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Golden Valley Historical Society

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Golden Valley, MN
Golden Valley Historical Society

Our mission is to find, preserve, and disseminate historical knowledge about Golden Valley, Minnesota

05/19/2026

Rescheduled Cemetery Tour is Wednesday, May 20
A GUIDED CEMETERY WALKING TOUR: STEP INTO GOLDEN VALLEY’S PAST – ONE STORY AT A TIME

Stories of town founders and a pre-Memorial Day salute to veterans from the Civil War and forward. Threat of rain resulted in postponement of Golden Valley Historical Society’s May 14 "A Guided Cemetery Walking Tour: Step into Golden Valley's Past - One Story at a Time." It has been rescheduled for Wednesday, May 20, 7 pm, Golden Valley Public Cemetery, Medicine Lake Road and Winnetka Ave.

Full details here: https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

05/14/2026

MAY 14 CEMETERY TOUR POSTPONED
Golden Valley Historical Society’s Thursday, May 14 program, “A Guided Cemetery Walking Tour: Step into Golden Valley’s Past – One Story at a Time,” has been postponed. The weather is too unsettled and rain is likely. The make-up date is Wednesday, May 20, 7 pm. We hope to see you then, at the Golden Valley Public Cemetery, for stories of town founders and a pre-Memorial Day salute to veterans. We’ll plan on enjoying great weather.

05/04/2026

MAY 14 GUIDED CEMETERY WALKING TOUR: STEP INTO GOLDEN VALLEY’S PAST—ONE STORY AT A TIME

Golden Valley Historical Society (GVHS) is presenting a Thursday, May 14 guided walking tour of the Golden Valley Public Cemetery, corner of Winnetka Avenue and Medicine Lake Road. This 7:00 pm stroll will be packed with pioneer tales, surprising connections, and the preservation story that saved this historic place. This site holds 157 years of history; stories of pioneering fathers, mothers, and families; and special tributes to veterans beginning with the Civil War.

GVHS’s event partners are the City of Golden Valley, which has owned the cemetery since 1992, and Chester Bird American Legion. It’s free, open to the public, no registration required.

Founded in 1869, this cemetery is one of Golden Valley’s oldest historic places. Learn why the cemetery came to be, and how early residents selected the land, and the remarkable community efforts that kept this sacred space from being lost to time.

As this will be two weeks prior to Memorial Day, we will ALSO hand out flags (provided by Chester Bird American Legion) for attendees to place at veterans’ grave sites, read aloud (City of Golden Valley official) a list of Golden Valley veterans buried here, and have taps performed by a Chester Bird veteran.

More information: https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

04/01/2026

HOW MID-CENTURY COMMERCIAL ARCHITECTURE HELPED TRANSFORM GOLDEN VALLEY

Golden Valley Historical Society (GVHS) and Docomomo US/MN will present “How Mid-Century Commercial Architecture Helped Transform Golden Valley” on Thursday, April 9, 7:00 pm, at GVHS, 6731 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley. It is free, open to the public, and no pre-registration is not required.

Guest speaker Bobak Ha’Eri, U of M Adjunct Professor and co-creator of the award- winning Minnesota Modern Registry, will share how the development of midcentury commercial architecture in Golden Valley -- and how the arrival of commerce and industry -- helped transform Golden Valley from village to city to a formidable first-ring suburb of the Twin Cities.

More information: https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

02/26/2026

HIGHLIGHTING THE HISTORY AND ESSENTIAL WORK OF GOLDEN VALLEY’S PRISM FOOD SHELF & SERVICES

On Thursday, March 12, Golden Valley Historical Society will highlight the essential work of PRISM, the Golden Valley organization that has offered dignity-centered resources for food, housing, and other basic needs in the west-metro for over 50 years.

Guest speaker Jason Wittak, PRISM Strategic Partnerships Coordinator, will share PRISM’s story, from its beginning over 50-years ago to current challenges brought about by federal funding cuts and local immigration activities that have upending the lives of many in the metro area.

The presentation, followed by a question-and-answer session, is at 7 pm at the Golden Valley Historical Society, 6731 Golden Valley Road. It is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. There will be collection boxes for donations of food, clothing, and basic needs items.

The Golden Valley History Museum (same address) will be open from 6:00 – 7:00 pm, prior to the program.

More: www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

Photo: Drew Arrieta

02/11/2026

KSTP-TV’S MINNESOTA LIVE “MUST SEE MUSEUM” IS THE GOLDEN VALLEY HISTORY MUSEUM

In January 2026, KSTP-TV photojournalist Bill Middeke met with GVHS president Lin Nelson-Mayson for a visit to the Golden Valley Historical Society.

Several weeks later, the result of this visit is a short, fun, and inviting look at the Golden Valley History Museum, including the 1882 chapel, the museum’s “largest artifact,” that is still operating today, hosting monthly history programs and special events including weddings.

Thanks to Mr. Middeke and KSTP, you can access this 3:39-minute Minnesota Live “Must See Museum” feature here:

https://kstp.com/special-coverage/minnesota-live/must-see-museum-golden-valley-historical-society-museum/

Located at 6731 Golden Valley Road, the museum is open Saturdays from 11am to 3pm.

02/02/2026

2003 “CELEBRATE GOLDEN VALLEY” DOCUMENTARY VIEWING, DISCUSSION, AND SHARING ABOUT THE CITY’S PAST AND FUTURE

The Golden Valley Historical Society (GVHS) program for Thursday, February 12 is “Past and Future: Celebrate Golden Valley.” GVHS will screen a nearly forgotten 2003 documentary -- produced by GVHS, Rotary Club of Golden Valley, and Studio 23 – followed by audience discussion of the city’s past and future.

The program is 7pm at the Golden Valley Historical Society, 6731 Golden Valley Road. It is free, open to the public, and no re-registration is not required.

Produced 23 years ago, the 30-minute video features stories about local landmarks, community leaders, and the evolution of Golden Valley. The documentary will shine a light on how the city developed; the discussion will hopefully surface ideas for continued vibrancy, success, and innovation in the future.

“We think you’ll discover that some topics continue to be relevant today,” said Lin Nelson-Mayson, GVHS board president, “including public works, human rights initiatives, and fostering community spirit.”

After the film, attendees will have the opportunity to share their memories, ask questions, and connect with others as we reflect on the city’s continuing journey and celebrate its vibrant spirit.

Golden Valley History Museum, same address, will be open before the program from 6 – 7pm.

More information: https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

PHOTOS: The original and current Golden Valley City Hall buildings.

01/17/2026

GOLDEN VALLEY TOWN HALL: OVERVIEW OF CITY OPERATIONS, UPDATE ON “BUILDING FORWARD,” Q & A

Golden Valley Historical Society is one of the sponsors of a City of Golden Valley Town Hall event on Monday, January 26, 6:30 pm, at Brookview. Mayor Roslyn Harmon, city council members, and city staff will be present at an event featuring an overview of city operations and an update on the “Building Forward-Civic Center Campus” facilities project.

A question-and-answer session, moderated by Mayor Harmon, will follow.

Other Town Halls will be scheduled during the year.

Regarding these events, in a recent CCX Media interview, Mayor Harmon shared: “This is definitely a vision that’s coming to fruition to really have a community engaged, to ask questions, and to be informed. If you want to know what’s happening in our city, if you want to know why we make the decisions, or how our government is processed. It’s really important to come to these town halls to ask questions about issues taking place in our city.”

Other sponsors are the City of Golden Valley, League of Women Voters–Golden Valley, and Rotary Club of Golden Valley.

12/29/2025

ON JANUARY 8: CELEBRATING ȞAȞÁ WAKPÁDAŊ (BASSETT CREEK) THROUGH INDIGENOUS PHOTOGRAPHY

On Thursday, January 8, Golden Valley Historical Society (GVHS) will host a talk by Cassandra Roy (Anishinaabe), an Indigenous artist who is photographing Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ (Bassett Creek) in all four seasons. This event will feature her winter photography, portrait photography, and other artistic projects.

The presentation is at 7 pm at the Golden Valley Historical Society, 6731 Golden Valley Road. It is free and open to the public. Pre-registration is not required. (Golden Valley History Museum, same address, will be open before the program from 6:00 – 7:00 pm.)

More great information on Cassandra Roy, Indigenous connections to the creek, the importance of maintaining good water quality, and how to access the very moving Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ (Bassett Creek) Oral Histories can be found on the GVHS website:
https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org

Photo of David Wilson (Dakota), a participant in the Ȟaȟá Wakpádaŋ / Bassett Creek Oral History Project, by January 8 program presenter Cassandra Roy’s (Anishinaabe)

12/01/2025

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE AT THE GOLDEN VALLEY HISTORICAL SOCIETY IS SATURDAY, DECEMBER 13

Golden Valley Historical Society’s Annual Holiday Open House is Saturday, Dec. 13. The public is invited to visit the Golden Valley History Museum and Historic Church, 6731 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Never visited or not for a long time? You’ll find the Historical Society decked out in festive holiday finery; discounted vintage Golden Valley street signs for sale; tours of the award-winning history museum; free Lunds and Byerly’s cookies from “Byerly’s Peggy;” a chance to visit and learn more about the Historic Church and its 1882 chapel; details on rental of the chapel for weddings; vow renewals, and memorial services; discounted Golden Valley Historical Society memberships; and a variety of volunteer opportunities.

More information:
https://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org/

Address

6731 Golden Valley Road
Golden Valley, MN
55427

Opening Hours

Thursday	9am - 5pm
Saturday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+17633085059

Website

http://www.goldenvalleyhistoricalsociety.org/

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