Potter’s Field is a part of the cemetery that was set aside as a place to bury the poor and unknown who had no money or family to pay for a regular burial site. “The Haunting of Potters’ Field” is a musical theater work to be produced by Theatre du Mississippi, in collaboration with The Winona County Historical Society at the Historic Masonic Theater. It consists of a series of short, mostly true stories, told in verse, and punctuated by period musical numbers.  The stories focus on the lives from Woodlawn Cemetery's Potter's Field, and tell of early Winona immigrants and laborers who worked to build our town, but ended up impoverished and often alone.  When they died, they were buried in paupers’ graves in Potters’ Field.

"The Haunting of Potter’s Field", rather than a ghost story, gives us a historical look into the lives of those all but forgotten through story and song.The performance will be produced by Theatre du Mississippi and will be held at the Masonic Theater October 7 & 8 at 7:30 p.m. and October 9 at 3:30 p.m. (ticket prices TBA) in conjunction with the Winona County Historical Society's Voices from the Past: Woodlawn Cemetery Walk held at Woodlawn Cemetery October 8 & 9, Noon - 3 p.m.

Artists, we need your help designing the poster and the cover of the program for “The Haunting of Potter’s Field”!

Adults (18 yrs.+) please submit your 8.5 x 11” or 14″ 2D work for the Poster Contest.

Students (under 18 yrs.) please submit your 8.5 x 11” or 14″ 2D work for the Program Cover.

Any medium is acceptable and can be done in color or black & White.

Submissions will be on display at the History Center and at the Masonic Theater during the performances. The winners will receive a $100 grand prize (adults), a first place gift basket and runner up gift basket (students) and will have their work considered for the Haunting of Potter’s Field poster and program.

Please submit your art to the Winona County History Center, 160 Johnson, St. Winona by September 1 at 5 p.m. to be entered in the contest. Learn more by visiting www.winonahistory.org or stop in the History Center for a handout about Potter's Field.