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Subject: Theodore Wirth Home on the National Register of Historic Places June 7, 2002 - What Now ? The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society’s goal is to provide each citizen the opportunity to become better informed about the historical and natural resources of the Minneapolis Park System. With this goal in mind, we prepared an application for the Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building, 3954 Bryant Avenue South, to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. This application passed the State Review Board on March 19, and the National Park Service June 7, 2002. We will be hosting a celebration Saturday, June 22nd from Noon to 3pm - “Picnic in the Park”. Mayor Rybak, along with Dan Niziolek and Scott Benson will be honoring the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society, in achieving this designation on the front steps of the house at 1:00 pm. The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society now desires to create an educational center and museum with public access on the main floor of the Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building. In January 2001, R.T.Rybak, then a director on the board of the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association (where the historic building is located), stated “We want this house back in public use.” He further commented that if we didn’t take this opportunity while we have Ted Wirth’s leadership we would consider this a Great Mistake! The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society agrees with now Mayor Rybak, and sees this building as the heart of the Minneapolis Park System.The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society, a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, has developed the following vision for the Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building: to open the home for public use and create museum space dedicated to Minneapolis Park History from within which we would Teach on-site educational programs for Minneapolis school children (K-12) Place and display Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society archives for public viewing Give historical lectures for neighborhood groups and organizations Conduct oral histories with Minneapolis senior residents Provide docent training and education Have historical orientation classes for new Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board Staff Re-create the living room and dining room space to represent the historical Wirth era Provide ongoing historical tours for the Minneapolis residents and visitors to the city Provide meeting space for multiple use (weddings, dinners, luncheons, teas etc.) for neighborhood groups and organizations Re-create Wirth’s offices and drafting room for interpretive and classroom use with handicapped accessibility (2003) The Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society feels that this vision is an exciting opportunity for the City of Minneapolis to bring back the “Park Ideal” of community spaces, ultimately creating a greater sense of historic place and civic pride. It is our hope that Minneapolis Citizens will support this vision of the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society .To further this initiative, we hope that Minneapolis Citizens will find it appropriate to write a letter to the Minneapolis Park Superintendent, and the Board of Park Commissioners in support of the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society and this vision before the current tenant completes their lease renewal (June 30). The implementation of this lease renewal may keep the house from public use for up to 9 years. Also come out to the house, show your support, and learn your history ! On Saturday June 22, from noon until 2pm, the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society will be giving free tours on behalf of the East Harriet Farmstead Neighborhood Association at the conclusion of their Annual Garden Tours. Mayor Rybak will give a proclamation recognizing the rich and significant history of this important Minneapolis park building. This building is a jewel. Show the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners that the people of Minneapolis care about their history and they want this building put into public use! Don’t allow this historic property’s significance to be lost to a political oversight!
Sincerely, Joan Berthiaume, Board President and Theodore J. Wirth Board Chairman Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society |
