Hopkins Historical Society

Museum Hours

The Hopkins Historical Society Museum is open from 9am to noon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. To visit the museum at any other time, please call 952-548-6480 for an appointment.

Buy Your Hopkins Through the Years Books Here

It has come to the attention of the historical society that its published history book on our town, Hopkins Through the Years, has appeared on Internet sites like Amazon.com for highly inflated prices. We found one book advertised as ‘new’ with an asking price of $98.11! Used books with lower prices have also been advertised, but even at the lowest price plus shipping, one would be better off buying the same book new from HHS. The cost of Hopkins Through the Years – NEW -is still just $20.00 plus shipping, if applicable, when you buy from us. Save yourself some money and support our society by buying your Hopkins history books direct from the source.

Historical Society Meeting

On October 18, 2009, the Hopkins Historical Society gathered for the annual presentation of its Hopkins-area historic home award. This year’s recipient was Dan Broberg of Minnetonka. His home, at 11606 Minnetonka Mills Road, was built in 1895 by Winslow Holasek.

photo: 2009 historic home in 2009 In 2009

photo: Presenting 2009 Historic Home Award Jerre Miller presents 2009 Historic Home Award
to Dan Broberg

photo: Dan Broberg answers questions Dan Broberg answers questions about his home

photo: Jerre Miller introduces guest speaker Gene Herzan Jerre Miller introduces guest speaker
Gene Herzan, who spoke on the history
of the Shady Oak Cemetery

photo: Joe Holasek, Nancy Holasek, Matt Waters, Dan Broberg Joe Holasek, Nancy Holasek,
Matt Waters, Dan Broberg

photo: Photo display of the 2009 Hopkins Historical Society historic home Photo display of the
2009 Hopkins Historical Society
historic home

Red Owl CD

An updated version of The Red Owl Story, by our local Red Owl historian, Norbert Lucas Jr., is now available on CD. The new CD version is over 240 pages and includes a pdf format file of the original printed book plus many new photos of past Red Owl presidents and products. Cost is $16.00, plus shipping if applicable. To get your copy, pick one up at the museum or call 952-548-6480.

Fee Schedule for Research Services

Fees are charged for some research services performed at the Hopkins Historical Society. For most members’ requests, these fees are small or do not apply. Museum admission is still free. Please see our services and fees page for details.

1872 Diary of George M. Burnes

Read the 1872 Diary of George M. Burnes online – a year in the life of a young Hopkins farmer.
The 1872 diary of George M. Burnes II, a member of one of the first Hopkins area settler families, recounts the daily events in the life of a 25-year-old farmer. (Because George’s cursive writing is difficult to read, the diary is transcribed.) The entries are short and to the point, but taken as whole they give a rather vivid account of life in Hopkins just a few years after the Civil War.

Historic Homes

Just love your old Hopkins-area house? Apply for local historic status! It’s easy. Click here for a printable application, stop by the Hopkins Historical Society, or call 952-548-6480 and we will assist you. Awards are given each October.

Hopkins Through the Years

Take a tour of home town memories and see Hopkins history come alive in this special look at Hopkins starting from the 1880s. Available now.

Exhibits/On Display

Home and Farm Hundreds of fascinating clothing and household items, tools and equipment provide a glimpse of life in Hopkins from the early 1900s to mid-twentieth century.
Architectural Remnants Many pieces in the museum reflect the varied and interesting architectural past of Hopkins. The centerpiece of the collection is the beautiful stained glass window from the stately former landmark Dow House.
Raspberry Festival Memorabilia Nothing says Hopkins quite like its annual Raspberry Festival. The museum’s displays showcase the festival’s many fun events and make you feel like you’re there.