Gateway to Minnesota History

“Some Very Clever Teamwork: How Basketball Transformed Youth Sports in Minnesota” with Marc Hugunin

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

Tip off the start to winter's most exciting sport with basketball history. Marc Hugunin will take us into the exciting world of youth sports and the transforming role they played in Minnesota with his book "Some Very Clever Teamwork: How Basketball Transformed Youth Sports in Minnesota." Marc is a member of the Washington County Historical […]

Free

SOLD OUT! Puzzle Competition!

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

We are thrilled to announce that the Puzzle Competition is SOLD OUT! Please join us for Casual Puzzling from 12pm-4pm, or buy any of our puzzles here! 

Blizzards to the Panama Canal: America’s Golden Engineer

Marias Pass by Mike Danneman via flickr   John Frank Stevens was one of the most prominent surveyors and civil engineers of the last 150 years. Learn about his illustrious career and the challenges he faced along the way, including discovering and surveying Marias Pass in a 40 below blizzard and surviving an avalanche. Stevens was hired […]

Film Screening: “An Ode to Stillwater: The John Runk Films”

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

  It isn't often that a community has a person who steps up and records its history. Stillwater and the surrounding area were fortunate to have a photographer named John Runk who not only took photographs of the area but also collected photographs from the community spanning over 100 years. Runk also enjoyed the newest […]

Black & White Movie Night: Chaplin!

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

Tonight’s feature is two short silent comedies from Charlie Chaplin’s most creative period! Retired film professor Steve Schroer will present a brief educational introduction the film. Popcorn will be served! In One A.M., Chaplin plays a man who has trouble getting to bed because he’s had too much to drink.   In The Rink, he showcases his […]

Winter Tours at the Warden’s House Museum!

Warden's House Museum 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, United States

Experience the Warden’s House Museum in a different season! Take a tour with experienced guides to hear stories about the prison’s early days when Minnesota was still a territory and what life was like for prisoners on the inside. The most infamous residents of the prison were the Younger Brothers, who served time for their […]

National Toast Day Party!

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

The Washington County Historical Society invites you to celebrate National Toast Day in Stillwater, Minnesota: the birthplace of the automatic pop-up toaster.  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 […]

Last day to view the John Runk exhibit

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

It's a bittersweet announcement, but we will be removing the "John Runk: A Curious Mind" exhibit after Saturday, March 1 to make way for a brand new exhibit! Come to the Heritage Center anytime on or before March 1 to see the exhibit one last time and celebrate John Runk's legendary career documenting the St. […]

$8

SOLD OUT 2025 Annual Meeting and Dinner

Stillwater Event Center 1910 Greeley Street South, Stillwater, MN, United States

This event is sold out.     Where: Stillwater Event Center, 1910 S. Greeley Street, Next to Washington County Heritage Center   When: Thursday March 20, 2025   Cost: $25 for WCHS members / $30 for nonmembers   Itinerary: 5:30pm Social Hour                      6:30pm Dinner Catered […]

“Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis” with Judy Stern

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

Judy Stern, a Washington County history buff and resident of Marine on St. Croix will present a talk and read from her seventh book, Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis. Judy was there beginning in the late 1970s and ending in the mid 1980s operating the Judith Stern Gallery. Her book tells […]

SOLD OUT 6PM Haunted History at the Warden’s House: Afterlife Sentences

Warden's House Museum 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, United States

This event is Sold Out. The Warden's House Museum is excited to host the Twin Cities Paranormal Society (TCPS) for a presentation sharing their spookiest evidence from past ghost investigations including an investigation at the Warden's House Museum in November 2024. Tickets: $25/person. Limited Seating! Buy tickets here Doors will open at 5:00 for guests […]

$25

SOLD OUT 8PM Haunted History at the Warden’s House: Afterlife Sentences

Warden's House Museum 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, United States

This event is Sold Out.   The Warden's House Museum is excited to host the Twin Cities Paranormal Society (TCPS) for a presentation sharing their spookiest evidence from past ghost investigations including an investigation at the Warden's House Museum in November 2024. Tickets: $25/person. Limited Seating! Buy tickets here What showed up on their cameras […]

$25