1 ## Parks and Recreation Commission ## Regular Meeting Tuesday, July 14, 2026, 6:15 PM ## 106 Center Street Members of the Public may attend the meeting either in-person or by joining via Zoom either online or by telephone at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82835623772?pwd=Rsf4BlmpkVd4XAE6GnovyTTXZ7J0ju.1 Meeting chat link https://us02web.zoom.us/launch/jc/82835623772 Meeting ID: 828 3562 3772 Passcode: 004651 --- One tap mobile ## +16469313860,,82835623772#,,,,*004651# US +19292056099,,82835623772#,,,,*004651# US (New York) Some items on this agenda are important enough to the City Councilmembers that a quorum of the Council may be present to receive information leading to their future deliberations and eventual decision. ## AGENDA ## 1. Call to Order/Roll Call ## A. Agenda Approval 2. Minutes of the Preceding Meeting(s) A. Approve June 9, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes ## 3. Citizen Reports or Comments ## 4. Unfinished Business ## A. Men's Garden Club Proposal for Garden Statuary ## 5. New Business ## A. Bench Donation - John "Punk" Seamans ## B. Bench Donation - Michael McNulty C. Oak Hill Cemetery National Register of Historic Places Registration Form Review 6. Communications and Reports A. City Council and Park Project Updates - Mini Master Plan and Playground Design Page 1 of 67 2 ## B. Message Board Content Guidelines C. Cinema in The Commons Update - Event Dates: 8/15 and 8/29 ## D. Upcoming Events: Rotary Concerts: 7/15 and 7/29 ## Crazy Days: 7/16-7/19 ## E. June Financials ## 7. Miscellaneous/Commissioner's Comments 8. Adjournment Page 2 of 67 ## City of Excelsior ## Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting ## MINUTES Tuesday, June 9, 2026 106 Center Street, Excelsior, MN 55331 – Entrance located on Center Street ## 6:15 P.M. ## 1. CALL TO ORDER Vice Chair Wolfe called the June 9, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting to order at 6:15 ## P.M. Present: Vice Chair Wolfe, and Commissioners, Baker, Bolles, Radziej, and Schmidt ## Absent: Chair Sobiech ## Also present: Parks Manager Quinn ## a. AGENDA APPROVAL ## June 9, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Agenda Bolles moved, Baker seconded to approve the June 9, 2026, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting agenda. Motion carried 5/0. ## 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES ## a) May 12, 2026 Parks and Recreation Commission Meeting Minutes Schmidt moved, Bolles seconded to approve the May 12, 2026, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting minutes. Motion carried 5/0. ## 3. CITIZEN REPORTS OR COMMENTS ## None ## 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS ## None ## 5. NEW BUSINESS (a) Men’s Garden Club initial proposal for garden statuary Gary Birnbaum of the Excelsior Men’s Garden Club presented to the Parks and Recreation (PNR) Commission proposing statuary installations in the garden spaces they maintain, which includes: The Port of Excelsior, Veteran’s Memorial, and Arey Garden. The PNR Commission discussed the proposal and requested the Men’s Garden Club present again at the July PNR meeting with a more detailed proposal. (b) Oak woodland educational signage Page 3 of 67 Manager Quinn discussed the community desire for oak woodland education signage to inform park goers on the oak woodland restoration project in The Commons. The PNR Commission viewed examples and discussed the signage project. PNR discussed finding a location for the sign that will not be impacted by future changes to the area. ## 6. COMMUNICATIONS AND REPORTS (a) City Council and Park Project Updates – Sponsorship Policy Update Manager Quinn discussed that the Sponsorship Policy was approved by City Council at the May 18 th City Council meeting. (b) Cinema in The Commons update (event dates: 8/15 & 8/29) Manager Quinn discussed that Cinema in The Commons was discussed by City Council at the May 18 th City Council Meeting and that City Council approved to fund the two events for this year. The PNR commission discussed the decision City Council made to fund Cinema in The Commons and to keep it a city event. ## (c) Park Message Board update Manager Quinn discussed the PNR message board recommendation that was approved by City Council at the June 1 st ## City Council meeting. The PNR Commission discussed how to set guidelines and manage the message board content. The PNR Commission discussed adding message board content guidelines to the July agenda. (d) Upcoming Events – Rotary Concerts 6/17 & 7/1. Mini Master Plan and Playground Design Community Engagement at 6/17 Rotary Concert. Art on the Lake 6/13-14. Firecracker Race 7/4, Fanfare for The Commons 7/7. The PNR Commission discussed the upcoming events in June and July. ## (e) May Financials No Comments. ## 7. Miscellaneous/Commissioner’s Comments Commissioner Radziej proposed putting out informational historic signs in The Commons leading up to the 4 th of July. The Commission discussed and agreed with Commissioner Radziej’s idea. Manager Quinn discussed bringing the idea for discussion at The Community for The Commons/City workgroup the following day. Manager Quinn discussed an inquiry for a bench donation above the ballfield seating area. The Commission discussed bench donations and the desire to have them above the ballfield seating. Page 4 of 67 The PNR Commission discussed the challenges involved with The Minnehaha Steamboat logistics and launching. 8. Adjournment Bolles moved, Baker seconded to adjourn the June 9, 2026, Parks and Recreation Commission meeting at 7:49PM. Motion carried 5/0. Respectfully submitted, ## Kevin Quinn, Parks Manager Page 5 of 67 Item: 4.A. ## ITEM REPORT ## To: Parks and Recreation Commission ## From: Kevin Quinn, Parks Manager ## Meeting Date: July 14, 2026 ## Department/Office: Public Works ## Item Name: Men's Garden Club Proposal for Garden Statuary ## Summary: Gary Birnbaum from the Men’s Garden Club sent the following images of garden statuary for review and discussion along with the following links to artists’ websites: ## Keith Dorn Dorn's Designs | Facebook ## Sharon Miller Thompson Yardly Art ## Judd Nelson Decatur Sculpture Tour - Decatur Sculpture Tour 1. Page 6 of 67 2. Page 7 of 67 3. Page 8 of 67 4. Page 9 of 67 5. Page 10 of 67 6. Page 11 of 67 7. Page 12 of 67 8. Page 13 of 67 9. Page 14 of 67 10. Page 15 of 67 11. Page 16 of 67 12. Page 17 of 67 13. Page 18 of 67 14. Page 19 of 67 15. Page 20 of 67 16. Page 21 of 67 17. ## Recommended Action: Review the Men’s Garden Club proposal. ## Budget: ## Attachments: ## None Page 22 of 67 Item: 5.A. ## ITEM REPORT ## To: Parks and Recreation Commission ## From: Kevin Quinn, Parks Manager ## Meeting Date: July 14, 2026 ## Department/Office: Public Works ## Item Name: Bench Donation - John "Punk" Seamans ## Summary: Mary Seamans would like to donate for a memorial bench at The Commons ballfield in honor of her late husband, John “Punk” Seamans. Mary provided the following details about her husband: “John Spencer “Punk” Seamans, born April 26, 1942, in Minneapolis, MN, was a Minnetonka High School graduate (class of 1960) and a lifelong sports enthusiast. Before his softball career, he was an all-conference football player and played preseason football with the Houston Oilers Legacy.com. Seamans built a strong reputation as a coach and organizer in the Minnetonka School District, dedicating 25 years to 7th & 8th grade football and several years to baseball. He also ran the South Shore Softball League for over five years, earning the Minnetonka Community Ed Adult Program Volunteer of the Year award in 2008 - 2009 Legacy.com. His contributions to the sport of softball were recognized in 2010 when he was inducted into the Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame Facebook+1. The Minnesota Softball Hall of Fame honors individuals who have made significant contributions to the game in Minnesota, and Seamans’ induction celebrated his decades of coaching, organizing, and community involvement. Seamans retired from sales at Zero-Max Inc. in 2001 and remained active in sports and community life until his passing on January 17, 2025, in Shorewood, MN Legacy.com. He is remembered as a dedicated mentor, a passionate sports fan, and a respected figure in Minnesota’s softball community.” Page 23 of 67 The proposed location is along the top of the ballfield seating. Staff would purchase and install the bench. ## Recommended Action: Approve memorial bench donation for John “Punk” Seamans. ## Budget: ## Attachments: ## None Page 24 of 67 Item: 5.B. ## ITEM REPORT ## To: Parks and Recreation Commission ## From: Kevin Quinn, Parks Manager ## Meeting Date: July 14, 2026 ## Department/Office: Public Works ## Item Name: Bench Donation - Michael McNulty ## Summary: Nicole McNulty would like to donate for a memorial bench overlooking The Commons ballfield near right field in honor of her son, Michael McNulty. Nicole provided the following details about Michael: “We are interested in purchasing a commemorative bench in The Commons in memory of my son, Michael McNulty, who passed away on the lake. Michael spent his childhood and adolescence in Excelsior attending school, playing baseball, boating on the lake, eating lots of Lick’s ice cream, and being with his friends  We saw a possible space we’d love for the bench. Attached is a photo. If this space is available or a similar one, please let us know and we will fill out the application form, send in payment, etc. Thank you for your consideration and for all you do to make Excelsior Commons a great park for our community.” Page 25 of 67 The proposed location is on top of the knoll near right field. Staff would purchase and install the bench. ## Recommended Action: Approve memorial bench donation for Michael McNulty. ## Budget: ## Attachments: ## None Page 26 of 67 Item: 5.C. ## ITEM REPORT ## To: Parks and Recreation Commission ## From: Kevin Quinn, Parks Manager ## Meeting Date: July 14, 2026 ## Department/Office: Public Works Item Name: Oak Hill Cemetery National Register of Historic Places Registration Form ## Review ## Summary: Row 10 Historic Preservation Solutions has completed the first draft of the Oak Hill ## Cemetery National Register of Historic Places Registration from. The cemetery committee met with Lindsay Hannah from Row 10 on July 8 to provide feedback on the draft. The National Register Questionnaire was submitted to the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office (MNSHPO) in April 2026. The cemetery committee is awaiting feedback from MNSHPO which may guide edits or additions to the registration from. ## Recommended Action: Review the Oak Hill Cemetery National Register of Historic Places Registration Form ## Budget: ## Attachments: ## 1. 5(c) Attachment_Oak Hill Cemetery Nomination - DRAFT Page 27 of 67 NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 expiration date 03/31/2026 1 ## United States Department of the Interior ## National Park Service ## National Register of Historic Places Registration Form This form is for use in nominating or requesting determinations for individual properties and districts. See instructions in National Register Bulletin, How to Complete the National Register of Historic Places Registration Form. If any item does not apply to the property being documented, enter "N/A" for "not applicable." For functions, architectural classification, materials, and areas of significance, enter only categories and subcategories from the instructions. 1. Name of Property ## Historic name: ___Oak Hill Cemetery____________________________ Other names/site number: ______________________________________ Name of related multiple property listing: ___________________________________________________________ (Enter "N/A" if property is not part of a multiple property listing ____________________________________________________________________________ 2. Location Street & number: _Excelsior Boulevard at Maclynn Road______________ City or town: _Excelsior_______ State: __MN________ County: _Hennepin_____ ## Not For Publication: Vicinity: ____________________________________________________________________________ ## 3. State/Federal Agency Certification As the designated authority under the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended, I hereby certify that this nomination ___ request for determination of eligibility meets the documentation standards for registering properties in the National Register of Historic Places and meets the procedural and professional requirements set forth in 36 CFR Part 60. In my opinion, the property ___ meets ___ does not meet the National Register Criteria. I recommend that this property be considered significant at the following level(s) of significance: ___national ___statewide ___local ## Applicable National Register Criteria: ## ___A ___B ___C ___D Signature of certifying official/Title: Date ______________________________________________ ## State or Federal agency/bureau or Tribal Government Page 28 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 1-6 page 2 In my opinion, the property meets does not meet the National Register criteria. Signature of commenting official: Date Title : State or Federal agency/bureau ## or Tribal Government ______________________________________________________________________________ ## 4. National Park Service Certification I hereby certify that this property is: entered in the National Register determined eligible for the National Register determined not eligible for the National Register removed from the National Register other (explain:) _____________________ ______________________________________________________________________ Signature of the Keeper Date of Action ____________________________________________________________________________ 5. Classification ## Ownership of Property (Check as many boxes as apply.) ## Private: ## Public – Local ## Public – State ## Public – Federal ## Category of Property (Check only one box.) ## Building(s) ## District x x Page 29 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 1-6 page 3 ## Site ## Structure ## Object ## Number of Resources within Property (Do not include previously listed resources in the count) ## Contributing Noncontributing _____________ _____________ buildings _____________ _____________ sites _____1_______ _____________ structures _____1_______ _____________ objects _____2_______ ______________ Total Number of contributing resources previously listed in the National Register _________ ____________________________________________________________________________ 6. Function or Use ## Historic Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) ## FUNERARY/cemetery_ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ## Current Functions (Enter categories from instructions.) ## FUNERARY/cemetery ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Page 30 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 7 page 4 _____________________________________________________________________________ 7. Description ## Architectural Classification (Enter categories from instructions.) _No Style___________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Materials: (enter categories from instructions.) Principal exterior materials of the property: _STONE/granite, marble________________ ## Narrative Description (Describe the historic and current physical appearance and condition of the property. Describe contributing and noncontributing resources if applicable. Begin with a summary paragraph that briefly describes the general characteristics of the property, such as its location, type, style, method of construction, setting, size, and significant features. Indicate whether the property has historic integrity.) ______________________________________________________________________________ ## Summary Paragraph Oak Hill Cemetery is a 6-acre active cemetery located on Excelsior Boulevard in the cities of Excelsior and Greenwood, Hennepin County, Minnesota. With an earliest recorded burial of 1855 and continuing to receive burials today, Oak Hill has a mix of marker types and styles representative of the years since its founding, including Civil War-era military markers, marble and granite headstones, family markers with associated family stones, and flat stones flush with grade. A steep hill contains the oldest section of the cemetery; a curving road around the hill up to the peak provides access to view of nearby Lake Minnetonka. The cemetery historic district includes the markers, monuments, head stones , and asso ciated scu lptures of the cemetery, one contributing structure (the vault), and one contributing object, the Soldiers’ Monument. An inventory of the headstones and markers was not under taken as part of this nomination. Page 31 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 7 page 5 ______________________________________________________________________________ ## Narrative Description ## Location Oak Hill Cemetery straddles the boundary between Excelsior and Greenwood; the majority of the cemetery is located within Excelsior, but an approximately 0.8 acres section in the eastern portion of the cemetery lies within Greenwood city boundaries. The cemetery is bound by Excelsior Boulevard and residential development along Lake Minnetonka to the north, a State of Minnesota Driver & Vehicle Services building to the east, Highway 7 to the south, and the River Valley Montessori of Excelsior school building to the west. ## General Description The cemetery (Figure 1) is not fenced or enclosed; a simple metal picket fence with square posts marks the boundary between the cemetery and the school on the western side of the cemetery. The remaining sides are open. Oak Hill does not possess elaborate entrance gates or similar features. A simple, modern sign with the name of the cemetery and a founding date sits at the entrance on Excelsior Boulevard. Visually the cemetery presents as one cohesive property despite two formal expansions. The original section of approximately 4.5 acres (Section 1, Figure 2) near the center of the property dates to ca. 1854. The expansion to the east of approximately 0.8 acres (Section 2, Figure 3) happened with the acquisition of the adjacent property in 1918. The expansion to the west (Secti on 3, Figure 4) of approximately 0.7 acres occurred in 1944. Sections 1 and 2 have notably steeper topography than Section 3. Marker types and styles vary between the sections due to the phases of development, but the cemetery does not have any internal divisions or fences indicating the different sections. The different section names are largely used by City of Excelsior staff for identifying burial plots and recording burials. Oak Hill Cemetery lacks elaborate sculptures or above ground tombs. It contains approximately 476 plots. A standard plot contains 4 to 6 burials. The plots cover almost the entire cemetery despite a topography that does not lend itself well to in ground burials. The plots in Sections 1 and 2 are neatly laid out in rectilinear shapes, but are configured to accommodate the hilly topography of those sections. The plots of Section 3 are more regularly configured, but lack the narrow aisle between plots found in Sections 1 and 2. As individual plots do not have fences or visual barriers, the unique configuration of each plot is more evident on a map than in the cemetery, but a handful of plots do have low perimeter markers of stone or concrete to delineate the boundaries of individual plots. In Section 2, several plots have large metal urns with distinctive bulbous shapes and angular handles, but most plots lack associate sculpture or commemorative figures. Unlike the garden cemeteries of the same time period, Excelsior has a more functional than designed landscape. As a result, the cemetery does not have the benches, fountains, lawns, or gardens found in other cemeteries. Page 32 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 7 page 6 ## Markers The markers at Oak Hill Cemetery exhibit a range of sizes, material, and iconography (Figures 5-11) . In Sections 1 and 2, the headstones, footstones, and associated sculptures are mostly above grade while many of the markers in Section 3 are flush with grade. The markers are in keeping with the prevalent styles popular over the years as the cemetery received burials and expanded. Obelisks, upright headstones set in a stone base, and rounded headstones are all found in Oak Hill Cemetery. The markers appear carved or manufactured by professional masons and artisans. Most of the markers are marble or granite as typically found in cemeteries of this age. One modest marker in Section 2 appears to be the work of an artistically-incline d amateur with concrete and small stones spelling out the name. As the plots can accommodate multiple burials, many of the plots feature one larger marker featuring the family name at the center or rear of the plot and smaller markers at the perimeter with the names and other information for the interred individuals. Typical iconography is found on markers across the cemetery. Plant motifs, such as ivy traditionally symbolizing fidelity or immortality and lilies for innocence, are found on markers along with other traditional symbols such as clasped hands for matrimony, a hand pointing upward indicating the deceased has risen to heaven, and a dove for peace or purity. Oak Hill Cemetery has several Civil War-era upright marble markers with the distinctive recessed shield relief and arched top initially adopted for use in national cemeteries in 1873 and later made available for private interments in 1879. 1 The markers are not contained within a single plot but dispersed across the cemetery in various family plots. Cont rib uting Elements Oak Hill Cemetery has two cont ributing elements: the vault and the Soldiers’ Monument. ## Vault The one-story vault is sited on the west side of the hill in Section 1. Constructed in 1905, the vault once served as a temporary holding facility for bodies awaiting burial during the cold Minnesota winters and now serves as cemetery storage. Oriented towards the west, the vault is mostly set within the hill with a portion of the roof and side elevations exposed. Rubble, uncoursed stonework covers the west elevation and forms three distinctive points along the roofline . Access to the interior of the vault is provided via a set of modern wooden stairs and a double le af, wooden plank door installed at a slant; the doors were installed in 2026, replacing previously deteriorated doors. The interior of the vault is concrete with a concrete floor. 1 “History of Government-Furnished Headstones and Markers,” National Cemetery Administration, updated 8 October 2024. Available online at https://www.cem.va.gov/history/hmhist.asp (accessed 29 June 2026). Page 33 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 7 page 7 In 1920, the Oak Hill Cemetery Association paid almost $200 for cementing the top and interior of the vault. The entry also notes “doors,” but did not qualify if it was for repair of the existing or replacement doors . 2 ## Soldiers ’ Monument The Soldiers’ Monument is currently located within Section 3; it was installed at the top of the hill in Section 1 , likely in 1905, but was relocated to its current location in 1962. The zinc monument serves as a focal point for the cemetery and gathering place for the Village of Excelsior’s annual Memorial Day services. The monument has a base fabricated to resemble rusticated stone but the remaining sections have a smooth surface. The upper shaft section is wrapped in a draped fabric motif with tassels and topped by a projecting pyramidal cap . On flat panels on the base, the memorial features iconography typical of a post-Civil War memorial for soldiers, including a draped flag, soldier’s head in profile with a flat cap, and classical decorative motifs. The monument was likely manufactured by The Monumental Bronze Company out of Bridgeport, Connecti cut. The company was the sole manufacturer of whi te bro nze monuments and allowed for extensive customi zation as each monument was made to order. The term “white bronze ” was primarily a marketing term as the resulting materials with largely zinc with a bit of tin. 3 Wi thin an 1882 catalog from The Monumental Bronze Co. are several components, such as the base and the Grand Army of the Republic badge embl em, that are visually identical to the Oak Hill Soldiers’ Monument. 4 ## Landscape The landscape of Oak Hill Cemetery does not feature the stylized, planned landscapes features of a garden- style cemetery. The cemetery has mature oak trees, particularly throughout Sections 1 and 2, providing shade to the property. Grass blankets the cemetery, covering over and obscuring any divisions between individual plots The roadways and paths follow the existing topography. Access to the cemetery comes via Excelsior Boulevard on the north side of the site. The roadways loop through each section and curve around the hill; at the top of the hill is plot number 0, a burial-free spot that affords view of Lake Minnetonka (Figures 14-16). The roadways are largely paved with the exception of the uppermost portion of the main access to the peak of the hill. 2 Financial records of the Oak Hill Cemetery Association, Entry for 28 July 1920. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 3 Carolyn Ivanoff, “Monuments Everlasting – Bridge port ’s Monumental Bronze Company,” n.d. Bri dgeport History Center, Bridgeport Library . Av ailable online at https://bportlibrary.org/hc/business-and-commerce/monuments- everlasting-bridgeports-monumental-bronze-company/ (accessed 29 June 2026). 4 Catalogue of The Monumental Bronze Co, October 1882. Available on line at https://dahp.wa.gov/sites/default/files/WhiteBronzeMonument_Cat_1892.pdf (accessed 29 June 2026). Page 34 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 8 _________________________________________________________________ 8. Statement of Significance ## Applicable National Register Criteria (Mark "x" in one or more boxes for the criteria qualifying the property for National Register listing.) A. Property is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history. B. Property is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past. C. Property embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or represents the work of a master, or possesses high artistic values, or represents a significant and distinguishable entity whose components lack individual distinction. D. Property has yielded, or is likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history. ## Criteria Considerations (Mark “x” in all the boxes that apply.) A. Owned by a religious institution or used for religious purposes B. Removed from its original location C. A birthplace or grave ## D. A cemetery E. A reconstructed building, object, or structure F. A commemorative property G. Less than 50 years old or achieving significance within the past 50 years x x Page 35 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 9 ## Areas of Significance (Enter categories from instructions.) ## _SOCIAL HISTORY__ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ## Period of Significance _1855-1962_________ ___________________ ___________________ ## Significant Dates _1855 ____ _1918______________ _1944______________ ## Significant Person (Complete only if Criterion B is marked above.) ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ## Cultural Affiliation ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ ## Architect/Builder ___________________ ___________________ ___________________ Page 36 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 10 Statement of Significance Summary Paragraph (Provide a summary paragraph that includes level of significance, applicable criteria, justification for the period of significance, and any applicable criteria considerations.) Oak Hill Cemetery is eligible for inclusion in the National Register at the local level under Criterion A: Social History . As the only burial ground in Excelsior and one of the few remaining extant links to the earliest days of Exce lsior ’s sett lement, Oak Hill Cemetery is an important part of the historic character of Excelsior. The cemetery reflects Excelsior’s history as a modest village tied to fa rming before becoming a tourism destination and ultimately a bedroom community for Minneapolis. The cemetery has continuously a part of Excelsior’s history through these changes as well as an anc hor for the annual Memorial Day commemorations. The cemetery has a period of significance of 1855 to 1962, from the first recorded burial to the relocation of the Soldiers’ Memorial to its current location. ______________________________________________________________________________ Narrative Statement of Significance (Provide at least one paragraph for each area of significance.) Excelsior, Minnesota, was founded in 1853 by the members of the Excelsior Pioneer Association, a group from New York seeking rich farmlands in the territory of Minnesota. 5 White settlement of Minnesota had escalated following the formal creation the Minnesota territory in 1849 and treaties with Native American tribes . An 1849 census of the territory listed 4,535 white residents, likely including many people of mixed European and Native American ancestry . 6 The Dakota requested Lake Minnetonka and the surrounding areas be set aside for them as part of the Treaties of Traverse des Sioux and Mendota, signed in 1851, but their efforts were unsuccessful. 7 White settlement along the shores of Lake Minnetonka commenced in 1852 with the establishment of a land claim by Simon Stevens to build a sawmill at the source of Minnehaha Creek, Grays Bay, in Lake Minnetonka. 8 That year, a small group led by George Betram visited Lake Minnetonka with an eye to future settlement; Betram wrote of the crystal-clear waters of the lake, fertile soils, plentiful timber, and proximity to the growing settlements of St. Anthony and Minneapolis. 9 ## After returning to New York, Betram formed the Excelsior Pioneer Association to expedite the settlement of the site he had selected. By spring 1853, Betram has returned with carpenter Robert McGrath in tow to start construction on homes 5 Lake Minnetonka Historical Society (LMHS), “A History of the South Lake Minnetonka Area,” 2022. Available online at https://www.elmhs.org/area-history.html (accessed 16 June 2026). 6 ## Rhoda Gilman, “Territorial Imperative: How Minnesota Became the 32 nd ## State,” The North Star State: A Minnesota History Reader. Minnesota Historical Society Press, 2002. pg. 49-50, 52 . 7 ## LHMS, “A History of the South Lake Minnetonka Area,.” 8 Frederick Johnson, The Big Water: Lake Minnetonka and Its Place in Minnesota History. (Minnetonka, MN: Deep Haven Books, 2012), p. 11. 9 Johnson, p. 12; ELMHS “History.” Page 37 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 11 and businesses, despite the fact McGrath knew “nothing of log-cabin building or of woods life”. 10 Additional settlers soon followed to Excelsior. Excelsior started as a small grid of streets hugging the southern shore of Lake Minnetonka. The main commercial thoroughfare of Water Street ran perpendicular to the lakefront. Notably, 13 acres along the lakefront were set aside as public grounds called the Commons. Agriculture initially dominated the Excelsior economy with farmers growing apples, strawberries, and raspberries among other fruits. Farmers also quickly identified that soil closer to the lake was rocky and difficult to farm while land a few miles away was easier to cultivate. 11 By 1890, the Village of Excelsior had a population of 619 people and the surrounding township another 468 people. 12 Early maps of Excelsior indicate a “Public Cemetery Grounds” on Second Street (present day Excelsior Boulevard) in the current location of Oak Hill Cemetery, but the maps only vaguely indicate boundaries and do not contain detailed information on the cemetery. Its inclusion suggests the cemetery was either active or at least set aside for future burials by 1854. 13 The first recorded burial at Oak Hill was in 1855 when Thomas Pease died of tuberculosis and was subsequently interred at the cemetery. 14 The cemetery’s establishment is contemporaneous with other cemeteries in the greater Minneapolis-St. Paul area. Martin Layman accepted burials on his property in Minneapolis starting in 1853; the cemetery would become known as the Minneapolis Cemetery when formally platted in 1860 as well as Layman’s Cemetery, but is now known as Minneapolis Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. 15 ## The Oak Grove Cemetery, now a portion of Bloomington Cemetery, began in 1856 in association with the First Presbyterian Church of Oak Grove. 16 Groveland Cemetery in Minnetonka followed a similar development to Oak Hill; the first recorded burial occurred in 1855 but formal organization didn’t happen until 1871 with the establishment of the Groveland Cemetery Association. 17 ## The Union Cemetery Association purchased property in 1861 for the establishment of the Union Cemetery in Long Lake. 18 ## As with Oak Hill, the early, original sections of these cemeteries contain many modest markers for early settlers and lack 10 Johnson, p. 12. 11 Plat Map of Excelsior, Minnesota, 1854, Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society; Johnson, p. 38-39. 12 Census Bulletin: Population of Minnesota, Census Office, Department of the Interior, 24 November 1891. Available online at https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1890/bulletins/demographics/147- population-of-mn.pdf (accessed 28 June 2026). 13 Plat Map of Excelsior, Minnesota, 1854, Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society; Snell’s Addition Plat ## Map, 1855, Collections of Hennepin County Library. Available online at https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/custom/home (accessed 27 June 2026). 14 Oak Hill Cemetery Walking Tour, Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, 2025. 15 National Register of Historic Places Nomination, Minneapolis Pioneer and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota, National Register 02000612. 16 National Register of Historic Places Nomination, First Presbyterian Church of Oak Grove Cemetery, Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota. National Register 14000956. 17 “History of Groveland Cemetery,” Groveland Cemetery, n.d. Available online at https://www.grovelandcemetery.org/history.html (accessed 29 June 2026). 18 “History of Long Lake,” City of Long Lake, n.d. Available online at https://www.longlakemn.gov/community/page/history-long-lake (accessed 29 June 2026). Page 38 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 12 the elaborate markers and landscaping found in later cemeteries in the Minneapolis area, such as Lakewood Cemetery. Despite the cemetery being referred to as “public” and multiple plots designated as potter’s fields, Excelsior involvement in the cemetery may have been limited, short-lived, or non-existent. A review of the 1850s records of the Excelsior did not identify entries about the cemetery or any related maintenance or management activities. The earliest records are limited to annual town meetings that are largely preoccupied with the poor condition of fences that allow cattle to freely roam, but no mention is made of the cemetery. 19 In September 1867, local residents formed the Oak Hill Cemetery Association (OHCA). 20 ## A week later, OHCA purchased “the tract known as Cemetery Hill” from Edmund Phiney and his wife, Rosetta, for the consideration of $5. 21 The 1867 deed triggered problems about 80 years later when an investigation into the transaction revealed the deed identified the cemetery as within Lot 4 of Auditor’s Subdivision No. 120. In reality, the cemetery is located in Lot 3 of Auditor’s Subdivision No. 120 (Lot 4 within Auditor’s Subdivision No. 120 does not exist in Excelsior). 22 Despite the legal irregularities, the OHCA acted as owners of the property and likely assumed management and maintenance of any burials and graves at that time. Initial plot sales starting in 1867 are recorded by the “Excelsior Cemetery Association” suggesting the Oak Hill name may been adopted slowly. 23 Initially, Oak Hill Cemetery comprised a single section of approximately 4.5 acres, currently Section 1 of the modern cemetery. A 15 foot-wide “Carriage way” provided access from the main entrance on the former Second Street to the top of the hill. The peak of the hill was “open space” and not set aside for burials. 24 A newspaper item in 1885 described the appearance of the cemetery as “little better than the wild woods” but a few plot owners “have fixed their lots very nicely.” 25 Substantial improvements undertaken a few years later included terracing several plots including adding sod, grading the walkways, additional plantings, and potential expansion of the site to connect with the adjacent roadways. 26 ## Further improvements were undertaken in 1890 along with additional efforts to transfer the cemetery to the Village. 27 By the late nineteenth century, Excelsior had transitioned from primarily a small farming community to a tourist destination. Hotels had begun cropping up on the shores of Lake Minnetonka as early as 1869 with the construction of the Rustic Lodge boarding house. The late 1870s and 1880s witnessed the construction 19 Review of Town of Excelsior Records, 1854-1862, Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 20 Articles of Organization of Oak Hill Cemetery Association, Excelsior, Minnesota, 11 September 1867, filed 13 September 1867. Certified copy dated 23 March 1950 by Hennepin County Register of Deeds. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 21 Deed, Edmund and Rosetta Phiney to Oak Hill Cemetery Association, 18 September 1868, filed 23 September 1867, Book 16, Page 532. Hennepin County, Minnesota. 22 Charles B. Howard to O. W. Lundsten, 16 October 1943. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 23 Records of Excelsior Cemetery Association, Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 24 Oak Hill Cemetery Plat Map, 1869, Collections of Hennepin County Library. Available online at https://digitalcollections.hclib.org/digital/collection/p17208coll17/id/3901/rec/44 (accessed 27 June 2026). 25 Northwestern Tourist (Excelsior, MN), 30 May 1885. 26 Northwestern Tourist (Excelsior, MN), 15 June 1889. 27 Grace Knowlton, Historic Excelsior, Second Printing. (Excelsior, MN: Excelsior Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, 1988), p. 35. Page 39 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 13 of larger hotels and more boarding houses, including several in Excelsior. Improved railroads and a fleet of steamboats to take visitors around the lake encouraged tourism in the area. 28 Excelsior became “the center of summer attractions,” drawing visitors to the Commons for picnics, to the lakefront Casino for games and activities, and to the lake for sailboat races. 29 Oak Hill Cemetery is not identified as an attraction for visitors like St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans or Mount Auburn Cemetery in Boston, so the cemetery evidently remained primarily a burial place and not a tourist destination for Excelsior. Oak Hill Cemetery was the only cemetery in Excelsior until several c ommunity churches in the Village added columbaria in recent years. As a result, significant persons in Excelsior history are buried in the cemetery, including the earliest settlers, Civil War veterans, and the notable horticulturist Peter Gideon. Information on select important people from Excelsior’s history is available in Section TBD. For Excelsior, Oak Hill Cemetery served as a linchpin element to annual Memorial Day celebrations. ## M emorial Day originated from “Decoration Day,” when communities decorated the graves of Civil War soldiers with flowers in springtime. The holiday was codified by General Orders No. 11, also known as the Memorial Day Act, issued by Major General John A. Logan on May 5, 1868, and scheduled for the end of May. Local chapters of the Grand Army of the Republic (GAR) fraternal organization led many of the commemoration activities including parades and public presentations. 30 Throughout the years in Excelsior, Oak Hill Cemetery served as the focal point for Memorial Day activities. Excelsior’s Memorial Day parade terminated at the cemetery where veterans and the public convened to hear recitations, lay flowers, and honor the military dead. For example, Decoration Day in Excelsior in 1896 featured a procession from town hall to the cemetery, led by Civil War veterans from the Frank W. Halstead Post of the GAR. The parade included the Excelsior band, school children dressed in white bearing flowers, and civilians following on foot and in carriages. At the cemetery, following various readings and recitations, flowers were laid on soldiers’ graves while the assembly sang “America.” Following the ceremony, lunch was provided at the Universalist church by the Mary Halstead Circle, the ladies auxiliary of the Halstead Post. 31 ## At the Memorial Day commemoration in 1905, the white bronze Soldiers’ Monument was formally dedicated. 32 ## Decoration Day and the subsequent Memorial Day commemorations in Excelsior followed similar patterns through the twentieth century and expanded to include the recognition of soldiers from later wars and conflict. The Memorial Day commemorations continue to this day in with the annual parade ending at the cemetery and the Soldiers ’ Monument. Over the years, improvements to the cemetery were paid for by subscriptions and donations. Further funds were raised by the Ladies Cemetery Improvement Association (LCIA). In 1896, the LCIA hosted a dinner “in which eggs are to be the principal features” at the town hall to raise money for the windmill fund to help irrigation at the cemetery. Dinner cost 25¢ for adults and 15¢ for children under 12. 33 ## The 28 Johnson, p. 37, 58, 73. 29 Picturesque Lake Minnetonka. (Minneapolis, MN: S. E. Ellis, 1906; reprint Excelsior, MN: Excelsior-Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, 1975), p. 12, 14. 30 “Memorial Day History,” National Cemetery Administration, updated 17 June 2026. Available online at https://www.cem.va.gov/history/Memorial-Day-history.asp#MemorialDay (accessed 28 June 2026). 31 G.B. Halstead, “Decoration Day,” The Excelsior Cottager (Excelsior, MN), 5 June 1896. 32 Minnetonka news, The Minneapolis Journal, 30 May 1905. 33 The Excelsior Cottager (Excelsior, MN), 27 March 1896. Page 40 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 14 LCIA regrouped in 1913 and took on a more formal role in maintaining the cemetery, including hiring a cemetery sexton, paying for landscaping, and preparing the cemetery for the annual Memorial Day event; the cemetery legally remained in the possession of OHCA despite the LCIA’s increased role. 34 In 1905, a “fine vault” was constructed, lots replatted, and several trees uprooted and relocated to “more-needed places”. 35 Oak Hill Cemetery had two major expansions, once in 1918 (current Section 2) and again in 1944 (Section 3). The expansion was likely predicated on need for additional burial space; a letter from the president of the OHCA noted that all but one of the lots in the original cemetery had been sold by 1945. 36 The first expansion to the east added an additional 34 plots to Oak Hill while the second expansion to the west added another 250 plots. Further deed issues plagued Section 3 when deeds were filed incorrectly by the Highway Department, but a quit claim deed submitted in 1948 resolved the confusion. 37 At the time the cemetery was expanding, OHCA faced chronic problems of not only getting lot owners to pay but also owners and descendants of those buried at the cemetery unhappy with the conditions at the cemetery. Lot owners paid annual fees to OHCA for maintenance and care of the cemetery. OHCA recognized “a great deal of work is needed” at the cemetery and established an annual fee of $1 for each lot owner to go towards ground maintenance. 38 in 1941, OHCA sent pleading letters to the lot owners for payment of dues as the current funds were insufficient to pay the caretaker through the summer. 39 However, by the 1940s, OHCA had identified 135 lots with early burials that did not have a known descendant or owner; therefore, those plots did not result in any annual fees for OHCA. Lot owners living in Excelsior were charged $3 in annual fees while those outside Excelsior paid $5, giving OHCA an annual income of about $400. In 1943, OHCA paid $150 for removal of leaves and preparation of the cemetery for the annual Decoration Day events, leaving very little money left over for maintenance. 40 ## In 1944, OHCA could not locate anyone to complete the work at the cemetery and opted to not collect any dues at all from lot owners, leading to the cemetery presenting a “very ragged appearance.” 41 By 1949, maintenance costs had ballooned to $750. 42 Despite these increased costs, lot owners often found their plots in disrepair, with one owner claiming a bonfire had been built over a family grave and thieves had stolen part of an Odd Fellow’s marker. 43 34 Knowlton, p. 36. 35 Minneapolis Journal, 27 November 1905. 36 H. A. Morse to George Schmidt, 6 February 1945. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 37 O’Neill J. Grathwol to O.W. Lundsten, 24 November 1948. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 38 R. G. DeGroodt to Lot Owners of Oak Hill Cemetery, 25 June 1937. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 39 Treasurer [O. W. Lundsten] to Lottie S. Belnap, 22 July 1941, Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 40 Treasurer [O. W. Lundsten] to Mrs. Arthur Hanson, 11 May 1943. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 41 Treasurer [O. W. Lundsten] to Cora Larson, 16 May 1945. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 42 Treasurer [O. W. Lundsten] to Cora Larson, 12 May 1949. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 43 Cora Larson to Oak Knoll [sic] Cemetery Association, 8 May 1949. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. Page 41 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 15 Faced with dwindling funds and growing maintenance obligations, OHCA sought assistance from the Village of Excelsior. In 1939, the Village Attorney for Excelsior, O’Neill Grathwol, contacted the Attorney General for the State of Minnesota regarding whether or not Excelsior could contribute funds for maintenance of the cemetery. Rollin Smith, Special Assistant to the Attorney General, responded that a village in Minnesota did not have the authority to contribute towards the maintenance of a private cemetery, barring special legislative action. 44 Grathwol followed up shortly thereafter, asking if Excelsior could acquire a leasehold in the cemetery as it was owned by a private corporation. Smith responded that as the 1885 laws of Excelsior allowed for the Village to purchase and hold cemetery grounds, the potential leasehold of the cemetery was legal as the cemetery was wanted for “lawful municipal purpose.” Details of the lease would be up to the Village and the cemetery corporation to work out, but the State had no objection to the potential transaction. 45 By 1944, Grathwol asked the Attorney General if complete acquisition of the cemetery by the Village was a viable option. 46 In 1949 and 1950, OHCA formally sought legal advice on transferring the cemetery to the Village of Excelsior. 47 In 1955, the OHCA Board of Trustees voted to transfer “all the funds, trust funds for perpetual care, and property” of OHCA to the Village. Ninety-seven of 181 members authorized the vote and approved the transfer. 48 On May 2, 1955, Warren Morse formally requested the Village take over the cemetery at the meeting of the Excelsior Village Council; the mayor requested to have an informal meeting the next week about the matter. 49 At the next meeting, the mayor motioned for the Village to accept Oak Hill Cemetery as of January 1, 1956; the motion passed with five ayes and no nays. 50 An inventory likely taken at around the time the cemetery was transferred to Excelsior noted the cemetery had 122 plots with absentee owners, 44 non-resident known owners who did not pay dues, 18 local owners who did not pay dues, and 143 lot owners who paid dues. OHCA collected $450 in annual dues, had annual expenses of $700 and assets of $2,751. 51 The Village passed an ordinance regarding the cemetery in 1956 codified the sales of cemetery lots, burial permits, duties of the cemetery superintendent, and cemetery hours. The ordinance required all monuments and markers to be made from bronze, granite, or marble with foundations “of sufficient depth and stability to support the proposed structure,” perhaps in response to the condition of older monuments at the cemetery. Under the Village, lot owners were allowed to determine the plantings for their lots, but the superintendent had the authority to remove any trees threatening the condition of the cemetery. Furthermore, lot owners could not alter the grade nor impede upon the general plan of the cemetery. 52 44 Rollin L. Smith to O’Neill J. Grathwol, 1 April 1939. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 45 Rollin L. Smith to O’Neill J. Grathwol, 3 May 1939. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 46 O’Neill J. Grathwol to J. A. A. Burnquist, 13 October 1944. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 47 Charles B. Howard to O. W. Lundsten, 3 December 1949, Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. ; Charles B. Howard to O. W. Lundsten, 8 March 1950. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 48 Copy of Resolution of Oak Hill Cemetery Association to transfer property to the Village of Excelsior, 20 April 1955. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 49 Minutes, Regular Meeting of Excelsior Village Council, 2 May 1955. 50 Minutes, Regular Meeting of Excelsior Village Council, 6 June 1955. 51 [Data] Concerning the Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Minnesota, n.d. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 52 Ordinance Regulating the Maintenance and Use of the Oak Hill Cemetery, Village of Excelsior, 7 May 1956. Page 42 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 16 The Village wrestled with its new obligations as the owners of a cemetery, facing many of the same issues that plagued OHCA. Lot owners raised concerns about erosion exposing graves, insufficient maintenance, and flower removal. 53 The Village was frustrated with the fee system inherited from the OHCA, as well as the constant problem of lot owners neglecting to send in annual payments and sought to impose a new fee structure for burials and maintenance. The limitations of the inherited Perpetual Care Fund that prevented money being used for capital improvements such as a fence around the cemetery further aggravated Village officials as did the associated paperwork around burial permits. 54 In 1956, when Greenwood was carved out from Excelsior, the new boundaries included the eastern portion of Section 2 of Oak Hill; the Village of Excelsior continued to manage the cemetery despite the boundary change. As the Village settled into cemetery ownership, the cemetery expe rienced a number of changes, including relocating the Soldiers’ Monument in 1962 from the center of the hill in Section 1 to its current location in Section 3 out of concerns for the safety of Memorial Day parade participants and other visitors due to the steep access to the top of the hill. 55 The relocation effort was undertaken by the Clarence Clofer American Legion Post out of Excelsior with assistance from th e Village. A new concrete foundation was laid for the monument at the time of the relocation. 56 To expand the number of additional available burial spots, the City of Excelsior passed a resolution to allow for burial plots to be subdivided to accommodate cremated remains in 1974. 57 The boulder wall was extended along the hillside to minimize future erosion in 2005. 58 At a Village Council meeting in 1956, the Village Attorney noted the quit claim deed from OHCA to the Village to transfer the cemetery had been filed with the Register of Deeds. 59 The Village proceeded to act as the owners of the cemetery. However, 54 years after the transfer in 2010, Excelsior discovered the property remained in the name of the now defunct OHCA. 60 Following title clearance and a decision by the Fourth Judicial District Court of Hennepin County, the City of Excelsior 61 finally became the legal owners of Oak Hill Cemetery in 2014. 62 ## Statement of Significance Oak Hill Cemetery is eligible for inclusion in the National Register at the local level under Criterion A: Social History . As the only cemetery in Excelsior, Oak Hill Cemetery presents the link between Excelsior’s early 53 Jerry Dulgar to B. J. Dahl, 26 March 1970, Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota; S. Allen Friedman to Alice M. Johnson, 19 August 1963. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 54 S. Allen Friedman to James N. Grathwol, 10 December 1963, Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota; Roy Swenson to Salisbury Adams, 22 November 1974. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 55 Oak Hill Cemetery Walking Tour, Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, 2025. 56 Knowlton, p. 37. 57 Resolution No. 74-51: Resolution Regarding Cemetery Lots, 23 September 1974, City of Excelsior, Minnesota. 58 “Cemetery wall to be completed,” Lakeshore Weekly News, 23 August 2005. Collections of Lake Minnetonka Historical Society, Wayzata, Minnesota. 59 Minutes, Regular Meeting of the Excelsior Village Council, 6 February 1956. 60 Rolfe A Worden to Cheri Johson, 4 January 2010. Collections of City of Excelsior, Excelsior, Minnesota. 61 In the 1970s, the State of Minnesota converted all “Villages ” to statutory cities. 62 City of Excelsior v. Oak Hill Cemetery Association, Court File No. 27-CV-14-5833 (2014). Page 43 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Section 8 page 17 period of settlement and growth to its modern day. The cemetery contains the burials of the founders and farmers that built Excelsior; the doctors, Civil War veterans, store owners, and steamboat captains that grew Excelsior from a farming community to a tourism destination; and the residents and their families that shepherded the village through the twentieth century. As Excelsior continues to grow and change, Oak Hill Cemetery provides a vital link to its earliest days, particularly via the annual Memorial Day commemorations. Oak Hill Cemetery retains the necessary aspects of integrity for listing in the National Register. The integrity of location, association, and design are unchanged, as the cemetery retains its original plot configuration blanketing the hill overlooking Lake Minnetonka. As the cemetery expanded, the main road curving to the top of the hill and the general plan of rectilinear plots separated by alleys continued. The most notable change to the overall design is the relocation of the Soldiers’ Monument from the top of the hill to Section 3 in 1962; however, as this change was undertaken to allow for better access during the annual Memorial Day celebrations, the relocation is keeping with the purpose of the Monument within the cemetery. The cemetery continues to serve as the only cemetery for Excelsior, providing burial space for those with ties to the city. Oak Hill Cemetery retains integrity of materials and workmanship as the original monuments and makers have largely remained intact and in situ. Some markers show signs of deterioration and damage typical of their age, but, for the most part, the markers have not been replaced, recarved, or relocated. Feeling and setting for Oak Hill Cemetery have been somewhat compromised by the expansion of nearby Highway 7 and the accompanying noise, but the large trees, views of Lake Minnetonka, and distinctive topography remain unchanged. Page 44 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 9-end page 18 ______________________________________________________________________________ ## 9. Major Bibliographical References Bibliography (Cite the books, articles, and other sources used in preparing this form.) ___________________________________________________________________________ Previous documentation on file (NPS): ____ preliminary determination of individual listing (36 CFR 67) has been requested ____ previously listed in the National Register ____ previously determined eligible by the National Register ____ designated a National Historic Landmark ____ recorded by Historic American Buildings Survey #____________ ____ recorded by Historic American Engineering Record # __________ ____ recorded by Historic American Landscape Survey # ___________ Primary location of additional data: ## ____ State Historic Preservation Office ____ Other State agency ____ Federal agency _x__ Local government ____ University _x__ Other ## Name of repository: _Lake Minnetonka Historical Society_______________ ## Historic Resources Survey Number (if assigned): ________________ ______________________________________________________________________________ ## 10. Geographical Data Acreage of Property ___6 acres____________ Page 45 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 9-end page 19 Use either the UTM system or latitude/longitude coordinates ## Latitude/Longitude Coordinates Datum if other than WGS84:__________ (enter coordinates to 6 decimal places) ## 1. Latitude: Longitude: ## 2. Latitude: Longitude: ## 3. Latitude: Longitude: ## 4. Latitude: Longitude: ## Or ## UTM References Datum (indicated on USGS map): NAD 1927 or NAD 1983 1. Zone: Easting: Northing: ## 2. Zone: Easting: Northing: ## 3. Zone: Easting: Northing: ## 4. Zone: Easting : Northing: Verbal Boundary Description (Describe the boundaries of the property.) The nominated property consists of those properties identified by the Hennepin County Property ID numbers 3511723240003 (Lot 3, Auditor’s Subdivision No. 120), 3511723240044 (Oak Hill Cemetery 3 rd ## Addition Excelsior), 3511723120002 (Oak Hill Cemetery 2 nd ## Addition), and 3511723120014 (Lot 18, Partridge Heights Addition). See attached map. Page 46 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 9-end page 20 Boundary Justification (Explain why the boundaries were selected.) The boundaries reflect the historic boundaries of Oak Hill Cemetery following the two expansions during the period of significance. ______________________________________________________________________________ ## 11. Form Prepared By name/title: __Lindsay S. Hannah / Partner_________________________________ ## organization: _Row 10 Historic Preservation Solutions, LLC__________________ street & number: _8215 Sycamore Place__________________________________ city or town: _New Orleans________ state: ___LA______ zip code:_70118_____ e- mail___lindsay@row10hps.com______ telephone:___504.266.2098___________ date:_____________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________ ## Additional Documentation Submit the following items with the completed form: • Maps: A USGS map or equivalent (7.5 or 15 minute series) indicating the property's location. • Sketch map for historic districts and properties having large acreage or numerous resources. Key all photographs to this map. • Additional items: (Check with the SHPO, TPO, or FPO for any additional items.) Page 47 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 9-end page 21 ## Photographs Submit clear and descriptive photographs. The size of each image must be 1600x1200 pixels (minimum), 3000x2000 preferred, at 300 ppi (pixels per inch) or larger. Key all photographs to the sketch map. Each photograph must be numbered and that number must correspond to the photograph number on the photo log. For simplicity, the name of the photographer, photo date, etc. may be listed once on the photograph log and doesn’t need to be labeled on every photograph. ## Photo Log ## Name of Property: Oak Hill Cemetery ## City or Vicinity: Excelsior ## County: Hennepin State: Minnesota ## Photographer: Lindsay Hannah ## Date Photographed: March 25-26, 2026 Description of Photograph(s) and number, include description of view indicating direction of camera: Photo 1 of 16: General view of Oak Hill Cemetery from northwest corner of property. Section 3 is in the foreground and Section 1 is in the background. The Soldiers’ Monument is on the right side of the image. Camera pointed southeast. Photo 2 of 16: General view of the original section of Oak Hill Cemetery (Section 1). Camera pointed northeast. Photo 3 of 16: General view of eastern portion of Oak Hill Cemetery (Section 2) and entrance from Excelsior Boulevard. Camera pointed southwest. Photo 4 of 16: General view of western section of Oak Hill Cemetery (Section 3). Camera pointed south. Photo 5 of 16: Example of marble headstone at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed east. Photo 6 of 16: Example of family monument at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed northeast. Photo 7 of 16: View of back of repaired headstone at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed west. Page 48 of 67 ## United States Department of the Interior National Park Service / National Register of Historic Places Registration Form NPS Form 10-900 OMB Control No. 1024-0018 ## Oak Hil Cemetery - DRAFT Hennepin County, MN Name of Property County and State Sections 9-end page 22 Photo 8 of 16: View of rounded headstone at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed east. Photo 9 of 16: View of example of flat headstone at Oak Hill Cemetery. Photo 10 of 16: General view of Section 1 of Oak Hill Cemetery with range of type, style, and condition of headstones. Camera pointed northeast. Photo 11 of 16: View of urn and marker in Section 2 of Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed southeast. Photo 12 of 16: View of vault at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed northeast. Photo 13 of 16: View of Soldiers’ Monument at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed west. Photo 14 of 16: View of roadway leading to top of hill at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed west. Photo 15 of 16: View of headstone and Lake Minnetonka from top of hill at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed northeast. Photo 16 of 16: View of roadway lined with boulders on north side of Section 1 at Oak Hill Cemetery. Camera pointed southeast. Paperwork Reduction Act Statement: This information is being collected for nominations to the National Register of Historic Places to nominate properties for listing or determine eligibility for listing, to list properties, and to amend existing listings. Response to this request is required to obtain a benefit in accordance with the National Historic Preservation Act, as amended (16 U.S.C.460 et seq.). We may not conduct or sponsor and you are not required to respond to a collection of information unless it displays a currently valid OMB control number. Estimated Burden Statement: Public reporting burden for each response using this form is estimated to be between the Tier 1 and Tier 4 levels with the estimate of the time for each tier as follows: Tier 1 – 60-100 hours Tier 2 – 120 hours Tier 3 – 230 hours Tier 4 – 280 hours The above estimates include time for reviewing instructions, gathering and maintaining data, and preparing and transmitting nominations. Send comments regarding these estimates or any other aspect of the requirement(s) to the Service Information Collection Clearance Officer, National Park Service, 1201 Oakridge Drive Fort Collins, CO 80525. Page 49 of 67 Page 50 of 67 Figure 1, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 51 of 67 Figure 2, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 52 of 67 Figure 3, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 53 of 67 Figure 4, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 54 of 67 Figure 5, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 55 of 67 Figure 6, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 56 of 67 Figure 7, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 57 of 67 Figure 8, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 58 of 67 Figure 9, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 59 of 67 Figure 10, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 60 of 67 Figure 11, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 61 of 67 Figure 12, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 62 of 67 Figure 13, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 63 of 67 Figure 14, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 64 of 67 Figure 15, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 65 of 67 Figure 16, Oak Hill Cemetery, Excelsior, Hennepin County, Minnesota. March 25-26, 2026. Page 66 of 67 ## 2026 BudgetJUNE Actual ## 2026 YTD ## Actual ## PARK IMPROVEMENT FUND ## Park Improvements ## Revenue ## Interest Earnings- County Grants30,000 20,596 Contributions and Donations40,000 110,665 110,655 ## Donation for Baseball ## Field Charitable Gambling - Designated Donations22,000 189 20,904 ## Park Dedication Fees Miscellaneous (Winter Storage)30,662 7,470 22,410 Transfers From Other Funds- - 122,662 118,324 174,565 ## Expenditures Professional Services10,000 161 1,129 Engineering Fees10,000 50,560 111,868 Other Equipment67,000 10,950 11,718 ## Charitable Gambling Expenditures - C4C Improvements Other Than Bldgs340,000 5,157 5,157 ## Improvements - Playground Equip ## Improvements - Charitable Gambling ## Transfers To Other Funds30,000 457,000 66,828 129,871 Net Change in Fund Balances(334,338) 51,496 44,694 ## Cash Balances ## Cash Balance -06/30/2026844,430 ## Designated for Playground Equipment3,926 ## Committed for Commons Master Plan - Charitable Gambling Projects*138,752 ## Committed for Commons Master Plan- ## Balance Available for Park Projects701,752 ## Fund Balance844,430 ## City of Excelsior ## Park Capital Improvement Fund 6/30/2026 Page 67 of 67