Free Family Fun Day: Back to School
2025-09-13 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Image from GCHS Collection: 1956, Frontenac School in Florence Township

Celebrate back to school season and learn what it was like to attend school in a one room schoolhouse Explore the museum’s schoolroom and enjoy a variety of school-themed activities for all ages! Museum admission is free for everyone from 12 PM-3 PM thanks to our sponsor, Sturdiwheat!

History Break: Stories of a Mississippi Riverboat Captain
2025-09-17 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Born in St. Louis, the home state of Sam Clemens, T.S. Eliot, and Tennessee Williams, Lee Hendrix was enthralled by the Mississippi River at a young age. In 1972, he boarded his first towboat as a deckhand, slinging mops and lifting heavy rigging, and by 1976 he achieved his first license. Over the course of his career, Lee has worked as an educator, led canoe trips and river-clean ups, worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and piloted riverboats along the Mississippi River and other rivers across the United States. Lee earned a First-Class Pilot License for 2,300 miles of river during his time piloting the DELTA, MISSISSIPPI and AMERICAN QUEEN. He also served as both Pilot and Captain of the MV MISSISSIPPI, the largest river towboat in the world. Today, Lee lives in Lake City and is considered a “riverlorian,” having written several published stories and essays about the river. Join us for a History Break where he discusses his 51 years working along the Mississippi River and his book, Peep Light: Stories of a Mississippi River Boat Captain.

Books will be available to purchase after the event!

Back Alley Walking Tour
2025-09-27 10:00 - 11:30 | John Rich Park, 218 West Avenue, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
This tour is now SOLD OUT! Thank you for supporting local history!
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Discover the early history of downtown Red Wing by exploring its alleyways with GCHS! Look for remnants that tell a colorful story about this city’s past and learn how the downtown area has changed over time. Lace up your walking shoes and get to know the people and historic businesses behind today’s well-known buildings. This tour will begin at John Rich Park.
Space is limited! Tickets are $15 and must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education. Tickets can be purchased on their website beginning on September 2nd: https://redwing.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/
If you have any questions, please contact the Community Ed office at 651-385-4565.

Oakwood Cemetery Walking Tour
2025-10-04 10:30 - 12:00 | Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
This tour is now SOLD OUT! Thank you for supporting local history!
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Explore Red Wing’s Oakwood Cemetery with GCHS and learn more about Red Wing’s past. Walk through one of the cemetery’s most historic sections as we visit the final resting place of some of the most notable names in Red Wing. You will also learn about Victorian mourning customs, tombstone symbolism, and what life was like for 19th century Red Wing residents.
Space is limited! Tickets are $15 and must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education: https://redwing.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/
If you have any questions, please contact the Community Ed office at 651-385-4565.

Free Family Fun Day: Halloween!
2025-10-11 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Come celebrate spooky season at the Goodhue County History Center! You are in for a treat with an afternoon of fun, family-friendly activities! Learn about Halloween traditions, make your own pumpkin lantern, and more. Costumes are encouraged and all kids will receive a goody bag to take home! Plus, join our Community Show-and-Tell by bringing a favorite Halloween photo to share! Best costume? Worst costume? We want to see it! Digital photos can be emailed to education@goodhistory.org and will be on display during the event.
This event is free for all, thanks to our sponsor, Sturdiwheat!

EVENT CANCELLED: Historic Bridges of Southeast Minnesota
2025-10-15 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
EVENT CANCELLED: Due to unforeseen circumstances, the speaker had to cancel his History Break presentation on October 15th. We apologize for any inconvenience. If you are interested in this topic, Steve Gardiner’s book, Historic Bridges of Southeast Minnesota is available in the museum gift shop.
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Minnesota is often called the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but it could also be called the Land of 20,000 Bridges. During the early days of the state, the Mississippi River and its many tributaries barred and disrupted transportation and commerce. To span these obstacles, communities battled to build and maintain bridges. Their efforts created a variety of bridge designs and purposes–from small hiking and biking bridges to concrete beams across rural rivers. Across the area, one can behold wonders like the beautiful Stone Arch Bridge, the La Crescent Swing Bridge, the Point Douglas Drawbridge, the elegant Winona Main Channel Bridge as well as other massive structures crossing the Mississippi. During the presentation, Steve Gardiner will share stories about these bridges and their impact on Southeast Minnesota.

About the Speaker: Steve Gardiner taught high school English and journalism for 38 years in Wyoming, Peru, and Montana. He was the 2008 Montana Teacher of the Year and holds a Doctorate of Education degree. He has published articles in The New York Times, The Chicago Tribune, The Christian Science Monitor, The Denver Post, PBS NewsHour, Educational Leadership, Phi Delta Kappan, Education Week, and many others. He published his books Historic Disasters in Southeast Minnesota (2022) and Historic Bridges of Southeast Minnesota (2023) with The History Press.

Veterans Event
2025-10-16 14:00 - 15:30 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join GCHS and the Red Wing American Legion Post #54 as we honor our local veterans. This event will feature a round table discussion with members of the Red Wing Legion and will highlight new oral history interviews in the museum’s collection. Between 2024 and 2025, twenty oral history interviews were completed in a collaboration between GCHS and Pier 55 Red Wing Area Seniors! At the event, we will showcase a video compilation of these interviews, ranging from veterans’ experiences to what life was like on the home front. All are welcome for this special event!

GCHS wants to preserve YOUR story! We are looking for veteran items from the Korean War to the present. Consider donating an item to GCHS collections. Not ready to part with your item? That’s okay! Staff will be available to digitize items during the event. Donate a digital copy and take the original home!

We will also collect voluntary donations at this event for the Red Wing Area Food Shelf. Please consider donating a much needed item:

Canned meats
Soup
Cereal
Non-Perishables
Monetary Donations

National Coming Out Day Celebration & History Harvest
2025-10-18 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Help GCHS preserve and tell LGBTQIA+ History in Goodhue County! All are welcome for this special event, which will feature light refreshments, a notes of support community collage, a queer memorial, and a special exhibit from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) about their Greater Minnesota Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ History Map.
We are seeking items related to Queer History in our county! Bring something to the event that tells YOUR story! Examples include photographs, clothing, art, political signs, and more. Not ready to part with your item? Donate a digital copy & take the original home! Plus, staff will be available to record your Coming Out Story for the museum’s archive. If you would prefer to tell your story privately, step into our un-closet & speak on our Pride Line phone.

Celebrating 20 Years of Church Basement Ladies
2025-10-23 14:00 - 16:00 | United Lutheran Church, 628 W 5th Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join us in celebrating 20 years of the beloved play Church Basement Ladies with the playwrights themselves–Red Wing’s own Jim Stowell and Jessica Zuehlke! Hear the story of how this beloved musical comedy was born—the inspiration, characters, humor, and heart that made it a national favorite!

What to Expect:

Entertaining stories from the creators
Refreshments
Plenty of laughter
A chance to share your own church kitchen memories: potlucks, coffee hours, and apron-clad ladies serving up comfort and community

Bring or wear your favorite apron to honor the ladies who inspired it. Don’t miss this special celebration of food, laughter, and fun, hosted at United Lutheran Church! Purchase tickets by Monday, October 20th by visiting the Goodhue County History Center or calling 651-388-6024. Proceeds from this event will support the Goodhue County Historical Society!
Sponsored by Musty-Barnhart Agency (MBA) Insurance Services

Escape Room: Colvill's Quest- SOLD OUT
2025-10-29 17:00 - 21:00, 2025-10-30 17:00 - 21:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
This program is now SOLD OUT! Thank you for your support!
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Welcome to the Goodhue County Historical Society’s First Annual Escape Room! Sign up for a private hour-long session of 2-6 people, and solve the clues to find Colonel Colvill’s lost Civil War treasure! Tickets are $20 per person.
Time Slots:
Wednesday, October 29th

5 PM
6:30 PM
8 PM

Thursday, October 30th

5 PM
6:30 PM
8 PM

Free Family Fun Day: National Native American Heritage Month
2025-11-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Did you know that November is National Native American Heritage Month? Next month we are excited to celebrate and learn with the Native American Student Association (NASA) from Red Wing High School during our Free Family Fun Day! Join us for activities including, star quilt coloring, a scavenger hunt, and story time!
About the Native American Student Association (NASA):
NASA is a student group at RWHS open to all students. We celebrate Native culture, develop leadership skills, and foster community growth through events, fundraisers, and partnerships. Our mission is to support Native American students academically and socially, while promoting cultural awareness in collaboration with RWHS, Prairie Island, and the Red Wing community. We look forward to sharing more about our group!

Admission is free for everyone thanks to our sponsor, Sturdiwheat!

History Break: Dakota Language Program
2025-11-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join Dacia Lussier, Dakota Language Specialist, for a History Break about Prairie Island’s efforts to revitalize the Dakota language in their community!

Nape-kičhiyuzapi,
Wašiču ia Dacia Lussier emakíayapi, Dakota ia Oyáte aš’a win emakiyapi ye. Oyáte mitháwa kiŋ Bdéwakaŋtunwaŋ k’a Wakpekute ewíčhakiyapi. Tiŋta Wita oyaŋke hečhiya taŋhaŋ wahi.
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Greetings,
My name is Dacia Lussier, my Dakota name is Oyate as’a win which means the Nation shouts at woman. My people are the Bdéwakaŋtunwaŋ and Wakpekute. I am from the Prairie Island community.

The Dakota language is flourishing. The assimilation policies of Native American boarding schools and United States government and the ensuing decades had nearly eradicated our distinctive and sacred language, as American influence encroached upon our ancestral lands. Nevertheless, we have persevered, and I am delighted to announce that the Dakota language is now thriving throughout all Oceti Sakowin communities, owing to the tireless efforts of language warriors who have committed themselves to learning and preserving it.

Free Family Fun Day: Holidays!
2025-12-13 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Happy Holidays from GCHS! Join us for an afternoon of fun activities as we learn about different holidays celebrated in Goodhue County and around the world. Highlights include decorating cookies, making a snowman craft, visiting with Santa, and more! All are welcome to join our Community Show & Tell by bringing a special ornament to display during the event. Admission is free thanks to our sponsor, Sturdiwheat!
GCHS is also collecting winter items for the local Girl Scouts’ Mitten Tree Project! Bring a donation and place it on the tree for local families!

Free Family Fun Day: New Year's Traditions
2026-01-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Happy New Year! How do people around the world celebrate the start of a new year? Come find out at Free Family Fun Day! Make your own resolutions, create a unique snowflake craft, and more!

Admission is free for everyone, thanks to our sponsor!

Free Family Fun Day: Valentine's Day
2026-02-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
It’s Valentine’s Day! Join us for an afternoon of fun as we explore the history of the holiday. Why do we send Valentines cards and where did Conversation Hearts come from? Find out at our event and enjoy a sweet treat on this special holiday! Highlights include a woven heart craft, themed scavenger hunt, story time, and more!
Admission is free for everyone, thanks to our sponsor!

History Break: "Colvill Smiled"
2026-02-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Why do Minnesotans love and admire Colonel William Colvill, Red Wing’s gigantic 6’5” Civil War hero? Join Steve Hoffbeck, a Minnesota-born-and-raised author, who will explore the life and times of William Colvill, with words from Colvill, and with heroic images from Hoffbeck’s newest book, “Colvill Smiled:” The Legend of the 1st Minnesota Volunteer Regiment at Gettysburg. All are welcome for this exciting History Break with a discussion and book-signing opportunity to follow! “Colvill Smiled” is available in the museum gift shop.

About the Speaker: Steve Hoffbeck is a self-described old but lively Minnesotan who grew up as a farmer’s son near Morgan. Hoffbeck is a former Professor of History at Minnesota State University Moorhead, and his first book, The Haymakers, was a Minnesota Book Award winner. He has presented illustrated history programs in every corner of Minnesota, including talks about baseball history, World War II, and legendary Minnesotans. Hoffbeck and his wife, Dianne, live in Barnesville, MN, and have four adult children and seven grandchildren. (Pictured below: Steve Hoffbeck at Rollag Steam Threshers Reunion, 2016)

Date Night @ GCHS
2026-02-26 18:00 - 20:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Tickets are now on sale for our Date Night event on Thursday, February 26th! Tickets are $25 per person and can be purchased at the Goodhue County History Center or via phone at 651-388-6024.
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Switch up your date night routine with a wine tasting at GCHS! Grab your partner or a friend and join local Wine Stories blogger and columnist Ron Skjong to learn about local wines, and enjoy activities around the museum.

Highlights include:

Sample local wines
Light refreshments
Photo booth
Special exhibit: Goodhue County Couples

Free Family Fun Day: Women's History Month
2026-03-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Photo: Women posing in front of a train, July 1915

March is Women’s History Month! Come learn about incredible women in Goodhue County’s history at this month’s Free Family Fun Day. Enjoy a scavenger hunt, write notes of appreciation to women in your life, and more!
Admission is free for everyone, thanks to our sponsor!

History Break: Muus vs. Muus
2026-03-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
The Goodhue County Spectacle: The Muus vs. Muus Case that Made International Headlines

Join the translator and editor of Muus vs. Muus for a deep dive into the sensational 1880s divorce case that started in a local courthouse and became an international sensation. When Oline Muus filed her first lawsuit against her powerful husband in 1879, the private conflict of a marriage instantly became a public spectacle. Her husband, B.J. Muus, was not only the founder of St. Olaf College but also a prominent leader of the Norwegian Synod. Drawing from Goodhue County records, local newspaper coverage, and original court documents, this talk will examine how the case exposed the complex tensions within Norwegian-American immigrant life. We will explore the central struggle for women’s rights, the unyielding role of religion, and the cultural clash between a prominent couple that demanded attention on both sides of the Atlantic.

About the Speaker: Kari Lie Dorer is the King Olav V Chair in Scandinavian-American Studies, the Norwegian Department Chair, and Program Director of Nordic Studies at St. Olaf College in Northfield, MN.

GCHS Book Club
2026-03-25 18:00 - 19:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Calling all bookworms! In 2026, the United States will celebrate its 250th birthday! Join GCHS for a quarterly book club that reflects on 250 years of history and storytelling, and sparks conversations about the nation’s future. Each meeting will focus on a different book! Our first book will be What Unites Us: Reflections on Patriotism by Dan Rather and Elliot Kirschner. This event is free, and participants are asked to provide their own copy of the book. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP to Bethany via phone or email (education@goodhistory.org) to ensure we have enough snacks. Thanks!

Synopsis: “At a moment of crisis over our national identity, venerated journalist Dan Rather has emerged as a voice of reason and integrity, reflecting on—and writing passionately about—what it means to be an American. Now, with this collection of original essays, he reminds us of the principles upon which the United States was founded. Looking at the freedoms that define us, from the vote to the press; the values that have transformed us, from empathy to inclusion to service; the institutions that sustain us, such as public education; and the traits that helped form our young country, such as the audacity to take on daunting challenges in science and medicine, Rather brings to bear his decades of experience on the frontlines of the world’s biggest stories. As a living witness to historical change, he offers up an intimate view of history, tracing where we have been in order to help us chart a way forward and heal our bitter divisions. With a fundamental sense of hope, What Unites Us is the book to inspire conversation and listening, and to remind us all how we are, finally, one.”

Antiques & Collectibles Appraisal
2026-05-15 15:00 - 18:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
What’s it worth? Find out at this event featuring antiques expert and author Mark Moran, PBS Antiques Roadshow appraiser and active appraiser of antiques and fine art for more than 20 years. Each $20 registration covers one item appraised. Please indicate item to be appraised when registering. Time slots for appraisals will be filled in order of registrations received with the first time slot beginning at 3 PM and ending at 6 PM. When registering, you will be given a one hour window of time in which your item will be appraised. If registering online and “Waiting List” appears, please add your name to the waiting list and you’ll be contacted and added to the next hour. Items accepted for appraisals: fine art, small furniture, ceramics, glassware, vintage photographs, advertising, folk art, toys, metal ware, clocks, costume jewelry, musical instruments, lighting, books, and sports memorabilia. Items NOT accepted for appraisal include: all weapons
including swords and knives, traps, coins or paper money, fine jewelry or precious gems, Beanie Babies, and Nazi memorabilia. If you have questions about objects not listed or you’re interested in an appraisal house call for larger, fragile, or a lot of items, contact Community Education at 651-385-4565. This class is co-sponsored by Red Wing Community Education and The Goodhue County History Center and will be held at 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing.

*Please note- The museum does not appraise items, nor do they purchase items for their collection.*

Tickets must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education. Register online at https://redwing.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/ or call their office with questions at (651) 385-4565.

College Hill Walking Tour (New!)
2026-05-30 10:00 - 12:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Why does College Avenue take you up College Hill, but there is no college? Join local historian and author, Todd Walsh, on a new walking tour that spans the history of a Red Wing neighborhood known for its picturesque views. Learn about early indigenous peoples who claimed the hill as sacred ground, colleges that have come and gone, and one of Minnesota’s first golf courses that shared space with local cattle! Plus, take in the homes of notable Red Wing residents who achieved recognition on the local, state, and national level. This 1.5-mile tour will begin and end at the Goodhue County History Center and will last 2 hours. Please be advised this tour requires a moderate level of physical activity. Participants should wear comfortable shoes and be prepared to walk up inclines and over uneven ground. In case of inclement weather, a program will be held at the museum instead.
Space is limited! Tickets must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education. Register online at https://redwing.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/ or call their office with questions at (651) 385-4565.
