Edina Historical Society

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Edina Historical Society Collecting, preserving and telling the stories of our vibrant history. Follow us and Rediscover Edina

The Edina Historical Society operates the Edina History Museum, 4711 West 70th Street in Arneson Acres Park. The museum houses a research library, two exhibit rooms, a gift shop and offices. The Society also operates a living history program at historic Cahill School and Minnehaha Grange Hall at Tupa Park, Eden Avenue and Highway 100.

We will be closed for an administrative work week from October 12 to October 17. We will reopen for normal hours on Mon...
10/08/2026

We will be closed for an administrative work week from October 12 to October 17. We will reopen for normal hours on Monday, October 19.

Artifact of the MonthOctober 2026Meet “Gerhard.”He is one of a set of ten hand carved dolls that were made by multiple a...
10/02/2026

Artifact of the Month
October 2026

Meet “Gerhard.”
He is one of a set of ten hand carved dolls that were made by multiple artists for Northrop Elementary around 1936. They were part of the Works Progress Administration (WPA) Handiworks Project Minneapolis.
The WPA Handiworks Project was set up to pay artists to preserve and, in some cases, even resurrect lost arts. These included carving, painting, sculpture, music, dance, theater and more. This was an important piece to preserving culture during the Great Depression.
There are five males and five female dolls paired, each in a different ethnic dress from Europe. We believe they ended up in our collection because a Northrop teacher likely retired and lived in Edina at some point, bur we are not sure.

Gerhard and his friends will be on display this month, along with some other dolls this month as we work to settle the debate as to whether dolls are creepy or not. Going into Halloween season our staff and volunteers seem split on the issue, some saying all are, some saying none and others saying that some are and aren’t. So come by the Edina Historical Society at Arneson Acres Park, 4711 70th St and take a look and let us know your thoughts.
Mondays 4-8, Tuesdays 10-8 and Saturdays 12-4

Country Club District Service CompanyVs.Village of EdinaOver the last few months we have been covering a lawsuit brought...
09/18/2026

Country Club District Service Company
Vs.
Village of Edina

Over the last few months we have been covering a lawsuit brought by the Country Club District against the then Village of Edina.
A quick recap. The lawsuit, filed in 1939, was demanding payment of nearly the modern equivalent of 1 million dollars for the use of fire hydrants and sewer systems. An insurance company filed as intervenor in the suit has they claimed a mortgage held on the infrastructure in question. The trial was held in 1940 the ruling was in favor of the district and the insurance company.
Edina filed an appeal in 1941 citing multiple errors that they believed had been done by the judge, including stopping the village from introducing evidence that would have, they believed, proven their arguments that there never had been an agreement for payment.
In January 1943 the Minnesota Supreme Court issued their decision on the case and overturned the decision. They agreed with Edina that the judge had committed the errors cited. The intervenors claim was upheld.
This case served as a national test case as to who owns infrastructure, the developer who installs it, or the municipality who supplies the water. The main point was that the original developer, Thorpe Bros., had sold the lots in the district saying that the price included the infrastructure and there would be no additional assessments.
This case is why today infrastructure upkeep and installation is a city government function and that of private developers.

Anyone interested in reading this appellate brief, it is available in our library at the Edina Historical Society at Arneson Acres Park, 4711 70th St.

You can read the Minnesota Supreme Courts decision on the case here:

https://www.casemine.com/judgement/us/5914cb90add7b04934803542

Have you seen our exhibit “Edina: From Farm to City” yet? This exhibit covers the history of Edina from its days as Dak...
09/11/2026

Have you seen our exhibit “Edina: From Farm to City” yet? This exhibit covers the history of Edina from its days as Dakota lands, pioneer farmers, urbanization and modern times.

Come see it and more at the Edina Historical Society at Arneson Acres Park, 4711 70th St. Mondays 4-8, Tuesdays 10-8 and Saturdays 12-4.

🧹 From the field to the lab! 🏺Ever wonder what happens to archaeological artifacts after they come out of the ground?Joi...
09/05/2026

🧹 From the field to the lab! 🏺

Ever wonder what happens to archaeological artifacts after they come out of the ground?

Join the Edina Historical Society for a hands-on volunteer session at the Braun Intertec archaeology lab and help us process artifacts recovered this summer from the Birch Family Berry Farm archaeological project!

Volunteers may help clean and photograph artifacts, learn how archaeologists identify and date finds, and assist with cataloging and identification. No archaeology experience is necessary!

📅 Thursday, September 10: 1–3 p.m. or 4–7 p.m.
📅 Friday, September 11: 1–3 p.m. or 4–7 p.m.
📍 Braun Intertec Archaeology Lab, St. Paul

Space is limited to allow for hands-on instruction, so register for your session here:

🔗 https://www.edinahistoricalsociety.org/page/3929365-public-archaeology-days-at-birch-family-berry-farm

Come help us turn artifacts into stories about Edina's past!

www.edinahistoricalsociety.org

We will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day and Tuesday, September 8th for the transition into th...
09/05/2026

We will be closed Monday, September 7th in observance of Labor Day and Tuesday, September 8th for the transition into the school year. We will re-open for regular museum hours on Saturday, September 12th (12pm-4pm). We look forward to seeing you then!

Artifact of the Month September 2026Our artifact this month is this surveyor’s level. It has some interesting features ...
09/05/2026

Artifact of the Month
September 2026

Our artifact this month is this surveyor’s level. It has some interesting features including a large directional compass set into the top of the tripod base and multiple bubble levels around the compass and on the telescope.
It was made around 1895 and belonged to Frank E. Cardarelle and later his son, also named Frank.

Come see this item and much more at the Edina Historical Society at Arneson Acres Park, 4711 70th St.

Please note we will be closed Monday September 7, 2026 in observance of Labor Day. Normal hours will resume on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.

Country Club District Service CompanyVs.Village of EdinaLast month we gave a rundown of the initial case and decision on...
08/28/2026

Country Club District Service Company
Vs.
Village of Edina

Last month we gave a rundown of the initial case and decision on the case between the Country Club District and the Village of Edina, filed in 1939 and decided in favor of the district in 1940. The suit claimed the district was owed money from Edina for the use of fire hydrants and sewers in two areas of the neighborhood.
In this 1941 appellant’s brief, filed before the Minnesota Supreme Court, Clarence Holten, Village Attorney for Edina notes the errors that he believed were made in the trial.
Edina disputed the claims on the hydrants and sewers saying that the trial judge should have taken the previous evidence into account but didn’t. The village also said the court committed an error in not resolving the ownership issue by disregarding Edina’s evidence.
The final error claimed was that St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co. should not have allowed as an intervenor and that the village was not allowed to question their mortgage status and other issues.
Next month, the final decision.

The CrierVolume 1 Number 6August 1930
08/15/2026

The Crier
Volume 1 Number 6
August 1930

Address

4711 70th Street W
Edina, MN
55435

Opening Hours

Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 8pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm
Friday 10am - 2pm

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