Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk Explores Local Disasters

October 2 • 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Indoor Accessible Performance at History Center

October 4 & 5 • 12:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Cemetery Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery

Admission: $10 Adults, $5 Students,
$3 Youth 12-4 years old

The Winona County Historical Society autumn fundraiser event, The Voices From the Past Cemetery Walk is coming up the first weekend in October!

Enjoy performances by community members portraying people from Winona County’s past. Each year a new theme ties different storied lives together. For the 2025 Voices from the Past we will hear about those who experienced Disasters! From floods and fires to storms and illness, learn about the resiliency of Winona County communities. Sites will feature cyclones; the Armistice Day blizzard of 1940; rescue, recovery, & prevention; local life during the Great Depression; fires; floods; pandemics; and accidents.

Not all disasters in Winona County have had tragic outcomes. But some came close! Back in 1941, five-year-old Jack Gockley was on his first unsupervised trip away from home, proudly pulling his steel coaster wagon across the tracks at the Wilson Street crossing. Suddenly, a Milwaukee passenger train slammed into his little wagon, leaving it a twisted wreck and terrifying Jack. The train immediately stopped, and the trainmen picked up Jack’s wagon and took the time to comfort him. A picture of a sad but wiser Jack and his ruined wagon ended up in the newspaper.

In 1903, a tornado ripped through St. Charles in Winona County. Several houses were demolished – including the DeLaney home. Mrs D. had just taken a bath. She made her way to the cellar. The house was torn from its foundation. She was plastered with mud & drenched with rain. As a result, she suffered from a severe cold and needed another bath.

Come learn more about these stories and many more, including about a farmer who was saved by his unknowingly heroic Holsteins.

The Walk takes about 90 minutes and sites can be visited in any order. A map and information booklet is provided with admission at the gate. Acting begins at 12:00 and ends at 4:00 p.m. The sites will perform at the History Center if the weather is severe. Prepaid passes (no refunds) can be purchased online, otherwise admission is taken at the gate/door. Find more information at winonahistory.org or call 507-454-2723.

This event is proudly sponsored by Merchants Bank, celebrating 150 years!