyterian Church building in the winter of 1963 and converted it into an arts center. They followed in the footsteps of Minnesota cities like Rochester and Grand Marais, who were known for transitioning old churches into vibrant art hubs.
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28/02/2023

Photos from Minnesota Historical Society's post

28/02/2023

WCHS Jobs

Join the Winona County Historical Society team! We are seeking a part-time janitor at the History Center in downtown Winona. This important work maintains a clean, welcoming, and safe environment for people and artifacts and helps to care for an amazing piece of Winona's architecture.

​Accepting applications through March 10, 2023
Contact Carrie with questions: 507-454-2723 ext. 1 or apply by visiting the WCHS employment page (link provided).

We are hiring at WCHS!

28/02/2023

The historic Winona Arts Center, built in 1864 when Abraham Lincoln was President, was the only non-school facility in the area devoted to the arts. ❄️🎨

27/02/2023

26/02/2023

Part-Time Janitor Position

Winona County Historical Society is seeking help with cleaning at our History Center in downtown Winona. There is some schedule flexibility for this part-time position. Work 20 hours/week at a starting pay of $13/hour. Must be able to lift 50 pounds,
climb ladders, and reach overhead.

Seeking a self-motivated, organized person who keeps regular cleaning schedules. Most work is done independently but communication with staff is important. Close observation of building needs and attention to detail is required.

Please contact Carrie Johnson with inquiries: 507-454-2723 ext. 1

25/02/2023

On this day February 25th, 1922: Winona Republican Herald published an article featuring the Winona Automobile Dealers' Association which took place in - guess where - our very own National Guard Armory! The space looks quite different with sprigs of greenery strung around the mezzanine, though the antique-looking cars are not out of place!

To see what the Armory looks like today, visit the Winona County Historical Society Museum! Admission is only $5 for adults, $3 for students, and FREE for children 7 and under.
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25/02/2023

The Chicago & North Western Railway Bridge with Wisconsin bluffs in the background. Photographer was positioned on the High Wagon Bridge looking upriver.

See the HUGE print of this glass-plate negative in person in the Collections Corridor of Winona County History Center! Open 10 - 4 daily.
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24/02/2023

From a time when town and country were a bit more intertwined.... Enjoy this black and white print of Main Street and Second Street at the foot of the Old High Wagon Bridge, complete with a crowd of hay wagons in the street center. Note a few other unique details of the photo too, like the watering fountain for horses and the lantern swinging above it. The tower of the old post office and the spires of today's Wesley United Methodist Church appear in the upper right-hand corner.
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23/02/2023

WE ARE OPEN! It took awhile, but we shoveled all of the snow drifts away from the History Center just for you. Travel safely this afternoon!
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23/02/2023

23/02/2023

Part-Time Janitor Position

Winona County Historical Society is seeking help with cleaning at our History Center in downtown Winona. There is some schedule flexibility for this part-time position. Work 20 hours/week at a starting pay of $13/hour. Must be able to lift 50 pounds,
climb ladders, and reach overhead.

Seeking a self-motivated, organized person who keeps regular cleaning schedules. Most work is done independently but communication with staff is important. Close observation of building needs and attention to detail is required.

Please contact Carrie Johnson with inquiries: 507-454-2723 ext. 1