“Connecting you with local history back to the 1850s” is more than just a tagline here at the Robbinsdale Historical Society. It is our mission.
Founded in 1978, the Robbinsdale Historical Society stands as a guardian of this city’s heritage. We are here in the original Robbinsdale Library building at 4915 42nd Avenue North. This building is not just any building. It is a landmark recognized on the National Register of Historic Places.
Andrew B. Robbins purchased ninety acres. He wanted to create a suburban town. The city is named after him. Robbinsdale was established on April 19, 1893. It transitioned from the Village of Crystal. The Village of Crystal spanned four square miles. It had been incorporated in 1886. This incorporation aimed to prevent annexation to Minneapolis.
Inside the Robbinsdale Historical Society, you will find stories. You will also discover objects, pictures, and maps. Yearbooks, scrapbooks, and even phone books offer glimpses into the past.
Our resources extend beyond these walls. MNCollections displays documentary evidence of our past. It showcases collections from historical organizations across the state. You can explore items from the Robbinsdale Historical Society’s collection online.
Thanks to the Minnesota Legislature’s Legacy Grant Program, we are working to improve our collections. We inventory, organize, and catalog everything. High-resolution photos are available on the Minnesota Digital Library’s website too. They are part of Minnesota Reflections.
Have you heard about Lilac Way? It was a 12.5-mile section of Highway 100. It was lined with 7,000 lilac bushes.
The Robbinsdale Historical Society also preserves memories of the Terrace Theatre. The Terrace Legacy Project helps with this. The Terrace Theatre was a classic cinema from 1951 to 2016.
Each year, Robbinsdale celebrates Whiz Bang Days. It happens on the second weekend in July. This celebration pays tribute to Captain Billy’s Whiz Bang books. Fawcett Publications published them.
You can become a member of the Robbinsdale Historical Society. Membership dues are $25 annually or $250 for a lifetime.