Organizational Links and Events Around the County

On July 31st at 4 p.m., author Kerck Kelsey will be here to discuss his new book, Prairie Lightning: The Rise and Fall of William Drew Washburn. HHM's docent, Shari Albers, will also be present in order to answer questions about the Washburns and the Washburn Fair-Oaks neighborhood. The event will, weather-permitting, take place in the park itself but stop into the museum to take advantage of a special pricing when you purchase both this new book, and Remarkable Americans, Kelsey's book on the Washburn Family.

July 9, 2010

 

Concept, fund-raising for first-in-the-nation China garden approved

Planning and fund-raising efforts will begin for the first-in-the-nation Northern-style China garden at Washburn Fair Oaks Park in Minneapolis. The Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board of Commissioners (MPRB) at its July 7 meeting accepted a concept for the garden and approved future fundraising efforts by the Minnesota China Friendship Garden Society.

 

The MPRB has been working with the Garden Society and the Whittier Neighborhood to develop a concept for a garden since 2007. The Garden Society has also been working with the Minneapolis Sister City, Harbin, China, to aid in the financing and development of the project.

 

The garden is proposed for the southeast quadrant of the park. Enhancements may include an entry/gateway, seating, roofed structure, paths, bridge and plantings, while preserving and enhancing the views into and out of the park and ensuring its seamless integration into the entire park area. The Northern, or Imperial, garden style is noted for gradual sloping eaves in its architecture and its harmonious unity of architecture with nature. 

 

Through outreach efforts with Whittier Alliance and other local community groups and organizations, community support for the garden has developed. Because the garden will be a new installation for the park, additional community input will be sought through public meetings and the formation of a citizen advisory committee (CAC) during the planning stage, which will occur after funds have been obtained.

 

The Garden Society will undertake major fund-raising efforts, including operating costs. The Board approved a fundraising plan over a period of no longer than four years. Specific benchmarks are:

• Year 1 – 20 percent raised
• Year 2 – 40 percent raised
• Year 3 – 60 percent raised
• Year 4 – 100 percent raised

 

At the end of the third year, or when 60 percent of the goal is reached, the MPRB will initiate a CAC to discuss design of the site.

 

The 7.56 acre park is located in the Whittier neighborhood just across the street from the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts at Stevens Ave. and 22^nd St. E. The park was named for the William Washburn family’s estate “Fair Oaks” that once occupied the land. Washburn was a representative in Congress from Minneapolis and a U.S. Senator (1889-95).

 

 

CONTACTS:

Dawn Sommers
Public Information Manager
612-230-6407
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org

 

Janell Wojtowicz
Communication Specialist
612-230-6414
jwojtowicz@minneapolisparks.org

Photo from Riverside Reveries by Otto F. Schussler, M.D. 1928

Ancient oak tree succumbs to time; but the memories live on

300-year-old tree to be honored July 11

The ancient oak tree has stood sentinel over the Mississippi River Gorge in the Seward neighborhood for over 300 years. Generations of children have scaled its branches and families have picnicked in its shade. It has weathered Minnesota’s unpredictable and sometimes harsh seasons and the urbanization of Minneapolis.

 

But, alas, the centuries have taken their inevitable toll. The tree, the oldest known Bur Oak in Minneapolis, has died after being in decline for years.  

 

Seward neighbors will gather at Riverside Park on Sunday, July 11, to pay tribute to the tree. The event begins at 6:30 p.m. A ceremony at 7 p.m. will commemorate the tree through poetry, music and stories about the tree. The public is encouraged to bring personal reflections, photos or artwork, as well as refreshments to share. The tree is located along West River Parkway, about two blocks north of the Franklin Avenue Bridge along Franklin Terrace.

 

“To honor this living thing that towered above us in age and stature gives us a chance to touch and reflect on hundreds of years of our own history,” said Scott Vreeland, District 3 Commissioner with the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board (MPRB). “It also helps us look forward and plant trees that may be the cause of reflection hundreds of years from now.”

 

The event is co-sponsored by the MPRB, City of Minneapolis, and a number of local community members. It will proceed rain or shine. Parking is limited, so the public is encouraged to walk, bike, use Met Transit or carpool.

 

“This extraordinary tree has been a natural treasure appreciated by generations of people who have lived and visited this part of the river of what is now Minneapolis,” said Cam Gordon, Ward Two Minneapolis City Council Member. “I am very glad that we, as a city and a community, are taking the time and effort to honor its death.”

 

"For me, honoring this ancient tree allows us to honor our connection the earth, right in the middle of our urban environment,” said Seward resident Rosemary Frazell. “I hope in celebrating the tree and all the many gifts it has given all of us, we will be planting seeds of gratitude that will blossom into continued work to respect this earth and its resources for the next hundreds of years."

 

About the Tree

According to Ralph Sievert, director of MPRB’s Forestry Division, the tree’s estimated year of germination is 1677, making it approximately 333 years old. Just think, the tree was around in 1680 when Father Louis Hennepin found what he named St. Anthony Falls.

 

Theodore Wirth, Park Board superintendent (1906-35), wrote in his 1941 book, Minneapolis Park System, that the tree was “estimated by various botanists to be all the way from 150 to 700 years old….”

 

Today, the tree stands 44 feet. It was recorded at 58 feet in 1941, but has lost branches due to weather damage, age, etc. Its diameter is 51.25 inches and circumference is 161 inches. Its average canopy spread is 36.5 feet; it was recorded at 66 feet in 1941.

 

There’s still time for the public to pay homage to the tree as it won’t be removed by the Park Board until the fall, at which time a new Bur Oak will be planted. The Park Board is looking into opportunities available to utilize portions of the tree for art or other purposes. Wood chips from the tree will be placed around the new tree and in Riverside Park to benefit the next generation of trees.

 

Trees are a highly prized natural amenity in Minneapolis. Aside from the obvious aesthetic benefits, the city’s exceptional tree canopy contributes significant benefits, such as improving air quality, protecting water, saving energy, and improving economic sustainability.

 

Minneapolis has been recognized as a Tree City USA by The Arbor Day Foundation since 1979. Each spring the MPRB recognizes National Arbor Day with a citywide tree planting celebration. The MPRB has also received many awards for its Forestry program, including the National Arbor Day Foundation Arbor Day Award of Excellence and Award of Merit from the Minnesota Society of Arboriculture.

 

This year MPRB Forestry will plant over 4,000 trees citywide to replace trees that have been lost due to storms, Dutch elm disease, Emerald Ash Borer, and other causes. Since 1974, the MPRB has planted over 211,000 trees in Minneapolis. The Forestry Division cares for nearly 200,000 boulevard trees on 1,078 miles of streets.

 

For more information about the ancient oak tree visit:

http://sites.google.com/site/theancientoaktree/

 

CONTACTS:

Dawn Sommers
Public Information Manager
dsommers@minneapolisparks.org
612-230-6407 (office)

612-221-9155 (cell)

 

Janell Wojtowicz
Communication Specialist
612-230-6414 (office)
jwojtowicz@minneapolisparks.org

Date:      Thursday, July 15

Time:      6:30-8:30 p.m.

Place:      Hennepin History Museum,

                2303 3^rd Ave S

Guide:     Shari Albers

Co-sponsored by the Hennepin History Museum, the Washburn-Fair Oaks District was home to some of Minneapolis’ most prominent families from 1870-1920. Morrison, Washburn, Crosby, and Pillsbury mansions edged and were eventually surrounded by a growing city. Twelve of 17 sites that you will walk by still stand today. The tour’s first site, the Christian mansion - home to the Hennepin History Museum - will remain open until 6:30 p.m. to allow participants time to view the galleries prior to the walking tour.

From Queen Annes to Classical Revivals: Stories of Park Avenue and Its People

Sponsored by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission

Co-sponsored by the Hennepin History Museum

 

Date: Saturday, June 12

Time: 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon

Start: SW corner of Park Ave and 31st St

End: Park Ave and 36^th St

Guides: Ryan Knoke and Montana Scheff

 

From the late 1800s to the early 1900s the distinction of a Park Avenue address was actively sought by some of the City's most successful business professionals. Step back in time as you take a stroll alongside ornate Queen Annes and stately Classical Revivals to discover the differences between architectural styles, admire original photographs, and hear stories of the first owners and prominent architects of these fine residences. Stay for a garden social featuring refreshments and Q & A on how to get started researching the history of your own home. The tour is free, but registration is required by calling the Hennepin History Museum at (612) 870.1329.

***Due to an overwhelming response, registration for this event is now CLOSED***