Goodhue County Historical Society

Free Family Fun Day: Nature
2024-05-04 12:00 - 15:00 (America/Chicago) | MN
Enjoy free admission and family activities each month on Free Family Fun Day!
Park Naturalist, Madeline Dubois Clinton, Park Naturalist
Join us and learn about the adaptations of different bird beaks by looking at their differing qualities, the different ways that birds use their beaks, and how the size and shape of beaks relates to the foods that species of birds eat. Park Naturalist will bring a variety of tools to represent different bird beak styles and different “foods” that birds eat. Kids can use the tools to see what foods they are most effective with and try to match the tool to the style of bird beak to a local species of bird to lean why that species has the adaptations it has.
Also have fun doing crafts and scavenger hunt!
Free Family Fun Day is sponsored in part by:

Free Family Fun Day - Dairy Month
2024-06-01 12:00 - 15:00 | MN
June is National Dairy Month. The Goodhue County
Historical Society, Dairy Princesses, and American
Dairy Association have joined forces to promote
drinking milk and celebrate the contributions the
dairy industry has made to the world, and specifically, our county.

History Break - The Journey of Marquette and Jolliet
2024-06-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
The Journey of Marquette and Jolliet
Wednesday, June 19
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
“It has been more than 300 years since French
explorers Marquette and Jolliet became the first
Europeans to paddle the waters of the Mississippi.
Their story in 1673 was an incredible voyage among
many peaceful tribes of Native Americans who
helped and protected them along the way. The
record of the journey and the effect on the lives of
the explorers is as interesting as the trip itself!
Robert Taunt, a local historian will talk about the
1763 voyage and the explorers in his colorful power
point presentation at the Goodhue County
Historical Society.

Free Family Fun Day - Ice Cream Social
2024-07-06 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Free Family Fun Day: Ice Cream Social
The Second Minnesota Battery Light Artillery,
Saturday, July 6
12:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Beat the heat with some Ice Cream at the History Center. Also come and check out the 2nd MN
Light Artillery Civil War Reenactors encampment in the park behind the History Center . Visit
the various stations set up in the park to explore what life was like for the soldiers in camp.

GCHS at the Goodhue County Fair
2024-08-07 09:00 - 2024-08-10 12:00 | Goodhue County Fair, 44279 County 6 Blvd, Zumbrota, MN, 55992, United States
Are you smarter than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th grader? Come visit us at the Goodhue County Fair from Wednesday through Saturday and find out! Join us for activities, games, and programs for all ages. See the full schedule below:

Wednesday, August 7th: Daycare Day
9:00 AM-12:00 PM- Storytime & Hand Puppet Craft12:00 PM-2:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game2:00 PM-4:00 PM- Fossil Dig4:00 PM-6:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game

Thursday, August 8th: Goodhue County Ag Day
12:00 PM-2:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game2:00 PM-3:00 PM- Hand Puppet Craft3:00 PM- 5:00 PM- History Beer Garden Presentation & Drawing to Win a Growler5:00 PM-6:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game

Friday, August 9th- Senior Citizen Day
**Free admission for seniors 65+
10:00 AM-11:00 AM- Schoolhouse Presentation by Cannon Falls Area Historical Society12:00 PM-2:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game2:00 PM-3:00 PM- Butter Making Demonstration3:00 PM-5:00 PM- History Trunk: Whirligig Art Project5:00 PM-6:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game

Saturday, August 10th- Final Fun Day
9:00 AM-12:00 PM- “Are You Smarter Than a 1940’s Goodhue County 8th Grader?” Game

Free Family Fun Day- Back to School!
2024-09-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
School is back in session! Come learn about what school was like for kids in a one room rural schoolhouse. Create a schoolhouse craft, vote for your favorite subject, and more! Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM- 3 PM.
Along with GCHS staff, showcase your favorite first day of school photo for the day in our community show and tell. Printed photos can be brought to the event to be posted on our board and digital images can be emailed to education@goodhistory.org. Images will be displayed from 12 PM- 3 PM.

Walk the Historic Jordan Creek
2024-09-28 10:00 - 11:30, 2024-09-28 13:00 - 14:30 | MN
Saturday, September 28th
10:00 – 11:30 am SOLD OUT
or
1:00 PM- 2:30 PM SOLD OUT
Cost: Members $7.00
Non-Members $10.00
Join GCHS staff on a walking tour of downtown Red Wing, following the historic route of the
Jordan Creek. This waterway once divided the downtown area before being driven
underground, where it still flows today.
Tours will start at City Hall and explore the history of the Jordan and some of the historic
buildings built on top of it, before ending at Levee Park. Put on your walking shoes and join us
as we follow the Jordan’s path to the Mississippi River.
Please purchase tickets at the front desk or call 651-388-6024.

Film Screening & Discussion
2024-10-04 18:00 - 20:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join GCHS and the Farmer-Labor Education Committee (FLEC) for a film screening and discussion of The Farmer-Labor Movement: A Minnesota Story.

Free Family Fun Day: Halloween
2024-10-05 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Celebrate spooky season with GCHS and learn about the history of some of our favorite Halloween traditions! Family-friendly costumes are welcome and encouraged! Some highlights include making a boo-tiful Halloween craft, costume BINGO, and take home goody bags for kids. Additionally, show off your favorite Halloween photo at our community show-and-tell. Photos can be brought to the event or emailed to education@goodhistory.org. Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM- 3 PM.
Plus- check out a new display in October called “Pieces of Us: The Personal Collections That Define Us.” Have you ever wondered what a curator collects? Check out GCHS curator Afton’s horror movie action figures & memorabilia!

Walk Into Local History: Oakwood Cemetery
2024-10-26 10:00 - 11:30 | Oakwood Cemetery, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Explore Red Wing’s Oakwood Cemetery with the Goodhue County Historical Society 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 at https://redwing.cr3.rschooltoday.com/public/home/ For any questions, please contact the Community Education office at 651-385-4565.

History Break
2024-11-20 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
The November History Break will be centered on the history of the small communities between Red Wing and Zumbrota with a spotlight on Goodhue – the halfway point on the Duluth, Red Wing and Southern Railroad. In Goodhue historian Margaret Hutcheson’s 1989 book, Goodhue: The Story of a Railroad Town, she included a subtitle – From Rowdyism to Respectability. Enough said. The rowdy were 600 itinerant railroad construction workers living in temporary camps and the respectable were the men and women who followed making Goodhue their home. The railroad was a lifeline both socially and economically. This was also true for Hay Creek, Claybank and White Willow.

Imagine no Goodhue at all until 1889 and no Highway 58 until 1934. The railroad created the town and kept it viable with needed groceries, hardware, machinery and lumber transported in and commodities of grain, flour, cream, clay and livestock shipped out. It also provided essential passenger service and mail delivery. This presentation will be a collaboration of Goodhue Area Historical Society (GAHS) volunteers with chairman David Betcher speaking for the group. The GAHS has a museum in Goodhue featuring the area’s agricultural heritage. The GAHS’s mission is to highlight the history of the village of Goodhue and the surrounding townships of Belle Creek, Belvidere, Hay Creek, Featherstone and Goodhue.

Free Family Fun Day: Happy Holidays!
2024-12-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Happy Holidays from GCHS! Join us in celebrating the season as we learn about different holidays and traditions celebrated throughout Goodhue County, both past and present! Highlights include a meet and greet with Santa, cookie decorating, take home goody bags for kids, and more! Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM- 3 PM. Plus, join our community show-and-tell by bringing a favorite holiday photo to share! Examples could be a fun photo with Santa, matching family pajama pictures, and more! Photos can be brought to the event or digital copies can be emailed to education@goodhistory.org.

Free Family Fun Day: Winter Activities
2025-01-11 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Brrr, it’s cold outside! Come warm up at the Goodhue County History Center and learn about how Minnesotans found ways to enjoy the chilly winter months. Plus, take part in a winter-themed scavenger hunt and craft! Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM- 3 PM.

Free Family Fun Day: Black History Month
2025-02-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
The Goodhue County Historical Society is partnering with Red Wing High School’s Black Student Union (BSU) to celebrate Black History Month! Join us on Free Family Fun Day to learn about what BSU means to its members and enjoy poster displays about Black History Month made by the students. There will also be story time, a bookmark craft, free popcorn, and more!

About BSU: The Red Wing High School Black Student Union was founded in 2020 by Deyahni Cooper. It was established for Black students to have a safe space and community that welcomes everyone! BSU members organize fundraisers, host events, and go on community building field trips.

History Break: Photograph Collection Digitization Project
2025-02-19 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
At the end of 2023, GCHS was awarded a Legacy Grant to hire staff to digitize our collection of over 18,000 photographs. Since March 2024, our Collections Assistants Emily Anderson and Liz Anderson have digitized thousands of images. They will speak about the digitization process as well as interesting finds from the collection.

About Emily: Emily Anderson’s educational background is in art history. She has a bachelor’s degree from Hamline University and a master’s degree from the University of York. Emily has worked in museum collections for the past two years and completed a 3D object inventory at the Stearns History Museum prior to working at GCHS.

About Liz: Liz Anderson has a master’s degree in library and information sciences from St. Catherine’s University. She has worked in libraries and archives over the past few years, including those at the American Craft Council and the Minnesota Vikings.

Book Talk with Fred Johnson
2025-02-27 14:00 - 15:30 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join GCHS and Fred Johnson in celebrating his new release, Making History In Minnesota: Red Wing and its People Impact the State! All are invited to a Book Talk presentation at 2:00 PM, followed by a book signing at 3:00 PM. Books will be available to purchase in the museum gift shop.

Book Synopsis:
For more than two-hundred years, a community known as Red Wing has nestled beneath the monolithic Mississippi River landmark He Mni Can (La Grange, Barn Bluff). From the dominion of the Dakota, the French interlude, and the onset of United States control, there has been a village, town, or city on this remarkably beautiful parcel of land.
This is a book about Red Wing and the impact this community and its citizens have had in “Mni Sota Makoce” (land where the waters reflect the skies), and during territorial days and statehood. Using themes of historical importance and interest, the narrative employs a series of documented mini histories.

About the Author:
Frederick Johnson continues his efforts to illuminate the history of his native Red Wing through numerous books and magazine articles. He is a three-time winner of the American Association for State and Local History award; the most recent honor being for the highly praised Patriot Hearts: World War I Passion and Prejudice in a Minnesota County. His newest effort, Making History in Minnesota: Red Wing and Its People Impact the State, Volume 1, is out now!

Free Family Fun Day
2025-03-08 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Important Schedule Change: St. John’s Living History Program will take place in the morning only from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM.
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Have you ever wondered what it would be like to meet a historical figure? Now is your chance! Come experience St. John’s Living History program from 10:30 AM-11:30 AM, where students dress as notable people in history and share stories about their lives and legacies. Then join us for Free Family Fun Day from 12 PM-3 PM! Celebrate Women’s History Month and learn about women who made a difference in Goodhue County and beyond with a themed scavenger hunt and puzzle activity!

Free Family Fun Day: Celebrating Spring
2025-04-12 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Spring is almost here! Join us for an afternoon of celebrating April showers and the beginning of a new season! Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM-3 PM. Highlights include: an umbrella craft, seasonal scavenger hunt, and sidewalk chalk art (weather dependent)!

History Break: Goodhue County Sheriff
2025-04-16 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Please join us for April’s History Break when Goodhue County Sheriff Marty Kelly will provide a “Year in Review” presentation. The Sheriff will discuss the vital role of law enforcement in the community and give a summary of 2024 events. Sheriff Kelly brings years of experience and insight into the challenges and rewards of protecting and serving the public. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to hear about issues affecting Goodhue County, the importance of community involvement, and the ways we can support and work with law enforcement!

Free Family Fun Day: Cinco de Mayo
2025-05-10 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
All are welcome for a special Free Family Fun Day in partnership with Hispanic Outreach and Red Wing High School’s Hispanic Students United (H.S.U.)! Celebrate and learn about Cinco de Mayo (May 5th) and Hispanic heritage with an afternoon of family-friendly activities! Highlights include a scavenger hunt, pinatas, story time, and a loteria game! Plus, from 1:00-1:30, visitors can help break a pinata!

About H.S.U.: Hispanic Students United was co-founded by Belen Machado, Reyna Marmol, and Katherine Tazin in 2024. We established H.S.U because we felt that Red Wing High School lacked a representation of Hispanic culture and wanted to create a safe space for Hispanic students. We go on community-building and cultural/educational field trips. Everyone is welcome!

About Hispanic Outreach: Hispanic Outreach of Goodhue County provides programs and services that strengthen the Hispanic community contribution to Goodhue County while growing Hispanic cultural awareness.

Walk the Historic Jordan Creek
2025-05-17 10:00 - 11:30 | Red Wing City Hall, 315 W 4th St, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
10 AM TOUR IS NOW SOLD OUT
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Join GCHS staff on a walking tour of downtown Red Wing, following the historic route of the Jordan Creek. This waterway once divided the downtown area before being driven underground, where it still flows today. Tours will start outside of City Hall and explore the history of the Jordan and some of the historic buildings built on top of it, before ending at Levee Park. Put on your walking shoes and join us as we follow the Jordan’s path to the Mississippi River. Space is limited- tickets are $15 each and must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education. Please use the link below to register and any questions can be directed to Red Wing Community Education at 651-385-4565.

Walk the Historic Jordan Creek
2025-05-17 13:00 - 14:30 | Red Wing City Hall, 315 W 4th St, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
1:00 tour is now SOLD OUT. Thank you for supporting local history programs!
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Join GCHS staff on a walking tour of downtown Red Wing, following the historic route of the Jordan Creek. This waterway once divided the downtown area before being driven underground, where it still flows today. Tours will start outside of City Hall and explore the history of the Jordan and some of the historic buildings built on top of it, before ending at Levee Park. Put on your walking shoes and join us as we follow the Jordan’s path to the Mississippi River. Space is limited- tickets are $15 each and must be purchased through Red Wing Community Education. Please use the link below to register and any questions can be directed to Red Wing Community Education at 651-385-4565.

History Break: Mississippi Dialogues Public Art Project
2025-05-21 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Mississippi Dialogues Public Art Project:
Mississippi Dialogues is a public art collaboration to create a series of panels Indigenizing a map of the Mississippi River. Independent cartographer and Citizen Potawatomi tribal member Margaret Pearce will present about her work collaborating with Prairie Island Tribal Historic Preservation to create a panel for installation in Red Wing, through interviews, archival research, historical maps, and design.

About the Speaker:
Dr. Margaret Pearce is a cartographer and Citizen Potawatomi tribal member currently living in Maine. She is visiting the Anderson Center for a public artist residency in May 2025. Pearce brings years of experience collaborating with Indigenous experts on cartographic art projects. She holds a Ph.D. in geography and was a professor of geography for 15 years before making the move to independent artist. She received a Guggenheim fellowship in 2023 to support her work on the Mississippi Dialogues project.

Photo Credit: Stephanie Rogers

Goodhue County History Detective
2025-06-01 - 2025-08-30 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Ages 14 & Under

This summer, explore local history through a county-wide scavenger hunt! Put on your detective cap and visit participating museums to complete tasks and receive a stamp. Once you collect them all, turn in your booklet at the Goodhue County History Center in Red Wing to receive a prize!

Participating Museums:

Cannon Falls Area Historical Society
Goodhue Area Historical Society
Goodhue County Historical Society
Zumbrota Area Historical Society

Pick up your free History Detective booklet at any participating museum. Please note- some museums may have an admission charge. Happy sleuthing!

Find Our Fairy House!
2025-06-01 - 2025-10-01 | MN
Magic is returning to Red Wing this summer and GCHS is joining in on the fun! Take a look around downtown and see if you can spot our fairy house… or school.

Fairies going to school in Red Wing are actually learning in a historic spot! Did you know that the first schoolhouse in Goodhue County opened in 1855 at 4th Street and East Avenue? Each one room schoolhouse across the county was considered its own district, so this school was called “District 1.” At one point there were 169 school districts across Goodhue County! The last one to close was Welch Valley School in Vasa Township in 1970. Today there are 12 school districts in the county.

Want to learn more? Come to the Goodhue County History Center and explore our rural schoolroom!

And check out the Red Wing Downtown Magic website for more information about this magical time of year and the 2025 Fairy Fest : https://magicmapredwing.my.canva.site/

MNHS Presentation: Greater Minnesota 2SLGBTQIA+ History Map
2025-06-13 16:00 - 18:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
June is Pride Month, and all are welcome for a special presentation from the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS) to learn about and celebrate Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ history! Join MNHS staff Jamie Kherbaoui and Lizzie Ehrenhalt, alongside interns Leila Stallone, Luis Valderrama, and Ulysses Swanson for a presentation about their project to map 2SLGBTQIA+ history in Greater Minnesota. Light refreshments will be served!

About the Project: The Greater Minnesota Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ History Map is a participatory storytelling project facilitated by the Minnesota Historical Society. Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ stories have always been community history. But their diversity—racial, topical, and geographical—has not always been visible in the books, movies, and media that show the world who we are, and where we come from. This map aims to correct these absences by highlighting overlooked Two-Spirit and LGBTQIA+ sites, people, and themes. Focusing on Greater Minnesota, the map reveals that queer history has unfolded in every corner of the state, from Worthington to the Boundary Waters.

Event Schedule:
4 PM-5 PM Open House

Digitization station: Bring your photographs, programs, and more to receive a digital copy
Explore free resources related to Two-Spirit & LGBTQIA+ History
Use IPads to interact with the digital StoryMap

5 PM-6 PM

Presentation
Audience Q&A

MNHS Map Team

Free Family Fun Day: Dairy Month
2025-06-14 12:00 - 15:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Did you know that June is National Dairy Month? Join GCHS and the Goodhue County Dairy Princesses for a dairy-themed afternoon of fun activities! Admission is free for everyone from 12 PM- 3 PM. This event is sponsored by Sturdiwheat!

History Break: Abolitionists of Southeast Minnesota
2025-06-18 12:00 - 13:00 | Goodhue County History Center, 1166 Oak Street, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT: Due to the impending snow storm on March 19th, our History Break with Sara Holger has been postponed. Sara will be joining us for our June History Break instead.
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In the decades leading up to the US Civil War, abolitionists from eastern states migrated westward to thwart the expansion of slavery into the “free” territory. Abolitionists were among the early American settlers arriving in Minnesota in the 1850s. Some of these abolitionists were radical and were involved in the Underground Railroad prior to settling here. Local naturalist, Sara Holger, will share stories she has gathered through oral history interviews with descendants of abolitionists who called southeast Minnesota home before slavery was abolished in America.

Lawn Games with the Red Wing Public Library
2025-06-24 09:30 - 11:00 | Central Park, Downtown Red Wing, Red Wing, MN, 55066, United States
Join the Red Wing Public Library and GCHS for a morning of lawn games at Central Park! Try your hand at a historic game and play other popular outdoor games!
