EDINA HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Collecting, preserving & telling

the stories of our community , we invite you to

Rediscover Edina

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Upcoming Programs

Edina's First Refugees: The Irish

April 19, 2019
Experience the heroic story of some of Edina’s earliest European settlers. The story of the Cahill Irish is the story of a community within a community, one that left a lasting mark on the Edina we know today.

Back to School for Adults

May 10, 2019
Enjoy a fun-filled evening for adults as we experience by-gone days in the Historic Cahill School. Hear tales of Minnesota’s one-room schoolhouses, followed by refreshments at the Historic 1879 Minnehaha Grange Hall.

Reel History: Dawn of the Drive-In

June 6, 2019
On June 15th, 1966 over 1700 automobiles arrived to view the inaugural film at Mann's France Avenue Drive-In Theater. Advertised as the “world’s most distinctive and beautiful drive-in theater” with the “world’s biggest screen,” the France Avenue Drive-In was one of more than 4000 drive-in theaters built during the 1950s and 1960s.

Featured Exhibit

No Place Like Home:
Edina During World War I

The First World War had a profound impact here in Edina. As young men were called into military service, many women took jobs outside their traditional roles. The country diverted its manufacturing resources to war efforts, creating shortages of metals and other resources. There were food shortages as supplies were shipped overseas to support the troops. Minnesotans were asked to produce as much of their own food as possible, to reduce food waste and to eat less meat, wheat and sugar. Other efforts to support the war included patriotic parades and rallies, fundraising through Liberty Bonds, and supporting the American Red Cross. Meanwhile, Minnesotans of German descent, the largest ethnic minority group in the state, were required to register as alien enemies and carry their registration card with them at all times.

The World War I exhibit at the Edina Historical Society offers a glimpse into the past to see what life was like in Edina during the Great War. Discover the poignant stories of Edina residents affected by the War, both at home and abroad. The exhibit includes WWI artifacts and a simulated trench. Admission is free and open to the public during regular museum hours.