Jay Nash Comes to Crystal Lake

After partaking in twenty battles, being captured by the enemy and wounded twice, Civil War veteran, Jay E. Nash found his way to Minnesota from Massachusetts in 1869. He purchased forty acres on the east … Read more

Amazing Amy

Amy Robbins on her father's estate in the 1890's.
Amy Robbins on her father’s estate in the 1890’s.

In 1921 Amy Robbins earned this entry in “American Biography: A New Cyclopedia, Vol. 9”, by William Richard Cutter. The book was published by The American Historical Society, Inc of New York.

WARE, Amy (Robbins),

Author, Red Cross Worker in France.

Amy (Robbins) Ware, of Robbinsdale, Minnesota, daughter of Andrew Bonney and Adelaide Julia (Walker) Robbins, is of Colonial ancestry. She is a lineal descendant of the “Mayflower Pilgrim,” John Howland, through Captain Abraham Shaw (American Revolution), Captain Shaw’s daughter being Mary (Shaw) Robbins, mother of Andrew Bonney Robbins.

It was in Minneapolis, Minnesota, under the hospitable roof of her mother’s brother, Thomas Barlow Walker, that Amy Robbins was born, September 7, 1877.

Much of the active interest in art which has motivated the life of Amy Robbins originated in the hours spent from earliest childhood among the art treasures of the T. B. Walker Collection. From the age of eight she was a devotee of the violin, studying and later teaching that instrument. She graduated from East Minneapolis High School, 1896, specializing in architecture, which profession she practiced until 1898. She was graduated from the University of Minnesota, Bachelor of Science, 1901. She studied applied-design, woodcarving, leather and jewelry, in summer schools of Minneapolis Handicraft Guild, 1905-06. She received the degree of Master of Arts, University of Minnesota, 1907; major in dramaturgy, historic-design, archaeology.

She married J. R. Ware, August 14, 1907. Residence, “The Orchard,” Robbinsdale. She established “Orchard Crafts Guild,” 1908. She traveled on the continent, 1913-14.

Coming of a family who for generations have “served with the colors,” it was inevitable that Amy (Robbins) Ware should take part in the World War as soon as her own country became involved, and devote herself to the cause. April 6, 1917, (the day the United States declared war), Mrs. Ware entered the American School of Telegraphy, studying Morse and Radio Telegraphy, remaining until July, 1917. She conducted the Radio Department, Women’s Naval Service Inc. Training School, teaching both day and night classes from September, 1917, to March, 1918. She was accepted as a canteen worker, American Red Cross, and sailed for France on “La Touraine,” March 14, 1918.

Read more

September Member News

Robbinsdale Library Club scrapbook, dated 1921

  September Meeting Announcement Tuesday, September 24th at 1pm the Robbinsdale Public Safety Building (Fire and Police Building). Special guest speaker Darryl Sannes is a Civil War expert and will share information about Minnesota’s part … Read more

Energetic Edith

edithRobbins1
Edith Robbins

“The will of Andrew B. Robbins made his wife and his daughter, Edith Robbins,
Joint executrices of his estate. This action was in recognition of the long-time
coopera­tion of his life partner, and the active participation for many years in
his real estate and allied interests, of his eldest daughter, Edith Robbins,
whose work in carrying forward plans for developing the beautiful suburb which
bears her father’s name, along lines he approved, has fully justified his faith.
She is helping the children of her father’s customers of the early ’90s to build
substantial homes in the shade of his trees, which she has cared for and guarded
through all the intervening years.

Read more

America’s Finest Theatre

In 1951, when the Terrace opened on a small hill above Crystal Lake, the building was one of the most dramatic and elegant theaters ever built in the Twin Cities. The International-style exterior was made up of a series of rectangles and a towering marquee, topped by the theater’s name. Inside the front doors, beyond the lobby, the Terrace was equipped with sweeping foyers overlooking a rolling lawn and enormous parking lot.

Read more