Did you know if you have a library card, you can get access to museums, plays, and other fun things around town?
When I noticed a complimentary pass to a place on my Minnesota bucket list: A visit to the American Swedish Institute, aka – a historic mansion, I snatched up a ticket and snuck away for a couple hours.
Wow, it was spectacular! I enjoyed walking around and imagining what the owners did to earn the money to afford such luxury, and to think about how they lived, and the lavish parties they’d thrown.
I started doing some research and asking questions to find out about the history of this home – and was surprised by what I found out.
How big is this place and how much was it?
The home cost 1.5 million dollars to build in 1903, but is currently worth over $43 million.
It has 33 rooms and 75,000 sq ft!
.
What did the owners do for a living?
The owner of this home was a Swedish man named Swan Turnblad and his wife, Christina. They owned and distributed a Swedish newspaper. Swan loved new technology and was one of the first owners of a “color” printer.
Swan Turnblad 
Christina Turnblad, a copy of their newspaper in the lower section of this picture
.
How long did it take to build this mansion?
This home took almost 5 years to build. They employed EIGHTEEN woodworkers for 3 solid years to create the beautiful beams, trim and moldings you see through the home:
A room in the basement that was originally a “billiards” room 
Beams outside the music room
.
What kind of parties did they host?
Only one! A fund raiser.
They had a lavish ball room with a stage – big enough for a live band, but they never hosted one ball!
The owner’s wife was very reclusive and her closest friends were the servants. She grew up as a servant herself, so related to her staff more than the wealthy women in town.
I’d love to rent this space, invite everyone I know to dress up in their fanciest clothes, and have a big ball. This gorgeous room must be used!
.
How long did the owners live in the mansion?
The owners only lived in the home for 7 years! Mrs. Turnblad never liked the home. It was way too big and pretentious for her. They left the mansion to live in an apartment above their printing press!
.
What do I have in common with the original owners?
Only ONE thing (that I know of) – my favorite part of the home was also their favorite part of the home – the LIBRARY!
The Library of my dreams
The home was so big, that they mostly lived in the library. Ted and I could happily live in that library!
.
Did anyone else live in the home?
Yes, they had one daughter, as well as two servants and their children who lived in the mansion. When the owners left, they allowed the servants and their children to occupy the home!
The children’s diaries were found and the children wrote about the fun they had playing hide and seek in this gigantic home!
.
What else is special about this home?
The beautiful bathroom with the amazing sky light. This is the original tub and tile. I would love to take a bath here at night and watch the sky.
There are 11 porcelain tile Swedish “stoves” (fireplaces) in the mansion, every one of them is unique.
The ceilings are a work of art:
One bedroom 
The music room
The original kitchen:
I didn’t take a picture, but the pantry is larger than my entire kitchen.
.
Who bought the mansion after the original owners moved out?
No one. There was only one owner, and they donated the mansion to the American Swedish Institute. Today it is a cultural center, museum, art center, and gathering place for anybody interested in Swedish and Nordic culture.
.
What’s new now?
- The. basement has been updated with a beautiful children’s play room and classrooms.
2. The Solarium was updated
The solarium (sun room) became unusable. It was too hot in the summer, too cold in the winter, and the framing had been destroyed by the harsh Minnesota winters.
It cost almost as much to update this room (over a million dollars in current dollars) as the original owners paid for the entire house at the turn of the century.
Outside view 
Inside view
I loved the solarium! Next time I want to bring a book to sit in here and read!
3. Nelson Cultural Center
In 2012, a 34,000 square foot addition known as the Nelson Cultural Center opened. It is a gathering place that houses the café, the art gallery, classrooms, and event spaces.
Currently on display: Papier 
Costumes made from PAPER
The mansion is a landmark that has been placed on the national, state and city registers of historical places.
Do you want to visit?
Check out the smart pass website by clicking here to see if there are any complimentary passes, or visit their website to purchase a pass.
Thanks for reading!
2 Comments
Spend a fun-filled day with kids in Jordan, Minnesota (just outside the Twin Cities) - kathrynegly.com
July 29, 2021 at 8:44 pm[…] Here’s a peek into the multi-million dollar Minneapolis Mansion! […]
24 Kid-Friendly Places to Explore Around the Twin Cities - kathrynegly.com
April 12, 2024 at 12:16 pm[…] This museum celebrates Swedish-American culture through art, exhibits, and programming. It’s housed in a stunning, historic mansion and includes a cafe serving Nordic cuisine. Click here to read about my visit. […]