History / From page 53
LAKE MINNETONKA
COMMUNITY GUIDE 2026
History / From page 53
• Steamboat Minnehaha, built in 1906
• Great Northern Railroad Depot( Wayzata Depot), 402 East Lake St., built in 1906
• Charles H. Burwell House, 13209 McGinty Road E., Minnetonka, built in 1883
• Section Foreman House, 738 Lake St. N., Wayzata, built in 1902
Lake Minnetonka Historical Society
The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society tells the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history. The society formed back in October 2023 when the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, the Museum of Lake Minnetonka, the Wayzata Historical Society and the Westonka Historical Society all came together to form a collaborative organization with one of the largest archival and three-dimensional collections of Lake Minnetonka history available.
The group manages to preserve and share Lake Minnetonka history in the communities of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Minnetonka, Minnetonka Beach, Minnetrista, Mound, Orono, Shorewood, Spring Park, Tonka Bay, Victoria,
Wayzata and Woodland all throughout the year.
The new organization has one of the largest archival and three-dimensional collections of Lake Minnetonka history available in-person and online and maintains research archives in Wayzata, as well as museums in Excelsior, Mound and Wayzata. The society also shares the history of the lake through a variety of public programs and experiences, publishes and sells a number of books about the history of the area and is committed to returning its historic streetcar steamboat Minnehaha to active operation on Lake Minnetonka to continue her life as a floating museum.
For more information, visit lakeminnetonkahistory. org.
Excelsior Museum 305 Water St., Excelsior Open May-September Saturdays, noon to 4 p. m.
Wayzata Depot Museum & Garden Railroad 402 E. Lake St., Wayzata Open May-October Weekends and holidays, noon to 4 p. m. Garden Railroad hours: Weekends, 1-4 p. m.( weather permitting)
Lake Minnetonka Historical Research Archives Lower Level of Wayzata Library, 620 Rice St., Wayzata Public hours: Wednesdays, Noon to 3 p. m. Saturdays, 10 a. m. to 1 p. m. Or by appointment.
54 | LAKE MINNETONKA GUIDE | 2026