Gateway to Minnesota History

Townie Tuesday @ Lift Bridge Brewing Company

1900 Tower Dr. W Stillwater, MN 55082 1900 Tower Dr. W Stillwater, MN 55082

Join Lift Bridge Brewing Co. on Tuesday from 5:00 to 9:00 PM to enjoy a great Lift Bridge Brew and raise money for the Washington County Historical Society! $1 from every Tap Beer or Seltzer and $2 from every Crowler, To Go Specialty Bottle or 12 Pack sold during the Event goes directly to WCHS. Buy a beer and make a difference! In addition to […]

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 […]

2026 Annual Meeting and Dinner

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

Where: Stillwater Event Center, 1910 S. Greeley Street, next to Washington County Heritage Center When: Thursday March 19, 2026 Itinerary: 5:30pm Social Hour                        6:30pm Dinner Catered by Scheel’s Catering                        7:30pm Annual meeting   […]

“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 […]

The Story of the American Flag with Nathan “Rocky” Bliss

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

The Washington County Historical Society is excited to continue our USA 250 programs with Rocky Bliss about the history of the US Flag at the Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 S. Greeley Street, Stillwater, on Tuesday June 2 nd from 7pm to 8pm. The “Stars & Stripes” have flown over forts as well as city […]

Free

Apollo Club Returns to Stillwater

Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center 601 N. Main St., Stillwater, United States

The Washington County Historical Society is proud to present “Our Songs, Our Stories: Apollo Club Returns to Stillwater” on Saturday, June 13, 2026 at 3:00pm. For 130 years, The Apollo Club has stood as a monument to artistry, leadership, and cultural excellence. The award- winning, all-male choral group’s roots are deeply connected to Minnesota’s history, […]

19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting

  19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting at Hay Lake School Museum in Scandia   The Washington County Historical Society is hosting on Saturday, June 20, 2026 from 4:00- 7:00pm the 19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting Fundraiser & Silent Auction. Admission to the event is $20 per person and participants must be 21 years […]

$20