Please join Theodore J. Wirth and the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society Today, Saturday, October 8, from Noon to 4 PM you will have the rare opportunity for free and equal access to The Historic Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building 3954 Bryant Avenue South in Lyndale Farmstead Park
Theodore Wirth coined the phrase "Parks are for People". When he arrived in Minneapolis in 1906, he tore down fences and removed keep off the grass signs. He directed the park police to allow children play on the grass. With deep concern for the City's future children, Wirth set out to open a playground within six-blocks of every child that would live in Minneapolis. This is how active recreation began in Minneapolis Parks. Theodore Wirth was noted for his position of absolute equal access for all people. He said, "Parks are for the masses and not the classes". He won the Inter-Racial Council Award in 1940. But there is so much more to know about Wirth's influence on the Minneapolis Park System.. Theodore Wirth's home, office and drafting room will come alive again for that day while you are greeted by Wirth's grandson, Theodore J. Wirth and the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society. Located in Lyndale Farmstead Park, at 3954 Bryant Avenue South, the home was built for Wirth by the Minneapolis Board of Park Commissioners as a result of negotiations that lured Theodore Wirth from his comfortable position as Superintendent of Hartford Connecticut Parks in 1906. Wirth asked for a home of his own design, to be located in a park, with offices where he could be inspired by observing the people, especially children, using the park Just like in "Field of Dreams", if they would build it, he would come. So, Charles Loring agreed. Wirth was 42 years old when he came to Minneapolis. He and his wife raised his three sons in the home and he dedicated the rest of his life to the expansion, design and development of the Minneapolis Park System. The home includes Wirth's design office and a drafting room. Those rooms have been recreated for this public tour with period furnishings, maps and drawings - to replicate their earlier visual character. Within those walls and on those drafting tables Theodore Wirth implemented his DREAM .. That Minneapolis should be known as a Garden City and become the Number One Rated Park System in the Nation. Because of Wirth's outstanding accomplishments, Wirth gained international acclaim for Minneapolis and for himself. Wirth's dream is the legacy of today's Minneapolitan's. Ted Wirth ( namesake and park designer like his grandfather) established the Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society. In 2002 the Society accomplished recognition for the Theodore Wirth Home and Administration Building to be placed on the National Register of Historic Places. One of the Society's goals is to protect this historic home and take responsibility for accurate interpretation of the historic era of Theodore Wirth that has been identified and recognized by the National Park Service. The Society has asked the Minneapolis Park Board for permission to create an interpretive learning center within the building - as a service to the public - at no cost to the Park Board. We hope to see you there! Joan Berthiaume Co-founder Minneapolis Parks Legacy Society REMINDERS: 1. Be civil! Please read the NEW RULES at http://www.e-democracy.org/rules. If you think a member is in violation, contact the list manager at [EMAIL PROTECTED] before continuing it on the list. 2. Don't feed the troll! Ignore obvious flame-bait. For state and national discussions see: http://e-democracy.org/discuss.html For external forums, see: http://e-democracy.org/mninteract ________________________________ Minneapolis Issues Forum - A Civil City-focused Civic Discussion - Mn E-Democracy Post messages to: mailto:[email protected] Subscribe, Un-subscribe, etc. at: http://e-democracy.org/mpls
