Education

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“My own kids are just obsessed with ‘eye spy’ stuff,” Hartman said. “So we created a treasure book with something in each room for the kids to look for. In the summer, the book is ‘narrated’ by Tim the Fox, and in the winter, by Eve the Elf.”

HOLIDAY MAGIC AND SELF-GUIDED TOURS

The holiday season is a magical time at Glensheen. The home is decorated with 25 glowing Christmas trees, appearing just how the Congdons would have decorated them more than 100 years ago.

A new wintertime detail Glensheen has recently added for kids is an elf hunt. Children are tasked with locating 25 elves that are hidden throughout the mansion.

Another treat is the addition of the self-guided tour, offered only during the summer and around Christmas. This is an option that is especially great for families.

“It’s hard to take a 1-year-old on a formal museum tour,” Hartman said. “With our self-guided tours, if your kids have a meltdown, you can leave, take them to cool down for a bit, and pick up right where you left off. That’s a huge benefit for families. And, the self-guided tours are still very educational, since there are several tour guides on-site, and you can ask them plenty of questions.”

Summertime At The Mansion

Glensheen is a wonderland in the summertime, too. Guests can stroll the grounds, walk down by Lake Superior, and visit the expansive gardens. The Wednesday evening Concerts on the Pier are a great opportunity for families to get out for a fun evening together. Featuring live Minnesota bands, food trucks and ice cream vendors, the kids can run and play while their parents enjoy live music and a cold beer.

Glensheen is also proud of its relatively new partnership with Hartley Nature Center. Kids begin an excursion at the top of Tischer Creek, learning about the local watershed, eventually making their way down to Glensheen, where they can see the exit point for the creek on the Lake Superior shore.

Plans For The Future

Hartman said he hopes for more children’s programming in the future that would make use of the stately home, which was donated by the Congdon family in 1979 and now functions as a museum managed by the University of Minnesota at 3300 London Road.

Museum staff would love to offer a half-day history camp for kids, where they could learn more about the Congdon home and family, sample some of the veggies grown on-site, and more. Its exterior grounds feature gardens, bridges and a private pier jutting into Lake Superior, so there is plenty to work with. Hartman wants the public to know that he welcomes any and all suggestions for future children’s events.

In 1905, Glensheen cost $854,000 to build. Today, it is a near priceless jewel, inspiring pride and awe in locals and visitors alike — of all ages.

“People are proud of how we’ve responded to family needs,” Hartman said. “Plenty of parents have told us that our new initiatives have made their experience here at Glensheen much more enjoyable.” — MDT

For more information about Glensheen, including hours, special programming and family membership options, visit glensheen.org. Please note that Sundays are a great option for families to visit Glensheen, since it is usually a slower day.