History on the River Educational Cruise Series: Summer 2026
New Adventures with History on the River Educational Cruise Series
The Winona County Historical Society’s (WCHS) 2026 season of the History on the River educational cruise series kicks off for the season with adventures on the Mississippi River. Hear amazing stories, learn about local history, and enjoy the beauty of the river valley aboard the Cal Fremling.
Tickets are on sale now and must be purchased in advance at the Winona County History Center or by calling 507.454.2723 ext. 0. They cost $45 for WCHS members and $60 for the public per cruise. Cruises fill fast so secure your seats early!
Cruises leave the Winona Levee at the Cal Fremling dock at the foot of Johnson St., on select dates at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. with boarding beginning 15 minutes prior. Each 90-minute cruise includes an educational talk, sightseeing, conversation, and refreshments provided by Steak Shop Catering.
2026 Season Schedule
May 28 • Pushing the River with Frank Bures
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Frank Bures is the author of Pushing the River: An Epic Battle, a Lost History, a Near Death, and Other True Canoeing Stories, published by the Minnesota Historical Society. Bures will tell some of the exciting and adventurous tales from his new book. He grew up in Winona and is a former reporter for the Winona Daily News. Copies of Pushing the River will be available to purchase.
June 25 • The Clamming and Pearl Button Industry as Told by a Clammer’s Wife with Terry Visger
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Storyteller Terry Visger takes on the persona of a clammer’s wife from 1900, telling the story of the clamming industry in which freshwater mussels were harvested from the Mississippi River, sent to factories, and made into buttons. After the story, Terry shares information about these mussels which are now one of the most endangered animals in the U.S.
July 30 • The Legacy of Cal Fremling with Michael Kennedy
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Dr. Calvin Fremling was one of the foremost authorities on the endangered environment of the Upper Mississippi River and spent most of his professional career studying man’s effects on the River. Fremling was a researcher and professor for thirty-two years at Winona State University and the author of Immortal River: The Upper Mississippi in Ancient and Modern Times.
August 27 • Navigating the Lock and Dam System with Judy Denzer
4:00 PM & 6:00 PM
Learn about the history, creation, and modern work of the Mississippi River Lock and Dam system with local Lockmaster, Judy Denzer.
The Winona County History Center is open daily 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. and is located at 160 Johnson Street, Winona, Minnesota. Find more online at winonahistory.org and follow the WCHS on social media @winonacountyhistory.