Cordenio Severance House facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Cordenio Severance House
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The Cordenio Severance House from the east
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 Location in Minneapolis–Saint Paul
Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 6940 Keats Avenue South, Cottage Grove, Minnesota |
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| Area | Less than two acres |
| Built | c. 1880, remodeled 1911–1917 |
| Architect | Cass Gilbert |
| Architectural style | Italianate/Neoclassical |
| NRHP reference No. | 76001077 |
| Added to NRHP | June 3, 1976 |
The Cordenio Severance House is a large, historic home in Cottage Grove, Minnesota. It was built for a famous lawyer named Cordenio Severance (1862–1925). This mansion is also known as Cedarhurst.
It started as a small farmhouse around 1880. In 1886, it was made bigger to be a summer home for the Severance family. Later, between 1911 and 1917, a well-known architect named Cass Gilbert designed even more additions. The house grew into a huge mansion with 26 rooms and about 12,000 square feet!
In 1976, the Cordenio Severance House was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's a special building because of its history and design. It was recognized for its connection to Cordenio Severance, who was a very important lawyer in Saint Paul, Minnesota. It also stands out as a great example of a large country estate. Today, the mansion is used for special events like weddings and meetings.
What Makes This Mansion Special?
The Cordenio Severance House has some cool features. It has two large porches with tall columns, which is a style called Neoclassical. There's also a very long veranda, which is like a covered porch, that stretches 100 feet!
Inside, you'll find a fancy ballroom with a pipe organ. There are also three fireplaces to keep the house warm and cozy. Outside, the mansion has a beautiful English rose garden.
A Look at the Mansion's History
Cordenio Severance was a very important person. He had many connections in politics. Because of this, several United States presidents visited the mansion. These included Theodore Roosevelt, Warren G. Harding, Calvin Coolidge, and William Howard Taft.
The mansion was also a place for important discussions. Meetings about international policy were held there. Even some meetings for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) took place in the library!
Today, the house is owned by True Thao and his family. They have worked hard to restore the mansion to its original beauty. It is now a popular place for weddings, parties, and business gatherings.
