All proceeds will benefit the free programming WCHS is proud to provide, including the Festival of Trees, genealogy workshops, agricultural topics, summer history camps, and many new initiatives for 2025. Use the QR code, or go to: WWW.32AUCTIONS.COM/WCHS2024 to bid!
Join us at the Festival of Trees this extended evening and listen to the Buffalo High School Singers group as they act as carolers wandering through the festival. BHS Choir Director Zack Carlson directs this heartwarming holiday treat.
Children of all ages are invited to come to WCHS and listen to stories read by our volunteers. Enjoy cookies, drink hot chocolate, and receive your very own flannel throw blanket!
Readings start at 10am and go on throughout the day. This is a free event with no registration, or fee necessary.
Come and hear musician and singer, Colleen Austin during our Festival of Trees extended evening. She will entertain you all, playing a variety of classic holiday music with her Celtic harp.
Join us for a fun Saturday Make & Take activity here at WCHS. Our Festival of Trees is in full swing and our Saturdays are here for a variety of make & take programs. This free ornament making event is for all ages, with no registration, or materials necessary.
Come and hear musician and singer, Colleen Austin during our Festival of Trees extended evening. She will entertain you all, playing a variety of classic holiday music with her Celtic harp.
As a special treat here at the Festival of Trees, we’ve invited Santa himself to come and visit! Come with the family to take pictures with the jolly elf and see if he knows if you’ve been naughty or nice.
The Wright County Historical Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to serving our community, invites all adults (18+) to join them on Thursday, November 14th at 10am and create their very own felted ornament for the holidays.
The program will start with a brief presentation with speaker, Mary Bischoff. She will follow that up with a fun and relaxing activity of felting your very own cardinal ornament. This is a free program with no registration, or materials necessary.
The yearlong series, Creative Coffee Chats, is aimed at combating adult social isolation & loneliness in our communities. WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats will offer monthly brief presentations--designed to be fun & informative—immediately followed by an engaging hands-on component and light refreshments.
This project was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation. For more details about WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats and how to participate or contribute, please visit www.wrighthistory.org.
The Wright County Historical Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to serving our community, invites all adults (18+) to join them on Thursday, November 14th at 10am and create their very own felted ornament for the holidays.
The program will start with a brief presentation with speaker, Mary Bischoff. She will follow that up with a fun and relaxing activity of felting your very own cardinal ornament. This is a free program with no registration, or materials necessary.
The yearlong series, Creative Coffee Chats, is aimed at combating adult social isolation & loneliness in our communities. WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats will offer monthly brief presentations--designed to be fun & informative—immediately followed by an engaging hands-on component and light refreshments.
This project was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation. For more details about WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats and how to participate or contribute, please visit www.wrighthistory.org.
In collaboration with the Buffalo Public Library, we will host author: Frank Weber and his new book titled Scandal of Vandals. This book is the true story of a Minnesota attorney who was accused of hiring a hitman to kill his wife. Weber is a forensic psychologist specializing in homicide, sexual assault and domestic abuse cases. He uses his unique understanding of how predators think, knowledge of victim trauma and expert testimony in writing his true crime thrillers.
Join us at WCHS with moderator and paranormal investigator, Theresa Pierce to chat about our very own ghostly experiences. This is a free program with refreshments and a safe space for haunting conversations.
Join the Wright County Historical Society and Sue Edwards, aka The Barn Quilt Lady, in the creation of your very own Barn Quilt.
Supply Cost: $80
Call, or email to register.
Last year, Theresa Pierce gave us three stories of local haunted locations. This year, she’s back with a whole new set of stories and history of the paranormal here in Wright County. Please join us for this free spooktacular program.
The Wright County Historical Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to serving our community, invites all adults (18+) to join them on Saturday, October 26 at 10am for some Barn Quilt education, conversation, and colorization.
The program will start with a brief presentation by our very own Barn Quilt Lady, Sue Edwards. Followed by a fun and relaxing color activity with your own barn quilt. This is a free program with no registration, or materials necessary.
The yearlong series, Creative Coffee Chats, is aimed at combating adult social isolation & loneliness in our communities. WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats will offer monthly brief presentations--designed to be fun & informative—immediately followed by an engaging hands-on component and light refreshments.
This project was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation. For more details about WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats and how to participate or contribute, please visit www.wrighthistory.org.
Minnesota is fortunate to have several Barn Quilt Trails. Pieces of art that adorn the side of barns and buildings throughout the state are set up to not only pay homage to heritage or interests, but to bring people into an area. Instructor Jay Grammond will lead you around the state to give you a sampling of what is out there in the hope that you will create your own road trip! No registration required, for all ages.
This program was made possible with Arts & Cultural Heritage Funds from Minnesota's Clean Water, Land, and Legacy Amendment. And in collaboration with the Buffalo Public Library.
The Wright County Historical Society invites you to join us on Saturday, September 28 at 10am for, ‘Fun & Games’! The program will include a brief presentation on relationship-building through gameplay, followed by the presenter sharing three easy & fun card games. Each attendee will receive two decks of cards for their own use! This is for adults (18+) only.
RSVP’s to 763-682-7323 not required but greatly appreciated so we can be assured of having enough materials on hand for everyone.
The yearlong series, Creative Coffee Chats, is aimed at combating adult social isolation & loneliness in our communities. WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats will offer monthly brief presentations--designed to be fun & informative—immediately followed by an engaging hands-on component and light refreshments.
This project was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation. For more details about WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats and how to participate or contribute, please visit www.wrighthistory.org.
Come climb into and learn about cool trucks like a fire truck, loader, dump truck, and even WCHS’ Stagecoach! A wide variety of local trucks and their operators will fill the Buffalo Library parking lot. We will have plenty of activities including a story stroll and story time.
Learn about 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten and other early literacy programs! Snacks will be available for purchase.
Offered in collaboration with Buffalo ECFE, Buffalo Community Center, City of Buffalo, Wright County Historical Society, and Buffalo Public Library.
Is it hard to use the phone? Does it sounds like people are mumbling? Want to understand more clearly? Learn from the Department of Human Services about free phones and devices for people who have a hard time using the phone due to hearing loss, physical disability, and/or speech disability. We will share information and resources for better hearing and understanding that you can use every day to stay involved. Assistive listening devices will be available. No registration required, for teens and adults.
Created in collaboration with the Buffalo Library, Wright County Health and Human Services, and the Wright County Historical Society.
The Wright County Historical Society, a 501c3 nonprofit organization committed to serving our community, announces the launch of a new program, Creative Coffee Chats, aimed at combating social isolation & loneliness. The program officially kicks off on Thursday, July 18th at 6:30pm at the Wright County Historical Society (2001 Hwy 25 N, Buffalo, MN), with a presentation by nationally renowned speaker and motivator Corey Martin, MD.
“Thanks to a generous grant from the Initiative Foundation, WCHS has created a program to help Wright County residents feel more connected to their community,” states Sally Stevens, WCHS business manager. “Dr Martin is an expert on the negative effects of social isolation & the dangers of loneliness to our health. His presentations are so impactful and we’re thrilled he’s agreed to kick off this year-long project.”
WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats will offer monthly brief presentations--designed to be fun & informative—immediately followed by an engaging hands-on component and light refreshments. This program is designed for participants 18+ and is free to the public.
This project was funded in part by the Initiative Foundation, a regional foundation. For more details about WCHS’s Creative Coffee Chats and how to participate or contribute, please visit www.wrighthistory.org.
Discover the stories and tunes of first-generation Swedish immigrant musicians Hol-Britta and Anna, traditional bagpipers from Dalarna, Sweden, who immigrated to Cokato, Wright County, Minnesota, in the late 1800s. Renee Vaughan, and Laura MacKenzie will perform traditional tunes from Hol-Britta and Anna's homeland after a brief presentation in the Welker Schoolhouse.
Enjoy an afternoon of music and history, honoring the melodies that continue to resonate across generations.
Come and take in a barn quilt in action! Our very own Sue, the Barn Quilt Lady will spend the day in our cabin painting a brand new barn quilt for the audience. No sign up required. Stop in and watch the creation of a historical staple of rural towns.
One of the many free activities we offer is a chance for kids to see and experience what it's like to learn at a One Room Schoolhouse. Our volunteer teacher will offer short educational activities, games, and more!
If interested, please call, or email to sign your kid(s) up today. Spaces are limited for this Friday morning event.
Let us know if you have any questions.
Sign up at outreach@wrighthistory.org, or call 763.682.7323
For those of you that grew up learning in a one room schoolhouse, we want to hear from you! Stop on by the historic Welker Schoolhouse located at the Wright County Fairgrounds in Howard Lake on Thursday, July 25 from 10-noon. You can chat about your experiences, show off photos, and even digitize them to help preserve their history.
Participants can digitize up to 10 photos while at the Fair. Bring your own flash drive, or we will have for sale. Contact us with any questions you may have!
This is the second part of the Lost Town series in Wright County, Minnesota. As you read this exhilarating book of Smith Lake, you will realize, just how exciting and frightening history can be from the mid 1800's to the 1940's.
Understand history through the building of a railroad town and follow local ancestors as they settled the Village of the Smith Lake area. Family genealogy and personal stories make this book complete, spanning generations through four Wars and the Depression, all over the state and country who continue to thrive today. You will read about murders, celebrations, history of Wright County, the expansion of the railroads, the area and the Village along with so much more.
Smith Lake was like so many other railroad towns across the United States of America. But where did all the small towns like Smith Lake go? The answer for THIS town is inside this 400-page book.
Please join us for this free presentation in the WCHS Activity Room.
Come join us and take a look at artist Susan Davies wonderful work!
Come and listen to the history of children’s Little Golden Books. These publications have been around for many years, so please come with us and take a trip down memory lane. There will be used books for sale to pass along to your own family as well.
Come and listen and see photos of a helicopter pilot’s life during the Vietnam War. Former pilot Lynn Freeman will talk about his experiences during his time there in the cockpit. Please note that while this will not feature sensitive imagery, we prefer that this program is for age 18+ visitors. Thank you.
Join the Wright County Historical Society and Sue Edwards, aka The Barn Quilt Lady, in the creation of your very own Barn Quilt.
Supply Cost: $80
Call, or email to register.
NEW ITEMS DAILY!! This online-only event starts Thursday, May 2nd at noon and ends Friday, May 10 at 4:30pm. Items may be picked up as early as Saturday, May 11 at 9:00am. Bidding is very easy, anonymous, and winning bids may be paid through the auction site—new items are added daily! Items donated specifically for this event may be brand new, slightly used, or even one-of-a-kind pieces.
The Online Yard Sale Fundraiser online link (www.32auctions.com/WCHS-YSF2024) allows you to preview items as they are uploaded to the site. If you would like to donate an item to this fundraiser, or have any questions, please call Sally Stevens, WCHS Business Manager, at 763-682-7323.
For more information about the Wright County Historical Society please visit Facebook, Instagram, and www.wrighthistory.org.
Learn the basics of searching your own family history using some of our search tools at the WCHS. Presented by our own Research & Reference Librarian: Ember Wahlenberg.
Join the Wright County Historical Society and Sue Edwards, aka The Barn Quilt Lady, in the creation of your very own Barn Quilt.
Supply Cost: $80
Call, or email to register.
Spring is just around the corner and it'll soon be time to get your hands dirty in the soil. WCHS is hosting a Seed Swap for everyone to come in and swap seeds, stories, and expertise.
There will be a Master Gardener on hand for a limited time, plus 100 seed packets donated from Seed Savers, Rare Seeds, and more. This is a free event held in our Activity Room for everyone with a green thumb.
We are working to restructure the format and come up with a new type of Agriculture event. Please stay tuned to this Calendar and our Socials for more details as they happen.
Join us with author Paul Hodnefield as he discusses his book: Sherman’s Woodticks: The Adventures, Ordeals and Travels of the Eighth Minnesota Volunteer Infantry During the Civil War.
