Congdon Park in Duluth in Saint Louis County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Glensheen Restoration

Thank you!

— Glensheen Historic Estate —

Glensheen Restoration Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

1. Glensheen Restoration Marker

Inscription.
In 2018, the Minnesota state legislature recognized the value of preserving Glensheen and supported the University of Minnesota's request for $4 million in capital investment. This funding was utilized to completely rebuild the fountain pool and formal garden, addressing drainage issues and crumbling brick walls. It was also used to repair exterior walls across the property and provided a new boiler for the mansion with the addition of an essential backup boiler.

This historic property is a celebration of Minnesota in many ways, including showcasing the skilled Minnesota trades and celebrating Minnesota's iconic architects and designers. As a former state legislator, we believe that Chester Congdon would have been pleased to see this important preservation support from the state of Minnesota.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of the Governor, northeast Minnesota legislative delegation, and capital investment committee chairs who were in office to help fund this project in 2018 and who continue to support the University of Minnesota Duluth and the University of Minnesota in many ways.

Governor
Mark Dayton

Northeast Minnesota Delegation
Senator

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Tom Bakk, Cook • Senator Justin Eichorn, Grand Rapids • Senator Tony Lourey, Kerrick • Senator Erik Simonson, Duluth • Senator David Tomassoni, Chisholm • Representative Robert Ecklund, International Falls • Representative Sandy Layman, Cohasset • Representative Jason Metsa, Virginia • Representative Mary Murphy, Hermantown • Representative Liz Olson, Duluth • Representative Julie Sandstede, Hibbing • Representative Jennifer Schultz, Duluth • Representative Mike Sundin, Esko

Chair, Capital Investment Committees
Senator David Senjem, Rochester • Representative Dean Urdahl, Grove City

Erected by Glensheen Historic Estate.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Charity & Public Work • Education • Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 2018.

Location. 46° 48.907′ N, 92° 3.092′ W. Marker is in Duluth, Minnesota, in Saint Louis County. It is in Congdon Park. It can be reached from London Road (Voyageur Highway) (State Highway 61) 0.2 miles north of South

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

2. Glensheen Restoration Marker

Looking southwest across the upper lakeside terrace; the southeast corner of the Congdons’ Glensheen Mansion is in the background.

32nd Avenue East, on the right when traveling north. The marker is located on the south/lakeside terrace of the Congdons' Glensheen mansion. Walking access is from the Glensheen Estate parking lot on the northeast side of the property. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 3300 London Road, Duluth MN 55804, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Minnesota’s Arrowhead Region

and in the Iron Range.

It is also in the American Midwest,

on the Great Lakes,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Great North Woods,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Viceroyalty of New France,

Rupert’s Land,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Landscape (here, next to this marker); Servant's Courtyard (a few steps from this marker); Glensheen (within shouting distance of this marker); Bent Brook (within shouting distance of this marker); Stone Bridge & Trails

Restored Pool, Fountain and Gardens image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

3. Restored Pool, Fountain and Gardens

(within shouting distance of this marker); Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker); The Boathouse (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Carriage House (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Duluth.

Another marker is no longer nearby. Boat House and Pier (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed).

Regarding Glensheen Restoration. National Register of Historic Places № 91001057.

From the National Register Nomination prepared by Michael Koop, 8/1990:
The Congdon House is the finest example of Tudor-inspired architecture in the city Duluth as portrayed by the distinctive characteristics of the Jacobethan Revival style and based on the design of architect Clarence H. Johnston, Sr. The estate is significant in the area of landscape architecture because it is without rival in the city as a type of residential landscape planning, because the design itself is well preserved and thus conveys its historic character, and because the plan represents the only known work in Minnesota of the New York
Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 24, 2024

4. Chester and Clara Congdon Estate — Glensheen (southeast/lakeside elevation)
landscape architect Charles W. Leavitt, Jr.
Several key features in the Congdon House characterize the style. It has brick-clad walls with gables rising in a parapet in front of the gabled roof. Symmetrically placed windows and bays trimmed with granite and corbeled chimneys rise from the tiled roof. In addition, nearly all of the original interior furnishings and appointments as conceived by the William French Company are still inside the Congdon House. Because of its continuous ownership by the same family the house has had only a few minor changes, and its remarkable interior design and furnishings enhance the building's integrity. The outbuildings surrounding the main house, since they are contemporaneous to the dwelling, further contribute to the overall significance of the estate.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Glensheen — The Historic Congdon Estate

Also see . . . Glensheen Historic Estate (Wikipedia).

Excerpt: Glensheen, the Historic Congdon Estate, is a 20,000 square foot mansion operated by the University of Minnesota Duluth as a historic house museum.
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Glensheen sits on 12 acres of waterfront property on Lake Superior, has 39 rooms and is built in the Jacobean architectural tradition, inspired by the Beaux-Arts styles of the era. The mansion was constructed as the family home of Chester Adgate Congdon. The building was designed by Minnesota architect Clarence H. Johnston Sr., with interiors designed by William A. French Co. and the formal terraced garden and English style landscape designed by the Charles Wellford Leavitt firm out of New York. Construction began in 1905 and was completed in 1908. The home cost a total of $854,000, equivalent to more than $22 million in 2017.

(Submitted on February 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 140 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on February 20, 2025, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.