Object Details
- General
- Noerenberg Memorial Gardens, 15 miles west of Minneapolis, comprise 74 acres with almost 9,000 feet of shoreline on Lake Minnetonka. The gardens were originally an estate developed beginning about 1890 by Frederick Noerenberg, a brewer who was one of the first entrepreneurs to establish a year-round home at the lake. Influenced by English landscape style, the estate became a self-sustaining world which included the family mansion with its tree-lined avenue, expansive flower beds, vegetable gardens, orchards, and a working farm. In 1972 the Tree Rivers Park District acquired the property and a capital endowment to maintain the estate from the will of Noerenberg's daughter. In keeping with her parents' wishes, the family house was demolished and a commemorative structure, the Memorial Colonnade, was built on the home site. She further directed that the property be developed and operated for "public park purposes as an arboretum for flowers, shrubs and trees" and for "general display garden purposes." Since 1972 the gardens have been maintained according to these specifications under the direction of Arla Carmichiel. Although the original house is gone, the feel of the overall gardens is still defined by its lakeshore views, large trees and extensive and expansive borders. However the design and choice of plant materials have been refined to those which are reliable hardy in the challenging Zone 4 climate and to colors which enhance the overall peacefulness of the place. The predominant palette includes shades of purple, blue, and mauve, as well as grays, pinks, and whites. The combination of these colors and the integration of the borders with the natural surroundings create gardens of unusual serenity. The gardens look their best from July through October.
- Persons associated with the garden include: the Frederick Noerenberg family (former owners, 1890-1972); and Arla Carmichiel (garden administrator, 1972 to date).
- Former owner
- Noerenberg, Frederick
- Noerenberg family
- Garden administrator
- Carmichiel, Arla
- Provenance
- Lake Minnetonka Garden Club
- Collection Creator
- Garden Club of America
- Place
- Noerenberg Memorial Gardens (Wayzata, Minnesota)
- United States of America -- Minnesota -- Hennepin County -- Wayzata
- Topic
- Gardens -- Minnesota -- Wayzata.
- Former owner
- Noerenberg, Frederick
- Noerenberg family
- Garden administrator
- Carmichiel, Arla
- Provenance
- Lake Minnetonka Garden Club
- See more items in
- The Garden Club of America collection
- The Garden Club of America collection / Series 1: United States Gardens / Minnesota
- Sponsor
- A project to describe images in this finding aid received Federal support from the Smithsonian Collections Care Initiative, administered by the National Collections Program.
- Custodial History
- Lake Minnetonka Garden Club facilitated the submission of this garden's documentation.
- Archival Repository
- Archives of American Gardens
- Identifier
- AAG.GCA, File MN032
- Type
- Archival materials
- Collection Citation
- Smithsonian Institution, Archives of American Gardens, The Garden Club of America collection.
- Collection Rights
- Archives of American Gardens encourages the use of its archival materials for non-commercial, educational and personal use under the fair use provision of U.S. copyright law. Use or copyright restrictions may exist. It is incumbent upon the researcher to ascertain copyright status and assume responsibility for usage. All requests for duplication and use must be submitted in writing and approved by Archives of American Gardens. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
- Scope and Contents
- The folder includes a worksheet, garden plans, and a brochure about the garden and its plants.
- Collection Restrictions
- Access to original archival materials by appointment only. Researcher must submit request for appointment in writing. Certain items may be restricted and not available to researchers. Please direct reference inquiries to the Archives of American Gardens: aag@si.edu.
- Record ID
- ebl-1643208220039-1643210181345-0
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