In 1905, Wonderland Park on East Lake Street was a popular amusement park where the people of Minneapolis could ride one of the world’s finest carousels, witness amazing, death- defying […]

In 1936, the Park Board designated 31 acres of the land along the north shore of Lake Harriet as a bird sanctuary that was later named for Thomas Sadler Roberts, […]

John Scott Bradstreet, leading interior designer of the early 20 th century in the Twin Cities, traveled extensively to Europe and Asia on buying trips to furnish his retail shops […]

Imagine displays of a bear, carousel, ostriches, and Shetland pony rides at Lake Harriet to entertain visitors who came down to picnic, boat, or enjoy a concert. Concessionaires J. Palmer, A.O. Hoyt, H.M. Barnet, and J.H. Eschman welcomed visitors and helped shape their experiences in a picturesque setting once described as the "Coney Island of […]

From 1890 to 1953, the Lyn-Lake and East Harriet neighborhoods were served by the Bryant Avenue streetcar line that traveled from Lyndale Avenue to Lake Street, then east and south of Lake Harriet and crossing Minnehaha Creek. Historian Aaron Isaacs will take us on a then-and- now photo tour of the line from downtown to […]

In 1876, the Corps of Engineers finished a massive concrete wall under the Mississippi River at St. Anthony Falls. It stands three stories tall and spans the river. It is an essential piece of Twin Cities infrastructure that no one can see and few know exists. It safeguards Minneapolis' water supply and helps ensure the river doesn't undermine bridges […]

Streetcars ran on Nicollet Avenue from 1879 to 1954. Take a trip from downtown to the Richfield city limits with Minnesota Streetcar Museum historian Aaron Isaacs. He'll contrast historic photos […]

As one of Minnesota’s pioneering women architects, Elizabeth Scheu Close overcame many obstacles, explored new horizons, and earned her profession’s highest honor: the Gold Medal. Jane King Hession, a Minnesota-based […]

According to the U.S. census, in 1940 there were only 51 people of Japanese ancestry living in the entire state of Minnesota. Today, that number is in the thousands. Sally […]