Duluth's Glensheen Mansion Ranks Among Nation's Top Holiday Home Tours, Readers Say

Glensheen Mansion: A Historic Holiday Destination

Glensheen Mansion, a sprawling 27,000-square-foot manor located on the shore of Lake Superior in Duluth, has been recognized as one of the best holiday historic home tours in the country. This accolade comes from the 2025 USA TODAY 10BEST Readers’ Choice Awards, which highlights the most cherished destinations across various categories.

Every week, USA TODAY 10BEST invites a panel of industry experts to nominate their favorite points of interest and attractions. These nominations are then vetted by editors, who select the final nominees. The public ultimately votes to determine the final list, ensuring that the rankings reflect the preferences of travelers nationwide.

"The mansion is a stunning property to visit, and their holiday tours are especially poignant — the house offers Christmas candlelight tours, with the whole mansion enhanced by the glow of illuminated Christmas trees," USA TODAY noted in its rankings. "This self-guided tour allows guests to wander through the first, second and lower levels of this historic home."

A Rich History and Unique Features

Glensheen Mansion boasts 39 rooms and sits on a 12-acre estate, showcasing remarkable 20th-century craftsmanship. Its website describes it as a place where history and elegance come together. However, the mansion's story is not without its darker chapters.

The mansion is infamous for the murder of 83-year-old Elisabeth Congdon on June 27, 1977. She was killed along with her night nurse, 67-year-old Velma Pietila. This tragic event made national news, not only because of the crime itself but also due to the subsequent trials that followed.

The Tragic Story Behind the Mansion

Elisabeth Congdon, before her murder, was the last surviving child of Chester Congdon, an attorney, businessman, and state legislator who became wealthy in the mining industry. Alongside his wife Clara, he built Glensheen Mansion between 1905 and 1908.

"The murders made national news not just in the aftermath of the crime, but throughout the trials that followed," said Tony Dierckins, a local historian.

Elisabeth Congdon's daughter, Marjorie Caldwell, and son-in-law, Roger Caldwell, were both charged in connection with her death. Roger Caldwell was initially convicted of two counts of first-degree murder and sentenced to two consecutive life sentences. However, his conviction was later thrown out, and instead of facing another trial, he pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to time served.

Marjorie Caldwell was acquitted at trial of aiding and abetting and conspiracy to commit murder. The case inspired a musical titled "Glensheen," which is still performed today.

A Legacy of Preservation and Tourism

After the tragic events, Glensheen Mansion was donated to the University of Minnesota and opened as a historic house museum in 1979. According to its website, the mansion is described as the "most visited historic home in Minnesota." The "Classic Mansion Christmas Tour" is a self-guided experience that allows access to the lower level and the first and second floors of the mansion.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased online or in person, making it accessible to a wide range of visitors. The tour provides a unique opportunity to explore the mansion's rich history while enjoying the festive ambiance during the holiday season.

Other Top Holiday Historic Home Tours

In addition to Glensheen Mansion, USA TODAY readers have also recognized several other historic homes for their holiday tours. These include:

• Graceland (Memphis, Tennessee)
• Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens (Akron, Ohio)
• Meadow Brook Hall (Rochester, Michigan)
• Ford House (Grosse Pointe Shores, Michigan)
• Merrehope (Meridian, Mississippi)
• Staatsburgh State Historic Site (Staatsburg, New York)
• Brucemore (Cedar Rapids, Iowa)
• House From A Christmas Story (Cleveland, Ohio)
• Winterthur Museum, Garden & Library (Winterthur, Delaware)