At the City Council retreat on March 15, the Edina Heritage Commission presented its annual Heritage Award to ThouseHistory.com, a website that allows homeowners to research and share the stories behind their properties. The award marked a departure from traditional recipients, which typically include historic buildings or preservation projects.

The platform was created by Edina native Amanda Zelski and her husband David Decker, who launched the site in 2022. The database now contains information on more than 24,000 homes across the United States, with about 600 of those located in Edina.

"The big idea behind our platform is to be able to answer what's the story with that house and capture the real moments that make a house a home," Zelski and Decker told the council during the presentation.

For Edina properties, the website draws on public records from the Minnesota Historical Society, Hennepin County History Museum, and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Users can access the site for free to look up their home's history or contribute their own information. The platform also offers a free research guide, with optional paid services available for those seeking professional research assistance.

"We just love the idea of everyone coming together and crowdsourcing home history — it's the real magic when everyone is contributing that together," the creators said, expressing gratitude for the recognition. The Heritage Commission presents the award annually during preservation month to highlight efforts that contribute to local historical preservation.