The Winters Museum
Japantown Monument Dedication
Founders Visit the Museum
Historical Society founders, Joann Larkey and Evelyne Rominger, visited the Winters Museum to see the Lost Community exhibit in July, 2021.
Woody Fridae wrote, "It was nice to see both these wonderful historians come to visit the museum that they helped create. After visiting the museum, they had lunch at the Putah Creek Cafe and caught up on recent events. The Romingers have lived in Winters for five generations. Joann Larkey is known as the foremost historian of Winters History and as the author of Winters: A Heritage of Horticulture, a Harmony of Purpose."
Founders Joann and Evelyne at the Museum.
Joann points out a photo detail.
Rob on the Road Visits the Winters Museum
Carol McGinnis Fitzpatrick and Rob Stewart
Rob on the Road Visits the Winters Museum
"The Lost Town of Monticello" aired as part of the Monday 10/26 broadcast of Rob on the Road on PBS KVIE 6.
The full episode is available for viewing online:
https://www.pbs.org/video/the-lost-town-of-monticello-z8ixea
Remembering Monticello
Biking in the streets of Monticello
Remembering Monticello
There was a thriving agricultural town on the western side of the Sacramento Valley… that is until 1957.
In the Berryessa Valley, snuggled into Sacramento Valley’s western foothills, existed the town of Monticello. It was razed and burned by the Bureau of Reclamation to flood the valley and build Lake Berryessa.
[Expand for more]
Monticello was vibrant with life. Farmers cultivated fields, men rode horses in an annual rodeo, youngsters rode bikes throughout town, locals played music at the local tavern, kids went to school, families met at the local restaurants, and everyone swam in the Putah Creek swimming hole. While there are few folks who are still alive who remember those times, they are still grieving their lost Valhalla. But their memories of a town, now 75 years old, are still very much alive.
The Historical Society of Winters has gathered photos, artifacts, and speakers to commemorate the lost town of Monticello because Winters shares a common history. The high school students from Monticello attended Winters High School. Many of the Winters Youth Day Sweethearts were from Monticello. Locals remember going up to the famous Monticello Rodeo the first Sunday every May. A Life Magazine article that never ran about the destruction of the little town, photographed by Dorothea Lange and Pirkle Jones, will finally see the light of day. The town lives on in the memories of many who scattered and resettled in Winters and other Yolo, Napa, and Solano County towns. And that memory is celebrated in the exhibit “Remembering Monticello” at the Winters Museum.
The Museum is located at 13 Russell St., Winters. It is open for visitors Thursday through Sunday from 1:00-5:00 pm.
Winters Museum in the News
Vacaville Reporter: Lost town of Monticello is subject of upcoming Winters Museum exhibit
────────
Winters Express: Museum hosting new exhibit in April
────────
Winters Express: Express Yourself: Jim Kozen visits the museum, mural
────────
Support the Winters Museum!
Please support the Winters Museum with a donation to Historical Society of Winters.