Mission
The mission of the Wayzata Historical Society is to gather written and photographic memorabilia about Wayzata and the surrounding area, document histories through interviewing longtime residents, and research the evolution of neighborhoods, schools, churches, businesses, and modes of transportation.
The Society promotes the history of the greater Wayzata area by operating the Wayzata Depot Museum every April through December, publishing a quarterly newsletter called The Telegraph, and by hosting special events and programs throughout the year. The Society also preserves Wayzata history by collecting, storing, and safekeeping items pertaining to local sites and events.
Vision
The vision of the Wayzata Historical Society is to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge about the history of Wayzata and the surrounding area. In particular, the Society shall strive to:
- Discover, collect, archive, and periodically display items that help establish or illustrate the history of Wayzata and the surrounding area
- Safekeep items such as newspapers, finance-printed circulars, handbills, programs and posters, manuscripts, diaries, letters, bills, service records, charts, surveys, field books, tapes, books, films, photographs, paintings, portraits, etc.
- Share historical information about Wayzata and the surrounding area with the public through written publications and public programs
History of the Wayzata Historical Society
The Wayzata Historical Society was founded by a group of local history enthusiasts in 1982, one year after the Wayzata Depot’s 75th Anniversary celebration. The idea of forming a local historical society was originally proposed by Lloyd Berg in 1981. Bylaws for the new society were adopted on July 11, 1982, with Taimi Anderson elected as the 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 Wayzata Historical Society Archives are open each Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. The Society’s Depot Museum is open on weekends, Wednesdays, and holidays from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. The Society also hosts public programs at various venues throughout the year.