I’ve lived on the north shores of MN all of my life, and the Glensheen murders are something almost every kid has heard about. My sister took me for a tour a few years back. At that time, we were not aloud on the 3rd floor due to fire code, and no talking about the murders. But we had a nice tour guide that showed us some creepy things. While I did not see anything ‘haunting’ there was one painting of a girl that the tour guide showed us. *I think the girl was holding a cat, but I’ve forgoten* But the tour lady pointed out that no matter where your standing or even walking by the girls eyes follow you. It was funny becaues the group of 15 we were in all took turns walking past and getting creeped out by it.

Yes, it’s a picture of a girl holding a cat. It’s on the wall outside of Marjorie’s bedroom (the oldest daughter Marjorie, not the niece “Marjorie” about whom so much is discussed). That picture freaks everyone out and they are sure it’s haunted. It’s not. It’s the style of painting which was very popular back then. There is a similarly-painted portrait of an Italian fisherman in the third floor guest bedroom. I hope I can take you on a tour sometime!

I have been to the mansion. I also live in a large, old house. Of course not as large as the Congdon Mansion but I can tell you that we have drafts and strange noises all the time. I know when we first bought our house the vast space gave me all the feelings you describe. Now, I run up and down the stairs from the third floor to the basement and it is just home. Yes, we have funny noises sometimes also and many drafts. That is something you learn to live with in a old house. When my husband and I left the Congdon house our comment was “we could live there” I remember the most beautiful solarium I have ever seen in my life in the back of the house. I don’t believe it was open then because it needed work. Is it open now? What a wonderful place for breakfast and to read. Vgs and Brenda – how wonderful for both of you. I enjoyed what you said so much. Your love for old homes is refreshing. Cierra – your city is gorgeous! The ships comingin and out, the city on the hill and the history! I also live in MN and I can tell you Duluth is one of our jewels!

Margaret–the back porch has been off-limits for a while. Glensheen had to put a fire escape there to make it up to fire code, so people are not allowed there. Or are you talking about the “green” room (breakfast room)? That is very much “on” limits!

hey . so i live in woodland hills acdamey and iv been studying this manson. i live in albert lea my grandparnets and i bolth went to this manson for a our tour after we read Will To Murder i would like to say that i myslef do belive in paranormal experiences .. and yet there was not much to say about this house i do think it is an interesting story and thought many of you would like to belive this house is haunted i felt cold drafts at times but no ghosts.. so there ya have it .. i lived in eau claire acdemy for 12 months and saw more paranormal activty then this house to offer none the less it still is beauftil house..

I have been to this house many times and never really expierenced anything but cold spots and such… but i have read all the books on the mansion and i am facinated by it and what happened i would go back there again and again and highly recomend if you have the chance to check it out!!!!

We visited the mansion a few years back. I was more interested in the mansion, not the murders. One thing I found surprising is that each room had it’s own woodwork and furniture to match. I found that a little odd because homes built now have the same woodwork pretty much throughout the whole house. Other then medicine not being as advanced as it is now, they sure didn’t have to worry about staying in a hospital because they had a special place they used when ever someone was ill (an infirmary). That is in sharp contrast to the health care crisis of today that some in our country suffer. If I visit again I’d like to pay more attention to the glassware they might have at the mansion. I’m thinking perhaps maybe some of that stuff was removed by family members when they donated the mansion. I expected to see some ornate decorative items in the mansion, but don’t really recall seeing any of that. I collect glass so I’d find it real interesting to see the mansion’s glassware if they have any at all.

Laurie–I’m not sure what you expected to see, but the butler’s pantry has glassware and dishes. The family members were allowed to receive two items each, but I don’t think they took much glassware. Perhaps there isn’t anywhere else to display it safely. I’ll try to ask next time I’m there (I gave a tour today). Thank you for visiting the mansion!

VGS, I think perhaps the reason I didn’t see the glassware was maybe because it was not out in the open. I seem to recall that when we walked through the kitchen area it was a quick pass through. I seem to recall that near the kitchen area was the servant’s quarters? It’s quite possible that at the time we went through the mansion I didn’t know as much about glass as I do now. It is also possible that I wouldn’t have recognized any of the glass had I seen any pieces. The glass I know most about was at one time dime store glass and probably not something that would have been purchased by someone well-to-do. This dime store glass now is really quite expensive to collect. There are many colors and patterns. The pieces I find most outside an antique store are 1950/1960 pieces. Fenton Glass Co. still makes handmade glass, but back then it was quite cheap. For a substantial piece produced today it can cost $100’s of dollars. A “Gone With the Wind Lamp” typically goes for about $500+ now brand new. One lamp I recall being produced in the 60’s is now worth $1,000+. But again, not something someone with means would have purchased in the early years – at least I don’t think so. Perhaps what the mansion might have more of is fine crystal glass which I have a difficult time identifying. Those kinds of pieces I would expect to appear in a china cabinet in a formal dining room. I don’t remember any pieces of china or glassware on the diningroom table. It would take a bit of maintenance to keep it clean and sparkling all the time. Kitchen glassware might have been a different matter. Maybe they did use less expensive glass for everyday use. It is amazing when you’re in the process of learning about glass, you also end up learning a lot about this country’s history as well.

I will be doing a tour next week and will check the glass then (normally I would be doing one today, but my future daughter-in-law is having a bridal shower!). I don’t remember seeing any really fine china and glassware–but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t there. I will ask others who might know about it when I go there next time. The room you are thinking of is called the butler’s pantry (between the kitchen/green breakfast room/dining room), and it’s where most of the china is. It’s definitely more ‘every day’ china. The other cabinet you’re thinking of is in the dining room–it has various pieces including salt cellars which I point out to guests. Most have never heard of a salt cellar. My mom was born in England, so we knew what those were because we used them. The really fine china may be in storage, away from the public. I will try to find out more information! I love US history of this era, so you are definitely sparking an interest!! And you have a GREAT memory–I’m impressed! Thank you!

I was very recently at the mansion just last year and while i was walking up the stairs my eyes were glued to the landing where the nurse was murdered. (i knew this in advance) and when i brushed my hand across it i felt it was extremeley chilly compared to the air around it. The guide immideatly told me not to touch anything. Just thought i would share this.

First of all, it’s not the woman’s crazed lover. It was the woman’s adopted daughter and her boyfriend that killed both her mother and her mother’s nurse. The mother was killed in her bed, smuthered with a pillow and the nurse was killed on the staircase landing, being hit in the head with a candle stick. You can go tour the home, I’ve been 3 or 4 times and never felt any strange feelings. And I’m not sure if you’re allowed to ask about teh murders, you never used to be able to, but I think you may be able to now…

I’ve been to the mansion three times I think, on all three occasions I havnt felt any coldness or chills. And I really don’t believe the comment about the girl going to the bathroom and seing a woman dressed in white and black and screaming for help. One of the times I was there was actually for a wedding and it was a really beautiful seremony. I know we as humans want to believe its haunted because murders have occured there, but don’t lie and say you’ve seen a ghost there. It’s disrespectful.

Nearing the end of a tour, my 3 year old son began crying while coming down the back staircase, on the landing. He stopped there and we fell behind the tour group. I grabbed his hand, hurried him down the last set of stairs. Right at the bottom of the stairs a little grey haired woman was standing. She was dressed in a white dress, with black apron.She rubbed my sons head and said, “my you are a cute little boy”. I pulled him along to catch up with tour. looking back, I noticed she wasn’t there anymore. Later I looked around to see if there was a lady that worked there that matched the one we saw. There was none. At the time I knew nothing of the murders. If this place is not haunted, it was, and is a mystery to me.

We went there last summer in 2008 You can now go to the attic, it’s awsome up there all their old stuff is stored there. The guides are now able to talk about the murders. Our guide wasn’t too good, but it was still really neat….

Iv been there several times..I grew up in lakeside. When iv been there the old grounds keeper house is where my creepy feelings come from. the rest of the place feels sad and angry. There is one more haunted place i know of in duluth. IT’s on second street..someone should check out to see if anything creepy has happened in the last 12 yrs. its the light blue house facing the lake to the right of 711 east 2nd street.

Iv been to the mansion several time’s. I grew up in lakeside.
When I was there, the old grounds keeper house was where my creepy feelings come from. The rest of the place feels sad and angry. There is one more haunted place I know of in Duluth. Someone should research it to see if anything creepy has happened in the last 12 yrs. It’s the light blue house facing the lake to the right of 711 east 2nd street.

Iv been to the mansion several time’s due to growing up in lakeside.
When I was there, the old grounds keeper house was where my creepy feelings come from. The rest of the place feels sad and angry. There is one more haunted place I know of in Duluth. Someone should research it to see if anything creepy has happened in the last 12 year’s. It’s the light blue house facing the lake to the right of 711 East 2nd street.

i’ve visited this mansion, nothings happened to me, i’ve never seen an apparation, i haven’t felt cold spots…i think some people are being dishonest. but maybe there ARE people who feel and see these things, maybe it’s because im not as special as them, but…i think people are being dishonest

I will be getting married at the Mansion on September 5th, and I am actually having my wedding reception in the mansion, in the basement ! I’ll let you know if anything spooky happens !! An NO, they are not allowed to talk about the murders…. still. They will however mention that the house did have a violent past, but no they will not tell you where it happened. But I know !! lol