Our Stories, Our History: A New Museum Experience to be created at WCHC

The Winona County History Center just completed a schematic plan for a new museum experience thanks to a grant from the Minnesota Humanities Center with Minnesota Legacy Funds. A team of community curators, with help from Engage Winona and The Joy Labs, worked with History Center staff and exhibit designers to identify and prioritize themes, concepts, stories, people, events, and experiences for an entirely updated main exhibit hall at the History Center.

“The Winona County History Center can be a conduit for people to learn about each other,” said museum educator Jennifer Weaver. “Local history can foster personal connections to stories of our past with community members as storytellers.”

The Community Curators and Native Advisory Council met several times during the past year and provided guidance for the schematic design for the History Center’s new exhibits. Outhouse Exhibit Services and Brown Knows Design created a floor plan for the exhibits overhaul based on the priorities and feedback from the Community Curators. The themes identified in the proposal include area geography and natural history; Winona County’s built environment; local impacts of wartime; history of local businesses and organizations; stories of intrigue and deviance; divisions and belonging; resilience and everyday life; Native experiences that are past, present, and future; opportunities for interactive components, and more.

Museum staff, more community curators, artists, and crafts people are now working to bring the proposed exhibits to life. “It’s been an enlightening experience to collaborate with other knowledgeable researchers and to connect as a team over discoveries within our own WCHS archives,” research and content writer Leanna Gerry said. “We can’t wait to reveal the stories that are turning up and for visitors to share in our excitement. We want you to see yourself in Winona County history, and to learn about others too.”

Construction will happen in two phases. Thanks to the History is Present campaign funds, the first phase will begin during Winter 2025. Four new exhibits, including an updated children’s exhibit and River Gallery, will open next spring. The second construction phase will be underway by the winter/spring of 2027. “It is an exciting next step for the History Center,” Jennifer said. “Visitors and locals alike will enjoy a new museum experience, but we will be sure to keep a few favorites!”

Learn more and plan your visit at winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723. The Winona County History Center is open daily 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.