The Story of Carver On The Minnesota, Inc.

Carver On The Minnesota, Inc. was born from the vision of one remarkable woman — and her deep love for a small river town.

A Preservationist with a Vision

In the 1960s, Edith Harrison Herman — known as “Edie” to those close to her — was already devoted to environmental conservation. After inheriting 110 acres of land near Lake Minnewashta in Chanhassen in 1949, she also purchased farmland in East Union on the Minnesota River, carefully maintaining it as a conservation farm, restoring soil, reintroducing native plants and nurturing wildlife habitat.

And it was along the Minnesota River that her legacy would take root.

While driving through Carver on her way to the farm in 1965 — shortly after the devastating Minnesota River flood — Edie noticed a damaged 19th-century brick house with a fallen catalpa tree across its roof. The home was scheduled for auction. She attended. She was the only bidder.

She didn’t just buy a house.

She began a movement.

From One House to a Mission

Edie restored the house as faithfully as possible, working with a local contractor who also served as President of the Minnesota Archeological Society. Encouraged by the success of that first project, she and three friends — Anne Neils-Doerr, Mary Lee Dayton, and Helen McNulty — began acquiring and restoring additional historic structures in Carver.

In 1969, with guidance from the Minnesota Historical Society, they formally incorporated Carver On The Minnesota, Inc. as a nonprofit organization.

Their mission was bold and forward-thinking:

To stop the wasteful deterioration of a typical 19th-century Minnesota river town in its picturesque natural setting — and to preserve, restore, enhance, and interpret its historic character for future generations.

Preserving a River Town

Between 1969 and 1973, the organization restored multiple flood-damaged homes, received the former Presbyterian Church building for restoration, and furnished the properties with period-appropriate pieces — often through generous donations.

The church became a hub for research, exhibits, tours, community activities, and even Girl Scout meetings.

Carver On The Minnesota emphasized education — interpreting the town’s origins as a river settlement shaped by natural resources: the Minnesota River, fertile farmland, forests, clay, sand, and early mill power.

The organization also played a key role in securing Carver’s Historic District designation on the National Register of Historic Places in 1980 — making Carver one of the first such districts recognized in Minnesota.

A Period of Dormancy

Following the passing of Edith Herman in 1983 and Anne Neils-Doerr three years later, the organization gradually became inactive.

For decades, its corporate status remained — but its public presence faded.

Revived for a New Generation

In 2010, when the IRS notified the City of Carver that Carver On The Minnesota was at risk of losing its nonprofit status due to lack of filing and inactivity, local historian John von Walter stepped forward.

He rallied a small group of history-minded residents to restore compliance, rebuild programming, and renew the organization’s mission.

Since that revival, Carver On The Minnesota has:

• Hosted fundraisers, programs, and community events

• Installed historic interpretive kiosks throughout the downtown district

• Launched a Minnesota Legacy-funded oral history project

Today, Carver Stories: Oral Histories brings residents together to watch recorded interviews, share memories, and deepen connections to Carver’s past.

Then and Now

Carver On The Minnesota began as a preservation effort to save buildings.

It continues today as a preservation effort — of stories, shared memory, and community identity.

We honor our founders by carrying their vision forward: protecting Carver’s historic character while engaging the community in meaningful ways.