U N T V E R T H E M O N O N L A A N D D I E S E Y A S I B L S O C H S I A T A I O S A R First Lady N of Preservation

David M. Grabitske

W hen Sarah Jane Sibley, wife of governor Henry H. Interest in in the United States Sibley, agreed to head Minnesota’s branch of the national was, at first, very low. , for example, effort to save , the estate of George Wash- thought colonial buildings reflected the nation’s architec- ington in , she launched the state’s first historic tural immaturity; replacing preservation campaign. In 1858 Minnesota was in its in- fancy, and many roadblocks loomed in her path. Personal Sarah Steele Sibley, factors and forces far beyond her control would make Minnesota’s “first lady success elusive. Her effort to raise money for preservation of preservation,” shows just how closely the new state was tied to national about 1864; (below) events and crises. visitors enjoying a restored Mount Vernon, about 1890

407 them was to be encouraged. During regent, in turn, appointed “Lady the War of 1812, however, Americans Managers” to assist her in whatever began to look for solace and strength towns, counties, and localities she in the places associated with their deemed necessary. In April 1858 the first war with Great Britain. The tide MVLA signed a contract with John of feelings welling up from the War and made a down pay- of 1812 centered on patriotism, and ment of $18,000 on the estate. historic preservation followed suit. In 1816 citizens saved Pennsylvania’s Old State House, restyled “Independence L ater that year, Cunningham’s Hall,” from threatened demolition. secretary learned from a Pennsylvan- Through the rest of the nineteenth ian living in Minnesota that “Mrs. century, successful preservation often Henry H. Sibley, wife of the governor depended on three factors: patriotism, of the State is admirably qualified for women’s leadership, and private the office” of vice-regent. The un- initiative.1 named gentleman was then asked to These factors were key to the offer her the position. Sarah Steele campaign to rescue Mount Vernon. Sibley was then 35 years old, the In 1853 Ann Pamela Cunningham, mother of four living children, and a South Carolinian, organized the the wife of Henry Sibley since 1843. Mount Vernon Ladies Association Patriotic imagery drawing on his- Her social position, education, and (MVLA) to save, restore, and pre- toric preservation from the MVLA’s family connections qualified her for serve the tomb and estate of George August 1858 issue of the monthly the job of vice-regent. Even before Washington. The dilapidated site Mount Vernon Record becoming First Lady, she was an was then in the hands of John A. acknowledged leader in the early Washington, the founding father’s through a patriotic endeavor headed society around Mendota, where her great-grandnephew, a slaveholder by women—who were thought to be, family lived. Her friends included who was hosting tourists at the plan- by nature, above politics. wives of Minnesota’s most promi- tation. Cunningham initially orga- In 1856 the group, by then called nent and influential men: Mary nized a small group of women, mostly the Mount Vernon Ladies Associa- Bronson Le Duc, Mathilda Whitall from Virginia and , to rescue tion of the Union, gained a charter Rice, and Anna Jenks Ramsey. the property not only from ruin but from the Virginia Assembly so that it Sarah’s family also provided her with also from the threat that northern could enter into a contract and hold impressive, patriotic credentials. Her capitalists might purchase it for a title to the estate. father and uncles had served in the resort. Soon, however, Cunningham had set the price for the mansion, , and her sib- realized that northern women wanted tomb, outbuildings, and 200 acres at lings offered important local connec- to be included—and the organization $200,000 (equivalent to $4.1 million tions in business, politics, and soci- needed their help. As the contentious today). The women increased their ety. In addition, Sarah’s education issue of resisted resolution, fundraising goal by an additional made her articulate, well organized, the preservation effort matured into $300,000 ($6.25 million) for and confident. She had learned in a cause with the added purpose of restoration and preservation costs.2 childhood to be generous with her healing the nation’s sectional rift Cunningham then set about time and talents and to govern her building her nationwide organiza- passions with Christian morality. She tion. She became the head, or regent, was well liked for her generosity, David Grabitske works with local of the Mount Vernon Ladies Associa- pleasant demeanor, and virtuous historical societies through the State tion. Working with a small personal life—all necessary tools for charitable Historic Preservation Office’s grants 3 and field programs at the Minnesota staff, she appointed suitable women fundraising. Historical Society. as vice-regents to direct fundraising Sarah accepted the position with in their respective states. Each vice- typical nineteenth-century disinter-

408 Minnesota History est, writing to Cunningham: “Among donors. Other obstacles faced her, T he first months of Sarah’s admin- the ladies of St. Paul you could have as well. Her foremost enemy was the istration were spent appointing lady found many more efficient co-work- lingering economic depression re- managers. By April, she told Cun- ers with you than myself, but I feel sulting from the Panic of 1857, when ningham, she had contacted 75 too deep an interest in the great and the land market crashed, banks women, explaining that she had to particular enterprise . . . to decline to closed, and hard currency all but appoint more women than was cus- do what I can to promote its suc- vanished. Too, the image of Mount tomary “since our counties are large cess.” She optimistically added, Vernon as a slave plantation over- and sparsely inhabited.” To her dis- “Every Minnesotian will be prompt shadowed it as an object of charity, a appointment, only one-third to respond, to the extent of his or her major stumbling block to donations responded, although most of these ability, to a call for pecuniary aid.” 4 in Minnesota as throughout the accepted. Among the appointees was Thus began the preservation North. Citizens had just as much Mary Le Duc. Sarah told her friend movement in Minnesota. Presciently, difficulty then as now in distinguish- in Hastings, “I wish you to bear the Sarah’s note hinted at one circum- ing worthiness for preservation from honors gracefully and becomingly. stance that would directly affect her veneration. In addition, Sarah’s (that is send me as much money as success. The Sibleys lived in Men- cause faced opposition on account of you can rake and scrape).” Mary’s dota, near Fort Snelling and the early her Democratic governor-husband’s husband William noted to Henry center of civilian culture in the area. policies and actions in an era of ris- Sibley later that spring that “Mrs. By the mid-1850s, however, this ing Republican strength and a falter- LeD. is just now Exercised upon the town had been eclipsed by newcom- ing economy. None of these prob- Mt. Vernon association quest,” tak- ers like St. Paul, six miles down and lems would compare to her struggle ing in $20 that month. Another across the Mississippi River. As vice- with a deadly ailment that ultimately friend, Ann Loomis North, however, regent, Sarah would have to over- stopped the Mount Vernon effort in refused to serve, writing that she come her distance from likely Minnesota for 20 years.5 “must conscientiously and respect-

Burgeoning St. Paul, 1859

Winter 2003–04 409 Page 2 of Sarah’s letter to Mary Le Duc, asking her help in fundraising—and demonstrating Sarah’s mastery of the difficult art of cross-writing, a paper-saving skill taught to both girls and boys of her era fully decline. . . . I can give no aid to and Democrat printed a letter from Sarah coordinated her appeal with such an object without the assurance Cunningham that spelled out the the Washington’s birthday festivities that it should no longer be a slave MVLA’s successes and fundraising planned by the St. Paul Mercantile plantation.” North may well have goals. Sarah then published a news- Library Association, which spon- declined for an additional reason: paper appeal to “The Ladies of Min- sored regular lectures and agreed to Her husband, John W., secretary of nesota” saying that although eastern make this day a benefit for Mount the Minneapolis and Cedar Valley women had started the project, “those Vernon. Although originally sched- Railroad, was frustrated with Gover- of Minnesota will not be backward in uled for the evening of February 22, nor Sibley’s opposition to the Five following their noble example.” She the event was hastily moved to 3 p.m. Million Loan—a proposed amend- extended the call to include the men to accommodate the Pioneer Guard ment to the state constitution that of “military companies, Masonic company. The guardsmen would stimulate railroad growth and lodges, and all other societies and had just received new uniforms and the state’s depressed economy. North organizations.” Acknowledging the were eager to show them off at a ball blamed the governor for the economic climate, Sarah assured that evening. Moving the patriotic railroad’s troubles.6 everyone that “the smallest offering exercise to midday gave the Guard an While appointing lady managers, will be thankfully received.” To prove additional chance to parade.8 Sarah initiated a publicity campaign the cause’s legitimacy, she announced Patriotic decorations, flags, and to coincide with Washington’s birth- that the organization had a statewide evergreen boughs lined the chancel day in 1859. The February 19 Pioneer advisory board of substantial men.7 of Rev. John Mattock’s First Presby-

410 Minnesota History terian Church at the corner of St. tion project would promote national Peter and St. Anthony Streets. Above unity and heal sectional discord. the pulpit was a large portrait of Sarah sent the donation to him on encircled with the first anniversary of Minnesota’s boughs, below which read “Mount statehood, May 11, 1859. Vernon.” Promptly at 3 p.m. a patri- otic air was played, and then Rev. Edward Duffield Neill arose to I n June 1859 Sarah published an- speak the invocation and prayer. other appeal for funds in the Pioneer John B. Sanborn, president of the and Democrat, reminding readers library association, read Washing- that the upcoming Independence ton’s Farewell Address.9 Day was “peculiarly appropriate for Then came the main event. James soliciting aid.” Although the infant Wickes Taylor, secretary of the Min- state had been “embarrassed, and nesota and Pacific Rail Road Com- almost crushed . . . by the financial pany, delivered an oration in his “well crisis,” she chided: “Shall it be said known forcible and vigorous style,” that Minnesota has failed to do her according to the St. Paul Weekly part for the promotion of so sacred Minnesotian. He was originally to an object?” This notice also named speak on the life and character of the members of the male advisory Washington, a talk similar to one board, a list that testified to Sarah’s that former Massachusetts Governor ability to engender cooperation. Her was giving through- husband’s bitter enemy within the out the North, the proceeds of which Democratic Party, Daniel A. Robert- would benefit the MVLA. Instead, son, served alongside future Republi- Taylor devoted his time to “Washing- can governors John B. Sanborn and ton as the Representative Man of the Henry A. Swift. Also included were West.” He concluded that Washing- some of Sibley’s business contacts— ton’s integrity was the glue that Orange Curtis, Richard Chute, Alexis bound the geographically diverse Bailly, and Martin McLeod—and union together. The Philharmonic family friends such as John S. Prince Society closed the program with an and William Le Duc.10 Nevertheless, ode by local poet Dewitt C. Cooley, building on the goodwill and patri- set to the melody of the “Star Span- otic feelings generated by the birth- gled Banner.” day observance proved difficult. The library association raised $70 Throughout the summer, Sarah for the Mount Vernon fund from the published regular notices of George sale of 50-cent admission tickets and Washington-related items in the entrusted the sum to Sarah to remit Pioneer and Democrat to keep the to Edward Everett. The association, project before the public. From the like many northern groups, did not beginning, however, the campaign want the perception that it supported did not garner universal approval, as a slave plantation in Old Virginia newspapers statewide noted. Repub- and thus “laundered” its donation by lican organs opposed to Henry Sib- funneling it through Everett. The ley, such as the Stillwater Messenger, orator, who traveled the North giving his Washington speech 137 times Minnesota’s contribution to the cause, between 1856 and 1860, firmly be- printed in the October 1859 Mount lieved that supporting the preserva- Vernon Record

Winter 2003–04 411 reported in March that John Wash- coffin, or something.” Columbus stop it,” Stebbins urged. In St. Peter, ington was hiring out his slaves. “We Stebbins of the Hastings Indepen- the Minnesota Statesman noted with should think,” wrote editor Andrew dent editorialized, “Far and wide the distaste that Washington hired a J. Van Vorhes, the husband of Lady Mount Vernon Association is extend- “daguerrean artist” to photograph Manager Elizabeth Van Vorhes, that ing its operations . . . for the purpose tourists in front of the tomb.11 “Mr. Washington has been paid of giving notoriety and character to The Winona Republican, how- enough by the ladies of the United every species of humbuggry and ever, embraced Sarah’s appeal as a States . . . to be able to do without humbuggeries.” (Stebbins later re- “praiseworthy object” and urged hiring out his negroes.” The Falls ported that John Washington had support of the fundraising campaign. Evening News replied snidely to one contracted to produce canes from Faribault’s Central Republican did appeal: “The people of St. Anthony Mount Vernon’s wood.) No doubt not comment directly but printed a are patriotic—very—and they will soon the country would be subjected Mount Vernon appeal. A number of prove it by a generous subscription, to Mount Vernon hats, combs, and Democratic organs like the Hastings if she will take their contributions in toothpicks. “The tomb of Washington Weekly Ledger and Henderson Demo- lumber; the association might want needs no ornament,” he continued. crat were silent, which did not help to build Mr. John Washington a As to the work of the women, “Let us the project.12

412 Minnesota History The most successful event for the responded to her Independence Day MVLA in Minnesota was held in appeal, she added. She offered to stay Stillwater on May 5 under the aegis on until a replacement could be ap- of Henrietta King Holcombe, whose pointed.16 husband, William, was Henry Sib- Nothing happened for many ley’s lieutenant governor. A refined months after Sarah tendered her and cultured woman who found resignation. No response came from frontier life a trying experience, she the national leadership, no funds organized an evening of entertain- were collected in the state, and no ment at the newly opened Sawyer reports were filed by Sarah’s lady and Buck’s Hotel. The spacious hall managers. Perhaps John Brown’s was fitted for dancing; another room shocking raid on Harper’s Ferry in was set aside for chess and draughts October 1859 and subsequent trial (checkers); a third was reserved for and execution for treason in Decem- conversation. The Stillwater Messen- ber distracted everyone’s attention. ger reported, “The tables, the decora- Then, just after the new year, Sarah tions, and everything connected with Governor Henry H. Sibley, painted by was surprised to receive a letter from the entertainment, were arranged Thomas Cantwell Healy, 1860 Cunningham declining the resigna- and conducted with exquisite taste.” tion. Bewildered, Sarah restated This event gathered $83 above ex- in from Winona, St. Anthony, Hast- more forcefully her adversity in Min- penses, and the lady managers col- ings, and Cannon Falls.15 nesota and added another reason: lected another $17 before forwarding “The objects of charity among us are the contribution to Everett.13 so numerous . . . and thus prevent Funds trickled in throughout the E ver since her marriage 16 years those manifestations of good will to summer. An October 1859 report earlier, Sarah had dreamed of relo- the Mt. Vernon Association.” Sarah showed that Minnesota’s contribu- cating to the growing urban center of believed she had done everything in tions totaled $250. One citizen, at St. Paul. In early 1859 she thought a her power to help the association, least, tried to benefit personally from move was imminent, writing to her but it was “a sense of real mortifica- his donation. St. Paul postal clerk friend Mary Le Duc, “I think now tion” to her that Minnesota had only George L. Lumsden, in jail under that Mr. S. is beginning to find it a collected $362 when neighboring suspicion of stealing land warrants little inconvenient—getting up and Iowa and Wisconsin had each remit- from the mails (he was later con- down to St. Paul. He is quite in the ted four times that amount. She ra- victed), published a letter in the St. notion of building this summer, that tionalized, “There never has been Paul Daily Times to publicize his we may be down next winter.” The much wealth in this new and thinly donation of one dollar.14 move would give Sarah better access settled State.” And then, alluding to In tiny Mendota, Mariah McCul- to potential donors and a better base her own family, she admitted, “The lum, the 35-year-old wife of a pros- for supervising the MVLA in Minne- recent financial disasters have oper- perous Irish merchant, set the exam- sota. But the continuing national ated ruinously even on those who ple for former fur-trade employees financial crisis kept the Sibleys in had good reason to believe, that they by giving $2. The McCullums were Mendota, and so Sarah regretfully were beyond the reach of such typical of the area’s changing popula- wrote to Cunningham in late July to calamities.” The association would tion, as Irish farmers moved into resign her post: “My residence is six have to accept her resignation.17 Mendota Township to take advan- miles distant from St. Paul on the tage of an established Catholic opposite bank of the Mississippi church and farmland well suited to River, and my health not permitting A lthough the MVLA paid for familiar root crops. Henry Sibley’s me to visit that City as frequently as Mount Vernon in 1860, it still needed donation of $9.25, however, provided was desirable, in order to aid the funds to restore and maintain the the lion’s share of Mendota’s $17.25 Lady Managers . . . little has been property. Meanwhile, the national contribution. Smaller amounts came accomplished there.” No one had crisis that Ann Pamela Cunningham

Winter 2003–04 413 The Sibleys’ St. Paul home at 417 Woodward Avenue. Both house and street are gone today; the area is near Lafayette Road, between East Seventh Street and University Avenue. hoped to salve with her patriotic before Sibley was to leave for South form of pleuro-pneumonia.” For the effort was worsening. Extremists on Carolina, he suggested they all meet next two weeks Sarah was severely both sides frightened moderates on after the convention.18 ill, and hopes for her recovery were the slavery question. Tensions ran The convention closed without dim. Another cause for concern was high as political parties convened in agreeing on a candidate. The southern her seventh-month pregnancy. Sibley the summer of 1860 to write plat- wing of the party reconvened later to told his friend William Le Duc that forms and select presidential candi- select John C. Breckenridge, and the he was in “constant anxiety.” The dates. Sibley, who had not run for northern wing, including Sibley, met “nightly watchings & loss of sleep, reelection, was selected as a delegate in Baltimore to choose Stephen A. have pulled me down considerably.” to the Democratic National Conven- Douglas. Since the political process On July 21 Sarah’s fever broke, and tion in Charleston, South Carolina. took longer than expected, Sarah she began to improve.19 He and Sarah traveled east together, returned to Minnesota. Whether she Their healthy son Charles Freder- she to visit family in Lancaster, Penn- met with Cunningham is unknown. ick was born on September 11, 1860. sylvania, while he continued on to Sarah’s lingering illness from Meanwhile, the national MVLA Washington and then the convention. 1859 had worsened, developing into earnestly continued its work, still Cunningham’s secretary sent a note pleurisy, an infection easily treated raising funds and desperately hoping to him in the capital, requesting a with antibiotics today but incurable to avert a civil war that now seemed visit with Sarah. No doubt the na- in her era. When Henry returned imminent. Henry responded to a note tional leadership wanted to assess home from Baltimore, he found that from Cunningham in October, “I have affairs in Minnesota and, if they could his wife had suffered an attack “of delayed a reply. . . because I have had not persuade Sarah to stay, obtain a what was supposed to be neuralgia in a faint hope that the state of Mrs. recommendation for a replacement. the shoulder, neck & head, but this Sibley’s health would enable her to Since the note arrived the evening culminated into a very dangerous address you herself.” Though Sarah

414 Minnesota History had been confined to her bed for four Edward Everett and the New York to bed. She died from a pleurisy at- months, she was still interested in the vice-regent vainly attempted to re- tack on May 21, 1869, at age 46.24 association’s success. Henry repeated move Washington’s home from the her need to resign as vice-regent since ladies’ control in 1864 by floating a “health forbids any reasonable expec- proposal for the organization to cede W ith Sarah’s death, the efforts of tation that she will be able to leave the property to the United States.22 the Mount Vernon Ladies Association her room for months to come.” He With the war over, the MVLA officially ceased in Minnesota. While then restated the reasons for Minne- convened a meeting of vice-regents the Minnesota group had diligently sota’s dismal contributions. He in Washington in 1866. As Sarah’s followed national patterns in preser- doubted that the 1860 harvest would resignation had never been accepted, vation philosophy and fundraising, much more than cover existing she received an invitation at her new politics and the infant state’s econ- expenses.20 St. Paul address two days before the omy conspired to limit its success. By 1861 worlds seemed to be meeting date. (In 1863 the family had Nevertheless, Sarah Sibley’s cam- crumbling. Though Sarah recovered finally moved to a large house on paign had launched historic preser- from another attack that January, Woodward Avenue in the Lower- vation in Minnesota, a movement Henry admitted to Le Duc, “I much town neighborhood.) When she did that continued to grow. In 1889 Re- fear she will not last long, as she has not attend, the MVLA inquired indi- becca Flandrau, one of Sarah’s origi- them more frequently than hereto- rectly about her, causing Henry to nal lady managers, accepted appoint- fore.” 21 Then, in April, hopes for sternly reply, at Sarah’s bidding, that ment as the state’s second MVLA national unity perished with the all letters had been answered except vice-regent, pledging to raise money attack on Fort Sumter, and the work the invitation, that little or no com- for the restoration of Mount Ver- of the Mount Vernon Ladies Associa- munication had been received since non’s summer kitchen. Twenty years tion lapsed. The association was 1860, and that any direct correspon- later, the Daughters of the American hopelessly divided by the war, with dence would be promptly Revolution organized a rescue of the estate on one side and wealthy answered.23 Sarah was at last in a Sarah and Henry Sibley’s stone house supporters on the other. Union mili- good location to raise funds, but her in Mendota, the “Mount Vernon of tary officials temporarily seized health prevented it. Wracked by Minnesota,” using the same patriotic, MVLA’s steamboat that had brought recurring pleurisy and pregnancies, private, woman-led methods pio- in both supplies and paying tourists. she spent extended periods confined neered a half-century earlier.25 a

A Midwestern Mount Vernon In 1910 the Daughters of Sibley, the company’s regional manager, began his limestone the American Revolution dwelling in 1838, adding to it over the 20-plus years he lived there, secured title to Henry and first as a bachelor and then with his wife and their Sarah Sibley’s home in children. Mendota, launching the Managed by the Sibley House Association from 1910 through historic house movement 2003, this site will reopen to the public under Minnesota Historical in Minnesota. Today, the Society management in Spring 2004 with group and education Sibley House is preserved tours also available. For hours, directions, in its historic setting to admission fees, and other information: provide visitors an opportu- nity to be where history happened. The historic buildings help tell Sibley House Historic Site part of the Sibleys’ story—and the stories of many others who 1357 Sibley Memorial Highway made historic Mendota their home—that can never be fully cap- Mendota, MN 55150 tured in books. (telephone): 651-452-1596 The Sibley House Historic Site dates from the era of the Ameri- (email): [email protected] can Fur Company’s trade with the Dakota Indians. (website): http://www.mnhs.org/places/sites/shs/

Winter 2003–04 415 Notes

1. Here and below, W. Barksdale May- 5. See Ellworth Carlstedt, “Minnesota nard, “ ‘Best, Lowliest Style!’ The Early- and the Panic of 1857,” typescript, Nineteenth-Century Rediscovery of Ameri- 1933, p. 6–41, copy in the Minnesota can Colonial Architecture,” Journal of the Historical Society (MHS), St. Paul. Society of Architectural Historians 59 (Sept. 6. Sarah Sibley to Cunning- 2000): 338–57; Patricia West, Domesticat- ham, Apr. 1, 1859, MVLA; Sarah ing History: The Political Origins of Amer- Sibley to Mary Le Duc, Mar. 13, ica’s House (Washington, D.C.: 1859, William Gates Le Duc and Press, 1999), 5–12; Family Papers, MHS; William William J. Murtagh, Keeping Time: The Le Duc to Henry Sibley, May History and Theory of Preservation in 12, 1859, Henry H. Sibley America (Pittstown, NJ: Main Street Press, Papers, MHS; Ann Loomis 1988), 25–30. North to Anne Lewis, Mar. 30, 2. Here and below, West, Domesticating 1859, John W. North Papers, History, 5–12, 15; Pioneer and Democrat Huntington Library, San Marino, (St. Paul), Feb. 19, 1859. CA, microfilm copy, MHS; John 3. Christie Johnson (Cunningham’s North to Henry Sibley, Dec. 2, secretary) to Mary Morris (New 1858, Sibley papers, MHS. York vice-regent), Oct. 20, 1858, Early 7. Pioneer and Democrat, Feb. 19, Association Records, Mount Vernon Ladies 22, 1859. Association, Mount Vernon, VA (hereinafter 8. Pioneer and Democrat, Feb. 16, MVLA). For Sarah’s background, see David 20, 1859. M. Grabitske, “Sarah Jane: A Lady’s Frontier 9. Here and two paragraphs below, in Minnesota,” Midwest Open Air Museums Pioneer and Democrat, Feb. 16, 19, 22, and Magazine 20 (Dec. 1999): 20–32. William 24, 1859; St. Paul Daily Times, Feb. 24, Association, Report to the Council, 1889, Gates Le Duc was a Hastings businessman; 1859; Weekly Minnesotian, Feb. 26, 1859; p. 6–7, bound with reports from 1858–95, Henry Rice, Sibley’s Democratic rival, was West, Domesticating History, 16; Sarah copy in MHS. Minnesota’s United States senator; and Sibley to Edward Everett, May 11, 1859, 18. Henry Sibley to Cunningham, Apr. 19, Alexander Ramsey, a friend and political Everett-Norcross Collection, Massachusetts 1860, MVLA. rival, was the former territorial governor Historical Society, Boston; Everett to Sarah 19. Henry Sibley to William Le Duc, and head of the state’s new Republican Sibley, May 19, 1859, Sibley papers. July 23, 1860, Le Duc papers. Party. On Sarah’s siblings: Abby Potts’s 10. Pioneer and Democrat, June 22, 20. Henry Sibley to Cunningham, Oct. 20, husband, Thomas, was St. Paul’s first 1859. 1860, MVLA. elected executive and president of Minne- 11. Stillwater Messenger, Mar. 8, 1859; 21. Henry Sibley to William Le Duc, Jan. sota’s medical association; Rachel John- Falls Evening News, Mar. 19, 1859; Hast- 3, 1861, Le Duc papers. son’s husband, Richard, was an army offi- ings Independent, Feb. 24, Apr. 12, 1859; 22. West, Domesticating History, cer; Mary Steele was at the center of St. Minnesota Statesman, Mar. 16, 1859. 30–35. Paul society; John Steele, a prominent 12. Winona Republican, Mar. 2, 1859; 23. Henry Sibley to William Markoe, physician; and Franklin Steele, the propri- Central Republican, Mar. 9, 1859. Dec. 18, 1866, MVLA. etor of the waterpower at the Falls of St. 13. Mrs. Andrew E. Kilpatrick, “William 24. Henry Sibley to Richard W. Johnson, Anthony, was arguably the richest man in Holcombe,” Minnesota Historical Society telegram, May 21, 1869, Sibley House Asso- the state. Collections, vol. 10, pt. 2 (St. Paul, 1905), ciation collection, Sibley House Historic 4. Sarah Sibley to Ann Pamela Cunning- 859–60; Stillwater Messenger, May 3, 10, Site, Mendota; Henry Sibley to William Le ham, Nov. 28, 1858, MVLA. 1859; Mount Vernon Record 2 (Oct. 1859): 71. Duc, July 23, 1860, and Anna Ramsey to 14. St. Paul Daily Times, Feb. 22, 1859; Mary Le Duc, Sept. 2, 1864, both in Le Duc Pioneer and Democrat, June 7, 1859; Mount papers, MHS. Vernon Record 2 (Oct. 1859): 71. 25. MVLA, Report to the Council, 1889, 15. Mount Vernon Record 2 (Oct. 1859): p. 2; Ann Marcaccini and George Woytano- 71; United States, Census, 1860, Popula- witz, “House Work: The DAR at the Sibley tion, Dakota County, Mendota Township, House,” Minnesota History 55 (Spring microfilm copy, Roll 2, p. 31, MHS. 1997): 186–201. The MVLA continues its 16. Sarah was most likely suffering from work in the present, and Minnesota’s cur- pleuro-pneumonia or an infection that rent vice-regent is the sixth in the chapter’s would lead to it. Sarah Sibley to Mary Le 150-year history. On the preservation Duc, Mar. 13, 1859, Le Duc papers; Sarah movement in Minnesota, see Russell W. Sibley to Cunningham, July 29, 1859, Fridley’s introduction to June D. Holmquist MVLA. and Jean A. Brookins, Minnesota’s Major 17. Sarah Sibley to Cunningham, Jan. Historic Sites: A Guide, rev. ed. (St. Paul: 23, 1860, MVLA; Mount Vernon Ladies MHS, 1972), vii–xii.

All images are from MHS collections, including the letter in the William Gates Le Duc and Family Papers and the bound volumes of the Mount Vernon Record.

416 Minnesota History Copyright of Minnesota History is the property of the Minnesota Historical Society and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. Users may print, download, or email articles, however, for individual use.

To request permission for educational or commercial use, contact us.

www.mnhs.org/mnhistory