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Mary Nilles’ family came to Rollingstone, Minn., in 1856, and she sat on an international committee that helped plan the exhibit — a display that gives the opportunity to remember where she came from and to celebrate diversity.
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Mac Whaley, 10, looks at a panel Tuesday showing an old photograph of Rollingstone, Whaley’s hometown, and other cities where Luxembourg immigrants settled as part of an exhibit at the Winona Public Library. The exhibit, called "Luxembourg - USA Migration," premiered last June on Ellis Island and contains 38 panels on the history and culture of the immigrants. (photo by Katie Derus/Winona Daily News) |
She says it’s fitting the showcase coincides with Minnesota’s sesquicentennial celebration.
“This is basically about the push and pull that brought them here,” Nilles said. “What we get out of it is the enjoyment of remembering our history and heritage from wherever we’ve come and learning more about each other.”
Thousands of Winona County residents are of Luxembourg descent, she estimates. Many settled in Rollingstone, Minneiska, Elba and the Winona area.
Luxembourg’s population today is about 500,000. It continues to grow in diversity, Nilles said, because of job opportunities and a strong economy. Many people drive to Luxembourg for work from neighboring countries.
The exhibit will travel to other cities throughout the United States after its stop in Winona.
Related activities include exhibits Thursday at Project FINE, the Luxembourg Heritage Museum and Polish Museum and Institute.
“We’re so used to a more monolingual environment,” Nilles said. “Exhibits like this can make us more aware of the larger world outside.”
Contact Käri Knutson at kknutson@winonadailynews.com or (507) 453-3523.
