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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Washington County Historical Society
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20251217T200000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100015
CREATED:20251022T165038Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20251209T190346Z
UID:9790-1765998000-1766001600@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:The Fallen Washington County Service Members of Vietnam and How We Remember Them with Herb Reckinger
DESCRIPTION: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. \nJoin us for a free program to see the images from The Wall of Faces\, the story of how The Wall came to be and the traveling  wall called The Wall That Heals\, a 3-quarter size replica that travels to communities all over our country. Lastly\, we will cover the 50-year anniversaries of the endings of the war in 1975. \n  \nBarton Johnson is on the left and Mark Steeley is on the right. Barton is from the very northeast part of Washington County- Scandia. Mark is from the very southwest part – Cottage Grove. \nPresenter Herb Reckinger is a member of the Washington County Historical Society\, on the board for the South Washington Heritage Society\, volunteer for The Wall That Heals\, and has given several talks at the Heritage Center in the past. Learn more about the Vietnam Traveling Wall at: https://www.travelingwall.us/  \nIn-person attendees:\n1862 Greeley Street South\nStillwater\, MN 55082\nVirtual attendees:\nLink to WCHS YouTube page\nThe Traveling Memorial —
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/vietnam/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260211T200000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100015
CREATED:20251213T194956Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T173212Z
UID:9871-1770836400-1770840000@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:Minnesota Streetcar History with Aaron Isaacs
DESCRIPTION: \nBefore 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 public transit boom ensued. \nBy World War I\, Twin City Rapid Transit company was running over 1100 streetcars on a system that reached from Lake Minnetonka to the St. Croix River\, including Stillwater and Bayport. It lasted until buses replaced the last of the streetcars in 1954. \nPresenter Aaron Isaacs will speak about Twin Cities streetcar history\, then focus on the Stillwater area. Isaacs spent 33 years as a planner and manager for Metro Transit\, where he worked in route and schedule planning\, operations\, maintenance\, transit facilities\, light rail and traffic advantages for buses. He’s a historian of transit\, as a 40+ year volunteer with the Minnesota Streetcar Museum. He’s co-author of Twin Cities by Trolley\, The Streetcar Era in Minneapolis and St. Paul\, and author of Twin Ports by Trolley on Duluth-Superior. \n\nIn-person attendees:\n1862 Greeley Street South\nStillwater\, MN 55082\nVirtual attendees:\nLink to WCHS YouTube page
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/streetcars/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260226T200000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100015
CREATED:20260106T212741Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T192425Z
UID:9886-1772128800-1772136000@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:National Toast Day Celebration!
DESCRIPTION: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! \nAbout the event: \n\nEnjoy a program about the history of toast and view our antique toaster collection.\nSample toast and toppings from local bakeries and markets\, and vote for your favorite to be named Toast of the Town.\nListen to Warden’s House Site Manager Heidi Heinze tell the history of the automatic pop-up toaster and its origins in Stillwater!\n\nToast Tasting begins at 6:00pm\nProgram begins at 6:30pm \nAdmission is free\, but donations are accepted. For more information please contact heidi.heinze@wchsmn.org
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/toast26/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260319T173000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260319T203000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100015
CREATED:20260211T212941Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260211T215040Z
UID:9900-1773941400-1773952200@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:2026 Annual Meeting and Dinner
DESCRIPTION:Where: Stillwater Event Center\, 1910 S. Greeley Street\, next to Washington County Heritage Center \nWhen: Thursday March 19\, 2026 \nItinerary:  5:30pm Social Hour [Cash Bar] \n                       6:30pm Dinner Catered by Scheel’s Catering \n                       7:30pm Annual meeting \n                       Program to follow meeting \nPresentation: “THEY DON’T MAKE ‘EM LIKE THAT ANYMORE!” \nAmerica’s love affair with the automobile over the decades has been hot\, lukewarm\, and even cold\, but one thing is certain\, cars are a part of who we are. WCHS board member and historian George Schire will take you on a highway of historical facts and hilarious anecdotes featuring the cars that have shaped all of our lives. Buckle up your seat belts and mark your calendars for this nostalgic road trip from the Horseless Carriage to present day EVs. \nReservations: \nReservations required in advance\nSeating is Limited/Large Attendance Expected\nEvent open to the Public \nCost: $25 for WCHS members / $30 for nonmembers \n\nReserve your spot here!
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/meeting26/
LOCATION:Stillwater Event Center\, 1910 Greeley Street South\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260328T120000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260107T174848Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T173026Z
UID:9891-1774695600-1774699200@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:“Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: An Architect’s Sketchbook" with Jim Lammers
DESCRIPTION:Jim Lammers presents his newest book\, “Lighthouses of the Great Lakes: An Architect’s Sketchbook.” \nThe 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 be for sale at the event. \n“If you love the Great Lakes and lighthouses\, this is the book for you. Lammers is an entertaining guide for this illuminating adventure\, combining fascinating history and personal vignettes with wonderful sketches of the noble beacons he encounters along the way. Don’t be surprised if\, after reading this book\, you want to hop into your car to take your own lighthouse tour.”\n—Eric Jay Dolin\, author of Brilliant Beacons: The History of the American Lighthouse \nFree\, but donations are always appreciated. No registration required.\nIn-person attendees:\n1862 Greeley Street South\nStillwater\, MN 55082\nVirtual attendees:\nLink to WCHS YouTube page
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/lighthouse/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260425T110000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260425T120000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20251212T203726Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T182408Z
UID:9852-1777114800-1777118400@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:"The Tales and Times of Isaac Labissonière" with Mark Labine
DESCRIPTION: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. \nIsaac 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\, became one of the first landowners on Lake Como in 1848\, and established a community in Osseo. In addition\, his military career included the Battle of Kaposia in the U.S. Dakota War. \nCopies of Mark Labine’s new book titled\, “The Tales and Times of Isaac Labissonière” will be available for purchase at the event.  \n \nFree\, but donations are always appreciated. No registration required.\nIn-person attendees:\n1862 Greeley Street South\nStillwater\, MN 55082\nVirtual attendees:\nLink to WCHS YouTube page
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/talesandtimes/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260429T200000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20251213T193032Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260217T173040Z
UID:9868-1777485600-1777492800@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:"WHO'S GOT THE TITLE BELT?" wrestling history with George Schire
DESCRIPTION: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 belts they held.  Run\, don’t walk to attend!   \nFree\, but donations are always appreciated. No registration required.\nIn-person attendees:\n1862 Greeley Street South\nStillwater\, MN 55082\nVirtual attendees:\nLink to WCHS YouTube page
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/wrestling9/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T100000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260908T160000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260527T152410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T152410Z
UID:9968-1780394400-1788883200@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:Washington County Historic Scavenger Hunt
DESCRIPTION:The Washington County Historical Society is sending you on an adventure across the county this summer! Pick up a historic hunt card at the Washington County Heritage Center at 1863 Greeley St. South to begin your quest. Use the photos and clues to determine the mystery historic site in Washington County and write the answers on the card. Once you have found all histroic sites\, return the card to the Washington County Heritage Center to be entered into a drawing for prizes at the end of the of the event. \nBecause we encourage everyone to physically visit these sites if able\, snap a picture of you at the site and upload it to social media. Tag the Washington County Historical Society and use the hashtag: #washingtoncountyhistorichunt. We’ll add your name for every picture uploaded to the drawing for increased chances of winning. Don’t have social media? Uncomfortable posting? Not a problem. Come in to the Heritage Center and show us your photos when you drop off the card and we’ll add your name to the drawing. \nThe winner of the drawing must have all the answers correct on their card and it must be completely filled out. One card per participant. Duration of the event is from June 2 to September 8. You can pick up a Washington County Historic Hunt card starting June 2. \nHappy Historic Hunting!
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/washington-county-historic-scavenger-hunt/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260602T200000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260526T200328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T200328Z
UID:9952-1780426800-1780430400@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:The Story of the American Flag with Nathan "Rocky" Bliss
DESCRIPTION:The Washington County Historical Society is excited to continue our USA 250 programs\nwith Rocky Bliss about the history of the US Flag at the Washington County Heritage\nCenter\, 1862 S. Greeley Street\, Stillwater\, on Tuesday June 2 nd from 7pm to 8pm.\nThe “Stars & Stripes” have flown over forts as well as city halls and private residences\nfor more than 250 years. Bliss will tell the ever-changing story of the American Flag and\nwhat it has come to symbolize. \nNathan (Rocky) Bliss was born in Stillwater and lived there until he was four when his\nfamily moved to Bayport. A graduate of Stillwater High School\, Rocky’s interest in flags\nstarted when he was eight by curiosity about the flags of the first thirteen states displayed\non the front of the Lowell Inn. \nIn the 1980s\, Rocky served as a council member then mayor for the City of Bayport and\ndesigned the Bayport flag. He has an amateur interest in history and is currently a\nmember of the Sons of the American Revolution\, the Sons of Norway\, and an affiliate\nmember of the Royal Canadian Legion. \nThe Historical Society’s USA 250 programs are free to the public. For more information\ncontact the Washington County Heritage Center at information@wchsmn.org or call at\n651-439-2298.
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/the-story-of-the-american-flag-with-nathan-rocky-bliss/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Washington County Heritage Center
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260613T150000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260613T170000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260526T202229Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260529T181529Z
UID:9954-1781362800-1781370000@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:Apollo Club Returns to Stillwater
DESCRIPTION:The Washington County Historical Society is proud to present “Our Songs\, Our Stories: Apollo\nClub Returns to Stillwater” on Saturday\, June 13\, 2026 at 3:00pm. For 130 years\, The Apollo\nClub has stood as a monument to artistry\, leadership\, and cultural excellence. The award-\nwinning\, all-male choral group’s roots are deeply connected to Minnesota’s history\, including\nleadership from Charles McCormick Reeve\, former Warden of the Stillwater Prison and Apollo\nClub’s first president. \nA century ago\, Apollo Club performed regularly in Stillwater for members of the Country Club\nas well as convicts at the State Prison. “Our Songs\, Our Stories” will include both history and\nsongs to honor Apollo Club’s legacy rooted in brotherhood\, music\, and community. Historian\nHeidi Heinze\, director of the Warden’s House Museum\, will begin the presentation with a\nslideshow about the Club\, its founder\, and the impact both have had on Minnesota\, America\, and\nthe world. The melodious Apollites will then entertain the audience with their final performance\nof the season. This historic homecoming concert will showcase music from the Club’s extensive\nlibrary\, old standards\, patriotic tunes\, and some new favorites. \nThis event is being generously hosted by the Manitou Fund\, at their Arts and Education Center at\n601 N. Main Street in Stillwater. The former Minnesota Zephyr building is now a state of the art\nperformance space combined with community education and reception areas overlooking the\nbeautiful St. Croix River. \nThe Warden’s House Museum\, 602 N. Main Street\, located across the street\, was once the home\nof the Apollo Club’s founder\, Charles McCormick Reeve. It was acquired by the Washington\nCounty Historical Society in 1941 and opened as a museum that year to share the stories of the\nprison\, wardens\, and inmates. Attendees of the “Our Songs\, Our Stories” concert can tour the\nmuseum for the discounted admission of $8.00. The Warden’s House will be open from noon\nuntil 8:00 on Saturday\, June 13\, 2026. \nPlease join us for an evening that reflects on our origins while celebrating the enduring power of\nsong to connect our past\, present\, and future. \nTickets are available at TicketSpice.com or follow this link to the pay-what-you-choose ticket\npage https://theapolloclubmn.ticketspice.com/apollo-club-returns-to-stillwater.\nFor more information contact heidi.heinze@wchsmn.org or call the Warden’s House at\n(651)439-5956.
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/apollo-club-returns-to-stillwater/
LOCATION:Manitou Fund Education and Arts Center\, 601 N. Main St.\, Stillwater\, 55082\, United States
CATEGORIES:Warden's House Museum
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260620T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260620T190000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260526T202912Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260526T202912Z
UID:9959-1781971200-1781982000@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting
DESCRIPTION:[Castle Danger Brewery passing out beer at Hay Lake Beer Tasting\, 2025] \n  \n19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting at Hay Lake School Museum in Scandia\n \nThe Washington County Historical Society is hosting on Saturday\, June 20\, 2026 from 4:00-\n7:00pm the 19th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting Fundraiser & Silent Auction. Admission to the\nevent is $20 per person and participants must be 21 years or older. All proceeds from this event\nbenefit the Washington County Historical Society. Tickets can be purchases in advanced\, through\nthe Historical Society website\, www.wchsmn.org.\n \nFor Nineteen years\, this event has become the keystone fundraiser for the Washington County\nHistorical Society. This year the breweries attending are Gambit Brewing\, Bent Paddle Brewery\,\nSpiral Brewing\, Castle Danger\, Lift Bridge Brewery\, Sierra Nevada Brewery\, Summit Brewery\,\nRustic Roots winery and more!\nThe beer is just a part of it; in addition\, there will be a silent auction that includes tickets to the\nMinnesota Renaissance Festival\, Lakeshore Player Theatre\, tickets to the Bell Museum\, Logger’s\nGolf Course green fees\, and signed items from the Minnesota Twins and Vikings. There is much\,\nmuch more!\nThe Hay Lake School was constructed of brick in 1896 and held classes until 1963. After that\, the\nWashington County Historical Society purchased the school in 1978 and has been a public\nmuseum ever since. The school is on the National Register of Historic Places.\n \nThe Hay Lake School Museum & Johannes Erickson Log House Museum are located at 14020\n195th St N\, Marine on St Croix\, MN 55047. \n \nPlease contact Leila Albert at; Leila.Albert@wchsmn.org or 651-433-4014 with any questions\nregarding this event or to schedule a tour of the museum.
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/19th-annual-hay-lake-beer-tasting/
LOCATION:MN
ORGANIZER;CN="Hay Lake School and Erickson Log Home":MAILTO:susan.stepka@wchsmn.org
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Chicago:20260630T180000
DTEND;TZID=America/Chicago:20260630T190000
DTSTAMP:20260530T100016
CREATED:20260526T204636Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260527T151308Z
UID:9962-1782842400-1782846000@www.wchsmn.org
SUMMARY:Tuesday Trivia at WCHS
DESCRIPTION:Washington County Historical Society is excited to announce a new monthly event coming to the Heritage Center – Tuesday Trivia! Hosted on the last Tuesday of every month at 5:30 pm\, WCHS challenges you to form your team and face off with others to put your historical knowledge to the test. Every month has a different theme and the first theme for the month of June is – Minnesota History! \n  \nThis family friendly event is free to everyone and anyone who wants participate. For more information or questions contact Heritage Site Director\, Alexis Foster\, at 651-439-2298 or by email at alexis.foster@wchsmn.org.
URL:https://www.wchsmn.org/event/tuesday-trivia-at-wchs/
LOCATION:Washington County Heritage Center\, 1862 South Greeley St\, Stillwater\, MN\, 55082\, United States
ORGANIZER;CN="Washington County Heritage Center":MAILTO:emily.krawczewski@wchsmn.org
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