The White Bear Lake Area Historical Society is on the cusp of exciting growth with the expansion into the full Armory building in downtown White Bear Lake, and its summer activities are a great way to learn more about this vibrant organization! The “Bears Building Community” exhibit, which kicked off during Manitou Days at the Armory and runs through the end of July, showcases our local history from the Golden Era to today.
The Fillebrown House is open this summer for both guided and self-guided tours. Don’t miss this chance to explore this fabulous lakeside cottage and hear the stories of the area’s Native American inhabitants, the golden resort era at the lake and the transition to year-round living. The Fillebrown is listed in the National Register of Historic Places due to the significance of its unique architecture, known as the Stick Style and commonly found along the east coast but rare this far west.
We have also launched a series of “Town Hall Talks” on local history topics as the Historic White Bear Town Hall. The building was designed in 1885 by a young Cass Gilbert who would go on to design the Minnesota, Arkansas and West Virginia State Capitols and the United States Supreme Court Building in Washington, D. C. The Town Hall served as the seat of government for White Bear Township from 1885 to 2011 when it was deemed no longer accessible. In 2015 the structure was moved to Polar Lakes Park just west of the Township Administrative Offices. Over the last few years it has been rehabilitated to serve as a cultural element to the larger town park and provide a venue for exhibits, events and presentations highlighting the history of White Bear Township and its people.
The mission of the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society is to “connect our community to its past, fostering and understanding of and appreciation for our history”. We do this in a variety of ways, including those mentioned above. For more information about the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society, what we do and how to support that important work, please visit whitebearhistory.org.
