​​Monday, September 12 | 7:00 pm
Tapping History Trivia Contest: 1972 from Water Street to Watergate with Tom Kolar

Help us celebrate our 50th anniversary and amaze your friends with your knowledge of 1972 local, national and international history at this FREE trivia contest at Excelsior Brewing Company. Registration required. $5.00 suggested contribution at the door.
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"Kathy-Belle-Dan" ca. 1972. Now "Lady of the Lake." (Courtesy "Lady of the Lake.")

History Cruise: NOT "The Poseidon Adventure!" A Cruise Through '72
Sunday, September 18, 3:00 pm

Our final cruise of the year aboard the "Lady of the Lake" will offer a fun afternoon of history, nostalgia, trivia and tunes from 1972, the year of our founding.  Joanie Holst will share the history of the south Lake Minnetonka waterfront as it was fifty years ago while we cruise by - tapping and teasing memories of the Excelsior Amusement Park, Lyman Lodge, Big Island Veterans Camp and more. 

Monday, October 10 | 7:00 pm
ELMHS 50th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraiser
​​Pique Travel Event Space, 306 Water Street, Excelsior

Where were you in '72? Grab your friends and take a trip back to 1972 with playwright and screenwriter, Jeffrey Hatcher.  Share a laugh over what was happening in Excelsior, around Lake Minnetonka, the Twin Cities and beyond. 
  • Join us as we honor our founders and volunteers.
  • Support ELMHS’ next 50 years! Place a bid in our groovy silent and live auctions. 
  • Dig up some bell bottoms!  Wear ‘72 era threads to win a prize.
  • Far out appetizers, desserts and cash bar.
  • Tickets:  $25 per person.
Thank you to our sponsors!

Run for History 5k - Virtual Fun Run/Walk

​​The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society has been running since 1972! You can be a part of this legacy by participating in the Run for History 5k in celebration of our 50th Anniversary. The funds raised from this event will keep the society on track to collect, preserve, and share the history of the Lake Minnetonka area for future generations.

​$45 Registration required. Includes a t-shirt, medal, and downloadable bib.
Tips for a great fun run/walk
  • Sign up with some friends
  • Add a little history and bring our Walking Tour brochure. Download the pdf or pick one up from our museum. The tour is almost 5K!
  • Hop on a trail and visit some of the historic sites around the lake. You can plan your route here. 
  • Choose an ending point with a special treat waiting! See what the Excelsior area has to offer here. 
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Print or share this poster with your friends around the world!

And Last But Not Least . . . 50 Ways to Celebrate ELMHS' 50th Anniversary!

  1. Check out the ELMHS website.
  2. Participate in the ELMHS 50th Anniversary Virtual 5K.
  3. Visit the ELMHS Museum this summer
  4. Look around your home, an antique shop, garage sale, or swap meet for artifacts that were new in 1972 (or maybe your home was built then).  Try to learn more about the item(s) you find.
  5. Purchase an Excelsior Amusement Park mug online.
  6. Become an ELMHS Member.
  7. Read the ELMHS newsletter articles recounting the history of our area.
  8. Attend an ELMHS Tapping History event for Pints & Reflections on Lake Minnetonka’s Past.
  9. Make an appointment to visit the ELMHS Archives to research your house, a local property or ancestors.
  10. Walk, instead of running the ELMHS 50th Anniversary Virtual 5K by following the Excelsior Walking Tour (it’s 5K!)
  11. Visit “ELMHS at Home” and watch a virtual presentation. 
  12. Purchase an ELMHS long-sleeved t-shirt online.
  13. Pick out an historical photo, print or map and have it framed to hang on your wall.
  14. Purchase an Excelsior Amusement Park hoodie online.
  15. Take the Excelsior Walking Tour.
  16.  Attend the special Tapping History 1972 Trivia on September 12, 2022 (Registration opens in July).
  17. Purchase a book about Excelsior and Lake Minnetonka history online.
  18. Go to the library and ask for historical books about Lake Minnetonka and Excelsior.
  19. Make a donation to ELMHS in honor of a loved one.
  20. Learn more about Excelsior WWII Veterans by reading their stories on the virtual exhibits on the ELMHS Veterans Home Page.
  21. Visit the ELMHS Museum on Opening Day to see the newest exhibit - May 21, 2022. 
  22. Check out ELMHS on Instagram.
  23. Peruse thousands of local historical artifacts and images from the Excelsior Amusement Park, pioneers, sailing and much more on the MNCollections.org website.
  24. Donate a copy of your south Lake Minnetonka property’s abstract to ELMHS. 
  25. Take one of the Lake Minnetonka virtual history tours.
  26. Purchase an Excelsior Amusement Park tote bag online.
  27. Schedule a group tour of the Excelsior/Lake Minnetonka area for your club, class or team.
  28.  During the warm weather months, book a ticket for an ELMHS History Cruise.
  29. Stroll through the historic Oak Hill Cemetery or join an ELMHS tour.
  30. Use the Research Resources on the ELMHS website to answer your questions about local history.
  31. Purchase an ELMHS logo t-shirt online.
  32. Make a contribution to support ELMHS’ mission.
  33. Donate artifacts, photographs or documents related to the history of Excelsior the south Lake Minnetonka area.
  34. Contact ELMHS and offer to volunteer for their next event.
  35. Read the history of the South Lake Minnetonka area on the ELMHS website.
  36. Go back to the ELMHS Museum – and bring a friend this time.
  37. Record historical stories (written or audio) from a longtime area resident and donate a copy to ELMHS.
  38. Give someone special a gift from ELMHS.
  39. Plan a legacy donation to ELMHS to honor a fellow history “buff”.
  40. Take time to tell your child, niece, nephew or grandchildren about (or write) what your life was like in 1972.
  41. Volunteer to host at the ELMHS Museum during the summer. 
  42. Purchase an ELMHS gift membership for a friend.
  43. Prepare your 1972 costume to wear at one of our 50th Anniversary events.
  44. Follow ELMHS on Facebook.
  45.  Plan to attend ELMHS 50 Anniversary Celebration on October 10, 2022 (check here for details).
  46. Share ELMHS event details on Facebook or Instagram.
  47. Contact Rachel Houck to become an ELMHS 50th anniversary event sponsor.  
  48. Join our mailing list.
  49. Create a birthday fundraiser on Facebook in support of ELMHS’ 50th birthday and encourage your friends and family to honor your special day with a gift to us!
  50.  Start writing down your own history for generations in the future to learn from!
© 2022 Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society. All rights reserved. PO Box 305, Excelsior, MN  55331.