Washington County Historical Society

Found in the water: The John Jeremy Story
2023-02-16 19:00 - 20:00 (America/Chicago) | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
https://youtu.be/XqaMhVw4yZQ

Over the course of history, families develop special skills such as blacksmithing, gold & silver smiths, plus many other occupations that are handed down through the generations. One family in Stillwater had a very unique talent that went through three generations until it was no longer used, and that was of finding of drowning victims. Learn about John Jeremy’s highly unusual employment with WCHS Executive Director Brent Peterson!

Black & White Movie Night: "The Kid" starring Charlie Chaplin
2023-02-08 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Black & White Movie Night is back at the Washington County Heritage Center! Retired university professor Steve Schroer will provide an introduction to the film.
About the movie: Chaplin’s first full-length feature is a silent masterpiece about a little tramp who discovers a little orphan and brings him up but is left desolate when the orphanage reclaims him. Chaplin directed, produced and starred in the film, as well as composed the score.

Annual Winter Ice Cream Social
2023-01-28 12:00 - 16:00 | MN
The Annual Winter Ice Cream Social will be held on Saturday, January 28th from noon to 4pm in North Lowell Park near Mulberry Point. Generous partners include: Leo’s Grill & Malt Shop, Lift Bridge Brewery and The Daily Grind Espresso Café! Free ice cream, bonfire and a chance to visit with your neighbors you haven’t seen since the first snowfall!

Our tent will be set up in Lowell Park near the Gazebo from 12pm-4pm for free ice cream, root beer floats and coffee. Chili will be available for $5 – cash only. And you can’t miss the incredible sculptures made from teams from AROUND THE WORLD for the World Snow Sculpting Championship 2023 put on through Greater Stillwater Chamber of Commerce and City of Stillwater, Minnesota – Local Government!

"Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida" with author Anne Hanson
2023-01-25 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
When Anne Hanson’s dad first asked her to investigate the secret past of his parents, little did she know what she was getting into. For two decades, despite all her digging, she failed to unearth even the tiniest speck of evidence that the families of her grandparents, Frank and Ida Hanson, had ever existed. If her quest were a detective novel, its title would have been, “The Case of the Missing Ancestors.”
Finally, Anne unearthed her grandparents’ true identities and the secrets they took their graves. Journeying into an early twentieth century drama of pain and heartache, she solved a mystery from an era when a young couple, thwarted by social conventions, could simply vanish and create new lives. They radically altered their family destiny, with aftereffects that reverberated for generations.
Yet “Buried Secrets: Looking for Frank and Ida” is, ultimately, a love story. When she learned the truth of her grandparents’ past, Anne comprehended the true depth of their love. Buried Secrets also illuminates the love between a dad and the daughter who gave him answers he had longed for his entire life.
Anne will be presenting her program virtually, but event attendees may attend in-person at the Heritage Center or virtually over Zoom (see link below to register for Zoom).
Author Anne Hanson
About the Author:
Anne Hanson has written for the Boston Globe and numerous newspapers, as well as for corporate publications and the New England Historic Genealogical Society’s American Ancestors magazine. A Wesleyan University graduate, she grew up in suburban Philadelphia. Anne lives with her husband in Brookline, Massachusetts.

How Fur Traders Shaped Minnesota, Literally!
2023-01-18 18:00 - 19:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Herb Reckinger Jr. of the South Washington Heritage Society gives a talk about fur trading and the North West Company. Why does Minnesota’s northeastern border slant down? NWC was responsible for defining Minnesota’s current day border as well as exploration and settlement of Canada/northern parts of the United States. Additionally, Herb will give details on the fierce competition between NWC and their rivals, Hudson’s Bay Company.

Bill McCarthy Poetry Book Launch
2023-01-12 18:30 - 20:30 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Bill McCarthy is releasing a new book of poetry! To celebrate and launch the new pieces, he is hosting a book release event at the Washington County Heritage Center. Bill plans to have a musician perform as well as readings from his book. Light refreshments and coffee will be served. The new book will be available for purchase at the event.

Warden's House Winter Cleaning Party
2022-12-16 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-12-11 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-12-09 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-12-05 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-11-11 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-11-06 09:00 - 13:00, 2022-11-04 09:00 - 13:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
TLC the Warden’s Winter Cleaning Parties! Join Warden House site manager Julianne to help clean the Warden’s Home. November 4th, 6th, 11th, 20th and December 5th, 9th, 11th, 16th.

On each date, we’ll pick one of the original rooms to clean. Coffee and hot chocolate will be provided and all cleaning materials will be provided.

Annual WCHS Christmas Book Sale & Author Day
2022-12-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
It’s the most wonderful time of the year – our Annual WCHS Christmas Book Sale & Author Day!

Featured authors include: Brian Casey, Ryan Gale, Gary Goodman, Nancy Goodman, Chris Nelson, Brent Peterson, Naomi Purves-Adams, Gloria VanDemmeltraadt, George Schire, and Jon & Candy Severson.

Private Event: We Can Change the World (WCCW)
2022-11-16 18:45 - 20:45 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

St. Croix Valley Civil War Round Table Program
2022-11-14 19:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Scott Mingus, award-winning author of more than a dozen books on the American Civil War and Underground Railroad, will be discussing “Wargaming Gettysburg” from 7-8 p.m. at the November 14 meeting of the St. Croix Valley Civil War Round Table. His talk is open to the public.
Learn more about the St. Croix Valley Civil War Round Table at: https://www.scvcwrt.org/

Lolek Homeschool Group - Stillwater
2022-11-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

Private Event: River Market Community Co-Op Board Meeting
2022-11-08 18:00 - 20:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

Christmas Pictures at Hay Lake School
2022-11-05 12:00 - 16:00, 2022-10-22 12:00 - 16:00 | Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN, 55047

Private Event: Gateway Brown's Creek Trail Association
2022-11-03 18:00 - 21:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

Flashlight Tours at the Warden's House
2022-10-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Back for 2022! Our tour guides are very excited to take you through our favorite House for spooky season.

Tours are at 4pm, 5:30pm and 7:00pm.

Price: $8/adults, $3/children ages 6-17. Tickets available day-of on a first come, first served basis.

Site Manager Julianne O’Connell will present a PowerPoint that is about 10 minutes long to set the mood for the tours that evening.

Arcola Mills 175th Anniversary Party
2022-10-30 12:00 - 14:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

"The World's Greatest Showmen" - The Ringling Brothers Story with curator Jennifer Cronk from Circus World
2022-10-27 18:00 - 19:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
https://youtu.be/5O1kmZFaHJc
Lions, tigers, bears, and…Washington County? Find out what the connection is between the St. Croix Valley and the big top with a presentation by Jennifer Cronk, curator of Circus World in Baraboo, Wisconsin.
Sons of an itinerant harness maker, the Ringling Bros. learned a lot about perseverance during their childhoods in Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin. They developed a love of entertaining and ambitiously formed a circus in 1884. Learn how self-discipline and determination helped the Ringling Bros. succeed beyond their wildest dreams while bringing The World’s Greatest Show to the masses.

ArtReach Gallery Reception
2022-10-23 14:00 - 16:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
Another gallery change from ArtReach St. Croix means another opportunity to chat with the artists! On October 23 from 2pm-4pm, artists from the current show at the Washington County Heritage Center will be on hand to discuss their pieces before a new show moves in. This is your chance to discuss artistic process and inspiration with these talented locals! The event is free and light refreshments will be served.

Johnsdale Paranormal Group Program – 7PM
2022-10-22 19:00 - 20:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
In August, the Johnsdale Paranormal Group conducted their first investigation at the Warden’s House since 2019. What a night! After just a short time in the home, the group declared it to be “the most active night they have ever experienced.”

Come and find out what happened this year at the Warden’s House!
Click here to purchase your ticket for the 7PM program.
You will receive an email confirmation after completing your purchase. Please bring your email confirmation to the event, either on your phone or printed. If you do not receive an email confirmation or have questions, please contact us at 651-439-2298.

Johnsdale Paranormal Group Program- 4PM
2022-10-22 16:00 - 17:00 | Warden’s House Museum, 602 Main Street North, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
In August, the Johnsdale Paranormal Group conducted their first investigation at the Warden’s House since 2019. What a night! After just a short time in the home, the group declared it to be “the most active night they have ever experienced.”

Come and find out what happened this year at the Warden’s House!
Click here to purchase your ticket for the 4PM program.
You will receive an email confirmation after completing your purchase. Please bring your email confirmation to the event, either on your phone or printed. If you do not receive an email confirmation or have questions, please contact us at 651-439-2298.

Black & White Movie Night: House on Haunted Hill (1959) starring Vincent Price
2022-10-20 18:00 - 19:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States
via Turner Classic Movies
Black & White Movie Night is BACK for Spooky Season! Come to the Washington County Center for one of the best scary movies starring the king of the genre, Vincent Price.
Retired university professor Steve Schroer will provide a brief introduction to the film.
Popcorn will be provided!
House on Haunted Hill is a 1959 American horror film produced and directed by William Castle, written by Robb White and starring Vincent Price, Carol Ohmart, Richard Long, Alan Marshal, Carolyn Craig and Elisha Cook Jr. Price plays an eccentric millionaire, Frederick Loren, who, along with his wife Annabelle, has invited five people to the house for a “haunted house” party. Whoever stays in the house for one night will earn $10,000. As the night progresses, the guests are trapped within the house with an assortment of terrors.

Historic Grounds Coffee Tasting
2022-10-08 08:00 - 11:00 | Washington County Heritage Center, 1862 South Greeley St, Stillwater, MN, 55082, United States

Hay Lake Speaker Series: "What I've Learned Running a CSA Farm"
2022-10-06 19:00 - 20:00 | Hay Lake School, 14020 195th St N, Marine on St. Croix, MN, 55047
What is a CSA farm? “Community Supported Agriculture consists of a community of individuals who pledge support to a farm operation so that the farmland becomes, either legally or spiritually, the community’s farm, with the growers and consumers providing mutual support and sharing the risks and benefits of food production.”*

Come out to Hay Lake School’s Speaker Series to learn from CSA farmers in our area! Light refreshments will be served.

If it’s cold, please dress warmly.
Questions? Contact Susan Stepka at susan.stepka@wchsmn.org or call 651-433-4014
