Winneshiek County Historical Society (WCHS) was established in 1963 with Mrs. Carrie Lee as the first president.
Among the first projects of the new society was the identification of sites to be marked with historical markers. Eight Markers were erected at eight sites, they were: Locust School, Saetre Log School, Frankville School, Hesper Friends Church and the site of the first County Fair, Campbell Homestead, Pioneer Cemetery on Valders Road, St. Anthony of Padua Chapel (smallest church near Festina), Madison Settlement Church and Cemetery, and Springwater Church site to commemorate the early settlement at Springwater. Over the past 50+ years WCHS has continued to keep these signs maintained and in good repair.
WCHS is a repository for historical donations which are archived in the “old” county jail building. The WCHS office is open to the public 10am – 3pm, Monday thru Friday. The archives are accessible by appointment. WCHS is run completely by volunteers, including volunteers who receive, catalog, and archive donated items.
Office telephone # 563-382-4166