Save Glensheen
The campaign to restore Glensheen, before we lose it.
This spring, two Duluth legislators, Senator Simonson and Representative Schultz, will be carrying bills to help restore Glensheen. The full request is for $8 million.
What is at stake?
Glensheen is Minnesota’s #1 house museum by attendance.
123,000 visitors in 2016
Earned 2016’s Explore MN — Award of Excellence for an Attraction
For many of our visitors we are the only reason they come to Duluth. We represent an annual contribution of $3.5 million to the regional economy. But more importantly, Glensheen represents a national treasure of architecture, decorative arts, outdoor elements and historic significance unparalleled by any other house museum in Minnesota.
The sad reality.
When you come to visit Glensheen, we do a fairly decent job of highlighting all the positive attributes of the estate. However, the sad reality is that today what visitors experience of the estate is only half of what a guest in 1910 would have enjoyed. In addition, many parts that are experienced are falling apart.
The $8 million legislative request represents only the elements in critical shape.
1. Formal Garden
Our formal garden is a major focal point for guests as they tour the estate and for the many weddings at Glensheen. This fountain, in particular, is of great interest. The entire fountain is made up of three large sections of Italian marble and was carved by Duluth’s famous master stone carver George Thrana.
Notice the fountain…
You can probably see all the water pouring off one side of the fountain. That is not intentional. The ground under the fountain is slowly dissolving, which is tipping the fountain.
Overall, the brickwork and the foundations are deteriorating throughout. Here are some examples:
One more terrible winter, and this may fall over.
Some walls have moved away from each other.
As you can see, there are many sections were you can grab a brick straight from the wall.
Some are missing.
This is not a cheap fix. This is a three-tier, formal terrace with a fountain and pond in the middle. In addition, all the caps are made of Vermont Granite, a granite no longer available. All the work must be done with utmost caution and preparation.
The top terrace.
The roof of the Winter Garden or the top terrace has leaked for decades. Sadly, this is the number one location for our venue rentals. Some like the authentic look, but many others see it as it is: A broken and leaking roof. We are constantly making adaptations to this space so the ceiling does not drip during an event.
Is this what you want in any facility?
Is this how we, as Minnesotans, take care of our #1 historic house museum?
2. Boathouse — one of the last structural boathouses on Lake Superior
For many years, maybe decades, this part of the property has been ignored. For Halloween events, we simply turn a light on inside because it is scary by itself.
It shouldn’t be. It should be one of the coolest parts of the property.
If we don’t act, we will lose the boathouse to the lake.
The original pier extended an additional 30 feet into Lake Superior and an additional 100 feet to the west. This created a small safe harbor for the boats that would dock at Glensheen. It also created a barrier from large Lake Superior waves crashing into the boathouse. When the pier broke off in the 1960s, the boathouse was exposed to the wrath of Lake Superior waves. Thankfully, there was enough beach rock built up in front of the boathouse to block waves from impacting the structure. That is no longer the case. Last year, we lost 30 feet of shoreline in one storm. Now waves directly impact the boathouse. This will be the first winter that the boathouse will have to endure without protection from the freezing lake.
Why save it?
Minnesota is a lake state. This boathouse represents one of the very last structural boathouses on the entire Lake Superior. With the boathouse back in operation, it will allow tours to enjoy this significant structure. The boathouse is already a focal point of curiosity for visitors.
Plus, it would become one of the greatest meeting or event spaces in Duluth. Where else can you have a view this close to the lake?
See the lift bridge to the right?
…and Lake Superior in almost all directions?
If renovated, this rooftop would be a beautiful space. Imagine what this once was. For Robert Congdon’s wedding, they hooked up metal poles around all sides, attached electrical wiring on top of the poles, then strung Japanese lanterns around the perimeter.
Because we will be able to rent this space as a venue rental, this will create a new revenue stream. In turn, this translates to making Glensheen more financially sustainable in the long term. So not only will you help save one of Minnesota’s last structural boathouses in a state famous for its Lakes, but also you will help Glensheen survive in the long term.
3. The Kitchen Porch — the scary one.
The porch attached to the east side of the Main House is in a dire situation.
Much of the brickwork on the inside needs some repair.
As you can see from this image, the issues are not just limited to brickwork. There are also structural issues at play.
As you can plainly see, the staircase itself is quickly collapsing. In the last two years, it has begun to collapse at an advanced rate.
Why this space is of such grave concern is because the porch is attached to the main house. The fear is that if the porch completely collapses, it will take a portion of the mansion with it. If you look carefully at the top left of the porch, you can actually see it bowing outward.
Why save it? The history.
Glensheen represents the best of our state. It is one of the finest examples of what Minnesotans were capable of at the turn of the century. Glensheen was a project that Minnesotans competed heavily for. After it was completed, Glensheen was showcased nationally in architectural pamphlets and magazines. This is the reason we have so many great photos of the interior today.
So who created Glensheen?
- The architect
This home was designed by Clarence H. Johnston, one of Minnesota’s most famous architects. Many of the grand homes of Summit Avenue in Minneapolis were designed by him. Most of the old University of Minnesota campus was designed by Johnston. He also designed the Old Main of the University of Minnesota Duluth.
2. The Interior Designers
The interior designers were William A. French and John S. Bradstreet, easily twoof the greatest designers to come from Minnesota. Bradstreet in particular is of national fame. Don’t know him? Do you like the Breakfast Room? Yep, that is Bradstreet. The Minneapolis Institute of Art has an entire room dedicated to him.
3. The Landscape Designers.
Charles Leavitt, oversaw the design, but the two whom he hired to do the work were Anthony Morell and Arthur Nichols. These two men became the two most prominent landscape designers in our state’s early history. They got their start in Minnesota at Glensheen.
4. The Collection
Glensheen represents one of the best collections of the Minneapolis Handicraft Guild on display in the state. From the art glass of the Breakfast Room, to the hand-beaten copper lights of the Smoking Room. Their touch is prevalent throughout the home and is a true showcase of the talented artists our state had at the turn of the century.
This is just a taste of it.
What about the Congdon family history?
Did you know Chester Congdon is largely responsible for the construction of the North Shore Drive?
It was his idea, and he helped pay to make it a reality. He wanted to call it the Lake Superior International Highway.
Did you know he was a major part of the development of the Mesabi Iron Range? Yeah… he was not a lumber guy. He was a iron ore guy.
These are great Minnesota stories and a pivotal part of our story today.
So in the end — do you want to stand by and watch this Minnesota legend fall apart in front of you?
Thank you for your interest in Glensheen. If you have any questions, please feel free to email me personally at dhartman@d.umn.edu
