A 7.6 acre estate built between 1905-08 by Chester A. Congdon. The GlenSheen Mansion is a favorite of those visiting the North Shore of Lake Superior.
Now owned by the University of Minnesota Duluth, the university coordinates guided tours of the magnificent estate taking you to a time of industry tycoons and sharing insight into the way of life in the early 20th century.
Glensheen Mansion History
Glensheen was the site of the murders of Elisabeth Congdon (Chester Congdon’s youngest daughter) and her nurse, Velma Pietila, on June 27, 1977.
Roger Caldwell, the second husband of Congdon’s adopted daughter, Marjorie, was charged with the crimes, convicted on two counts of first degree murder and sentenced to two life sentences. Marjorie was charged with aiding and abetting and conspiracy to commit murder, but she was acquitted on all charges.
Caldwell’s conviction was overturned by the Minnesota Supreme Court in 1982. He was set to be retried, but pled guilty, submitted a full confession, and was later released from prison and committed suicide in 1988. In the intervening years, Marjorie Congdon Caldwell Hagen was twice convicted of arson, serving 12 years in prison and was once wanted for bigamy in North Dakota.
How much does it cost?
The standard tour is $15.00
Expanded tours is $26.00