Edina Historical Society

_Before Arneson Acres housed the Edina History Museum, it was the home of Mort and Katherin Arneson. Their sprawling acreage had trees and plants they sold at their St. Louis Park nursery, a greenhouse and a fabulous sliding hill right outside their door. For many years, the Arnesons welcomed children to slide on their hill.

Today, Arneson Acres is a 14-acre city park better known for its beautiful gardens, but it is also a great place for all kinds of winter activities. Children still find the Arnesons' hill irresistible for sledding!

In the spirit of the Arnesons, the Edina History Museum will open its doors the first three Saturdays in February: 4, 11, 18. Sled down the hill, strap on your cross country skis or snowshoes, or enjoy a quiet walk around the park, and then stop in the lower-level Terrace Room to warm up before the fireplace. Enjoy hot chocolate and treats, and visit the museum exhibit rooms. Free. 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

One of our volunteers recently came across a newspaper clipping about Mort Arneson's practice of allowing neighborhood children to sled on his property while he vacationed in Florida every year. The Edina Courier published this story on the front page of the Nov. 9, 1967, issue:

Residents of the 70th Street and Normandale Road area presented Morten Arneson with a plaque for his "generosity in allowing the freedom and enjoyment of 'Arneson Acres' to the children of the following neighborhood families: G.T. Armstrong, MB. Blair, A.W. Brunsell, J.W. Buckley, D. L. Budolfson, D. O. Comb, W.C. Corwin, D. Giovanelli, J. L. Kamiske, Dr. M.F. Lynch, J. D. Murphy, K. Priebe, Dr. P.J. Scanlan, J. L. Sowle and J.C. Verdorn."

Now, as then, children flock to Arneson Acres for winter fun. Although the hill is brown now, I hope it is snow-covered by our February sledding parties. As the news story says, "Once the snow flies, sleds and skis will abound throughout 'Arneson Acres.'"