Upcoming Programs

Edina Historical Society Give Back Night

Thursday, October 22, 2020 from 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Wooden Hill Brewery (7421 Bush Lake Road, Edina)
Invite friends and family and members to eat, drink, and enjoy themselves at Wooden Hill Brewery in Edina. Wooden Hill will "give back" 10% of our total sales made during the hours of the event.

Thank You For Shopping
Kristal Leebrick

Thursday, October 8, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Edina History Museum/Terrace Room
Throughout the twentieth century, department stores ruled the retail landscapes of downtown Minneapolis and St. Paul. More than just shopping centers, stores like Dayton’s, Powers, Donaldson’s, Young-Quinlan, the Emporium, and the Golden Rule were centers of social life. From the legendary Dayton’s Christmas and spring flower displays to celebrating a special occasion at Schuneman’s River Room, the department store was a destination for generations of Minnesotans, within the Twin Cities and beyond.

Thank You for Shopping author Kristal Leebrick presents the history and stories behind Minnesota’s great department stores, offering a lively trip back to the glory days. She will have books for sale.

On the Street Where You Live
Andrew Scipioni

October 23, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Edina History Museum/Terrace Room
Have you ever stopped to wonder how your street got its name? Many of our street names are a reflection of Edina’s history and development. Whether derived from geologic features, names and nationalities of early settlers, adjacent communities or former property owners, every street has a story to tell. Join us for a trip down Memory Lane (literally) as our speaker shares his years of research into the stories behind many of Edina’s roadways. You may just learn something new about the street where you live!

The Shops in Westgate
John Flynn

November 12, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Edina History Museum/Terrace Room
The Morningside neighborhood grew more quickly than the rest of Edina, primarily due to its location along the Como-Harriet Streetcar line which connected Linden Hills with Edina. This growth prompted residents to secede from Edina in 1920 to become an independent village. Of course, a vibrant community needs its own business center. Our speaker will share photos and stories of the businesses that comprised the Westgate commercial district at 44th and France Avenue from 1915-1975.

100 Years of Christmas at Dayton's
James Neagbour

December 4, 2020 from 7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
December 5, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Edina History Museum/Terrace Room
This popular program SOLD OUT the last three years, so we are bringing it back for another holiday season!
For 100 years Dayton’s department store helped Minnesotans celebrate Christmas. We will look at how Dayton’s made the Christmas season magical by reviewing various window displays, unique gifts, store promotions, Santa Land, the unforgettable auditorium displays, along with a general history of the Minneapolis retail store. We will also look at the behind the scenes action by examining anecdotes from the management and the ever-helpful store employees, who made the name Dayton’s synonymous with Christmas shopping.