Glorious Glass - Winona County Historical Society

The Argus
Winona County Historical Society
160 Johnson Street
Winona, MN 55987
Argus
The
Non - Profit
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Permit # 87
Winona, MN
55987
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Winona County Historical Society Newsletter
Volume 17, No. 2 March/April 2016
photo by Paul Crosby
Glorious Glass
A new tour with the Winona County Historical Society
Mem
bers’
Even
t
Winona is famous for our stained glass;
from numerous buildings featuring these
colorful works of art, to major studios that
not only create and restore the windows
here, but around the world. In 1992 the
Society hosted a very successful tour of
Stained Glass of Winona and we are
very excited to bring it back this April!
The Winona County History Center contains multiple stained glass windows, but
the central one can be found at the back
of the museum, along the Winona County
Timeline. Originally home to the National Guard Armory, the Winona County
Historical Society moved into the building
in the early 1970s, after it was nearly
destroyed by a fire in 1964.
The idea for the window was for it to represent Winona County through a series of
meaningful images. In 1985, the window, designed by Edward Glubka, and
fabricated by Conway Universal Studios
of Stained Glass, was installed. Standing
tall in the center of the window is Princess
Wenonah, a Dakota princess from whom
the town is named after. Surrounding her
are images that represent Winona’s history, agriculture, industry, business,
government, education, recreation, and
religion.
A stained glass window can also be seen
above the main entrance, containing the
symbol of the Winona County Historical
Society. Also, along the walkway leading
into the museum, in one of the armory’s
original windows, is a stained glass window depicting East Burns Valley, the main highway leading
into Winona during territorial
and early statehood days.
Other locations on the tour include: St. Mary Chapel of the
Angels, St. Stanislaus Basilica,
Merchants Bank, Winona National Bank, Central Lutheran
Church, First Baptist Church,
Wesley-Central Methodist
Church, First Congregational
Church, the Watkins Manor,
The Watkins Administration
Building, Willet Hauser, Cathedral Crafts, and the Winona
County History Center with a
display by Conway Studios.
Watch for more informa-
tion in the media and on our website!
Planning your Trip - Glorious Glass Tour
Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Tickets are $15 for the public and $12
for WCHS members and include a map
and more informations on the sites. The
tour is self-guided and can be done in
any order. See page 7 for more. w
Board Members
Peter Walsh, President
Mary Nelson, VP
Tom Bremer, Treasurer
Jonelle Moore, ex officio Secretary
Michelle Alexander, City Council
Sandra Burke
Jerome Christenson
Robert Fischer
Tim Hoff
Sue Hovell
Margaret Johnson
Ken Lindamann
Patrick Marek
Mary Polus
Jim Pomeroy
Pat Rogers
Mike Slaggie
LeRoy Telstad
Cindy Timm
Staff
Mark F. Peterson, Exec. Director
507-454-2723 ext. 1
[email protected]
Jennifer Weaver, Asst. Director
507-454-2723 ext. 3
[email protected]
Bette Jean Cichoski,
Visitor Service & Shop Manager
507-454-2723 ext. 0
[email protected]
Andy Bloedorn,
Archivist & Curator of Collections
507-454-2723 ext. 4
[email protected]
[email protected]
Walter Bennick, Archivist
507-454-2723 ext. 2
[email protected]
Ann Kendrick, Membership
[email protected]
Laurie Lucas, Rental Coordinator
507-452-6609
[email protected]
Vickie Hokenstad, Maintenance
507-454-2723 ext. 0
2
History Never Stops
Membership & Donations
by Mark F. Peterson, Executive Director
One of my least favorite things to do is
putting together the budget every year for
the Society. Hey, I majored in History and
Geography and not accounting so it’s understandable- right? Until I started here (now
over 33 years ago) I had never put together
a budget. To say the least, I have learned a
lot over the years and I thought maybe the
members would be interested in knowing a
few highlights of our budget.
• Our total budget varies but is in the range
of about $500,000/year.
• Our largest source of funds every year
is from our members at the end of the
year. We mail out a solicitation letter in the
middle of November and our members are
very generous. This year we received over
$132,000 which included $50,000 designated for our endowment funds. We received
a total of 140 gifts ranging from $10 to
$50,000. Amazing response.
• The next largest source of funds is from
grants. In 2014-15 we received about
$140,000 in grants for the plays at the Bunnell House, new digital microfilm reader, exhibits and improvements to the Bunnell House.
• We have two endowment funds. The
Laird Lucas Endowment Fund is approximately $110,000 and invested at Merchants
Bank. The Hiawatha Endowment Fund is
about$580,000 and invested in Winona
National Bank. We recently received a
$250,000 challenge grant to help build
our endowment funds (more later) and a
$500,000 pledge payable over ten years
partially for endowment.
Winona County History Center
photo by Kathy Greden
• Another significant source of revenue is
from governmental sources. Winona County
will contribute $55,000 in 2016 (same as the
past several years) and the city will contribute $5,000 in 2016 (same as for the past
several years).
• Another significant source is from our members through their dues. We received just
under $50,000 in 2015.
• Other sources include: facility rental,
special events, programs, gift shop sales,
admissions, research fees, calendar ads, quilt
raffle, donations, memorials and just about
any way we can raise money while at the
same time carrying out our mission.
• A preliminary budget goes to the Finance
Committee in December and after they look
at it the board does. A final budget is approved at the January meeting. We tend
to wait because the governmental budgets
are not final until December and we like to
have the 12/31 year-end numbers to look
at alongside the budget numbers for the
year. The board will often adjust the budget
during the year depending on unexpected
sources of revenue or expenses.
The bottom line is the board and the Finance
Committee do pay attention to the finances
and we also have an outside accounting firm
who does the payroll and monthly financials,
990 and W-2’s every year. If you ever have
any questions please don’t hesitate to call or
write. w
WCHS Museums
160 Johnson St., Winona, MN 55987
Open: Weekdays 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Sunday 12 - 4 p.m.
Laird Lucas Library & Archives; Open: Weekdays 10 a.m. - 12 & 1 - 5 p.m.
The Willard Bunnell House Off Hwy 61, Homer, MN Open for scheduled
performances and special events.
Rural Heritage Museum Winona County Fairgrounds; Open for special events.
Business Partner Renewals: Hiawatha Broadband Communications; Winona Health
Thank You for Your Support!
New Members: Elizabeth & Richard Burnett; Alissa & Drew Gibson; Jen & Will Gibson; Jack Honeywell & Julie Johnson; Terri &
Mike Karsten; Joann Kujawa
Renewals: Janet Alcamo, Fountain City, WI; Allan & Jeanine Aspen; Elizabeth Bach; Bill & Janet Baker; Deborah & Gary Barber;
Daniel & Carol Barr, Fountain City, WI; Barbara Bass; Kristine Beck, Fountain City, WI; Kathy Benke; Fred & Jane Beseler, LaCrosse,
WI; Scott & Jane Biesanz; Joe & Julie Brosig; Randall & Marsha Burgett; Sandra & Brian Burke; Kate & Adam Carlson; Dwight &
Gay Casper; Dr. David & Kathy Christenson; Bob Cloeter; Michelle Cochran; Mary Crandall, Austin, MN; Tom & Rose Ann Crawford, Tallmadge, Ohio; Helen Davis; Rex & Mary Dodson; Denis Duran, Scottsdale, AZ; Rosemary Duran; Dale & Lynn Engrav; Kent
& Dawn Erdmann; Don Evanson, Minnesota City, MN; Leland & Jeanne Ferden, St. Charles, MN; June Flanary, St. Charles, MN;
Erik Floan; Lori Fort-Hoerig, Watertown, WI; Frederick Foss; LaVern Fritz, Minnesota City, MN; Jean Gardner; Kathie Geiger; Kip
& Joanne Gilbertson, Dodge, WI; John & Patricia Goss, Davis, CA; Louise Hanks, Minnesota City, MN; Mary Hassinger; Cay SheaHellervik, St. Paul, MN; Dave Herber; Marian Hopkins; Sue Hovell, Galesville, WI; Ralph & Susan Jobe, Afton, MN; Martha Johnson, Utica, MN; Mary S. Joyce, Brownsville, MN; Paul Kohner & Lynne Rabuse; Eileen Kosidowski, Minnesota City, MN; Jean Kalmes,
Rollingstone, MN; Wayne Kronebusch, Rollingstone, MN; Joanne Linnee; Laurie R. Lucas; John & Polly Lyons; R. Scott & Heather McQueen, Minneapolis, MN; Charles K. Melby, Bloomington, MN; Marge & Bert Mohs; Drs. Paul Morgan & Rita Miller; Maxine & Larry
Nelson, Lewiston, MN; Keith & Becky Nelton; Pat & Dennis Nolan; Doug Nopar & Joann Thomas; Wanda & Ted Olson, Lewiston,
MN; LaVonne & Dick Ozmun; Nancy & Ron Paine, Rochester, MN; Don & Donna Peterson; Nancy Piper; Gerry & Nancy Polson; Gerald & Tarrell Portman; Bob & Susan Priem; Randi & Bill Reinarts; Kathy & Roger Reitmaier; Susan Ricketts, Rochester, MN; Jennifer
& Michael Rupprecht, Lewiston, MN; Mary M. Sainsbury, Alameda, CA; Teresa Schumaker; Dave & Roseann Shaw; Steve & Barb
Slaggie; Rick & Michele Speltz, Altura, MN; August & Anne Thurmer; Cindy Timm, Utica, MN; Carl & Bonnie Troke; Bela Trubacek;
Scott & Kathy Turner; Ken & Penny Venus; Sandra Villard; Howard & Gladys Volkart, Minnesota City, MN; Bernie & Janet Wagnild;
Pat Welch; Richard G. & Nancy Wheeler, Rochester, MN; Bill & Mary Wieczorek; Jaci Will; Nancy A. Wiltgen
Donations: Mary & Jim Eddy; Gerald & Tarrell Portman; Steve & Barb Slaggie Family; Mike & Amanda Slaggie, Slaggie Fam-
ily Foundation; Nancy A. Wiltgen; Pamela Wolfmeyer; History For Today Annual Campaign: Kathy Benke; Linda Berg; Joyce & Ray
Bisco; Susan Briggs; Harry & Kathryn Buck; Brian & Sandra Burke; Pauline Christensen; David & Kathleen Christenson; Mike & Linda
Cichanowski Family Fund of the Winona Community Foundation; Dennis & Vicki Decker; Hollis & Lori Donehower; Dr. Leon & Ramona
English; Marilyn Wicka Ezdon & Tom Ezdon; Bob Fisher; Jim Forsell; Arlayne Fremling; Jean Galewski; Greg Gaut & Marsha Neff;
Dan & Nancy Goltz; Norma Grausnick; Hammel, Green, & Abrahamson, Inc,; Louise A. Hanks, in Memory of Chris & Anna Oech;
Cherie C. Harkenrider; Rod Henry, Jr., in Memory of Ernestine Henry; Carol Heyl; Hoff Celebration of Life Center, in Memory of
Lowell Hoff; Marian Hopkins; Margaret & Bruce Johnson; Wayne Kronebusch; Langenau Legacy Fund of the Winona Community
Foundation; Rodney & Joyce Lingenfelter; David & Ruth Marshall, in Honor of WCHS Staff; Pat Mason; Elmer & Louise Mattila Family Fund of the Winona Community Foundation; Tom & Leone Mauszycki; Robert G. & BJ McQueen; Bruce Montplaisir; Mary Mueller; Daniel Munson; Jay & Pat Mutter, in Honor of Laurie Lucas; Eric Nelson; Mark & Kathie Peterson; Patte Peterson, in Memory of
Judge Duane M. Peterson; The Plaza Hotel, Rivers Hotel Co.; Gerry & Nancy Polson; Hugh & Mary Polus; Mary E. Rusert, in Honor
of Martin & Barb Nelson; Betsy Sawyer; Marilyn Schwab; Peter Shortridge; Beverly Spande; LeRoy & Cindy Telstad; Cindy Timm;
Scott & Kathy Turner; Bernie & Janet Wagnild; Dare L. White & William F. White Foundation; Chris & Tom Wilmot; Winona Post,
Inc.; Pamela Wolfmeyer
Ensure the Future of the Past!
Remember the Winona County Historical Society in your estate planning.
11
Clip and Save Calendar
March
9
10
14
17
19
22
23
27
Egg Decorating Class, 12:05 p.m.
Civil War Round Table, 7 p.m.
Quilt Guild, 7 p.m.
SE Regional History Day Competition at WSU,
5 - 8 p.m.
Egg Decorating Class, 1 p.m.
81st Annual Meeting, members only, 7 p.m.
Food For Thought: Book Chat Orphan Train, by
Christine Baker Kline 12:05 p.m.
History Center Closed, Happy Easter!
April
6
11
12
14
16
21
27
Food For Thought The Easter Uprising with
Dr. William Crozier, 12:05 p.m.
Quilt Guild, 7 p.m.
Volunteer Party, 4 - 6 p.m.
Civil War Round Table, 7 p.m.
Glorious Glass Tour, 11 a.m. -5 p.m.
Odes for the Rebellion: New poems by
C. Mikal Oness, 7 p.m.
Food For Thought: Book Chat, Call the Midwife,
by Jennifer Worth, 12:05 p.m.
May
5
“Attempting the Northwest Passage” New Version
with Taff Roberts, 7 p.m.
Lori Ortega
is originally from Iowa City,
and previously resided in Florida, Washington, Colorado,
and Missouri, which has given
her the experience of living
near the most beautiful parts
of our country…the Gulf, the
Puget Sound, the Rocky Mountains, and in the south, but
eventually she came back to the Midwest, where life is
good in Winona, Minnesota! Lori’s husband is Bill (Accounting department chair, College of Business), and they have
a daughter, Sarah (WSU sophomore), and a son, Ryan
(11th grade), and a yellow lab, Max.
Lori graduated from the University of Iowa (a long time
ago!), and as an adult, continued her education and
received a second B.S. in Business Administration (2009)
and Masters in Educational Leadership (2012) from WSU.
She is currently employed at Cotter High School. Lori also
volunteers with Cotter Schools, League of Women Voters,
MN PTA Cultural Arts/Reflections Art Program state chair-
Volunteer Spotlight
person, and lots of other educational and arts organization involvement. When she is not volunteering or working,
Lori enjoys gardening, biking, enjoying cultural arts/music,
working out, birding, traveling, shelling, rock hounding, is a
Iowa Hawkeye fan, and anything HGTV.
In the past Lori has helped with Winona County Historical
Society Christmas House Tours and American Girl Doll club.
Currently, she is working with special events like the Open
House leading the Victorian Valentines craft and will be
leading groups for the popular Egg Decorating classes.
Lori says this about volunteering: “My own inspiration for
volunteering stems from the simple fact that it is enjoyable
to support organizations I believe in. It is exciting to perform specific volunteer tasks which provide services that fill
gaps. Overall, volunteering is fun, rewarding, and makes
me happy to see others happy!”
The Ortegas just completed a huge restoration/renovation on a 1935 Cape Cod in the Lake Winona area, which
will provide MANY lasting renovation memories (good and
bad!) and will be their residence for years to come in their
favorite Winona neighborhood. w
Volunteers Please RSVP to Jennifer by April 8 by calling
507.454.2723 or email [email protected]
10
3
Biography
by Walter Bennick
James Wendell Baird, 1924-1995
Winona City Engineer, 1961-1967
James Wendell Baird served as the Winona City Engineer during a time of much change within the city’s infrastructure and
at the time of great flooding, not only by the Mississippi River,
but also by runoff caused by real estate development along
the southern bluffs. James was born near Sauk Centre, Minnesota to Alfred and Ethel (Deck) Baird on July 1, 1924. He grew
up near St. James, Minnesota and served in the United States
Navy’s Quartermaster Corps during World War II. Following his
discharge, Baird attended the University of Minnesota’s College
of Engineering and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Civil
Engineering. After graduating, Baird lived in Minneapolis and
held several short-term jobs including that of a sale representative for Cities Service Oil Company, a valuation engineer for the
Great Northern Railroad, party chief for Norther States Power
Company’s survey crew and an assistant soil engineer for the
Minnesota Department of Highways.
James Baird met and was married to Carmen Lorraine Lorenz
on May 29, 1952. Carmen, a registered nurse, was born in
Pipestone, Minnesota to Raymond and Luella (Tougtes) Lorenz
on May 22, 1930. While living in Minneapolis, the couple had
three children born to them. From September of 1955 through
December of 1955, Baird taught classes in municipal construction and highway engineering at Dunwoody Industrial Institute
and during the summers he worked on a highway design project
and did some surveying in Hastings for some consulting engineers.
In December of 1957, Baird moved his family to Crookston, Minnesota where he was employed by the city as its city engineer,
street commissioner and building inspector. While in Crookston,
the couple had their fourth child who died four days later. It
appears that after the death of their daughter, the family was
ready to move, and in July of 1961, Baird accepted the position
of city engineer in Winona, Minnesota. James began his duties
on July 20th replacing James Kleinschmidt who had resigned
to do consulting work. His first task was to plan for the moving
of Third Street lighting, which was to be replaced, to Mankato
Avenue between Sarnia Street to Highway 61.
On September 6, 1961, the second of two major rainstorms
dropped 4½ inches of water in a short period of time. Nothing
appeared to happen during the first storm, but it set the stage
to send torrents of water, mud and rock into Johnstone Addition,
covering lawns with 4 to 6 inches of mud as the catch basins
were plugged. A month later another storm caused more flood-
4
On Exhibit
ing in the area. Baird was instructed to fix the problem and he
designed a huge catch basin for Clark’s Lane and Lake Boulevard which seemed to alleviate the problem.
As Baird came on board, Wincrest was well on its way for development, as was Westgate Shopping Center and there were
plans in the works for extending the runway at Max Conrad
Field, widening Broadway Street, including the Olmsted-McBride curve, and the development of a new landfill near Louisa
Street. Other projects that were brought forward over the next
couple of years including the elimination of stagnant water in
the Westfield Golf Course, exploring the possibility of a shallow underpass under the railroad tracks east of Franklin Street,
replacing the Huff Street Bridge with a culvert and widening the
street and the development of Miracle Mall on the west end of
Lake Winona.
In April of 1965, the worst flood to impact Winona occurred
and Baird was in charge of developing the city’s defenses,
including the use of a new method of blocking the storm severs
with inflatable rubber bladders. His defenses worked and the
city was saved. Following the flooding, Baird looked for ways to
improve the city’s flood defenses which included a redesign of
Gilmore Creek and the installation of a concrete culvert under
Gilmore Avenue and along the north side of Miracle Mall.
April of 1967 flooding of the Mississippi River brought new dike
construction and sandbagging operations as during the flood of
1965. Following this flooding, Baird worked with the planning
commission to develop a master plan for the city to anticipate
it’s needs with flood control, streets, uncontrolled development
and a railroad overpass.
On September 12, 1967, Baird resigned as the city’s engineer,
effective the end of the year, and joined a St. Paul engineering
firm. He was replaced by Robert J Boland of Fort Dodge, Iowa.
It appears the Braid and his family settled in Hastings, Minnesota where he died on May 17, 1995. Following a funeral service
at the First Presbyterian Church, he was interned at Fort Snelling
National Cemetery. He was survived by his wife, two daughters,
two sons, and seven grandchildren. w
NEW Exhibits at the History Center
In the Slaggie Family Lobby
Warm Memories: Winona County Quilts
Now – June 15
We have a vast quilt collection and will be bringing out the best of them for viewing. We will also take a look at the
heritage of quilting, origins of patterns, cultural influences, and how they hold the history of a life, a family, and a community.
Art of Fine Furniture 2016
June 18 – August 5 (extended a week!)
The most popular exhibit WCHS has had, this 4th annual show will sure to be a hit again with all new pieces. Mark your
calendars for the Opening with many of the artists - June 18, 1 - 3 p.m.
Preserved in Paint: Winona County Art History Collection
August 12 - October 30
From portraits to landscapes, some of our art pieces in the collection have been part of other exhibits, but many have
not been on exhibit for a very long time, if at all. This exhibition will highlight the best of our art collection that will take
us back in time to visualize Winona County years ago.
In the Main Exhibit Gallery
The History of the Winona Public Library
Laird’s Legacy: A History of the Winona Public Library, by Greg Gaut will be hot off the press this May and in anticipation we have a new exhibit to highlight the Winona Public Library and the people behind it. Items from both our collection, as well as, the Library’s will be featured, including the original drawings for the Library’s mural, The Light of Learning, by Kenyon Cox.
Plan Your Visit!
History Center Admission:
$5 Adults, $3 Students,
WCHS members free!
Log-on to winonahistory.org
and click MUSEUMS
9
From the Archives
Society News
By Walter Bennick
Retiring Board Members
Four members of our Board of Directors
will be retiring from the board, Cindy
Timm, Tim Hoff, Peter Walsh, and Mike
Slaggie. Their replacements will be
announced by the board’s nominating
committee at the Annual Meeting for the
Society on March 22. A big thank you
to Cindy, Tim, Peter and Mike for their
time and talents. We will feature the new
board members in the next issue.
Johnstone’s Addition, developed by Sidney Johnstone
in 1947, was located at the base of the bluffs between Lake Boulevard and the present day Highway
61 and to the east of Clark’s Lane. As mentioned in
the article, the addition was flooded by water and
mud due to the lack of soil stabilization in areas of
new development. Later planning and construction of
a large catch basin alleviated the problem. w
History Day Regional Competition
On March 17 area sixth through
twelfth graders will compete in the
regional History Day Competition held
at Winona State University. Students
work on historical research based
projects and present their topics
through one of several ways, performances, websites, documentaries,
exhibits, and papers. Students compete to be part of the State History
Day competition in the Twin Cities and
can also go on to National History
Day in Washington D.C.! You can see
their work at Winona State’s Kryzko
Commons March 17, 5 - 8 p.m. and
see who wins the regional competition
at the 8:30 p.m. awards ceremony
in Somsen Hall Auditorium. Log on to
education.mnhs.org/historyday/ to
learn more!
Open House a Success
Our annual Open House was held on
Valentines Day and over 200 people
come to see what the WCHS is all
about and explore their past. A huge
thank you to all the volunteers who
make the Open House such a fun
event for the community. Also, thank
you to all the other organizations, museums, and clubs who set up shop and
join us for the afternoon as well!
8
During the course of our three-dimensional inventory project,
which we completed last June, the object I’m writing about
today instantly became one of my favorites. For those of you
doing a double take, like I did the first time I saw it, it is indeed
a trophy topped by a man using a full-size bull as a golf club.
This is the Senator Mike J. Galvin Sportsmanship Trophy. The trophy is quite large, measuring 21” in height. It has a solid wood
base, a baseball player and a majorette framing the engraved
plates listing the winners from 1947 to 1966, and of course the
poor cow gloriously suspended at the top of a golfer’s down
swing. This is an award that can’t be missed, and I’m sure there
wasn’t much expectation for modesty for those lucky and skilled
enough to win it.
Images from
the Open
House.
Michael J. Galvin was a native of Fillmore County, having been
born in Carimona in 1900. He graduated with a law degree
from Creighton University in 1925, and then moved to Minneapolis to practice. In 1927, he relocated to Winona, and would
spend the next two decades here. From 1935-1946 he served
as a State Senator, and for most of those years he chaired the
Senate Labor Committee. After his time in the Senate, Mr.
Galvin moved to St. Paul, where he would practice law until
1991, while also holding positions like the President of the Minnesota Bar Association and the Minnesota Safety Council. He
passed away in St. Paul at the age of 98.
Wincrest Addition was started in 1960 at the
edge of the bluffs above Winona. The land
was stripped of its cover before the homes
were built setting the stage for later erosion.
Water flowing down the bluffs from Wincrest
washed sediment away from Clark’s Lane and
into Johnstone Addition. Baird, shown here,
designed a large catch basin at Lake Boulevard to divert water flowing along Clark’s
Lane safety away from Johnstone’s Addition.
Collection Corner
By Andy Bloedorn
that year (a Senator from Wells). As explained in the article, the
“Senator’s Outing” started in 1937 when the Minnesota House
of Representatives was taking its time with a proposed tax bill.
Instead of twiddling their thumbs in St. Paul, Senator Galvin
invited his colleagues to
Winona for a round of
golf at the Winona Country Club and for dinner
and cocktails. This outing
would become a yearly
tradition for state politicians, judges, and department heads. Mr. Galvin
would continue to act as
host and toastmaster for
this Winona outing, even
after he left the Senate.
This great piece of history
was donated by Michael
Galvin in 1974. w
In a Winona Daily News article from August 3rd, 1954, a smiling Governor C. Elmer Anderson is shown at the Oaks holding
the sportsmanship trophy which was awarded to D.M. Carey
5
Food For Thought
A Lunchtime Learning Series
The Food For Thought learning series takes place
at the Winona County History Center. Lectures, Films,
and Book Chats begin at 12:05 p.m. and last approximately one hour (unless otherwise noted). Attendees
are welcome to bring their own lunch. A beverage is
served. All are free and open to the public.
Class Egg Decorating Workshop, March 9, 12:05 p.m.
We are trying something new!..a daytime Egg Decorating class.
Please allow two hours and there is a fee for supplies. Please
see the Egg Decorating Workshop listing on page 7 for more
details and how to register!
Book Chat Orphan Train, by Christine Baker Kline
March 23 , 12:05 p.m.
Christina Baker Kline’s Orphan Train is an unforgettable story
of friendship and second chances that highlights a little-known
but historically significant movement in America’s past. It follows a young girl who was placed on a train with hundreds of
other children whose destinies would be determined by luck and
chance, to find new homes and build new lives. (description from
Amazon.com)
Lecture The Easter Uprising with Dr. William Crozier, April 6,
12:05 p.m.
In April 1916 armed units of the recently constituted Irish Volunteers and the Irish Citizens Army occupied the General Post Office and other buildings in central Dublin. Padraig Pearse one of
the leaders proclaimed the establishment of the Irish Republic.
At this time England was waging war against Germany and the
Central Powers. Ironically, over two hundred thousand Irishmen
were fighting for England in this war. Crozier will tell this interesting event and its connection to both his family and Winona!
Upcoming Books
for Food For Thought Book Chat
March - Orphan Train by Christine Baker Kline
April - Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth
May - The World’s Strongest Librarian by Josh
Hanagarne
Workshops & Events
Book Chat Call the Midwife, by Jennifer Worth, April
27, 12:05 p.m.
The book that PBS turned into a series, viewers everywhere have
fallen in love with this candid look at post-war London. In the
1950s, twenty-two-year-old Jenny Lee leaves her comfortable
home to move into a convent and become a midwife in London’s
East End slums. (description from Amazon.com)
History After Hours
Evening Programs
Odes for the Rebellion: New poems by C. Mikal Oness, Thursday, April 21, 7 p.m.
These new poems by C. Mikal Oness, author of Water Becomes Bone and Oracle Bones, explore the poet’s place in the
progressive social and political revolution taking place in our
middle class by means of metaphors made from subjects as far
afield as Bigfoot, Ufology, farm machinery repair, mountain
climbing, and dogs. Chad is a poet, publisher, and potter (but
not a purvey of potted plants) who lives in rural SE Minnesota
with his wife, the novelist Elizabeth Oness, and their two border
collies. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota
through a grant from the Southeastern Minnesota Arts Council
thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts & cultural
heritage fund.
“Attempting the Northwest Passage”
New Version
Thursday, May 5, 7 p.m.
Directed by Taff Roberts,
(45 minutes) this film
documents Taff’s journey
as he joined the crew of
a small boat attempting
to sail the Northwest Passage. This final version of the film is a
personal look at the trip that includes fresh comments, insights,
and new footage from people Taff met along the way. The goal
of the movie is to inspire women and men in their later years
to pursue their aspirations and dreams. The film is dedicated
to Bernadette Scarani Mahfood 1944-2015. A $7 suggested
donation will help cover film expenses.
Egg Decorating Workshops
Wednesday, March 9 at 12:05 p.m. and Saturday, March 19 at 1:00 p.m.
Join us for our most popular historic craft class! Volunteer Museum Educator, Lori Ortega, will lead you
through the art of creating designs using layers of wax and natural dyes. When complete, the wax is
cleared away to reveal your colorful design. This old style of decorating eggs for Easter has its roots in
Polish and Ukrainian traditions. All the supplies are provided and you will go home with your decorated
egg. Space is limited for each class. Please register for one by stopping in the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0 to charge by phone. Cost is $10 for the public and $8 for WCHS members. Allow about 2 hours.
81st Annual Meeting of the Society
Hoot For History! Tuesday, March 22 7 p.m. at the History Center
The membership of the WCHS will meet for the 81st time on March 22. Executive Director, Mark Peterson, will give a report and we
will also hear from several board members for a short business meeting. Four board members will be retiring from the board and
the nominating committee will present those joining the board. We will then have a special program with visitors from the International Owl Center in nearby Houston, Minnesota. They will explore the role of owls throughout history in folklore and traditions.
Following the program we will serve desserts with time to visit. Members should watch for their invitation in the mail! Not a member?
Stop in, call, or log on to our website to join today!
Spring Volunteer Appreciation Party
“We Dig Our Volunteers!” Tuesday, April 12, 4 - 6 p.m. at the History Center
Each spring we throw a party as a small thank you to all the big things our volunteers do. This year we will show how much we “dig”
our volunteers with a supper, prizes, games, fun and friendship. The archaeological theme for this year’s party will sure be fun. Our
partnership with Visit Winona (their offices are in the History Center) is treasured too and so we share many volunteers, especially
those welcoming visitors at the front desk and those who guide tours of our great city. If you have volunteered for WCHS or Visit
Winona in any capacity you are very welcome to join us in our celebration of the amazing volunteers that make Winona so wonderful. Please RSVP by April 8 - 507.454.2723 ext. 3.
Glorious Glass Tour
Saturday, April 16, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Thirteen stops will be featured in this new tour! Glorious Glass was done in 1992, and we decided to bring it back. The self-guided
tour will operate much like our Christmas Open House tour. Tickets include a map and information on the Winondows and sites you
will visit. The tour can be done in any order and additional information and activities will be at each site. Watch KSMQ’s Off 90
episode featuring Winona’s stained glass at the History Center and check out a display from Conway Studio. Look for more information on our website and in the media closer to April!
Watkins Administration Building Window,
Photo by Mary Farrell.
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Both Cathedral Crafts Stained Glass and Willet Hauser Architectural Glass Studios will
be open to tour! Willet Hauser Architectural Glass is the largest stained glass studio
in North America. Originally two separate companies, Willet Stained Glass Studios of
Philadelphia and Hauser Art Glass Company of Winona merged in 1977. With over
100 years of business experience, Willet Hauser specializes in the creation, repair, and
restoration of stained glass windows. Their clients include over 20,000 churches and
institutions. The Willet Hauser Architectural Glass Library contains over 19,000 of the
company’s original stained glass windows, with some of the designs dating back to the
late 19th century. Leaded, faceted, hand painted, and sculptured gold are the
techniques that can be seen in their windows.
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