New Brighton Area Historical Society
The purpose of the Society is to tell the history of the area, which includes present day New Brighton, Arden Hills, Shoreview, North Oaks, and Mounds View, and to preserve its heritage for future generations.
We pursue this objective through the collection of books, documents, photographs, newspapers, and artifacts that tell the story of the people of this area and their heritage.
We believe that the rich heritage and historical background of our area should be recorded and preserved. Through knowledge of our past, we gain an understanding and appreciation of our future, as individuals and as a community.
The New Brighton Area Historical Society (NBAHS) was founded in 1980 to encourage the research, preservation, and dissemination of knowledge about the history of New Brighton and of old Mounds View Township.
The NBAHS has completed the renovation of the Bulwer Junction depot museum located at Long Lake Park. This building is called the New Brighton History Center. The renovation includes a new roof, insulation, electrical wiring, a new furnace, a bathroom, replacement flooring, fresh paint, a security system, and an exterior deck. The deck has the names of 658 donors engraved into the deck boards.
The Society has developed a policy to govern the acquisition of historically significant artifacts and accepts documents and objects which are relevant to the history of the area. The Society is also involved in the copying of old photographs and preserving oral histories. Our photo collections now number 4659 photos with 4274 scanned by computer and saved digitally. We publish a newsletter twice a year to provide members with information about the Society and the history of the area.
The society has completed the placement of historical markers in the stockyards area of Long Lake Park. Trail maps are available for you at the History Center
Valspar Corporation donated its 1950 Great Northern caboose in 1993, which is sited on our siding and sports new paint and new Great Northern logos. The interior of the caboose has been renovated to look like it was in 1950.
The society has sponsored a Rhubarb Fest for 19 years. Originally started to honor the Lakeside Berry Farm owners and workers, we now welcome guests from throughout the metro area the first weekend in June to enjoy homemade rhubarb desserts, or purchase homemade rhubarb jam, rhubarb stalks, plants, cookbooks.
NBAHS Mission
The objective of the society shall be the discovery, preservation and dissemination of knowledge about the history of the area in and about New Brighton.
To discover and collect any material which may help to establish or illustrate the history of the area in and about New Brighton, its exploration, settlement, development and activities in peace and war, its progress in population, ethnic groups, wealth, education, arts, science, agriculture, manufacturing, trade, transportation, religion and finance – printed materials such as histories, genealogies, biographies, description, gazetteers, directories, newspapers, pamphlets, catalogues, circulars, handbills, programs and posters; manuscript materials such as letters, diaries, journals, memoranda, reminiscences, rosters, service records, account books, charts, and other multimedia materials, such as oral and written histories; and museum materials such as pictures, photographs, paintings, portraits, scenes, aboriginal relics, and material objects illustrative of life, conditions, events, and activities in the past or the present; and to preserve historic artifacts.
To disseminate historical information to interested persons, groups and institutions and arouse interest in the past by publishing historical materials in the newspapers or otherwise, by holding meetings with addresses, lectures, papers, discussion and tours; by marking historic buildings, sites and trails; and by operating a museum.
History of New Brighton
NBAHS By-Laws
