Photography by Steven Lapkin
Among the many highlights of the Antique & Classic Boat Society’s International Show on Gull Lake, the Anderson family hosted a once-in-a-lifetime evening at their private museum and boathouse. The Anderson family, owners of Nor-Son Custom Builders, have been part of the Brainerd Lakes community for generations. Lee Anderson, scion of the family, is a familiar sight on Gull Lake. All summer long, he can be spotted taking one of their sleek watercrafts out for a run on the water.
Lee’s parents bought their first cabin on Nisswa Lake in 1943. He inherited his love of wooden boats from his father, a passion he’s passed down to his children and grandchildren. “My father bought his first antique wooden boat, a 19-foot Chris-Craft Sportsman, in 1985, and christened it Katharine after my mother,” says Nor-Son Custom Builders CEO Andy Anderson. “Since then, he’s rescued and restored many wooden boats that are more than a century old. Every boat in his collection is truly one of one — the only one of its kind in existence, anywhere in the world. As stewards of these rare boats, my family is honored to be able to preserve, respect and take care of them for the next generation.”
This commitment to quality, craftsmanship and stewardship can be seen in Nor-Son’s impressive portfolio. Andy adds, “Whether we’re refinishing a prize-winning mahogany boat and restoring its original World War II–aircraft engine, renovating an ancient log cabin on Gull Lake or building a luxurious modern family home on Lake Minnetonka, we recognize that every project is a rare opportunity to build an enduring relationship with people who share our passion.”
As part of Woods & Water II, guests were invited to an exclusive fundraising dinner for ACBS at the Anderson family’s lakefront compound. The evening offered an extraordinary opportunity to experience the Andersons’ private boat museum and their majestic, Adirondack-inspired boathouse. Built by Nor-Son with meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail, the museum and boathouse made a stunning backdrop for Baby Horace III, a 1923 International Sweepstakes Racer; Royaleze, a sleek 1929 Ditchburn boat from Canada; and other iconic vessels.
“For many of our guests, this show was their first introduction to the Brainerd Lakes area and this uniquely Minnesotan way of life, so the invitation to see many of the world’s most famous vintage boats in person made the week truly memorable,” notes Andy.
Infused with the Anderson family’s signature warmth and hospitality, the evening began with Champagne and a special cocktail to celebrate the 100th birthday of Baby Bootlegger, a 1924 mahogany runabout and two-time winner of the American Power Boat Association (APBA) Gold Cup Races. Guests dined on fresh seafood, prime rib sliders, paella and other delights as they explored the Andersons’ impressive collection. Showstopping gems include Tolka, an impeccably restored 1928 limousine boat built in Alexander Graham Bell’s lab, plus classic cars, rare Native American artifacts and other treasures.
The evening at the Anderson compound was one of the many highlights of the week-long ACBS show, which brought hundreds of enthusiasts and their prized boats from Lake Minnetonka, Lake Michigan, Lake George, Lake Tahoe and other resort lakes across the U.S. and Canada. Complete with picture-perfect Minnesota weather, the week was flush with other enticing events like a shoreline cruise, a water ski show, an evening at Fort Mahogany, a private museum founded by Lee’s longtime friend and fellow collector John Allen, and a boat show at Allen’s Bar Harbor Supper Club on Gull Lake.
“What sets Lee and John apart from many other boat collectors is the fact that they take their boats out on the lake and use them as they were intended,” notes Andy. “Restoring a boat so that it can be fully enjoyed on the water requires a much higher level of commitment and craftsmanship than simply preserving it for display in a static environment.”
As the sun set over Gull Lake, casting a dusky glow over the burnished mahogany boats in their slips, the ACBS fundraising dinner was a reflection of the Andersons’ commitment to quality, craftsmanship and stewardship — the same values that guide Nor-Son’s approach to designing and building custom homes. Working together with architects, interior designers, expert artisans and craftspeople, and their clients, the Nor-Son team combines science with artistry to create legacy homes that will last for generations.
