Programs: Events
The Edina Historical Society offers history-themed programming at two sites:
Edina History Museum at Arneson Acres 4711 W. 70th Street Edina, MN 55435 612-928-4577 Cahill School & Grange at Tupa Park 4816 Eden Avenue Edina, MN 952-448-4022 Office hours: Thursdays, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays, 10 a.m. to noon or by appointment Directions and maps | Calendar of Events - 2012
February - Sled, ski or stroll at Arneson Acres
 A young sledder at Arneson Acres.
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. The Arnesons welcomed children to slide on their hill.
Today, Arneson Acres is an Edina 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 14-acre 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. Sled down the hill, strap on you cross country skis or snowshoes, or enjoy a quiet walk around the 14-acre park, and then stop in the lower-level Terrace Room to warm up before the fireplace. Enjoy hot chocolate and treats, and see the museum's "Growing Up in Edina: A show and Tell Exhibit." The Arnesons required good behavior and so do we. Please supervise children and sled safely; all activities are undertaken at your own risk. Please remove boots and snow-caked outerwear at the door. The hill near the museum has a fairly steep incline, although a more gradual incline is located off the parking lot.  Feb. 4 - A Manners Tea for Young Ladies
The Schoolmarms of historic Cahill School invited young ladies, ages 6 to 12, to a "Manners Tea" on Saturday, February 4, to learn proper etiquette while enjoying tea with an adult guest. Girls may dress as young Victorian ladies - gloves and hats are optional.
Register for one of two identical sessions: 10 a.m. to noon or 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. Teas will be held in Minnehaha Grange Hall No. 398, located next to the school in Tupa Park. See map for more details on parking and directions. Register by sending your check with registration form. For more information, call Schoolmarm Carol Kuhlman at 952-448-4022. Enrollment is limited to 20 children per session. Cost is $35 per child, and $15 for accompanying adult. View or print full page flyer here. New! March 3 - Make Your Own Apron class
Learn how to sew by making your own apron on Saturday, March 3.
Cahill schoolmarms will teach simple sewing and help each child make his or her own apron. Supplies are included in the $35 fee. We'll provide the sewing machines, but you are welcome to bring your own, just remember to bring along tools, attachment and manual. Register by calling Cahill Schoolmarm Carol Kuhlman at 952-448-4022 or send in registration form. The class will be held 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Minnehaha Grange Hall No. 398, adjacent to Cahill School in Tupa Park.See map for more details on parking and directions. Bring a bottle of water and your own bag lunch. Please note our food restrictions because of allergies (no peanuts, tree nuts, fish or seafood.) May - Remembering Edina's fallen veterans
 Dwight Williams, killed in the last days of WWII
Since World War I, thirty-two Edina and Morningside residents were killed in action fighting for America's freedom. Marshall Schwartz, who has spent the past year researching the names of Edina's fallen for a proposed Veterans' Memorial, found amazing stories of courage and patriotism.
In honor of Memorial Day, Schwartz will present compelling stories of some of those Edina veterans who gave their lives in military service. Date and time TBA. The event will be held at the Edina History Museum. Edina's veterans' memorial is planned for Utley Park. For more information about the Edina Park Board's Veterans Memorial committee, see the city's website. Research material about Edina veterans will be housed at the Edina Historical Society. June - Summer day camp at Cahill School
Enroll your child in the Cahill Schoolmarms Summer Day Camp for a week in June 2011. The same costumed schoolmarms who enchant children with “trips” back to a school day in 1890 will supervise the Summer Day Camp. A typical camp day will include activities such as turn-of-century songs and stories, moral virtues and rhymes, mystery items, group games, and arts & crafts projects related to the historical theme. July 4 - Open house at Cahill School and Grange
Celebrate our nation's history on Monday, July 4, 2011, by visiting two important buildings from Edina's past, Cahill School (1864) and Minnehaha Grange Hall No. 398 (1879). The buildings, located at Tupa Park, will be open following the city's Independence Day parade. Aug. 10 - Antique Appraisal Event
Ever wondered what a family heirloom or garage sale find is worth? Find out at the fifth annual Edina Historical Society Antique Appriasal Event, which will be held Friday, Aug. 10, beginning at 1 p.m. at 7500 York Cooperative. Fall open house at Cahill School and Grange
 Close-up of the Grange.
Get a closer look at two of Edina's oldest buildings, Cahill School and Minnehaha Grange Hall No. 398 at a free open house 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in September (date TBA).
Built in 1873 to serve as a meeting hall for a farming organization, the Grange was the site of many historic meetings, including one in 1888 in which local farmers decided to form the independent Village of Edina. Cahill School was built by the Irish community in southwest Edina in 1864. It continuously served School District 16 until 1958. Both buildings are on the National Register of Historic Places and are owned by the City of Edina. The Edina Historical Society provided living history programs. Costumed school marms will show the buildings and talk about their upcoming programs. This is a great opportunity for teachers to hear about the field trip programs before booking, or for students to show their parents where they "spent a day in 1900." |
