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All the United States Minnesota Winona WNB Financial African Safari Exhibit
AO Edited

WNB Financial African Safari Exhibit

Hunting trophies and antique guns make up the unusual display at this Minnesota bank building.

Winona, Minnesota

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Kate Carlson
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WNB Financial Winona MN African Safari Exhibit   kcarlsonwinonamn / Atlas Obscura User
WNB Financial Winona MN African Safari Exhibit   kcarlsonwinonamn / Atlas Obscura User
WNB Financial Winona MN African Safari Exhibit   kcarlsonwinonamn / Atlas Obscura User
Winona Savings Bank building   Jonathunder/GFDL 1.2
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WNB Financial's historic downtown Egyptian Revival building in Winona, Minnesota, was designed by Chicago architect George Washington Maher. The building features incredible Italian marble, Tiffany stained glass windows, and a third floor that is sure to surprise, as it's filled with taxidermy and hunting trophies.

WNB, originally named Winona Savings Bank, was established in 1874. In 1900,  J.R. Watkins, founder of the health and home goods company Watkins Incorporated, took a controlling interest in the bank. After his death, E.L. King became the bank’s president and Paul Watkins its vice-president. They hired Maher to build a grand new home for the bank, which was completed in 1916.

King's and his wife, Grace Watkins King (daughter of J.R. Watkins), were hobbyist game hunters. They decorated the building's third floor with pieces from their extensive collections of exotic animal trophies and hunting rifles. There are more than 20 pieces of taxidermy on display, including a lion, a leopard, an ostrich, and a number of antelope heads. The animals have stood in the bank since their arrival in 1924, and according to a local news outlet, recently started undergoing restoration.

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Banks Animals Taxidermy Wildlife Hunting And Taxidermy

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Open to the public; guided and self-guided tours available. Open during regular business hours: Monday-Friday, 8:30am-5pm

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kcarlsonwinonamn

Edited By

Michelle Cassidy

  • Michelle Cassidy

Published

December 31, 2021

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Sources
  • https://www.news8000.com/history-is-being-revived-at-winona-national-bank/
  • https://sah-archipedia.org/buildings/MN-01-169-0071
  • https://visitwinona.com/directory-entries/community-directory/historical-sites/wnb-financial/
  • https://www.wnbfinancial.com/about-us/bank-history
WNB Financial African Safari Exhibit
204 Main St
Winona, Minnesota, 55987
United States
44.051416, -91.637898
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