Historical Sites
While all of the parks in Minneapolis have an extensive history, we are fortunate to house several unique historical sites.
John H. Stevens House
Built in 1849, the Stevens House was moved to its current location in 1896 by an estimated 10,000 school children, tugging on huge ropes in relay fashion.
Heffelfinger Fountain Dedication in 1947
Theodore Wirth, Minneapolis Mayor Hubert Humphrey, Francis Gross and Charles Doell at the dedication of the Heffelfinger Fountain at Lyndale Park
Longfellow House
Built in 1906 as a replica of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s home in Cambridge, MA, it now serves as an information center.
Ice Skating in Van Cleve Park in 1901
The first ice skating rink in Minneapolis parks was created in 1891. We currently have 47 outdoor ice rinks at 22 parks citywide.
Princess Depot
Hop on a lightrail train and visit the first train station on the west bank of the Mississippi River in Minneapolis, now operating as a museum.
Maude Armatage's 90th Birthday in 1960
Maude Armatage was the first women elected to the park board. She served from 1921 to 1951, the longest consecutive service in board history. She is pictured with Inez Crimmins and Lorna Phillips, the second and third women to serve as park commissioners.
Water Toboggans on a Minneapolis Lake in 1924
It is not clear when these slides were removed from Bde Maka Ska and Lake Nokomis parks, but Minneapolis parks still offer plenty of water recreation activities.
Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building
Theodore Wirth, the longest-serving park superintendent, led the transformation of Minneapolis parks into a nationally renowned park system from his drafting room in the Theodore Wirth Home.
Girls Basketball in 1914
Basketball hoops were first installed in Minneapolis parks in 1908.
Ard Godfrey House
The oldest surviving frame home in the Twin Cities, built in 1848.
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