Charles H. Burwell House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Charles H. Burwell House
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The Charles H. Burwell house from the southeast
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 13209 E. McGinty Road, Minnetonka, Minnesota |
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| Area | 5 acres (2.0 ha) |
| Built | 1883 |
| Architectural style | Stick style/Eastlake |
| NRHP reference No. | 74001025 |
| Added to NRHP | May 2, 1974 |
The Charles H. Burwell House is a historic house museum in Minnetonka, Minnesota. It was built in 1883. This house tells the story of Charles H. Burwell, who was important in the early days of Minnetonka. He managed the Minnetonka Mills Company. This was the first mill west of Minneapolis. The area around the mill became the first permanent European-American settlement in Hennepin County, west of Minneapolis. The house, along with two other buildings on the property, is special because of its unique architecture. It also shows us about the early milling history of Minnetonka. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
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History of the Burwell House
Charles H. Burwell was born in New Haven, Connecticut, in 1838. He moved to Minnesota in 1874. Charles was a widower with two children, Anna and George. In 1876, he married Mary Carey Dunham. They had two more children, Louise and Loring. The family lived in the Minnetonka Hotel until their new house was finished.
Building the Burwell Home
The Burwell family moved into their new house in 1883. Charles Burwell was very proud of his home. He took many photos of it. The house kept its original look for many years. Charles Burwell passed away in 1917. Mary Burwell passed away in 1933. Their daughter, Louise, lived in the house until 1958. She then sold it to the William Smith family. Later, the city bought the house.
The Minnetonka Mills Company
Charles Burwell became the manager of the Minnetonka Mill Company in 1874. This company made flour. In 1881, it produced 300 barrels of flour every day. However, larger milling companies in Minneapolis grew very powerful. The Minnetonka Mills Company could not compete with them. It closed down in 1886. After the mill closed, Burwell traveled to Minneapolis for work. He became a secretary for Loren Fletcher, a businessman and lawmaker. Charles Burwell was a respected person in the community when he passed away.
The Burwell House Today
The Charles H. Burwell House is now a museum. The Minnetonka Historical Society runs it. You can take guided tours of the house. These tours are offered during the summer months. They are also available around Christmas time. It's a great way to learn about local history.
See also
