The Bruentrup Heritage farm was established in 1891. William Bruentrup married Ida Wagner and the brides family gave them 40 acres of land along White Bear Avenue as a wedding present. They added land until it reached 175 acres. Four generations of the family have farmed there. The farmhouse was somewhat modernized in 1912.

Over the years the surrounding land was being developed. A large part of the Bruentrup property had been sold, including the many acres where Maplewood Mall is now located. In 1997 the developers offered the Bruentrup family a very good price for their land. The Bruentrup’s offered the City of Maplewood the first chance to buy it. The City sent out a questionnaire to the citizens of Maplewood. The responses were very positive to the idea of saving the farm in that location. The City was not willing to put the raising of funds to a referendum at that time.

The newly formed Maplewood Area Historical Society became interested at that time. The involvement of the community has been the focus of our work. Private citizens and local businesses were sent pledge forms. We raised over $20,000, but time was running out and the developers purchased the property. A group of Society members convinced our State Legislators to carry a bill to fund the moving of the farm buildings on to City owned Open Space. The bill passed with the help of many citizen lobbyists. The farm buildings were moved in 1999. The house, barn, granary, machine shed and metal foundry building and one hundred years of farming artifacts were all moved to 21/2 acres donated by the City. This land is adjacent to 25 acres of City owned prairie preserve.

This preservation effort was a winner of the Histsoric Preservation Award in the year 2000.

Because of the hundreds of volunteers, individuals, local businesses, labor unions and the Bruentrup family we have been able to get the house, some of the buildings and the grounds in excellent condition. The work will continue. We welcome visitors.

Information compiled by Char Wasiluk, Pres. MAHS 2007