History Break with Clare Pavelka: The Red Wing Way (New Release!)

Join GCHS for a History Break celebrating the release of The Red Wing Way: From Main Street to Global Legacy, a new book from the Red Wing Shoe Company & Minnesota Historical Society Press! Books will be available for purchase in the museum’s gift shop at the event.

BOOK SUMMARY

Drawing on extensive research, archival materials, and historical photographs, the book places Red Wing Shoe Company’s story within the broader history of the city of Red Wing and the Dakota people whose homeland shaped the region. Through stories of work, craftsmanship, community, and innovation, the book examines the people and events that influenced both the company and the community over time. As described by Minnesota Historical Society Press:

“Founded in 1905, the company built a loyal customer base among the nation’s growing ranks of manual laborers who needed safe and durable footwear, met the call to provide boots for soldiers during wartime, and added hunting boots in postwar prosperity. In mid- century the company ran regional and national advertising campaigns; it launched store franchises across the country and eventually around the world. In recent decades, Red Wing shoes have flourished as urban streetwear. The book includes archival catalog imagery, vintage photographs of key figures and workers, studio shots of fashion layouts, and more. Enhancing the narrative are profiles of interesting characters, customer testimonials, and descriptions of the craft of boot making.”

ABOUT THE SPEAKER

Clare Pavelka is the Red Wing Shoe Co., Historian and Archivist, where she preserves and shares the organization’s rich history. Working closely with The Red Wing Way author and researcher Dave Kenney throughout the development of this book, Clare helped uncover the people, events, and stories that shaped the company. She is passionate about bringing history to life and connecting today’s audiences with the company’s enduring legacy.