Minnetonka in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

The Burwell House and Family

— Burwell Park —

Photographed by McGhiever, June 22, 2024

1. The Burwell House and Family Marker

Inscription.

Burwell site, circa late 1890s-to early 1900s

The Burwell House captures the life of the Burwell family in 1894. The structures were restored to 1894 to reflect the time period of Mr. Burwell's involvement with milling, and to preserve as much of the historic fabric as possible.

Guided tours of the restored Burwell House include two floors with a parlor, dining room, two kitchens, a bathroom, and five bedrooms. The home is furnished with original Burwell and period furniture as well as pieces owned by the city or on loan from the Minnetonka Historical Society.

Charles Burwell at the Minntonka Mill office before it was moved to this site to become his workshop in 1894.

Charles H. Burwell (1838-1917) became the manager of the Minnetonka Mill Company in 1874. In 1876, Charles, a widower with two children, Anna and George, married his second wife, Mary Carey Dunham (1855-1933). They had two children, Louise (1882-1967), and Loring Dunham Burwell (1884-1928).

By 1883, the family had outgrown its quarters at the Minnetonka Hotel. Charles paid the Minnetonka Mill Company $1,000 for the land on which this home

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is built and the home was completed that fall at a total cost of $3,260. The Italian Villa style home features elaborate wooden scrollwork and was built from a plan in Palliser's American Cottage Homes catalog.

A summer kitchen was added in 1892, the front porch was enlarged between 1898 and 1906, plumbing was added in 1914, and electricity was added in 1924.

Mr. Burwell died in 1917, and Mrs. Burwell died in 1933. Louise lived in the home until 1958, when she sold it to the William Smith family.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1894.

Location. 44° 56.49′ N, 93° 26.884′ W. Marker is in Minnetonka, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. It can be reached from the intersection of McGinty Road E. and Plymouth Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 13209 McGinty Road E, Hopkins MN 55305, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Midwest,

in the Corn Belt,

and in the

The Burwell House and Family Marker next to the Burwell House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, June 22, 2024

2. The Burwell House and Family Marker next to the Burwell House

Great River Road Region.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Woodshed (a few steps from this marker); Cottage (a few steps from this marker); Mill Office & Workshop (a few steps from this marker); Ice House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Millpond (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to Burwell Park (within shouting distance of this marker); The Burwell Barn (within shouting distance of this marker); Minnetonka Mill: Intersection Of River, Roads and Rails (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Minnetonka.

The Burwell House image. Click for full size.

Photographed by McGhiever, May 9, 2015

3. The Burwell House

Credits. This page was last revised on September 16, 2024. It was originally submitted on September 16, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 594 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 16, 2024, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota.