15 New Spaces

You may have been to Glensheen before, but you haven’t seen it like this.

Almost a year ago I was sitting at a table representing Glensheen at the State Fair and a past docent came up to me. “Oh, I love Glensheen” I replied, “Great to hear, when was the last time you were there?” She responds, “in the 80s”. “Out of curiosity why haven’t you been back?” “Nothing has changed”.

Well a lot has changed now.

In a short 3 years, we have opened 15 spaces which mostly have NOT been viewed by any member of the public and by many of our past docents.

These are new spaces.

What are they?

#1 — Garage

Because Glensheen is built in 1905–1909, they had automobiles as well as carriages. But the Congdon car garage wasn’t your everyday garage. The bricks were made by Tiffany. They had an electric car, so they need a charger. The charger is still there. It had an engine lift. And it has a great view of Lake Superior. This is a space that just opened for the Servants Tour this year. Glensheen used ticket revenue to help pay the $25,000 that was needed to make this a part of the tour.

Engine Lift

The brick of the Garage walls is Tiffany.

The electric car charger

#2 — Robert’s Room

Opened last year for the first time. After nearly $20,000 of restoration work this room is available to see. Hear about the youngest of the Congdon children and see his toys.

The birds in flight below were by covered multiple layers of white latex paint. Now, the original birds are back in flight.

#3 — Carriage Room

Part of the Nooks & Crannies Tour — you get to see the Carriage and Sleigh collection up close and personal. Many of which were the Rolls Royce of carriages in their time. Plus they have a Studebaker, which was the Mini-van of the day. See the Carriage lift, which is still operational today. See the mystery glass prisms that may have been a part of the original winter garden ceiling. Lastly, see the license plate that was needed in the City of Duluth on their servants carriage.

Mystery Glass Prisms

Carriage Lift Pulley system

Carriage Lift

Studebaker

#4 — Downstair Maid’s Room

Once again only a room you viewed behind the ropes, this room you now walk into as part of the new Servants Tour.

#5 — Machinist Room/Alfred Experiment Room

Old light switch

Breaker Box for Marchinist table

#6 — Storm window/Hay loft

Original front screen door

Hay loft door

#7 — Central Vacuum Room

#8 — Boathouse

Inside of boathouse needs some love

#9 — sewing Room

#10 — Reception Room

#11 — Clara’s Balcony

#12 — Boiler Room/Sub-basement/Coal room

Coal Room

#13 — Linen Closet

Before a room you only looked into — now you can walk into as part of the upcoming Servants Tour. You can see Clara’s needlework, day to day record keeping and of course the numbering system up close.