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o Estate gardens are a signifcant and historical feature of the <br />Lake Minnetonka area. <br />o Eddie J. Phelps, a nationally known landscape architect, <br />designed many of the estate gardens in the area and lived in <br />Wayzata. Mr. Phelps was one of the first landscape <br />architects in the Metropolitan area and had a major impact on <br />the profession's growth in the area. <br />2. Background of Estate Garder;s <br />Estate gardens are an interesting part of the history of the Lake <br />Minnetonka area. Many residents of the area, had elaborate gardens <br />designed for their estates. The gardens both incicated and graced <br />tr- style of those living around Lake Minnetonka. <br />An important figure in this fascination with elegant and expansive <br />gardens was Edmund J. Phelps, a loi,al landscape architect known <br />nationwide for his. work. Phelps worked in the area from <br />approximately 1925-1950. His work can be found in the Twin Cities, <br />Duluth, Chicago and Washington, D.C., as well as the states of <br />Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Tennesee. A list of his clients <br />indicates that he worked with some of the more prominent citizens <br />in the Lake Minnetonka area. Phelps played a significant role in <br />the development ;.J the profession of landscape architecture, and <br />the Estate Gardens represent a substantial element of his work. <br />The Committee feels that this theme establishes a tribute to Phelps <br />and his work on the "Estate Gardens of Lake Minnetonka." <br />The University of Minnesota has a scholarship in landscape <br />architecture caller the "Edmund J. Phelps Memorial Scholarship." <br />12 <br />