Jane Pederson

loves her alma mater, she is actively involved in the Duluth community. She was a 2015 Leadership Duluth graduate, currently serves on the Fuse Leadership Council, and is on the volunteer marketing committee for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon. In her free time, you might find her snowshoeing on the Lester Park trails with her fiancé, Mike Jandl, and their dog, Honeybee. She enjoys the local craft beer scene and partaking in a Pizza Luce pizza paired with a Castle Danger beer. Pederson also finds time to visit her parents and brother, Matt, in Woodbury. “Matt and I are very close, he was the Man of Honor in our wedding,” she shared.

Between her time at Glensheen, her involvement in the community, and preparing for her destination wedding in Maui this upcoming spring, she has a lot to look forward to.

As the marketing manager at Glensheen, her role involves a variety of hats including public relations, social media, and advertising. She manages a team of students who assist with creative and graphic design. Glensheen Director Dan Hartman said, “Her general enthusiasm has been a lifting element for the overall team at many different points.”

Pederson is energetic and passionate about Glensheen, she said she works with the best people and she can’t get enough of the location.

“The location is hard to beat, being right on the shore of Lake Superior. The grounds are gorgeous. I love every season here,” she shared.

Christmas at Glensheen

Glensheen embraces each season, offering different tours that match the season. Beginning Friday, Nov. 15, Christmas tours in the mansion will be open.

“Christmas is my favorite season to be in the mansion. We decorate 25 Christmas trees throughout the 39-room mansion,” Pederson said.

In recent years they’ve started hiding 25 little elves.

“Kids love that and it’s not just kids, but it’s kids at heart that love ‘I spying’ the Christmas elves throughout the mansion,” Pederson explained. There is a book available for purchase in the ticket house to help guests hunt for the elves.

Christmas truly is Pederson’s favorite season at the mansion.

“This season, more than any other season, for me, the mansion really feels like the family home that it was. With all of the Christmas decorations it feels vibrant and lively,” explained Pederson. “You can just imagine the Congdons coming together for their Christmas gathering.”

When you go, make sure to indulge in one of the shortbread cookies, an old recipe from Clara Congdon, the matriarch of Glensheen in the early 1900s.

Winter Events at Glensheen

Hartman knows Pederson’s forward-thinking nature first hand.

“She has an insatiable desire to learn more, which in a field of falling attendance, a need to explore new ideas is a must,” he said.

Pederson’s vision helped bring new events to Glensheen. For

Continued on page 20 the first time, they will be hosting Marcia Hale’s Park Point Christmas light display.

Glensheen is decorated with 25 unique Christmas trees during the holiday season, one of Pederson's favorite seasons at the mansion.

“We are infusing the Park Point light display with Glensheen’s current Christmas experience. We’re really excited to launch that this year,” Pederson said.

The outdoor display, free and open to the public, will begin Tuesday, Nov. 26, and will run through the first week in January. Guests do not need to purchase a grounds pass to experience the outdoor light display. All winter displays will be open through Sunday, Jan. 5.

Another favorite winter event of Pederson’s is the Duluth Winter Village, an outdoor village co-hosted by Glensheen and the group Duluth

Duluth Winter Village, an event cohosted by Glenseen and Duluth Loves Local, features arts and crafts, seasonal food and beverages and cozy bonfires on the shore of Lake Superior.

Loves Local. This free community event is on the Glensheen grounds and is a collaboration of local businesses including seasonal food and beverages, arts and crafts, and bonfires on the shore. A free shuttle brings you directly to Glensheen. Duluth Winter Village takes place Saturday, Dec. 7, and Sunday, Dec. 8, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information visit https://duluthwintervillage.com.

For Pederson, Glensheen is not just a magical place that hosts incredible events, it’s a museum that offers so much more.

“Glensheen, as a house museum, is really unique in that it is a combination of all of the other different types of museums in one,” she explained. Her job has allowed her to experience the museum and grounds in a new way. “I’ve learned a ton about not only house museums, but architecture, landscape design, art, interior design, you name it” she explained. For more information, visit https://glensheen.org.

Pederson’s energy and positive attitude is contagious as is her passion for the historic house museum. This winter look for her on the trails at Lester Park or on the grounds at Glensheen, because she’s not going anywhere. Duluth is her home. D writer.