A Historic Building Available for Touring and Events

The Glensheen mansion in Duluth, Minnesota is a great way to enjoy the grandeur of a mansion and learn about local history. The mansion is part of a Duluth businessman's family legacy, and showcases a variety of interior styles. Inside, visitors are able to be awed at the beauty and warmed by the feeling of family and home. The Glensheen, home of the Congdon family, is located along the shores of Lake Superior. It is situated on 7.6-acres of wooded land, and the mansion contains 39 rooms. The mansion is designed in Jacobean Revival, and it is considered one of Minnesota's premier historic house museums. The inside of the mansion is filled with the original furnishings that have been in the home since 1908 when the estate was completed. The surrounding gardens are also based on the original design. The mansion offers an intimate view of how the affluent Congdon family lived their everyday life. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is a Partner Place of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It welcomes visitors from all over who appreciate the grandeur and history of the location.

The mansion was built for Chester and Clara Congdon and took three years to complete. The Congdon's met at Syracuse University, graduating in 1875. The mansion cost just over $850,000 to complete. It has 16 inch thick ceilings that contain large hollow tiles that are made from fire retardant materials. There was a private reservoir that served the property and provided enough pressure to propel water 75-feet in the air. The home is 27,000 square feet.

There are two tour options available for visitors to Glensheen. The stand tour lasts for one hour and offers a guided look into how the Congdon family lived and worked. The tour includes family stories and brings the mansion to life. The tour includes the first floor, the basement, and the second floor, as well as the carriage hour and gardens, which are not part of the guided tour.

An expanded guided tour is also available and lasts for an hour and a half. This includes all of the features of the standard tour but also includes the third floor. Here, guests are able to view a collection of some of the most beautiful and well-known Arts & Crafts interiors located in the Midwest. The expanded tour often books up, so schedule your space early. School gropus tours are also available, and the museum is a great destination for field trips. The mansion is in the process of enhancing the tour to include educational material, as well as on-site and off-site programs.

In addition to field trips and traditional tours, the museum often hosts private and corporate events, as well as weddings. The location is extraordinary for special events and they offer a staff of professionals to help you with the planning and execution. The setting is perfect for weddings, and provides the perfect backdrop for your nuptials. The history and beauty can be felt while at the location, making it a lovely destination for special events.