A Brief History of
The Gale Mansion
The Gale Mansion was built in 1912 by Edward Chanary Gale and Sara Bell Pillsbury. Mr. Gale was an attorney. Mrs. Gale was the daughter of Governor and Mrs. John S. Pillsbury. As patrons of the arts, the Gales were leaders in the development of the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
In 1855, the Fair Oaks 40-acre area was purchased for $50 as a suburban development. Water records indicate that several smaller homes once occupied the Stevens Avenue site.
The Gales, through their European travels, developed a preference for the Italian Renaissance Revival style and commissioned Ernest Kennedy, a Minnesota architect, to design their home. Kennedy also designed Alfred Pillsbury home at 2115 First Avenue.
Inside the Bedford limestone mansion many modern choices were made: kitchen on the first floor, a central vacuum system, an intercom, and a maze of laundry chutes. Vestiges of these installations remain throughout the house.
The house was originally heated with coal. There are eight unique fireplace; they were used infrequently and with great care. Today, these fireplaces are decorative but not not functional.
Exquisite oak parquet floors grace the first floor. The black walnut staircase and paneling and the decorative ceilings were exceptional choices for 1912. There was a pipe organ in the alcove of the Great Hall. French doors in this alcove led to a terrace and curved staircase which descended into a lovely Italian garden. The “Duck Boy” sculpture by McMonnies was a part of a garden fountain; and the iron gates, now part of the signage, graced the north portion of the garden.
The American Association of University Women, Minneapolis Branch, was formerly at 310 Groveland and the growing membership necessitated a different location. Mr. and Mrs. Gale both died in 1943 and their only son, Richard, was approached in 1947 to consider the availability of his parental home. A handshake confirmed the agreement and 2115 Stevens Avenue was purchased for $50,000.
Some modifications were made to accommodate large groups, particularly in the lower level. In 1962 it was clear that auditorium space was needed and a decision was made to build on the site of the garden. For additional information on the AAUW Minneapolis Branch, please visit their website.
The Gale Mansion was placed the National Register of Historic Places in 1978.
2115 Stevens Avenue South, Minneapolis, MN 55404
Phone: 612-870-1662
Fax: 612-870-0949
E-mail: galemansion@qwest.net