Heritage Preservation Commission

Minneapolis Public Schools Historic Context Study

In 2004, the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission commissioned a historic context study of the Minneapolis Public Schools.  The historic context study spans more than 100 years and the approximately 140 buildings constructed, acquired, maintained, expanded, and sometimes removed by the Minneapolis School Board of Education between 1849 and 1962.  The timeframe extends from the first public schools constructed in Minneapolis to the expansion of the elementary and junior high schools for the post-World War II baby-boom generation.

Historic context studies provide a framework for evaluating historic resources relative to specific themes, timeframes and locations and are useful for many types of preservation-planning activity.  The development of public-school building types is the primary focus of this study, as school types reflected national trends in educational building design as well as the attention of local architectural firms and the Board of Education’s own architects.  While public schools have played a great role in the development of the City’s neighborhoods and in fact share their names with many of them, this study does not analyze school histories or the variety of local events that have taken place in the facilities.  Instead it examines the creation and maintenance of the school physical plant as evidenced by Minneapolis Board of Education policy and building design and describes the relationship of each remaining property to advances in school construction and program development.  The historic context narrative includes an inventory of existing schools, including those now in private ownership.  Inventory forms for all properties are on file with the HPC.

If you have questions about this context study, please contact Jack Byers at 612-673-2634.

Preservation Award Recipients Announced

(Minneapolis MN) The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, The Minneapolis Chapter of the American Institute of Architects and Preserve Minneapolis announce the recipients of this year’s preservation awards. The partners honor exemplary projects, individuals and community organizations that celebrate and enhance the heritage and historic character of Minneapolis. These awards highlight the year’s best achievements for transforming an historic property, building, or landscape and reinventing it to incorporate both new and old elements in a way that that is respectful to the past. Projects were judged based on their careful attention to the quality of design, architecture, workmanship, and materials as well as their positive impact on the surrounding neighborhood and community.

The recipients were announced at the 18^th annual awards ceremony held Thursday, May 21, 11:30 a.m. at International Market Square. A news release detailing the recipients and projects can be found at the link below.

2009 Preservation Awards News Release

2009 Summer Walking Tours

Celebrate summer this year by enjoying a historic walking tour! The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and the Minneapolis Department of Planning and Economic Development (CPED) invite you to enjoy one (or more!) of its guided walking tours of historic sites in Minneapolis. Tours will explore areas that range from Minneapolis cultural gathering places and residential neighborhoods, to bustling commercial and industrial areas, to the theaters of Hennepin Avenue and the remnants of the city’s once extensive streetcar system.

Tours are brought to you free of charge by the City of Minneapolis and the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission, except for the Como-Harriet Streetcar Line tour, which has a fee of $5.

While reservations are not required, a ticket is required and is available starting 15 minutes before each tour.

Tour sizes are limited, so please plan to arrive early to ensure your spot.

Click here for more information.

Merger of the Local and National Warehouse Historic Districts

In 1978 the North Loop Warehouse Historic District was locally designated by the Minneapolis City Council. Then in 1989 the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District was added to the National Register of Historic Places (NHRP). The NHRP Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District is substantially larger in size than the locally designated North Loop Warehouse District; this difference in size is attributed to a larger scope of significance for the NHRP district.

Locally designated districts receive greater protection from demolition and inappropriate changes than National Register Designations. The North Loop Warehouse Historic District has benefited from regulation and design review not afforded to NHRP Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District.

In response to recent development pressures that threaten the historical integrity of the National Register Historic District the Heritage Preservation Commission (HPC), on December 2, 2008, directed staff to prepare a nomination for local designation of the area known as the National Register of Historic Places Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District. This direction from the HPC follows City Council direction from 2000 when the City Council adopted the Warehouse Action Plan. The Warehouse Action Plan called for the boundaries of the local North Loop Warehouse Historic District to be expanded to include the boundaries of the national historic district.

The first step in this process is a Nomination Hearing. The nomination for the district will be heard by the Heritage Preservation Commission on January 13, 2009.

Below are links to Frequently Asked Questions and a map of the North Loop Warehouse Historic District, the Minneapolis Warehouse Historic District and the St. Anthony Falls Historic District.

Frequently Asked Questions

Map: Minneapolis Warehouse Historic Districts

Heritage Landmarks and Districts Website

The Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission and Minneapolis CPED are excited to announce the launch of a new website that will serve as an interactive database for discovering and researching locally historic landmarks and districts in Minneapolis. Profiles for each landmark and district include historic and recent photographs, key facts such as architects, styles, and the year of construction, as well as a brief paragraph describing each landmark’s unique contribution to Minneapolis’ history. Check it out at http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/hpc/landmarks/!