History

Once the gilded age estate of Grain Belt Brewery founder Frederick Noerenberg and his family, their home was built on the shore of Lake Minnetonka in 1890. Influenced by English Landscape Style, the property featured tiered rose beds and impeccably manicured lawns. As world travelers with an appreciation for natural artifacts, the family accumulated an assortment of natural specimens that appeared in the garden, including a collection of trees, plant materials and rocks.

Lora Noerenberg Hoppe, one of the five Noerenberg children, acted as chief horticulturist on the gardens for a number of years. She bequeathed the estate to the Three Rivers Park District when she passed away in 1972. At her direction, the home was razed and the estate was transformed to a garden for the public’s enjoyment.

Additional information and a map (links go off this site)

• Preservation Alliance of Minnesota » Noerenberg Memorial Park
• See the Three Rivers Park District, Noerenberg Memorial Park website for hours and directions 
• Noerenberg Gardens Frederick D. Noerenberg | Hennepin County Library