A Beginner’s Tour of Lake Minnetonka

The Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society renews its popular series of four summer history cruises aboard the “Lady of the Lake.” The first cruise, “A Beginner’s Tour of Lake Minnetonka” with Paul Maravelas, will be held on June 12 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $22.50 for members and $37.50 for nonmembers and are available at:  https://tinyurl.com/5n8nmk5p.

In this beginner’s overview, historian Paul Maravelas will touch on the highlights of the Lake Minnetonka area history while cruising the lower lake. The tour will include the historic landscape, Native American residents, the pioneer period, and the Golden Age. Paul will also compare the lake of today to the lake of the past, describing historic boats, bridges, trains, streetcars, homes,  hotels, the lake’s former amusement park, game farm, and veteran’s camp. Paul Maravelas grew up on Lake Minnetonka and is currently writing a book on the history of Big Island. He studied history at the University of Minnesota and works in the museum field.

After to the beginner’s cruise, the summer series continues in July with a “Classic Boat Parade” with Dave Bortner, “The Narrows – Gateway to the Gilded Age” featuring a panel of experts from historical societies around Lake Minnetonka in August, and “The Historic Shores of Deephaven” with historian Scott D. McGinnis in September. “Lady of the Lake” offers a delightful setting to learn about and experience the history of the area and offers snacks and soft drinks for purchase as well as a full cash bar onboard. Series tickets are available here:  https://tinyurl.com/mryu69xn

About the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society: Founded in 1972, the Society collects, preserves and shares the history of Deephaven, Excelsior, Greenwood, Shorewood and Tonka Bay. The Society’s Archives and Museum house one of the largest collections of Lake Minnetonka historical artifacts, documents and photographs in the area. A number of books about Lake Minnetonka history have been published by the Society and presentations and initiatives have been created to share the history of the area with the public. For more information about the Society visit www.elmhs.org.