Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

Lake Minnetonka Historical Society Telling the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history.

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, "Lady of the Lake," Port of Excelsior. Tickets: https...
09/04/2026

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, "Lady of the Lake," Port of Excelsior. Tickets: https://gamescruise.eventbrite.com

Up for a fun night on the lake? There will be something for everyone - games of chance and skill - including history trivia, bingo and more! No history knowledge required, but you might learn a little something! Bring your friends and enjoy a cash bar with spirits and soft drinks.

Pictured: various historic Lake Minnetonka "museum piece" board games from our collection.

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, "Lady of the Lake," Port of Excelsior. Tickets: https...
08/29/2026

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, "Lady of the Lake," Port of Excelsior. Tickets: https://gamescruise.eventbrite.com

Up for a fun night on the lake? There will be something for everyone - games of chance and skill - including history trivia, bingo and more! No history knowledge required, but you might learn a little something! Bring your friends and enjoy a cash bar with spirits and soft drinks.

Pictured: various historic Lake Minnetonka "museum piece" card games from our collection.

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, Lady of the Lake, Port of Excelsior. Up for a fun nig...
08/11/2026

History Cruise: Fall Fun & Games, Monday, September 14 • 6 - 8 PM, Lady of the Lake, Port of Excelsior.

Up for a fun night on the lake? Join us aboard Lady of the Lake for some history trivia, bingo and more! There will be something for everyone - beginners and experts alike. Bring your friends and enjoy a cash bar with spirits and soft drinks during this casual cruise. No knowledge of history needed to join in the fun--but you might learn a thing or two!

Tickets: https://gamescruise.eventbrite.com

[Image: John Colby, Sr. of Excelsior (on right) enjoying some fun and games with friends around the turn of the century. LMHS.]

Hurry! Just a few seats left for our August 10 history cruise, "From Canoe to Chris Craft - A Lake Minnetonka Boating H...
08/09/2026

Hurry! Just a few seats left for our August 10 history cruise, "From Canoe to Chris Craft - A Lake Minnetonka Boating History."

Enjoy an evening of cool breezes aboard the "Lady of the Lake" in Excelsior as we explore Lake Minnetonka's boating history and its progression from transportation necessity to majestic steamer to family pleasure craft. Historians Joanie Holst and Jeff Magnuson will tell the stories of the first dugout canoes, early sailboats, and 2500 passenger steamboats, as well as Lake Minnetonka's famous boat builders and owners. Tickets: https://boatinghistory.eventbrite.com.

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popula...
08/08/2026

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popular tourist destination - from 1854 to today.

This guided tour will explore Wayzata's Lake Street through the stories of early pioneers and entrepreneurs and the homes and businesses they and others built throughout the years.

Saturday, 10 am, August 15

$5.00 advance registration through Wayzata Schools Community Education required at https://tinyurl.com/3fe4fauz.

[Image: Lamb Bros. Dry Goods & Grocery, Broadway Ave & Lake St, ca. 1906 & 1911. Later Hart's Cafe, now site of COV. LMHS.]

This week the Wayzata Depot turns 120 years old! Celebrate with us next Sunday, August 9th at the Depot.
08/02/2026

This week the Wayzata Depot turns 120 years old! Celebrate with us next Sunday, August 9th at the Depot.

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popula...
07/31/2026

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popular tourist destination - from 1854 to today.

This guided tour will explore Wayzata's Lake Street through the stories of early pioneers and entrepreneurs and the homes and businesses they and others built throughout the years.

Thursday, 6:30 pm, August 6 & Saturday, 10 am, August 15

$5.00 advance registration through Wayzata Schools Community Education required at https://tinyurl.com/3fe4fauz.

[Image: View from Rice and Broadway of Lake Street and Wayzata's waterfront, 1882. LMHS.]

We have 3 museums open this week. Our Excelsior Museum has fun for the whole family and is open this Saturday, 12pm - 4p...
07/20/2026

We have 3 museums open this week. Our Excelsior Museum has fun for the whole family and is open this Saturday, 12pm - 4pm.

Our Other Locations:

Wayzata
Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday
12pm - 4pm
Garden Railroad Saturday & Sunday
1pm - 4pm

Westonka Museum
Saturday
10am - 2pm

https://www.lakeminnetonkahistory.org/museums.html

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popula...
07/16/2026

Enjoy a lakeside stroll through time and learn about Wayzata's fascinating history as a rail town, port town, and popular tourist destination - from 1854 to today.

This guided tour will explore Wayzata's Lake Street through the stories of early pioneers and entrepreneurs and the homes and businesses they and others built throughout the years.

Thursday, 6:30 pm, August 6 & Saturdays, 10 am, July 18, August 15

$5.00 advance registration through Wayzata Schools Community Education required at https://tinyurl.com/3fe4fauz.

[Image: Tracks along Lake Street East, Wayzata, ca. 1895. LMHS.]

Address

PO Box 672
Wayzata, MN
55391

Telephone

+19524742115

Website

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