The Winters Museum
Past Special Events
Lunch for Winters Veterans
The Rotary Club of Winters and the Historical Society worked with the Lest We Forget Project to sponsor the Lunch for Winters Veterans to both honor Winters veterans and to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the Dedication of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
Robyn Rominger with books.
Book-signing by Robyn Rominger
Author Robyn Rominger of Winters discussed and signed her new book, A Ranch For Generations, at the Winters History Museum on Tuesday, Oct. 26th.
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A Ranch For Generations is about the history of a ranch in western Yolo County from the time it was settled in the mid-1800s during the California Gold Rush to the turn of the 21st Century. The people who homesteaded the ranch were pioneers who relocated from other states back East and in the Midwest. The land changed hands over the years and was home to renowned beef cattle and sheep producers, including a family who emigrated from Spain along with many other Spaniards who settled in the Winters area. The experiences of the different generations of people who lived on the ranch ranged from tough times to the enjoyment of great wealth. This book chronicles their lives and the situations that they faced along the way, from their family and business lives to their romantic encounters. It also provides an in-depth look at how the land has remained in agriculture for nearly two centuries.
Rominger is an agricultural journalist with more than 30 years of professional experience She has written extensively about farming and livestock production issues for publications across the United States. She also has a passion for local history.
Books will be available for sale at the Winters Museum soon.
Sad News
Richard Rominger will be missed. . .
It is with deep sadness that the Historical Society shares the news that one of our board members, Richard Rominger, passed away this week. He and his wife Evelyne were instrumental in helping us move from “a museum without walls”, to obtaining a location and opening the doors to our Winters History Museum.
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Typical of Rich, he was involved in an act of kindness when he collapsed, arranging for food to be delivered to locals in need. His participation in the affairs of the Historical Society of Winters was just one of many organizations for which he served. But the fact that he was part of six generations of history in Yolo County and farming make this loss especially poignant and regretful for the Historical Society. He and Evelyne told first-hand stories and contributed artifacts that enrich our collections. Last year, Rich, dressed up in his navy cap, told an audience who came to the Veterans Day exhibition of his experiences serving during the Second World War. Perhaps less important, but equally generous of his time, he addressed legions of fifth graders as President Lincoln while they prepared for their living history experience as Union soldiers on an overnight trip on Angel Island. Rich dressed in a period costume, complete with top hat, as he sent the troops off.
Many of you know that Richard Rominger was the former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture under the Clinton Administration, (assuming all the duties of the Secretary post as “Acting Secretary” for five years while Clinton wrestled with his nominations to be approved.) He also served as California Secretary of Agriculture under Jerry Brown during his first term in the 70’s and 80’s. He served on the UC Davis Board of Regents, the board of the American Farmland Trust, and California Roundtable on Agriculture and the Environment just to mention a few of his leadership positions. It has been the Winters community’s good fortune to call Rich our own, and his death is a significant loss.
Our hearts grieve along with Evelyne and the rest of the Rominger family as we say goodbye to this generous statesman, historian, farmer, and friend.
Winters Historical Mural Project
Monday 06/15
Sunday 08/16
Mural Wall 2020
Following the safety protocols of the CDC due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Winters Participation Gallery, and eighteen students painted the east wall of the John Rogers building which houses the Winters History Museum.
For more: www.wintersparticipationgallery.org
Sweethearts and Mayors
Youth Day Royalty
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If you can help us to fill in the blanks or improve our photos and info, please let us know.
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Yesteryear Photos
Yesteryear Photos
From The
Winters Express
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Support the Winters Museum with a donation to HSW
What People Are Saying
"I guess you really *can* make a silk purse of a sow's ear now and again. The Winters Historical Society has transformed the unutterably funky Winters Express office in the old library building into a small and lovely museum. I look forward to watching it grow over time. Stop in and take a look and see what you can do to help them grow, whether its monetary contributions or handing over some of those great old artifacts you have around the house or volunteering time."
"Yes - it was a wonderful event and a marvelous museum. Thanks to all who contributed to the success of both. "
"Great beginning to what will blossom into a great treasure for the people of Winters and the world."
"Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I will support you always!"
You Can Help!
The Museum Needs Docents
Volunteer to serve a two-hour shift at the Museum: http://bit.ly/hsw-signup1.
Send any questions to wintersmuseum@gmail.com.
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One of the Museum's dedicated volunteers recently wrote: "Volunteering at the Winters Historical Museum is a pleasure. Visitor numbers are increasing, my estimate, 40% locals and the balance from across the nation and abroad. They love it, they contribute and value our history...without exception. The contributions the Museum founders have made in terms of time and donations is generous and loving, ‘so native Winters proud.’
"Visit if you haven’t, volunteer for a 2 hour shift, I believe you’ll be happy you did. While some shifts may not see a visitor at all, the opportunity to view and read the collection of history is priceless - from Winters root’s families to Winters High School class lists and news tidbits each year since WHS held its first classes. Thank you for this gift."
Recent Exhibits and Events
Celebrate Friday the 13th
Join us as we continue the tradition of the Wallace Family's Friday the 13th Party. We will honor Newt's memory with the extra special Newt's Black Ink Ale served in an extra special Newt's Black Ink Ale Pint Glass.
Music at the Museum
Friday May 31st 6-9 PM
Please join the Historical Society of Winters for an evening of music at the Winters Museum on Friday 06/31. The event will feature live music by amazing local artists and will benefit the Winters History Museum. In addition, the event will provide one of the last opportunities to see the Winters Plein Air Festival Art Show. The paintings will be coming down on Sunday 06/02.
Reliving Our Youth Days
Remember Youth Days of the Past with a visit to the Winters Museum and the current feature exhibit "Reliving Our Youth Days." The exhibit opened on Thursday, March 21, and will run through May 5th.
The Museum is open Thursday through Sunday from 2:00 until 6:00 PM.
Opening Night Event
On Friday, November 30, we opened with our first exhibit!
We titled it "Historical Society of Winters 'Expresses' Itself."
The Winters Express, especially the Wallace years, are featured. The short film “Winters Express” featuring Newt Wallace was shown. Charley Wallace shared his comments.
The Opening Exhibit
We called it "Historical Society of Winters 'Expresses' Itself." The Winters Express, especially the Wallace years, was featured. We hope you were able to visit.
Video Slideshow of the Youth Day Opening
Video slideshow of photos from the opening night for the Reliving Our Youth Days exhibit at the Winters Museum.
Photo Slideshow of First Exhibit
Opening Night Video
Former Winters Express publisher Charley Wallace demonstrates an antique Campbell Country Cylinder Press built in 1861 at the Historical Society of Winters (CA) Museum opening, November 30, 2018, with the help of his brother, John.
(Video by Shaunie Briggs)
Future Exhibits
Future Exhibits
We are planning our next themed exhibits. Here are a few that we are considering. Drop by and tell us what you think.
Building The Museum
This video slideshow follows the HSW team's conversion of the Winters Express office space into the Winters Museum.
Winters History on Social Media
Theodore Winters and Family, 1885
Caption reads: "Theodore Winters and his family are shown in this 1885 photo owned by the Nevada Historical Society. In the back row, left to right, are Nettie and Louis; front row, left to right: Nellie, George, Neva, Theodore, Maggie, Mrs. Winters, Archie and Theodora."
(Winters Express, 1975 Winters Centennial Supplement)
Lunch with President John F. Kennedy 1962
Newt Wallace, Winters Express publisher, and 24 other California editors and publishers met with President John F. Kennedy at a White House Luncheon on Friday, August 3, 1962
(Winters Express photo)
Winters History Mural 2018
Completed! (08/08/2018)
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Winters Participation Gallery (WPG) sponsored a summer class titled “The Winters History Mural Project.” It was taught by local professional muralist, Jaime Montiel, and included a dozen students ranging in age from 11-18.
For more photos and videos, visit Winters Participation Gallery.
You Can Help!
Museum Needs Items!
The Winters Museum is looking for items to display.
We are particularly interested in items that relate to local agriculture, local businesses, or family history. Items should be small and have a connection to Winters. If you have an item that you would be willing to donate or loan, please email a photo with a short description to wintersmuseum@gmail.com.