Mission of the Society
The mission of the Wayzata
Historical Society are to gather written and photographic
memorabilia about Wayzata, to document histories through interviewing long-time
residents, as well as to do research on the evolution of neighborhoods, schools,
churches, businesses, and modes of transportation.
The
Historical Society of Wayzata promotes the history of the town through many
items including: staffing the Wayzata Train Depot on the weekends
(April thru December); quarterly
mailings of The Telegraph (a detailed newsletter highlighting items of
historical significance); collecting, storing and safekeeping of photographs and
personal accounts of events at the Archives; as well as hosting special events
throughout the year.
We are always
excited to have new members and encourage you to join. Between small dues
and the generosity of our community at large, we are able to continue preserving Wayzata's
past. The society business is handled by volunteers except for Newsletter
design and production, and an accountant hired in 2004. We invite you to join us
and be a part of the Wayzata Historical Society today!
Click here if you are interested in becoming a MEMBER of the Wayzata Historical
Society.
Click here if you are interested in becoming
a VOLUNTEER of the Wayzata Historical Society.
Vision of the Society
 The Vision
of the Wayzata Historical Society shall be the discovery, preservation
and dissemination of knowledge about the history of Wayzata and surrounding
communities that affected the evolution of Wayzata. In particular:
- To discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of
Wayzata or the state of Minnesota and its environs.
- To collect, archive and periodically display any materials which:
- define exploration, settlement, development and
activities which occurred in the area now known as the city of Wayzata.
- illustrate the cities progress in population,
ethnic groups, wealth, education, arts, sciences, agriculture, manufacturing,
trade, transportation, religion, etc.
- depict what life was like within the city limits of
Wayzata in the past. Items including: newspapers, finance-printed
circulars, handbills, programs and posters, manuscripts, diaries, letters,
bills, service records, charts, surveys, field books, tapes, books, films,
photographs, paintings, portraits, etc. shall be collected and stored properly.
Inception of the Wayzata Historical Society
An important
landmark of Wayzata is the train depot, built in 1906 by James J. Hill following
controversy with the town fathers over his location of the railroad tracks.
It was in planning for the 75th Anniversary of the completion of this charming
depot that a group of history buffs started talking about the need for some sort
of historical round table or society.
In 1981, the
late Lloyd Borg, who had painted many of Wayzata's landmarks, including the
Depot, outlined what he felt such an organization could and should do for its
community. The group which had worked on the Depot anniversary continued
to meet, but focusing now on how best to set up the organization.
Bylaws were
drafted and on July 11, 1982 the Wayzata Historical Society held its first
meeting. A Board of Directors was chosen, who then elected the first
officers of the fledgling society. Taimi Anderson, from Shady Lane in the
Arlington Heights neighborhood, was elected as the first president.
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