Gateway to Minnesota History

All-Star Wrestling with George Schire

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

HEY WRESTLING FRIENDS, it's George Schire reminding you that it's time to mark your calendar for my NEXT "ALL-STAR WRESTLING" presentation on THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 18th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Washington County Heritage Center!   This is going to be an exciting and nostalgic trip back to the glory days of the 1970's when […]

Free Admission Day at the Heritage Center

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

  The Washington County Heritage Center is turning 4!   We opened our doors four years ago on October 16, 2021. Come celebrate the anniversary with a FREE ADMISSION day on October 16, 2025 from 10am-4pm.   The Heritage Center is one of three museums owned and operated by the Washington County Historical Society. Learn […]

Minnesota Seventh in the Civil War with Eric Linner

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

Eric Linner’s family has a long history of Army veterans, including himself, two brothers, his father, grandfather, great-grandfather and great-great grandfather. His inspiration to research his great-great-grandfather’s journey with the Minnesota Seventh in the Civil War-West started 50 years ago when his grandmother piqued his interest in family history. The presentation will give a brief […]

Discovering Pioneer Ancestors in Washington County with Judith Stern

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

Who built the enormous, strong barn at Aamodt's Apple Farm? Surprise! It was Judith Stern's own great, great, great grandfather from Meissenheim, Baden, Germany. Judith only learned that after moving to Washington County. Like a hungry detective, she wanted to learn more. Her family tree on her maternal side grew to 159 names beginning in […]

Free

The Fallen Washington County Service Members of Vietnam and How We Remember Them with Herb Reckinger

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) opened the Vietnam Memorial on our US Capitol Mall in1982 to honor all veterans of that war. With a PowerPoint presentation we will discover how that same organization makes sure we never forget the men and women of that era. Join us for a free program to see the […]

Minnesota Streetcar History with Aaron Isaacs

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

  Before automobiles, planes, and the Light Rail, there were streetcars in cities across Minnesota. They were pulled by horses until 1889, when electricity became practical. Stillwater had no horsecars because of its steep hills, but in 1889 it opened the first electric streetcar lines in the state, ahead of Minneapolis and St. Paul. A […]

National Toast Day Celebration!

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

Just over a century ago, Charles Strite was employed at a local manufacturing plant. Fed up with burned toast in the cafeteria, a great idea “popped” into his head, and the Toastmaster automatic electric toaster was born! About the event: Enjoy a program about the history of toast and view our antique toaster collection. Sample […]

“Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: An Architect’s Sketchbook” with Jim Lammers

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

Jim Lammers presents his newest book, “Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: An Architect’s Sketchbook.” The book contains 500 sketches of beacons all over the Great Lakes area. Lammers takes readers on a road trip, sharing the history and inner workings of the lighthouses as well as the lighthouse establishment itself. Copies of the book will […]

“The Tales and Times of Isaac Labissonière” with Mark Labine

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

Author and historian Mark Labine will tell the adventurous story of​ ​Isaac Labissonière, a 19th Century Métis pioneer who ​blazed a trail of firsts in Minnesota. Isaac traveled with his family via oxcart from the Selkirk Colony to become one of the first settlers of St. Paul in the 1830s. He went on to build the St. Paul Chapel, […]

“WHO’S GOT THE TITLE BELT?” wrestling history with George Schire

Washington County Heritage Center 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, United States

AWA wrestling fans mark your calendars for April 29, 2026 from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for author/historian George Schire's next talk and presentation.  It will be another Main Event as George share's stories about the good, the bad, and the ugly character's that wore wrestling's greatest prize.  In addition, George will include stories of the championship […]