Since 1982, the Wayzata Historical Society has worked to preserve Wayzata’s past for future generations. The Society promotes the history of the greater Wayzata area by operating the Wayzata Depot Museum, publishing a quarterly newsletter called the Telegraph, and hosting special events and programs throughout the year. The Society also preserves Wayzata history by collecting, storing, and conserving items related to local sites and events.
Mission
The mission of the Wayzata Historical Society is to discover, collect, preserve, and disseminate information about the history of the greater Wayzata area. More particularly, its objectives are:
- To collect and preserve items related to the history of the greater Wayzata area.
- To share historical information about the greater Wayzata area with researchers and the general public.
- To stimulate interest in the cultural heritage of the greater Wayzata area.
Vision
The vision of the Wayzata Historical Society is to serve as a resource and inspiration for all audiences who wish to better understand the history of the greater Wayzata area.
History of the Wayzata Historical Society
The Wayzata Historical Society was founded by a group of local history enthusiasts in 1982, one year after a celebration was held for the Wayzata Depot’s 75th Anniversary. The idea of forming a local historical society was originally proposed by Lloyd Berg. Bylaws for the new society were adopted on July 11, 1982, with Taimi Anderson elected as its first president.
For many years the Wayzata Historical Society was based entirely within the Wayzata Depot. In the mid-2000s, the Society’s archives were moved from the basement of the Depot to the new Wayzata Library on Rice Street. Today the Society operates the Wayzata Depot as a museum on weekends, Wednesdays, and holidays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Society’s Archives and History Center are open each Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Society also hosts and participates in public programs and events throughout the year.