September/October - Winona County Historical Society

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Winona County Historical Society
160 Johnson Street
Winona, MN 55987
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Winona County Historical Society Newsletter
photo by Paul Crosby
Volume 16, No. 5 September/October 2015
On the Street Where You Live
Voices From the Past: Woodlawn Cemetery Walk
October 10 and 11 with an indoor evening performance October 8 at 7 p.m.
Voices From the Past
The Winona County Historical Society presents
Woodlawn Cemetery Walk
Saturday & Sunday, October 10 and 11
Noon to 3 p.m.
Cost: $7 adults, $5 students, $3 youth 12 and younger
Learn the storied past of those
buried in Woodlawn Cemetery from
community actors in this two-hour
experience filled with performances
throughout the Cemetery.
The 2015 Voices from the Past: Woodlawn Cemetery Walk will feature the
people behind our city’s street names.
This popular fall fundraiser for us, brings
stories of Winona’s past alive through
those buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. The
Walk is about a two-hour experience with
groups going out into the Cemetery from
Noon - 3 p.m. each day.
Groups are formed as attendees arrive
at the admission table. We try to keep
each group under 30 for a more enjoyable experience. As you wait for your
color to be called, learn about other
street name history and enjoy live music.
The first group to leave the gate at noon
is the Trolley Tour for those who cannot
make the walk through the hilly cemetery. Then groups leave about every 10
minutes with the last one heading out at 3
p.m. for a beautiful walk through Winona’s oldest and largest Cemetery.
Woodlawn is considered an arboretum
Cemetery and boasts many species of
trees. Some species, like the Tulip tree, do
not usually grow in our climate, however
the close valley provided enough shelter.
In its amazing autumn color, the Cemetery
is an attraction itself. If you would like to
learn more or to donate to help preserve
this treasure, log onto, woodlawncemeterywinona.org or call 507-452-6016.
History
Way
Within the glorious walk you will be
guided to seven stops to meet some of
the Cemetery’s residents. This year they
are all associated with our city’s street
names and will be telling the tales of how
our streets got their names and why.
Some of you might recognize, Clark,
Hamilton, Pelzer, Cummings, Vila, Gould,
Theurer, Louisa, and Laird. Plus more!
Admission to the Walk is $7 for adults, $5
for students 13 and older, $3 for youth
12 and younger. Sponsored by Merchants
Bank. All proceeds go to the Winona
County Historical Society and is one of
our largest fundraisers. Thank you! See
you at Woodlawn!
Can’t do the Walking Tour?
Call 507.454.2723 to reserve a seat on the
Trester Trolley, offered Noon each day
at the Cemetery!
ALSO...
Indoor Performance at
the History Center
Thursday, October 8 at 7 p.m.
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, 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]
Jodi Brom, Curator
507-454-2723 ext. 4
[email protected]
Walter Bennick, Archivist
Andy Bloedorn, Archivist
507-454-2723 ext. 2
[email protected]
Vickie Hokenstad, Maintenance
507-454-2723 ext. 0
Ann Kendrick, Membership
[email protected]
Laurie Lucas, Rental Coord.
507-452-6609
[email protected]
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History Never Stops
Membership & Donations
by Mark F. Peterson, Executive Director
Thank You for Your Support!
photo by Kathy Greden
For the past sixteen years the Society has
hosted the Cemetery Walk at Woodlawn
Cemetery. It has always been a joke on the
committee that there is only one way off the
committee and that is to become one of the
26,000 residents of the cemetery. That joke
has held remarkably true until this year when
most of the committee decided to retire. After that many years you can’t just retire and
walk away though. They all have committed
to staying on and helping their replacements
along. I want to thank long-time chair Kathy
Turner, Judy Shepard, Jonelle Moore, Carolyn Goplen, Audrey Gorny, Susan Eddy, Al
Smith and Mel Bailey for their many years of
dedication. We are glad you really retired
and aren’t a character in the Walk! You all
did an amazing job making the event the
signature event for the Society. I would also
like to thank Ann Kohner for stepping up
and becoming the new chair, Sue Hovell,
Mary Alice Anderson, Sue Ann Mullen, Kathy
Schuler, and Ruth Erickson for joining the
committee. Returning for another year are
Al Pathrath, Michelle Alexander and Kate
Carlson. This is a great new committee and
with the theme of street names this year it
promises to be another great Walk. Thank
you all.
brought to the property. This would not have
been possible without the Legacy Grant we
received earlier this year through the Minnesota Historical Society. The consensus is we
should try and do them again next summer.
Stay tuned.
I’ve written in the past couple of columns
about cleaning out my mom’s house and
starting to do the same at home. Well, I’m
not doing very well I’m sad to report. Here
is just one example. When finishing up my
mom’s house we had to take a load to the
dump. Sitting there in a pile was a large
stained glass window. I went over and took
a close look at it and thought this is too good
to be landfilled. My inner voice was telling
me, “Don’t do it, Mark. Don’t do it, Mark.” I
thought hard about it and decided I shouldn’t
take it since I really had no use for it. As
hard as it was I left it there in the landfill.
Two hours later my brother and I had to go
back to the dump and sure enough it was still
there and this time I couldn’t resist and I took
the thing home. Do you know anyone looking
for an old parlor window? It has the Minnesota Vikings team colors if that helps.
I would like to give a huge thank you to Theatre du Mississippi for partnering with us this
summer on the plays at the Bunnell House. It
was an amazing summer. We heard so many
compliments from people who saw the play.
It was fun seeing the new excitement this
Winona County History Center
Business Partner Renewals: Morgan’s Jewelers; Winona Agency, Inc.; Winona Heating & Ventilating Co.
New Members:
Mariann Alsum; Roger Berg; Diana Cyert; Laura H. Davey; Thomas D. Edwards, Utica, MN; Deb & Tim Galewski, Galesville, WI; Jordan Harder; Jon & Sara Holger, Wabasha, MN; Rollis & Leiha Larson, Minnesota City, MN; Natalie Manci,
Green Bay, WI; Ray & Charlotte McElmury, Minnesota City, MN; Leslie & Bill Pfaff; John Thomson, Bloomington, MN
Renewals: Michelle M. Alexander; Steve Altobell, Fountain City, WI; Bob & Mary Alice Anderson; Richard & Mary Lou Baylon;
John & Susan Berg; William F. Beseler, Trempealeau, WI; Judith Bodway; John & Pat Brandt; Bernhard & Colleen Brenner; Rosemary Broughton; Fred & Jean Brust, Minnesota City, MN; Jim Carlson; Colleen & Ray Cenfield; Eric Christensen & Donna Kamann;
George & Dee Cipov; Shirley Cisewski, Minnesota City, MN; Donald & Sandra Curtin; Dennis & Vicki Decker; John Donovan; David
L. Echelard & Suzanne Cooley; Wade & Pam Davick; Daniel Drury, Winthrop Harbor, IL; James & Mary Eddy; Jerry & Sandy
Edgington, Clearlake Oaks, CA; Nancy R. English; Lynn & Mark Englund; Jerry & Joan Engler; Marilyn & Tom Ezdon, Dakota, MN;
Duane Fakler; Ray W. & Carolyn Felton; Kathy & Mike Foerster; Maxine E. Gabrych; Dr. Harry W. Gardiner; Carole T. Gardner;
Karrol & Diane Gielow, Rushford, MN; Larry Gorrell; Noel & Dorothy Goss, Austin, MN; Ms. Norma Grausnick; Ted Haaland; James
& Mary Hadley, Rushford, MN; Cherie Hales; David & Gladys Hammel, Elba, MN; Jim & Shannon Hanzel; Robert & Terry Hawkings; Gary & Jean Hayes; Gwen Hirsch; Guy Hunter, Jr., Winterport, ME; Carol Jefferson; Elaine Johnson; Bill & Chris Keiper; Mike
& Diane Kennedy; Peg & Paul Kilkus; Angelen & Wayne Kirk; Nancy M. Knopp; Steven & Susan Kowalsky; Andrew W. Krueger,
No. Mankato, MN; Chuck & Sandy Landman; Dori Lange Bonertz, Broomfield, CO; Doris Laska; Roland Limpert, Federalsburg, MD;
Karen Littlejohn; Anne Lubeck & John Hindes; James R. & Helen Lackore, Madison, WI; Thomas & Barbara Laska, Minneapolis, MN;
Paul & Kaitlin Lundquist; Janet & Larry Luttmers; Maggie & Ron May; Charles Mettille; Mark & Marsha Metzler; Mark & Betsy
Midthun, Onalaska, WI; Midwest Pattern, Altura, MN; Clarise Miller; Betty M. Monroe; Alice M. Mueller, Lakeville, MN; Mary Mueller; Al & Irene Mulyck; Jeffrey P. Muschler; Greg Neidhart; James & Ann Nichols; Dan & Rachel Ogard, Eagan, MN; Gerald & Barbara Okland, Thief River Falls, MN; Elizabeth Pellowski; Sharon Penrod, Minnesota City, MN; Alan & Christine Peterson, Minneapolis,
MN; Greg & Kathy Peterson; Martin Pflughoeft, Belvedere Tiburon, CA; James Pomeroy; Mary Ann Preston, Lake City, MN; Tamara
Rench; Martin & Polly Renk; Dr. Lawrence & Rill Ann Reuter; Leslie Ruff & Scott Shears; Jay & Bonnie Sadowski; Paul Sannerud; John
A. Schuth, LaCrescent, MN; John & Barbara Schutz; Kathy Seifert & Bob Pflughoeft; Richard & Barbara Shields; Sam Siebenaler,
LaCrosse, WI; Eric B. Sorensen; Nancy Sperbeck Minnick, Camarillo, CA; Paula Stephens; Maureen Sutton; Joann Thomas & Doug
Nopar; David A. & Kayla Ritter; Dolores (Lorie) Steber; Steve & Jeanne Sula; Allen R. Thompson; Paul Tushner; Joan Van Brunt,
Rollingstone, MN; Jerry & Sandi Van Hoof; Peter & Kay Walsh, St. Anthony, MN; Greg & Cheri Weaver, Rollingstone, MN; Jon &
Ruthanne Weispfenning, Minnesota City, MN; Marge & David White; Jay Youmans, Rochester, MN
Donations:
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
General Fund: Winona Area Quilt Guild; James & Mary Eddy; Bob & Mary Alice Anderson; In Memory of Charles
Johns: Steve & Constance Rader; In Memory of Betty Woodworth: Anah Munson; Betsy Sawyer; Frederick Ludtke; Merchants Bank;
Patrick K. Murphy; Jerome & Mary Dees; Greg & Carol Magnuson; In Memory of Sally Hoeft: Dr. Arnold & Alanna Fenske; Betsy
Sawyer; Merchants Bank; Romey Rian; Jack & Gerri Taylor; O.J. & Karen Fawcett; Donna Oesterreicher; Joseph Ablan; Connie M.
Bayer; Richard & Karen Ploetz; Gerald & Beatrice Gasteyer; George & Dee Cipov; In Memory of Rebecca Reinarts Richer: Donald
& Sandra Curtin; In Memory of Vera Brand: Donald & Sandra Curtin; In Memory of Elmer Tarras: Donald & Sandra Curtin; Year
End: Thomas O. Carlson, W. Des Moines, IA
Trivia Answers 1. 30 miles; 2. 2nd place; 3. Winona County Dairy Princess Mary Lee Rowekamp; 4. 1927;
5. The Winninger family
Ensure the Future of the Past!
Remember the Winona County Historical Society in your estate planning.
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Clip and Save Calendar
September
7
9
Museums Closed for Holiday
Food For Thought: History in the Making:
Winona’s New Bridge with Terry Ward,
12:05 p.m.
10
Civil War Round Table, 7 p.m.
13 - 15 Minnesota Association of Museums
“Un-Confrence”
14
Quilt Guild, 7 p.m.
23
Food For Thought: Book Chat, The Devil at My
Heels by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin,
12:05 p.m.
October
8
Voices from the Past Indoor Performance at
History Center, 7 p.m. Wanek Hall
8
Civil War Round Table, 7 p.m. Classroom
10 & 11 Voices from the Past: Woodlawn Cemetery
Walk, Noon - 3 p.m.
12
Quilt Guild, 7 p.m.
14
Food For Thought: Winona’s Lumber Industry:
From the Forest to the Mills, with Walter
Bennick, 12:05 p.m.
21
Food For Thought: Charles A. Lindbergh Sr.
and the Governor’s Race of 1918 with Chris
Stout, 12:05 p.m.
28
Food For Thought: Book Chat, All Hell Broke
Loose, by William Hull, 12:05 p.m.
See page 7 for “History on the River” Cruise Schedule!
Laird’s Library Lagecy
Did you know you can
get email updates too?
This free event is open to the public but tickets are required
and are available at the Library. The evening will feature
a presentation about the Library’s history with Greg Gaut,
a local historian. There will also be live music, tours, hors
d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. Plus a surprise guest appearance!
We have several email lists that fit your interests!
Saturday, September 12, 6:30 p.m.
at the Winona Public Library
The Winona Public Library was built in 1899 as a gift from
William Harris Laird, president of the Laird-Norton Lumber
Company, to the city of Winona. At the time of its completion it was hailed as “superior to any library in a city of this
size in the country.”
Go to winonahistory.org and sign up today to
stay in touch with your local History. If you ever do not want our emails, just click “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the email. We never sell or
share your information. Emails are powered by Constant
Contact!
New Staff Members at History Center
Bette Jean Cichoski has joined the
WCHS team as the new Visitor
Service Manager. She will be the
smiling face you see when visiting
the History Center and will coordinate the volunteers who also work
at the front desk; provide visitors with museum and local tourist
information; work with the Museum
Shop sales, artist consignments and
more. Bette Jean is from Winona and lives in the county
on part of the family farm. She has three living children
with families. She likes to hike, camp and do many outdoor
activities. She always has a lot to do on the farm too. She
really enjoys exploring new cities on foot and using their
public transportation.
Vickie Hokenstad has been officially hired after subbing
for our past maintenance staff member. She will be keeping the History Center safe and clean. She will also be
working with our rental coordinator for set up for events.
Vickie is a friendly and fun person who we are excited to
welcome to WCHS!
Bette Jean is a graduate of Winona State university and
retired from teaching at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church and
School in May. She volunteers with the 4-H program both
locally and at the State level. She is also a board member
for the Homer Ridge Cemetery Association and is involved
with her church activities. She likes having excuses to avoid
Volunteers Needed
We have some volunteer openings. Can you
help us out? Call 507.454.2723
Museum Muscle/Monkey: one to two times a month to
come in the History Center to climb ladders to change
light bulbs, fix various small things as needed, etc.
Visitor Service: We could use a couple more volunteers
to help out Bette Jean at the front desk of the History
Center. Answer calls, direct visitors, ring sales, etc. Two to
Three 4 hour shifts a month.
Cemetery Walk Actors and Guides: This large and fun
event takes many dedicated people. Would you like to
act at a site or guide groups between two sites? It is fun
and no experience is necessary. Our committee members
are amazing and will help you become as hooked as
they are!
Learn more online at winonahistory.org!
10
doing housework and enjoys so many connections with others, sharing lives and goals.
Winona County Trivia
1. How many miles did the 1948 tornado, dubbed as
the Freak Tornado, come within the City of Winona?
2. In the Olmstead County Milking Showdown of 1940,
what did Mayor Floyd R. Simon of Winona place?
3. In the Milking Contest of 1969, Mayor Norman
Indall of Winona would have won, but as a good sport
instead chose to switch the buckets before the weigh-in
to help what princess get the trophy?
4. In what year did the McLellan Stores Company open
with sales of 49cents for pots and pans and 15 cents
for crockery?
5. What theatrical family started their long stage
career shortly after the opening of the Winona Opera
House in 1892?
Answers can be found on page 11.
3
Biography
by Walter Bennick
Nicholas Felix Hilbert
1827-1915
Surveyor and Civil Engineer
This year’s cemetery walk will focus on some former Winonans
who lent their names to some of our streets. Nicholas Felix Hilbert was one of them. Hilbert Street, an eleven block somewhat
vacated street, bordering the former College of St. Teresa campus on the west and the Jefferson Elementary School campus on
the east, was laid-out around 1885. Today, the street extends
from West Wabasha Street on the south to West Second Street
on the north.
Nicholas Felix Hilbert, the son of John and Margaret (Ulveling)
Hilbert was born in Godbringen, Luxembourg in June of 1827.
As young men, Nicholas and his brothers attended a nearby
university where they studied engineering. In the spring of 1852,
soon after his wife died, John Hilbert and his children immigrated to America and first settled in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but
moved on to Winona County, Minnesota. While John and some
of his children settled near Rollingstone, Minnesota, Nicholas and
his younger brother, Heliodore, settled in Winona where they
opened an office to practice their profession.
Nicholas and his brother, both having railroad experience in
Michigan and Illinois, were attracted to the new railroad, the
Transit Railroad, being established in Winona County. Heliodore
was appointed the chief engineer for the project while Nicholas
was placed in charge of the road bed’s survey crews. A couple
of years later, Nicholas was placed in charge of a project to
develop a connection between the Transit Railroad’s eastern
terminus with a railroad across the Mississippi River in Wisconsin.
Nicholas soon tackled other major projects including heading up
the project to build a road up and over the bluffs to the Village
of Stockton, apparently no small feat of engineering.
In 1863, Nicholas was elected to the post of city surveyor,
garnering the highest vote total of the election. One of his first
tasks was to design and lay out the roads and burial sites of
the newly formed Woodlawn Cemetery, which was located in
Thompson’s Valley. Nicholas was also responsible for laying out
the streets and additions to Winona that were beyond the original city plat. He also took some time to appraise lands owned
by the Winona and St. Peter Railroad as they were rapidly
being sold to the new settlers coming to the area. Nicholas also
laid out the design and landscaping for the normal school when
it was built in the 1860s.
4
On Exhibit
In 1864, Nicholas and some other gentlemen purchased a block
of four stores at the southeast corner of Second and Lafayette
Streets, and Nicholas had his residence on the second floor of
the corner building. The stores in the building were then leased
out to shop keepers, including barbers, grocers, druggists, and
even a furniture manufacturer.
In 1868, Nicholas was elected to the post of county treasurer, a
post he held until 1874 when he became involved in the establishment of Merchant’s National Bank, of which he held the
post of cashier until he resigned in 1879. In addition, on May
11, 1875, Nicholas was married in St. Paul, Minnesota to Louise
Katherine Faber, the daughter of Paul and Catherine (Von
Kump) Faber. Louise, the daughter of a grocer, was born in St.
Paul on August 14, 1858. She and Nicholas had four children
born to them, Olga, Emma, Otto and Emil. The couple settled in
Winona after their marriage and were active in the community,
especially in the Philharmonic Society, where Nicholas was a
tenor voice in the Quintette Club which provided musical entertainment for charitable purposes.
NEW Exhibits at the History Center
We are Winona: The Cultures of Our County
Now - January 10, 2016
Through historical biographies we explore the traditions of the various cultures that make up the
people of Winona County. Featuring the exhibit, “One Community, Many Stories” from Project
FINE, highlighting the stories of today’s immigrants to Winona County.
Upcoming Exhibits for 2016!
“Prof. Story” an African American
musician and cook who lived in
Winona during the early 1900s. Learn
about him and others who were apart of
Winona’s cultural heritage.
Early in 1885, as Nicholas was winding down his engineering
work, he opened a wholesale liquor store in his corner building
with Joseph Hoffrath. However, in 1888, he closed the business,
sold the building to the Burlington Railroad which used it has
a train depot for a number of years. Nicholas and his family
moved to St. Paul where he was offered a position as the head
draftsman with the office of the United States Surveyor. Among
some of his duties was to work with the Duluth, Mesabi and
Iron Range Railroad in designing their road to the Mesabi Iron
Range.
Nicholas died in St. Paul on December 14, 1915 and was buried
in St. Paul’s Calvary Cemetery. .His wife, Louise, died some twenty years later on December 24, 1936 and was also interred in
Calvary Cemetery. Both were survived by two daughters and a
son. Their son, Otto, had died in Crow Wing County, Minnesota
on December 13, 1915, the day before his father had died.
Warm Memories: Winona County Quilts
January 15 – June 15
Hilbert around 1900 and a view of the street sign at Hilbert
and Fourth Streets.
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.
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 in 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 – July 31
The most popular exhibit WCHS has had, this 4th annual show will sure to be a hit again with all new pieces.
Preserved in Paint: Winona County Art History Collection
August 6 - October 30
Plan Your Visit!
History Center Admission:
$5 Adults, $3 Students,
WCHS members free!
Log-on to winonahistory.org
and click MUSEUMS
9
Society News
Collections Grant Received
The core purpose of museums, libraries,
and archives is to protect and preserve
collections held in public trust. However,
dealing with conservation problems and
concerns can be an expensive undertaking requiring careful planning. This grant
will allow WCHS to conduct a general
survey of our collections, assess it’s storage environment, assess all policies and
procedures related to the care and use
of collections, and produce a long-range
preservation plan.
This plan will incorporate both conservation and curatorial perspectives in establishing prioritized short-, medium- and
long-term goals for the preservation of
the collections. The plan will also identify
specific activities and actions to address
the recommendations (From MHS grant
description).
The first phase of a Collection Management plan for WCHS was completed in
June that created an inventory of the
three-dimensional artifacts. A grant
request for continuing the inventory in the
From the Archives
archives has been submitted. This General Conservation Assessment and LongRange Preservation Plan will enable us to
develop a road map after knowing what
we have to practice better collection and
preservation standards.
The Minnesota Historical and Cultural
Grants Program has been made possible by the Arts and Cultural Heritage
Fund through the vote of Minnesotans on
November 4, 2008. Administered by the
Minnesota Historical Society.
30th Christmas House Tour
2015 is the 30th year of the WCHS’
Christmas House Tour. If you would like
to participate and have your house
featured on the tour, please let us
know by calling 507-454-2723 ext. 1
Annual Quilt Raffle
The Winona Area Quilt Guild has
donated “All Wrapped Up,”
a Christmas theme quilt that is 90 x
100” for the WCHS annual quilt raffle
fundraiser. You can view this fun quilt
MAM in Winona
Winona will be host to a museum conference this September. The Minnesota
Association of Museums (MAM) will
be at the History Center, Marine Art
Museum, Polish Museum, Signatures
Event Center, and Winona State over
the course of the three-day event.
MAM is breaking new ground with this
“Un-Conference.” ...it is time for a new
kind of conference. No more panels or
lectures, no more obscure topics that
could never be applied to the entire
profession. It is time to take a look at
outside influences, personal development, and what shapes our museum
8
community as a whole. Give
back to the museum community one, two, or all three
days of the conference!
Sign up to volunteer or get
your questions answered by
emailing Maren Nelson at
maren@minnesotamuseums.
org.
We would love to have you!
Check out
minnesotamuseums.org
to learn more.
at the History Center
and get your
chances to win.
$1 each. The
drawing will
be held during
the Christmas House Tour on December
6. Need not be present to win.
By Walter Bennick
Cemetery Walk Muffin and Cookie Bakers
Needed
This year’s Cemetery Walk is October
7-11. Again we need volunteers to
bake for this event. If you can help by
baking muffins and/or cookies, please
call the History Center front desk and
give your name, phone number, and
how many dozen cookies/muffins you
can provide. Muffins should be delivered to the History Center by October
6 and cookies by October 9. We will
have a lot of hungry people to feed
and appreciate our members stepping
forward to help. Thank you so much!
From left to right: The Stockton Bluff Trail around 1900, about forty years after it was built.
Woodlawn Cemetery from the bluffs around 1920 showing the lay out developed by Hilbert in 1863. The Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy Railroad depot in Hilbert’s Block. This building was replaced with a new one in 1938.
While I was putting away an artifact in the vault this past
week a sparkle of gold caught my eye. So I checked
out what my eyes where drawn too. It turned out to be
a banner for the American Gold Star Mothers Club. The
banner is cream with gold fringe and letters. This banner
was donated to the Museum in 1989 by Agnes Koch. The
Gold Star Mothers was formed in the United States shortly
after World War I by Grace Darling Seibold of Washington D.C. to provide support for mothers who had lost sons
or daughters in war. The name came from the custom of
families of servicemen hanging a banner, called a Service
Flag, in the window of their homes. The Service flag had
a star for each family member in United States Armed
Forces. Living servicemen were represented by a blue
star, and those who had lost their lives were represented
by a gold star. The group is often socially active but nonpolitical. Gold Star Mother’s Day is recognized on the last
Sunday in September.
Collection Corner
By Jodi Brom
Agnes Koch, whose son Robert was killed in the Philippines on January 24, 1945, organized the Winona County
Chapter of the Gold Star Mothers in 1951. She went on
to become the National president from 1961 to 1963.
The National Gold Star Mothers Convention was held in
Winona twice, in 1963 and 1979. Mrs. Koch was chairman of the convention both times. The Winona Chapter
disbanded in 1989, and Mrs. Koch passed away in 1994.
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.
Lecture History in the Making: Winona’s New Bridge with
Terry Ward, September 9, 12:05 p.m.
Project Manager, Terry Ward will present information about
Winona’s new bridge and all that goes into the process of such
a large scale building project. He will also discuss the process of
restoring the current historic bridge that opened in 1942.
Book Chat The Devil at My Heels, by Louis Zamperini and David Rensin, September 23, 12:05 p.m.
A modern classic by an American legend, Devil at My Heels is
the riveting and deeply personal memoir by U.S. Olympian,
World War II bombardier, and POW survivor Louis Zamperini.
His inspiring story of courage, resilience, and faith has captivated readers and audiences of Unbroken, now a major motion
picture directed by Angelina Jolie. In Devil at My Heels, his official autobiography (co-written with longtime collaborator David
Rensin), Zamperini shares his own first-hand account of extraordinary journey—hailed as “one of the most incredible American
lives of the past century” (People).
Lecture Winona’s Lumber Industry: From the Forest to the
Mills, with Walter Bennick, October 14, 12:05 p.m.
This special Food For Thought presentation is also a Page in
History program in partnership with the Page Theatre. In the
Upcoming Books
evening, The Page will be hosting, TIMBER! at 7:30 p.m., a show
with acrobats gone lumberjack. In conjunction, WCHS archivist
Walt Bennick will share the archive’s collection of lumber industry photos, from the work camps and log drives, to the mills that
lined Winona’s riverfront, he will show us the lumbering days of
Winona’s beginnings.
Lecture Charles A. Lindbergh Sr. and the Governor’s Race of
1918 with Chris Stout, October 21, 12:05 p.m.
In a time when anti-German feelings were at a zenith in the
United States, one progressive politician dared to challenge
the Commission of Public Safety and speak freely about the
forces that led us into World War I. Charles Lindbergh Sr. is
often overshadowed by the memory of his son who crossed the
Atlantic in his airplane, but his impact on Minnesota was substantial. This talk will explain how Lindbergh’s opposition to the war
was portrayed as disloyalty to the United States and was used
against him in the Republican primary of June 1918. Especially
interesting is the local reaction to Lindbergh expressed in the local papers of Rochester, Winona, Red Wing, and Wabasha.
Book Chat All Hell Broke Loose, by William Hull,
October 28, 12:05 p.m.
59 people died in Minnesota on November 11, 1940 when the
worst blizzard ever hit Minnesota unexpectedly. Violet walked
from Seven Corners in Minneapolis to 32nd street with snow
over her knees, in subzero temperature, with only saddle oxfords and a light wrap. Farmers lost thousands of turkeys - Herb
tells of rendering a half million frozen gobblers. Alvin in Warroad barely got his boat back to the dock. Andy and a group
of Iron Rangers, preparing for deer hunting the next weekend,
spent this weekend struggling through the blizzard, barely saving their lives. Dwight, of Marshall, crawled 200 yards to build
a fire for a man about to freeze to death. Sherman kept isolated Albert Lea in touch with the world. Read these stories and
many more in All Hell Broke Loose, and experience the blizzard
(Barnes and Noble).
for Food For Thought Book Chat
Grand Review of the Union Army with Jim Hinderks,
Be sure to check online for upcoming books
for the Food For Thought Book Chats.
...a Must Read from a past Book Chat;
“The Hornet’s Nest” by Jimmy Carter
On Thursday, September 10, the Hiawatha Valley Civil War
Round Table and the Winona County Historical Society will be
co-sponsoring “A Grand Review of the Union Army,” a presentation by Jim Hinderks, former president of the Twin Cities Civil
War Round Table. Free and open to the public. Refreshments
will be served.
The first work of fiction by a President of the United States
-- a sweeping novel of the American South and the War of
Independence.
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Programs & Events
Voices From the Past: Woodlawn Cemetery Walk
Indoor Performance of sites, Thursday, October 8, 7 p.m. at the History Center
The actors from the Cemetery Walk will perform on stage at the History Center for those who cannot make the Walk in Woodlawn.
Admission is the same as the Walk, and will be taken at the door. Cookies and Cider will be available too. See the cover for more!
History On the River!
We are extending the popular programing aboard the Cal Fremling through October 1. Each Thursday we welcome
a different speaker or performer aboard to explore different topics related to the river, Winona, and our past. Each
cruise is 90 minutes and includes light refreshments. Tickets are $15 for members and $20 for non-members. Package 3
cruises and get them all for $40 if you are a member or for $55 for non members. Not a member? It is easy to join. Call,
stop in, or log on.
2015 History On the River Program Schedule
Please note depart times change with the faster setting sun! Boarding begins up to 20 minutes prior to departure time.
The Upper Miss River: A Perspective on Fish, Wildlife, a Refuge, and Human Interaction with Eric Nelson, wildlife biologist
(retired 2010), Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge, Winona, MN
September 3, 6 p.m.
John Philip Holland & His Vision of the Modern Submarine: USS Holland SS 1 to USS Skipjack SS 585 with Dr. William Crozier
September 10, 6 p.m.
History in the Making: Watch the Bridge Progress! with Project Manager Terry Ward
September (Tuesday) 15 - 6 p.m.
River Memories with Captain Richard Karnath, third generation steamboat Captain.
September 17, 6 p.m.
River Music with Eddie Allen
September 24, 5:30 p.m.
River Poetry with Emilio DeGrazia and Ken McCullough, Winona Poet Laureates
October 1, 5:30 p.m.
..and that will wrap up our 2015 season of History on the River. We are looking forward to next summer and fall, with added family/children programs! Watch for a schedule in the May/June 2016 issue!
7 p.m. at the History Center
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