Educational Cruises Celebrating Our Heritage
Experience the history, culture, arts, science, stories, music, and more that make Winona County, Minnesota so unique…on the Mississippi River.
Choose from two different cruise times in May, June, July, August and September, hosted by the Winona County Historical Society onboard the Cal Fremling Boat. Each presentation will be offered during a 4:00 – 5:30 p.m. cruise and again for a 6:00 – 7:30 p.m. cruise. Also enjoy refreshments and the beautiful scenery of the Mississippi River.
Cruises can be purchased at the History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0.
- $35 each for WCHS members
- $45 each for the public
Get a season pass for all five presentations (you choose your cruise times, until sold out):
- $150 for members
- $200 for the public
2024 Season Schedule
May 30 • 4:00 – 5:30 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
“Musical Chairs” & Celebrating Over a Century of Municipal Music with Ruth Bures & Clarinet Quartet
The City of Winona built a bandshell in the Classical Revival style in Lake Park near the north shore of Lake Winona in 1924. A century later it still is host to concerts by the Winona Municipal Band and others. In celebration, band member, Ruth Bures, has recently published, “Musical Chairs” a book chronicling the story of band director Orville Reese. Also, enjoy some live music!
June 27 • 4:00 – 5:30 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Steamboats on a Smaller Scale with Frederick Beseler
Frederick Beseler, who grew up along the banks of the mighty Mississippi River in Trempealeau, Wisconsin, will talk about the numerous steamboat models that he restored for WCHS about 10 years ago. The models were built in the 1940s and ‘50s by Jacob Mathias of Wabasha, Minnesota. Frederick will talk about Mr. Mathias and how he built the models, as well as Frederick’s restoration process. He will also provide a history of each of the real steamboats that were frequently seen along the Mississippi and at Winona’s levee 100 years and more ago.
July 25 • 4:00 – 5:30 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Live Music with Stacy Hughes
Stacy Hughes is a singer/songwriter who has been performing for over 30 years. She brings her beautiful voice aboard for some great music on the river.
August 29 • 4:00 – 5:30 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
The First 100 Years of the “Upper Miss” River Refuge with Jim Nissen
Established in 1924 to be a refuge for fish, wildlife and plants and a breeding place for migratory birds, Upper Mississippi River National Wildlife and Fish Refuge now covers more than 240,000 acres and extends roughly 261 miles of the Mississippi River across four states: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa.
September 19 • 4:00 – 5:30 and 6:00 – 7:30 p.m.
Hannibal’s Invisibles with G. Faye Dant & Art of the Rural
G. Faye Dant is the Founding Director of Jim’s Journey: The Huck Finn Freedom Center, the only Black history museum in northeastern Missouri. She is the author of the soon-to-be-published, “Hannibal’s Invisibles,” a collection of decidedly universal stories in a coffee table book that chronicles with vintage photographs the life of local Colored faces and Colored places.
General Cruise Information:
- Cruises are aboard The Cal Fremling. This two level vessel has an accessible enclosed main deck with a restroom. The Cal Fleming is docked at the foot of Johnson Street at the Winona Levee.
- Parking is available on Cal Fremling Drive (enter at Walnut Street) and off Johnson Street.
- Boarding begins 15 minutes prior to cruise time. Cruises leave on time!
- Cruises are non-refundable unless canceled by the captain or WCHS. We will go in rain. Flooding also rarely affects cruises. If Cal Fremling Drive is closed The Cal Fremling dock is accessible from Johnson Street.
- Cruise Updates or Cancelations: None