Eastcliff (mansion) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Edward and Markell Brooks House
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University of Minnesota's Eastcliff residence
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 Location in Minnesota
Location in the United States
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| Location | 176 N. Mississippi River Blvd. St. Paul, Minnesota |
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| Built | 1921 |
| Architect | Clarence H. Johnston Sr.; Clarence H. Johnston Jr. |
| Architectural style | Colonial Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 00000689 |
| Added to NRHP | June 15, 2000 |
Eastcliff is a large, beautiful house in St. Paul, Minnesota. It has 20 rooms and looks out over the Mississippi River. This special house is the official home for the president of the University of Minnesota system.
Eastcliff was built in 1922 by a wealthy lumber businessman named Edward Brooks Sr.. His family later gave the house to the University of Minnesota in 1958. It became the president's official home in 1960 when O. Meredith Wilson became president. In 2000, Eastcliff was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This means it's an important historical building.
Today, Eastcliff is a very busy place. It hosts many events, often five days a week. It's even the most-visited public home in Minnesota! More people visit Eastcliff than the Minnesota Governor's Residence. For example, in 2005, about 6,800 people attended 159 events there.
Who Designed Eastcliff?
Eastcliff was designed in the Georgian Colonial style. The architect was Clarence H. Johnston Sr.. He was a close friend of Edward Brooks. Johnston was also a famous architect who designed many buildings at the University of Minnesota. He made sure they fit into a big plan created by another architect, Cass Gilbert.
What Happened During Renovations?
Over the years, Eastcliff needed many repairs. However, the repairs didn't always keep up with the wear and tear. In 1988, a big renovation project started. But unexpected problems made the costs much higher than planned. This situation caused a lot of discussion and led to changes in leadership at the university.
Who Has Lived at Eastcliff?
Many University of Minnesota presidents have lived at Eastcliff. Here is a list of some of them:
- O. Meredith Wilson
- Malcolm Moos
- C. Peter Magrath
- Kenneth Keller
- Nils Hasselmo
- Mark Yudof
- Robert H. Bruininks
- Eric W. Kaler
- Joan T.A. Gabel
