Maybe it’s because that majestic 1908 mansion demands all our attention or that we just can’t tear our eyes from Lake Superior — but for whatever reason, it’s easy to forget what a brilliant fall destination Glensheen Mansion is.
Walking the grounds, one can really see how the mansion and gardens were made to work with the surrounding wilderness. The estate is cut into a lakeshore woods and fall is likely the best season to showcase it.
The color starts when you first enter the estate and encounter the Gardener’s Cottage. As the vines turn crimson in the weeks to come, it’s magical.
Between the fall harvest and autumn flowers, the photo ops abound for those looking for that quintessential autumn backdrop. And because Glensheen was built as a self-sustaining estate, you can also take in the garden’s fall offerings.
And we have to say it. The autumnal atmosphere makes the mansion feel wildly romantic. More than any time of year, it’s like the setting for a Jane Austen novel or that over-the-top sappy movie you secretly re-watch when you’re home with a cold. (It’s okay, your secret is safe with us.)
Looking out over the formal garden down to the boathouse, one can conjure feelings of nostalgia for a time gone by.
The West Porch looks over the Stone Arch Bridge, a structure that simply requires a moment of contemplation from whichever angle you view it.
Okay, and when we said it’s romantic, we’ve got the goods.
Just last week, there was an engagement on the Stone Arch Bridge — and we were asked to document the event. (Photos shared with permission)
Sigh…but even if your visit to Glensheen isn’t quite THAT special, there is joy in the discovery as you explore the estate. There are so many gems in the woods and by the water.
With a little effort, you can find all the sweet spots — including the path to the entrance point of Bent Brook. It was a bit of a hide-a-way for the Congdons, too.
The north shore is a fantastic location to steep in the season and Glensheen Mansion is definitely a box to be checked on that fall bucket list. Hope to see you on tour!
Glensheen is a 39-room mansion on the lakeshore of Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. It is open for tours daily. For more information on the mansion and estate, the Congdon family or tour options, please go to visit our MAIN SITE.