Wayzata Historical Society Partners With Other Area Organizations, Exploring Possible Consolidation

In a recent letter to Wayzata Historical Society members, the organization announced it is partnering with other area historical organizations.

Wayzata Depot Museum, Courtesy Wayzata Historical Society

The other groups includes the Deephaven Historical Society, Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Minnetonka Historical Society, The Museum of Lake Minnetonka, and Westonka Historical Society.

These organizations are conducting a viability study of a possible consolidation and/or strategic alliance.

“Members and key volunteers of all the historical organizations had concerns about the sustainability and efficacy of our mission-supporting activities such as programs, archives, publications, etc.,” said Wayzata Historical Society President Aaron Person.

The Wayzata Historical Society says that the six organizations have collaborated in the past and share similar missions, members, funders, volunteers and audiences.

 “We’ve collaborated successfully on three projects in recent years — the book Images of America: Lake Minnetonka, a Lake Minnetonka History Tour, and cross-promotion of programs and events via newsletter insert,” said Person.

The study was made in part through a $52,000 grant funded by money from the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

“We are hiring a consultant to make sure that everyone’s voice is heard and that the outcome has only positive benefits for each group and/or Lake Minnetonka history as a whole,” said Person.

The project begins this summer and is expected to be completed by next summer.