Black is Back!
Many people have experienced Glensheen in the light of day, taking in the opulence of the 39-room, 27,000 square foot mansion in it’s natural light setting. In fact, as many as 2 million visitors have passed through Glensheen’s front doors since it’s open 35 years ago.
A much smaller pool of individuals can say they have experienced Glensheen fully in the dark of night, only to be lead by the beam of flashlight.
Last spring, Glensheen tested out a new speciality tour. You guessed it, Glensheen’s exclusive Flashlight Tour. People flocked to catch a glimpse of the ominous mansion cloaked in the dark of night. Beginning January, 9th 2015, the Flashlight Tours will make their anticipated return to Friday and Saturday evenings.
What can you expect on the Flashlight tour? We are here to give you the play by play.
After you have made your pre-purchase of tickets online, (http://bit.ly/1hfLCu4) guests will arrive at Glensheen ready to conquer any childhood fears of the dark. Guests will wait in the Ticket House, which is the first building in the parking lot. Your Tour Guide will pick up your group from the Ticket House to begin the walk to the mansion.
As you approach a completely dark Glensheen, you may hear the crashing of waves off Lake Superior in the silence of the night.
As the front door opens, your Flashlight Tour experience begins. This tour further explores the lives of the servants. There are many rooms and spaces that were dedicated for the servants to eat, sleep and work.
You will be immersed in the feeling of a night in the life of a Congdon servant.
Guests will be guided through the rooms lead by the beam of flashlights from two tour guides. The main floor, second floor, and even the third floor are completely dark. Interestingly enough, Glensheen’s rare and intact collection of period furnishings and artwork show themselves vastly different on this tour.
Individual aspects of the impressive collection come alive with detail under the flashlight’s beam.
Lastly, some house-keeping logistics to help plan your night:
- This tour is available for online pre-purchase only. Tickets will be available for purchase until 4:00 pm the same date of the desired tour evening. Tickets can be purchased at, http://bit.ly/1hfLCu4.
- Want to know more about the Flashlight Tour? Visit our Flashlight Tour webpage at, https://glensheen.wp.d.umn.edu/tours/flashlight-tour/
- Please leave your flashlight at home. There will be two tour guides to highlight certain aspects of the tour and assist with lighting a walkway. We have found that two flashlights delivers the best tour experience.
- Due to the nature of this tour, the Flashlight Tour may not be suitable for all ages.
