Lake Minnetonka Historical Society

The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society tells the story of Lake Minnetonka by collecting, preserving and sharing its history. Founded in 2023 through the consolidation of the Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society , Museum of Lake Minnetonka , Wayzata Historical Society and Westonka Historical Society , our all-volunteer, nonprofit organization maintains one of the largest archival and three-dimensional collections of Lake Minnetonka history available in-person or online. We share the lake's history in our Research Archives and Museums in Excelsior , Mound and Wayzata , as well as through a variety of public programs and experiences around the lake. The Society publishes and sells a number of books about the history of the area and we are committed to returning our historic 1906 streetcar boat Minnehaha to active operation on Lake Minnetonka to continue her life as a floating museum. The Lake Minnetonka area is comprised of the communities of Deephaven , Excelsior , Greenwood , Minnetonka , Minnetonka Beach , Minnetrista , Mound , Orono , Shorewood , Spring Park , Tonka Bay , Victoria , Wayzata and Woodland , Minnesota .