Glensheen Mansion Tour | Duluth’s Downton Abbey

The 1910’s era has a special fascination in some. It was a golden age for the elite, met with maids, butlers, cooks, and drivers. We hadn’t started the First World War yet and technological advances were coming out each day. Looking back, it seemed magical. Like anything could happen. As a huge fan of Downton Abbey, I am in love with this time period. When I got the opportunity to partner up with the Glensheen Mansion tour in Duluth, I jumped at the opportunity.

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The Congdon’s

The Congdon Family didn’t grow up with money. But after a very lucrative business deal, overnight they became wealthier than most people could imagine. They spared no expense and decided to build a lavish property in Duluth MN, off Lake Superior. It would be a home they could pass down for generations.

The Glensheen Mansion Tour

The Glensheen Mansion as they called it, embodies their way of life. Guests could arrive by carriage, automobile or even yacht via Lake Superior. They had it all. The main level was where they impress their guest, from the sitting room to the parlor. Everything was impeccably styled. Chester Congdon’s office was influenced by the Far East. Across the hall, was the library. It was decorated in a way that I would have loved to have in my house. Complete with built-in bookshelves that reached to the ceiling, couches to relax on and a view of the lake.

Each room of the mansion had its own feel. The styles changed based on the occupant’s personality. They loved to incorporate pieces from their different travels in each of the rooms. As you moved up to the upper levels, the style relaxed more and more.  

While the main level had the most ornate details, the upper level was more reserved. The master bedroom suite was simpler. It had an attached dressing room for Clara Congdon. Chester Congdon even has his own dressing room, aka, the bedroom. The girls all stayed on the second floor. The oldest children all got views that overlooked superior and the gardens. Only one of the Congdon children did not get the grand view. But she inherited the house, so she won out.

The third floor of the Glensheen Mansion was the boy’s quarters. Their bedrooms were styled with rich wood tones. They had a common area to hang out in.  The third floor also included a hospital room. The Congdon’s wanted to make sure that if someone got sick; they were exposed to the least amount of germs possible, including those from others. They would have a private physician come in and care for them.

One of the innovative ways they cooled the house during the summer was through the help of Lake Superior. By placing windows that would open through closets, bathrooms, and hallways, it would allow the wind to pass all the way to the opposite side of the house.

Today

After the original owners, Clara and Chester passed on; they left their house to their youngest daughter Elisabeth. She lived there until she passed on in 1977. After that, the family donated the Glensheen Mansion to the University of Minnesota. Currently, they are working to restore the mansion to it 1910’s look and feel.

The Mansion offers multiple different tours. The Classic Tour gives you a look at the first two floors. The Full Tour offers the greatest overview of the Congdon’s life and how they lived in the house. You will also get a tour of the third floor, servant’s quarters and a peak in the attic on the Full Tour. They have a Nooks and Crannies Tour, Flashlight Tour and a Servants Tour. These tours will go into a little more detail about the different aspects of house life.

The Tragedy of the Glensheen Murders

I’ve gotta address the elephant in the room. In case anyone is wondering, yes there was a murder in the house. No, your tour guides will not talk about it. They wish to remember the good times at the home. And no, I did not experience any haunting while I was visiting. If you would like to know more about that history, check out: Secrets of the Congdon Mansion: The Unofficial Guide to Glensheen and the Congdon Murders, By Joe Kimball. They’ll give you all the details about the Glensheen murders that happened in the Duluth Mansion.

I had such a great time on the Glensheen Mansion tour while I was in Duluth. It was a great way to peek into the past. If you have free time, I would recommend checking it out for yourself. For more information on this Duluth mansion’s history, check out: Glensheen by Tony Dierckins . And if you are a fan of Downton Abbey, what are you waiting for?

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