Blue Dish Talk with Karen Hesselroth (Warden's House Museum)
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Come hear WCHS volunteer Karen Hesselroth give a presentation on Blue Willow, the popular dish ware. Made in England and inspired by China, this functional art medium comes in many varieties. Karen will explore the history of these blue and white delights, and highlight some special pieces in the collections of the Washington County Historical Society.

This event is FREE!
Location – Warden’s House Museum 602 N. Main Street Stillwater
Thursday, October 17th at 7:00pm

Writing Workshop Series Session 3: Hometown Stories
2024-10-17 19:00 - 20:30 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
We are so excited to offer a special workshop series at the Washington County Heritage Center featuring experienced writers to guide you to creating a fun and meaningful piece of writing!
>>>Register here<<<
Session 1: Thursday, October 3 @ 7-8:30pm
Introduction and Personal History
Workshop Leaders: Gary Goodman, Emily Krawczewski
Session 2: Thursday, October 10 @ 7-8:30pm
Childhood Memories
Workshop leaders: Frank White
Session 3: Thursday, October 17 @ 7-8:30pm
Hometown Stories
Workshop leaders: Meg Heaton and Eleanor Wilhelmi
Session 4: Thursday, October 24 @ 7-8:30pm
Ancestors and Family Stories
Workshop Leaders: Bill McGrath
Bonus: Saturday, November 2 @ late afternoon or evening (TBD)
A celebration of the workshop participants’ hard work and provide them with the opportunity to read a portion of their writing, share an outline for a future project, or anything else they’d like to share that they created during the series. Details to come!

Outline for Each Session
7-7:15pm: Workshop leader introductions
7:15-7:30pm: Discuss recommended reading (if applicable)
7:30-7:50pm: Individual writing time
7:50-8:15pm: Break into small groups for feedback and sharing
8:15-8:30pm: Group share/wrap up
Participants
We are planning to cap the series at 20 participants.

Series Pricing
$125/person for non-WCHS members for full workshop series
$100/person for WCHS members for full workshop series
Participants will need to sign up for all four sessions in the series. No exceptions.
WCHS will provide pens, pencils, notebooks, and enthusiasm!

October 17 Workshop Session
The topic for this workshop session will focus on stories about your hometown and other important places in your life.
Meet your workshop leaders for October 17:
Meg Heaton

Meg Heaton

I was born and raised on a dairy farm 7 miles south of Stillwater. I owned the Wordsmith on Main Street in the 80s and got my start writing on The Fishwrapper, a promotional paper that focused a lot on local history. Following that I was a reporter and columnist for the Hudson (Wi) Star Observer for 27 years. It was my privilege to tell the stories of others as well as some of my own. I look forward to hearing yours.

Eleanor Wilhelmi

Eleanor Wilhelmi is a poet and editor, and a recent graduate of Knox College and the Publishing Institute at the University of Denver. Set against the rural midwestern landscapes her family hails from, her writing explores relationships, grief, and the ways our living spaces can preserve and complicate our histories. Her work has been published in the literary magazine Catch, where she served as Poetry Editor for two years. She grew up in Stillwater.

Writing Workshop Series Session 4: Ancestors and Family Stories
2024-10-24 19:00 - 20:30 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
We are so excited to offer a special workshop series at the Washington County Heritage Center featuring experienced writers to guide you to creating a fun and meaningful piece of writing!
>>>Register here<<<
Session 1: Thursday, October 3 @ 7-8:30pm
Introduction and Personal History
Workshop Leaders: Gary Goodman, Emily Krawczewski
Session 2: Thursday, October 10 @ 7-8:30pm
Childhood Memories
Workshop leaders: Frank White
Session 3: Thursday, October 17 @ 7-8:30pm
Hometown Stories
Workshop leaders: Meg Heaton and Eleanor Wilhelmi
Session 4: Thursday, October 24 @ 7-8:30pm
Ancestors and Family Stories
Workshop Leaders: Bill McGrath
Bonus: Saturday, November 2 @ late afternoon or evening (TBD)
A celebration of the workshop participants’ hard work and provide them with the opportunity to read a portion of their writing, share an outline for a future project, or anything else they’d like to share that they created during the series. Details to come!

Outline for Each Session
7-7:15pm: Workshop leader introductions
7:15-7:30pm: Discuss recommended reading (if applicable)
7:30-7:50pm: Individual writing time
7:50-8:15pm: Break into small groups for feedback and sharing
8:15-8:30pm: Group share/wrap up
Participants
We are planning to cap the series at 20 participants.

Series Pricing
$125/person for non-WCHS members for full workshop series
$100/person for WCHS members for full workshop series
Participants will need to sign up for all four sessions in the series. No exceptions.
WCHS will provide pens, pencils, notebooks, and enthusiasm!

October 24 Workshop Session
The topic for this workshop session will focus on stories about your hometown and other important places in your life.
Meet your workshop leader for October 24:
Bill McGrath
Bill McGrath
Bill McGrath lived in Stillwater from 1952 until 1966, and has retained strong ties with the town. He has worked as newspaper reporter, author of car repair manuals, small business owner, grave-digger and musician. Since 1978, he’s been in Northfield, where he now lives with his wife Janet. His grandfather, James E. McGrath, is considered one of Minnesota’s last lumber barons, and Bill grew up in the McGrath mansion although by then the money was gone. “Stillwater was a magical place to grow up,” says Bill, and he can tell stories about the Catholic parishes of both St. Michael and St. Mary, along with paper routes, garage bands, the downtown, neighborhood grocery stores, his first date, skating rinks and of course the St. Croix River.

Flashlight Tours at the Warden's House Museum
2024-10-25 18:00 - 20:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
The Warden’s House Museum in Stillwater will be offering flashlight tours on Friday, October 25. Come and see the house and grounds after dark, while you hear true tales of terror and tragedy from the Minnesota State Prison. Local legend says that the place is haunted…come and find out for yourself if you dare!
Tours will last approximately one hour.
Start times are 6:00, 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, and 8:00.
Tickets are $20 and reservations are required.
Click here to buy tickets online, or call 651-439-5956. Space is limited, so don’t delay! Get in the spirit of the spooky season with a flashlight tour at the Warden’s House museum at 602 N. Main Street.

Halloween-Themed Black & White Movie Night
2024-10-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
The original, non-musical film about a carnivorous plant with a taste for humans! Featuring a young Jack Nicholson. Produced and directed by B-movie impresario Roger Corman.

Retired film professor Steve Schroer will present a brief educational introduction the film. Popcorn will be served!

CANCELLED: Minnesota Rural Women's Clubs with Kate Thomas
2024-11-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
The event “Minnesota Rural Women’s Clubs” with Kate Thomas on Wednesday, November 6 has been cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. We hope to reschedule this event for 2025.

Immerse yourself in the ideas, concerns, and activities of rural women’s clubs in Minnesota from 1920-1990s. Learn about the crucial importance of gender history to civic engagement in these rural areas. Understand how rural women’s clubs provided opportunities for women working in the home and on the farm to gain leadership skills and assert their voices publicly at a time when they were often passed over for higher-level government positions or political office.
Kate Thomas is a historian, Ph.D. UMN 2005, who taught all levels of U.S. History as well as the history of Women and War and Mixed-Heritage History at the University of Wisconsin – Stout for fifteen years. In addition to teaching and research, she also chaired the campus Inclusive Excellence and Women and Gender Studies committees. In 2011 she had the honor of being chosen by Norton Publishers to create five Google Earth history tours using primary documents to guide students through hundreds of years of inclusive history across North America. She currently resides in Afton where she works on history projects as an independent scholar. She loves history!
In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page

"Some Very Clever Teamwork: How Basketball Transformed Youth Sports in Minnesota" with Marc Hugunin
2024-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 Society!
About the book:
How Minnesota’s state high school basketball tournament came to be is more complex than you’d think!
On April 5, 1913, the smallest team from one of the smallest schools, Fosston High School, claimed the first-ever Minnesota state high school basketball title by virtue of “some very clever teamwork.” It was also by virtue of some very clever teamwork among the faculty at Carleton College and its friends in the field of secondary education that the tournament was held at all. The participants formed a committee to assure that the tournament would be held again in 1914 and beyond.
More importantly, youth sports in Minnesota would for the first time be administered in the schools. Minnesota today is often branded as the “state of hockey,” but as Marc Hugunin expertly chronicles in this thoroughly researched history, when youth sports first came under the control of the schools, basketball was the tip of the spear, the sport of choice in polite society.
The schools would teach boys how to play the game in a fair and sportsmanlike manner, and would ensure that sports would be the character-building experience that they claimed to be. Beginning with the popularity of the sport of basketball, youth sports and youth culture in Minnesota were transformed from a period of chaos to one of an accepted order.
Copies of Marc’s book will be available for purchase at the event.
About the author:
Marc Hugunin has been a basketball fan for more than sixty years, since his dad first took him to see the local high school basketball team. “The older boys were heroic to me,” he remembers. “I wanted to be just like them.” Hugunin played basketball through high school and has remained a fan and become a writer and historian of Minnesota basketball. With his good friend Stew Thornley, he coauthored Minnesota Hoops: Basketball in the North Star State, published by Minnesota Historical Society Press in 2006. He was the historian for the Minnesota State High School League on the occasion of the one hundredth anniversary of state tournament basketball in 2012. After blogging about basketball for fifteen years, he launched a comprehensive website and blog, North Star Hoops, where he is known to many as Sunnyday or Sunny. In addition to his interests in basketball and writing, Hugunin also enjoys golf, music, and pizza. He lives with his cat, also named Sunny, in Stillwater, Minnesota, a block from the St. Croix River.
In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page
Buy Marc’s book

SOLD OUT! Puzzle Competition!
2024-12-14 10:00 - 16:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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
2025-01-30 19:00 - 20:00 | MN
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 by President Theodore Roosevelt for the construction of the Panama Canal. Through his discoveries and surveys of Marias Pass and Stevens Pass, the Great Northern Railway was able to stretch across North America.
The talk will include:
THE WILLIAM CROOKS ENGINE
LOCAL MAINLINES IN WASHINGTON COUNTY
SURVEYING WITH JOHN FRANK STEVENS-
THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS,
THE CASCADE RANGE,
THE PANAMA CANAL
…AND A 1910 AVALANCHE
This program will be presented by Herb Reckinger Jr. of the South Washington Heritage Society
In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page

Film Screening: “An Ode to Stillwater: The John Runk Films”
2025-02-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 technology and with his 8mm camera captured a slice of the St. Croix Valley that live forever.

Runk was born in 1878 in Menominee, Wisconsin and soon arrived with his family to Stillwater. Using his life experiences as a lumberjack and inventor, he captured the life of a community with his camera, oftentimes building his own equipment. He passed away in 1964 and left behind a carefully curated collection created with archival purposes in mind.

The first part of the film screening will be the 30-minute documentary about John Runk’s life, and the second part will be the DVD extras featuring footage shot by John Runk himself. The extras include Ice Harvest, 1951 State Fair, Minnesota State Prison, 1952 Floods, Last Day of the Streetcars, Marine Ferry, Taylors Falls, Views of Stillwater, and Loggers Baseball.

This event is free to the public and no reservations are required. DVDs of the documentary will be available for purchase at the program.

Black & White Movie Night: Chaplin!
2025-02-12 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 roller-skating skills.

Winter Tours at the Warden's House Museum!
2025-02-20 13:00 - 16:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 crimes as part of the James-Younger Gang.

National Toast Day Party!
2025-02-27 18:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 electric toaster was born!
Please join us at the Washington County Heritage Center (1862 Greeley St. South) in Stillwater, MN on National Toast Day, Thursday, February 27 from 6-8pm. Enjoy a program about the history of toast and view our antique toaster collection. Sample toast and toppings from local bakeries and markets, and vote for your favorite to be named toast of the town. Admission is free, but donations are accepted. For more information please contact heidi.heinze@wchsmn.org.

Last day to view the John Runk exhibit
2025-03-01 10:00 - 16:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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. Croix Valley.
Admission to the Heritage Center is $8/adults, $3/children ages 6-17, and free for WCHS members.
We are excited to say a big “Cheers!” to the new exhibit taking over this space, opening in April (date TBD). Titled “Suds on the St. Croix,” the new exhibit will be an interactive, immersive experience for all ages about brewing history in Washington County! Stay tuned for more details.

SOLD OUT 2025 Annual Meeting and Dinner
2025-03-20 17:30 - 20:30 | Stillwater Event Center, 1910 Greeley Street South, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 [Cash Bar]
6:30pm Dinner Catered by Scheel’s Catering
7:30pm Annual meeting
Program to follow meeting

Presentation: Minnesotans in World War Two
Col. Don Patton from the World War II Round Table and the presentation will highlight the Minnesotans who played major roles during WWII and contributions from companies on the homefront. Col. Patton was the Commander of the 882nd Personnel Service Company, Commander of the 407th Civil Affairs Battalion and Commander, 13th Psyops Battalion. He retired after 30 years of Service as Colonel.

Reservations:

Reservations required in advance
Seating is Limited/Large Attendance Expected
Event open to the Public

"Gallery Days, Memories of the Artists’ Quarter in Historic Downtown Minneapolis" with Judy Stern
2025-03-27 19:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 many short, true stories about the people and artists she met in those years. Some of these tales relate humorous or intriguing encounters with well known celebrities such as Garrison Keillor, Jackson Browne, the Bob Dylan family, Butch Thompson and many more.
Several of the artists, like Judy in 1989, re-located to Marine on St. Croix. The story of the rise and the fall of the Artists Quarter is told.

The book was nominated in 2024 for a Minnesota Book Award in the category of Minnesota Nonfiction. Karin Winegar, former staff writer at the Minneapolis Star Tribune said: “Congratulations! Your book absolutely deserves the Minnesota Book Award for its range and understanding, its insider perspective –You Were There– and how it preserves that semi-enchanted time and place.” Mary Ann Grossmann in the Dec. 29th, 2024 St. Paul Pioneer Press, wrote an article. She said “Gallery Days is packed with lively anecdotes and artwork ranging from paintings to newspaper stories. It’s an important contribution to the history of the Twin Cities literary community.” Karin Winegar added, “If you were around in the 70s (and even if you weren’t but are curious to know what the heck was going on in the Twin Cities art, literature, music and food communities), this sums it up. And it’s a rich scrapbook of visuals–clippings, posters, photos, mementoes–that embody the spirit of the time (our flaming youth) and the place (the warehouse district).”
Judy’s history in Washington County extends back to her Great Grandfather, Theodore Schaefer and his brothers who built many local barns, including the one currently used at Aamodt’s Apple Farm. Artie Schaefer, the Polka King in the valley was her second cousin.

In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page

SOLD OUT 6PM Haunted History at the Warden’s House: Afterlife Sentences
2025-04-26 18:00 - 19:15 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 to tour the museum.
What showed up on their cameras and audio equipment? Is the Warden’s House Museum actually haunted?
About The Twin Cities Paranormal Society (TCPS)
The Twin Cities Paranormal Society is a not-for-profit organization serving the greater Twin Cities Metro area. We are dedicated to the research, investigation, documentation, and education of the public regarding paranormal phenomenon. Our objective is to investigate and research claims of alleged haunted activity. All investigations are approached with an open mind and are conducted in a professional manner.
Learn more about TCPS on their website.

SOLD OUT 8PM Haunted History at the Warden’s House: Afterlife Sentences
2025-04-26 20:00 - 21:30 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, 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 and audio equipment? Is the Warden’s House Museum actually haunted?
About The Twin Cities Paranormal Society (TCPS)
The Twin Cities Paranormal Society is a not-for-profit organization serving the greater Twin Cities Metro area. We are dedicated to the research, investigation, documentation, and education of the public regarding paranormal phenomenon. Our objective is to investigate and research claims of alleged haunted activity. All investigations are approached with an open mind and are conducted in a professional manner.
Learn more about TCPS on their website.

2025 Warden's House Museum Open House
2025-04-27 12:00 - 16:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Help us kick off a new season at the Warden’s House Museum!

The Warden’s House Museum is open from noon to 4pm and admission is FREE!
Come chat with knowledgeable volunteers and hear harrowing stories about the territorial/state prison and tales about the wardens and their families.
Parking
Limited parking is located behind the Warden’s House. Drive up the hill and past the house. The tour entrance is on the front porch. Street parking is available in front of the building and across the street in the parking lot next to the walking trail and the Manitou Fund Education + Arts Center.
**The handicapped accessible entrance is located behind the house. Guests are welcome to drop off behind the building and park elsewhere as needed.
Contact
For more information, contact Heidi Heinze at heidi.heinze@wchsmn.org
About the Warden’s House Museum:
The Warden’s House opened as a part of the new Minnesota Territorial Prison in 1853. Over time, 13 Warden’s lived in the house until 1914. After that, A superintendent of the Prison, Thomas Ross, and his family lived there until 1941 when the Washington County Historical Society purchase the home from the state and opened it as the second house museum in Minnesota that year.

ALL-STAR WRESTLING with George Schire
2025-04-30 18:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Baron Von Raschke about to put the “Claw Hold” on George Schire, and Verne Gagne applying his “Sleeper Hold”

RUN, DON’T WALK…to the Washington County Heritage Center for Historian and Author George Schire’s latest ALL-STAR WRESTLING Talk and Presentation!

As he always does, Schire will take you through the ropes and down memory lane with stories of professional wrestling’s wild and wacky characters.

Whether it be the heels or the babyfaces, you’ll be entertained hearing of their character incarnations and the gimmicks that made us love them and hate them!

And, there will be another chance to win an incredible wrestling collectible! It’s a Main Event Night you won’t want to miss. See you there!

In-person attendees:
1862 Greeley Street South
Stillwater, MN 55082
Virtual attendees:
Link to WCHS YouTube page

"Suds on the St. Croix" Exhibit Grand Opening
2025-05-10 15:00 - 17:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

Black & White Movie Night: "Detour" (1945)
2025-05-13 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Black & White Movie Night is back! Join us for popcorn, snacks, and a 1945 movie called “Detour.”
About the movie:
While hitching cross-country, a down-on-his-luck pianist becomes entangled in a web of deceit and murder. A classic film noir directed by Edgar G. Ulmer.
As always, an educational introduction and discussion about the film will be provided by Steve Schroer.
No reservations required. In-person attendance only.

History of William O'Brien State Park with Elizabeth Nelson
2025-05-16 16:00 - 17:00 | Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN, 55047
Photo credit: Sharon Brodin
*Hosted at Hay Lake School
14020 195th St N., Marine on St. Croix, MN 55047
Elizabeth Nelson, a naturalist from William O’Brien State Park, will present about the history of the park. Her program will include the history of the O’Brien Family, the history of the Copas area, and the changes to the boundaries of the park as they added new parcels of land.
Free! In person only. No registration required.
About William O’Brien State Park:
The park’s namesake comes from a lumber baron, William O’Brien, who owned the land prior to passing it on to his daughter, Alice. She donated the first 180 acres that formed the nucleus of the park. The park was established as the first metro area state park in 1947. (via parksandtrails.org)

2025 Stillwater Historic House Tour
2025-05-18 12:00 - 17:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
⭐️ Tour Date: May 18, 2025, 12-5pm⭐️

Step Back in Time and Step Inside Some of Stillwater’s Most Iconic Houses!
Explore the charm and history of Stillwater like never before at the 2025 Stillwater Historic House Tour, proudly presented by the Washington County Historical Society.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, architecture aficionado, or simply looking for a delightful day out, this tour is not to be missed!
Tickets

Tickets available now! Order here: https://bit.ly/3GvqN52
Tickets will be available for pickup on the day of the tour, Sunday, May 18 starting at 10am at the Washington County Heritage Center. *Tickets cannot be picked up early in order to limit potential copies being made. Thanks for understanding!
When you pick up your tickets on the day of the tour, we’ll provide you with:

your tickets
a map with all the house locations
a packet of historical information about each house!

Tour Details

Houses may be visited in any order! Note that the Historic Courthouse is open from 1pm-4pm only.
Parking is primarily on the street for each house. The Historic Courthouse has parking lots on both the north and southwest sides of the building. The Warden’s House Museum’s accessible parking and entrance are located at the back of the house.
Transportation is not provided. Please plan according to your needs, and feel free to drop off anyone with mobility challenges closer to the front door as needed.
Please remove your shoes before entering or use the booties provided at the entrance.
Photography is welcome outside of the houses. Please no interior photos unless house owners indicate otherwise. Thanks!

Preview of the tour route:

WCHS would like to sincerely thank our generous sponsors:
Cates Fine Homes
Darn Knit Anyway
Daughters of the American Revolution, Saint Croix Valley Chapter
Johnny’s TV
June Weddings
June Eagleton
MADE Coffee
Rose Floral & Greenhouse
Tilted Tiki
Valley Bookseller

Expanding Black History in St. Paul Beyond Rondo with Frank White and Michael Corey
2025-05-29 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

"Sound of Silence" with author and retired law enforcement officer L.C. Simon
2025-06-03 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
L.C. Simon releases his new book “Sound of Silence,” a fictional piece based on true events from his decades in law enforcement working on behalf of children.

No registration required. Copies of the book will be for sale at the event.

ABOUT THE BOOK:
Taking on a case that has been deemed un-chargeable, Special Victims Unit Detective Jack Janssen, pledges to find justice for a young female victim, never imagining what he would uncover in the path of his investigation. In his second book for the Jack Janssen series, Simon is inspired by the hundreds of investigations from his Washington County Sheriff’s Office career.

Simon weaves a compelling novel that will pull you into the storyline of Detective Jack Janssen and his seasoned partner, Washington County Child Protection Worker, Rita Bullock.

It is a gripping investigation with complexities that develop into an unimaginable and unpredictable conclusion. It will keep you turning the pages. Buckle up and enjoy the ride along.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

My career in law enforcement span twenty seven years, with seventeen of those years focused exclusively on child abuse investigation. I was also a contract employee for the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for ten years, teaching other law enforcement across the state the unique techniques used in this specialized field.
After retirement, my wife and I traveled the country in a motorhome, and for twelve years spent our summers living and working in Voyageurs National Park.
I have never lost my dedication to the cause of children, and recently decided to spend some time writing novels that draw from my experience in law enforcement while highlighting the problem of child abuse in our country. I think I hit the mark; making a fun interesting read and informing at the same time

Click here to watch the program on WCHS’s YouTube page

18th Annual Beer Tasting and Silent Auction
2025-06-21 16:00 - 19:00 | Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN, 55047
Buy tickets here!
WCHS is excited to present the 18th Annual Hay Lake Beer Tasting! Breweries from all over Minnesota and Wisconsin will be slinging their best beers for you to sample and compare!
In addition to the tasting, there will be a silent auction of many sought-after items and food served.

Here are the participating breweries:
Sierra Nevada
Joseph Wolf Brewing
Castle Danger
Oliphant Brewing
Summit
Lift Bridge Brewing
Rustic Roots Winery
$20/person. Ages 21+ only.
Tickets are available for purchase on our website OR in-person on the day at the event.
WCHS encourages pre-ordering tickets – this helps the breweries plan ahead on how much beer to bring!
Proceeds support the Washington County Historical Society’s mission to collect, preserve, and disseminate the history of Washington County and Minnesota.
Please contact Susan Stepka at susan.stepka@wchsmn.org or 651-433-4014 with any questions regarding this event or to schedule a tour of the museum.
The Hay Lake School was constructed of brick in 1896 and held classes until 1963. After that, the Washington County Historical Society purchased the school in 1978 and has been a public museum ever since. The school is on the National Register of Historic Places.

"Art + Ecology + Serendipity" with Beth Diem
2025-06-26 18:30 - 19:15 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
About the Program:
“A Story of the St. Croix” is an exhibit created in 2007/2008 by a team of artists, scientists, writers, and musicians that brilliantly combines the worlds of art, history, and ecology found on the St. Croix River. Architect Beth Diem was the project manager and photomontage artist of that team. In this program, Diem will speak about the art exhibit’s themes, inspirations, and process. “A Story of the St. Croix” is on display at the Washington County Heritage Center until the end of 2025.
The exhibit was inspired by the works of Australian artist/author Jeannie Baker, specifically her children’s book “Where The Forest Meets the Sea”. The book touches on the wonder of nature through children’s eyes, with the urgency of saving our planet. The program will include a short film based on the book.
In 2024, ‘Serendipity’ happened; bringing this exhibit to the Heritage Center via a 2024 University of MN Art + Ecology course and ArtReach St. Croix, Stillwater.
Event hosted in partnership with Stillwater Area Public Schools.

Black & White Movie Night: Buster Keaton in "Sherlock Jr."
2025-08-05 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Sherlock Jr. (1924)
Coming to the Heritage Center’s silver screen is Buster Keaton in Sherlock Jr. (1924)!
Directed by & starring Buster Keaton. A lovesick movie projectionist steps through the silver screen into a dream world where he can solve all his problems. It is regarded as Keaton’s first great full-length silent comedy.
Popcorn and a movie ticket giveaway are also in store!

Hay Lake School Speaker Series: Christine Maefsky, former mayor of Scandia
2025-08-15 16:00 - 17:00 | Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN, 55047
