By Peggy Chong

Many of our members have seen this wonderful building, but for those of you who have not had the chance let me provide you with some history and information about our building.

In 1912, Charles and Nelle Pillsbury began building their mansion.  It took two years to complete the building.  During that time, the family toured Europe and made many purchases for their home.  When the work was completed in 1914, Mr. and Mrs. Pillsbury and their four children moved in. 

The family kept the house until Charles's death in 1940.  Then the mansion was sold to the Northwestern Lutheran Theological Seminary for its offices.  After 25 years, the Seminary moved out.  The building was vacant for several years, and was scheduled for demolition.  The Minneapolis Institute of Fine Arts received many contributions to purchase the building and save it from the wrecking ball.  On January 17, 1975, It was designated for heritage preservation.  The Institute sold the Building to the Carmichael-Lynch advertising agency in January of 1977 who converted it into an office building.  In the mid '80's, the building was purchased by the Guthrie Theater for its telemarketing fund-raising programs.  And we and BLIND bought it from the Guthrie.

The mansion is three stories and a full basement.  It occupies half the block on 22nd Street.  The exterior of the building is impressive, and is made from Bedford stone.  A low balustrade wall of Bedford stone lines the south and west side of the property.

Starting our tour of the building, we walk through the front door (walking north) into the Great Hall walled in oak paneling from castles in England.  The floors are pegged teak wood.  The fourteen-foot ceilings are molded plaster depicting Christian symbolism and have three chandeliers. 

To the right is the NFB Conference Room showcasing a massive oak fireplace that came from a castle in Shropshire England.  Like the Great Hall, this room is paneled in oak with a teak floor and the same fourteen-foot molded-plaster ceiling.  The south side contains huge windows that flood the room in sunshine.

To the left of the Great Hall is the Dining Room.  Amber glass windows on the south wall add a warm glow to the room.  This roam also has oak paneling, a teak floor, and a fourteen-foot molded-plaster ceiling.  At the far end of the room is a bay-window area called the conservatory.

Back in the Great Hall, directly ahead of the front door is the mansion's library now used as Joyce's office.  This impressive room is marveled at by all who come.  The beautiful stone fireplace that catches your attention right away came from a building that survived the Great Fire of London in 1660.  Oak bookshelves, roomy enough for Braille books, go all the way to the fourteen-foot ceiling on three walls.  A bay window that now has a great view of the elevator entrance, occupies the entire north wall.