A couple of weeks ago, we had some family members come over unexpectedly for dinner. This spaghetti visit school night included our 12 year old nephew and his overstuffed book bag. He had a plan beyond dinner and it included preparation for a World History test the following morning. After dinner, we opened his workbook and began to quiz him.
He knew his material, inside and out. And after finishing the Alex Trebek quiz show, we perused through the workbook. I am fairly confident that the material he is learning as a 12 year-old, was similar to what I was learning through the Edina school system as a senior in a class called AP European History. That was eye-popping, but the direction I wanted to go today was a question from Matt’s workbook. In a chapter dedicated to architecture and civilization, the students were asked to “Name the most important building in your community.” I called Matt afterwards to talk to him about the subject. He talked about a building in Minnetonka that he believes to be the most important—the Pagel Hockey Arena and Athletic Facility. He mentioned some classmates choices, in particular, the Eden Prairie Mall came out as a class favorite. The question got me to thinking. If you had to pick a building in your community that was the most important, what would it be and why?
I’ve had the luxury to think about this for a few days and do a little research as well as a thirty minute interview with a Minnetonka middle-schooler. While conducting my phone interview, I walked past three framed postcards in our home. The postcards were about 100 years old and depicted Lake Harriet and the Bandshell from the early 1900’s. This Bandshell has been a fixture in Minneapolis for more than the past 130 years. As a resident of Minneapolis, I think the most important building is our Lake Harriet Bandshell.
The current Bandshell is actually the fifth of its kind to sit on the west shores of Lake Harriet. The building itself resembles a sandcastle, but its importance has less to do with the aesthetics, and more to do with its purpose as a community gathering place. All summer long, it serves as host to thousands of gatherings. Whether it is a free-music concert, a Sunday church service or a calf stretch halfway around the lake, the Bandshell is a place where we all belong. No memberships, no fees, no dress code. Everyone can enjoy the best of Minneapolis at the Bandshell.
Over the past 10 years, I can think of many great memories at and around the Bandshell. A quick synopsis of the top 5:
5. Looking at the personalized pavers we have sponsored on behalf of loved ones
4. The September 11th tribute concert this past fall
3. Hosting our daughters combined birthday party at the picnic tables in the Summer of 2009
2. 30 minutes after getting engaged in 1999, we walked around the Lake and talked about our life to come
1. The milestone-less mornings, afternoons and evenings where we meet others at the Bandshell to connect with friends and family.
What do you think the most important building in our community is and why?
