OUR MISSION
Stewards of the Parks (“SOTP”) are dedicated to preserving the historic Theodore Wirth Home, emphasizing its significance to the Minneapolis Parks system, and recognizing its potential for public utilization. The goal is to ensure a secure and inviting residence for the superintendent and their family, along with serving as a venue for community gatherings and functions. This initiative aims to provide public benefits without imposing a financial strain on the community, demonstrating responsible stewardship of the park’s infrastructure.
Purpose & Need of Fund-Raising Effort
The Theodore Wirth Home, completed in 1910, has long served as an important landmark in Minneapolis, holding both historical and cultural significance. As the home enters its second century, the home, originally intended as a private residence, is showing signs of aging that are typical for any structure over 100 years old. The goal is to modernize and renovate the home to make it suitable for contemporary family living, while maintaining the integrity of its historical design, a challenging yet necessary undertaking to preserve its legacy.
Accordingly, our key challenges and renovations goals include:
- Historical Integrity and Renovation Needs: The home, which was converted for office use in the mid-1990s by the Minnesota Recreation and Parks Association and the Minneapolis Parks Foundation, underwent significant alterations. These changes disrupted features typical of a single-family home, including:
- The removal of the family-style kitchen,
- The elimination of a rear stairway, and
- The awkward placement of a ground-level accessible half-bath.
- Since the conversion, no major investments have been made to restore or adapt the property for residential use. The renovation efforts will address these changes and aim to restore the home to its original family-oriented use while adhering to historic preservation standards.
- Deferred Maintenance and Structural Concerns: While the home appears structurally sound overall, closer inspection reveals deferred maintenance and structural defects that must be addressed. These issues are typical in a house of this age and will require careful restoration work to preserve both the home’s architectural features and its structural integrity.
- Modernization to Meet Contemporary Needs: The home must be updated to meet modern residential standards. This includes:
- Adding additional bathrooms (as the home currently has only one full bathroom),
- Updating the kitchen, which was altered for office use,
- Restoring essential features like the family-style kitchen, and other elements of domestic comfort.
- These changes aim to ensure the home is functional for modern family living without sacrificing its historical character.
Addressing Code Compliance and Safety: The home must also be brought into compliance with current building codes, particularly in areas related to, fire safety, and structural safety. These improvements are essential to ensure the house is both safe and suitable for contemporary use.
Historical Aspect of the House
When Charles Loring, a key figure in the development of Minneapolis’ park system, first approached Theodore Wirth in 1905 to come to Minneapolis and serve as the Superintendent of Parks, Wirth was initially hesitant. Wirth and his family were living in a large home provided by his employer, the city of Hartford, Connecticut in Elizabeth Park — a benefit they would lose if they moved to Minneapolis. Wirth’s reluctance stemmed from the fact that Minneapolis did not offer a comparable home for him and his family, and as a civil servant, he could not afford to replace such a benefit on his own.
However, during the negotiation process, Charles Loring understood the significance of this concern. In a pivotal move, Loring, recognizing the importance of attracting Wirth to Minneapolis, offered to build a house for him. The home would be located in Lyndale Farmstead Park, an area that would later play a major role in Wirth’s vision for the city’s park system. With this agreement, Wirth accepted the position, and in 1906, he moved to Minneapolis to begin his work as the Superintendent of Parks.
The house designed for Wirth was a vital part of his settlement in Minneapolis, ensuring that he would have a comfortable and permanent residence in the city. The house was designed by Lowell Lamoreaux, a prominent local architect. It not only served as Wirth’s residence but also became a symbol of his important role in shaping the Minneapolis Park System, which would later be recognized as one of the best park systems in the country.
This house, completed in 1910, would go on to be known as the Theodore Wirth Home and Administrative Building, reflecting both its role as a residence for Wirth and its later function as an administrative center for the park system.
Help Us Meet Our Goal!
