CHRISTMAS AT GLENSHEEN: "Through the Eyes of a Child" By Ann Russell

"Through the Eyes of a Child" was the theme for the 1984 Christmas season at Glensheen. Visitors and docents alike were treated to all that a child holds dear at this magical season: wonder, excitement, and — toys! Antique toys and dolls appeared under Christmas trees and in almost every room of the man- sion'. Mr. and Mrs. William Gooder, owners of the Gooder Antique Toy and Doll Museum, 1907 E. 5th Street, Duluth, Min- nesota, provided the largest part of the ex- hibit while the rest were taken from Glen- sheen's own collection.

During self-guided tours, new and returning visitors had an excellent opportunity to study the toys as well as each room at their own pace. The appeal of toys to all age groups was evident in the increased visitor atten- dance this year. According to Director Michael Lane, "December's overall atten- businessmen, Sweet Adelines, the Birchwood The doll crib displayed in the Master dance figure of more than 5,000 was the se- Elementary choir whose members sang and Bedroom is also from the Glensheen cond highest since Glensheen's opening." danced, Abbey Minstrels, Bethel Baptist collection. Madrigal Singers, and vocal ensembles from Between December 13 and December 23 Denfeld-Morgan Park, Hermantown, East About 40 of the dolls and toys on display docents filled 200 two-hour slots at Glen- and Central High Schools. were loaned to Glensheen through the sheen while visitors toured the mansion on generosity of William and Evelyn Gooder. their own. Besides these self-guided tours, Along with toys loaned by Gooder's Anti- Vera Dunbar and Sam Plourd made the in- Christmas brunches featuring live holiday que Doll and Toy Museum, toys from Glen- itial contact with the Gooders and visited music was a special feature of Christmas at sheen's own collection were able to join in their museum to choose the toys and dolls Glensheen. Approximately 50 guests at each the Christmas festivities. Glensheen's toys to be displayed at Glensheen. This was a of the five public and three docent brunches were found in their accustomed places in the delightful task as Vera pointed out, "The enjoyed wassail and turkey divan. Nine Toy Room and also under the Christmas tree Gooders were very co-operative and we feel local singing and instrumental groups per- in the Living Room. According to Sam indebted to them for so generous a response formed in the Recreation Room where the Plourd, Glensheen's toys probably date from to make a success of Christmas at Glen- brunches were served while 22 other musical the 1920's and 1930's and were most likely sheen." Sam said, "I haven't had that much groups performed in the Main Hall and played with by visiting nieces and nephews fun since I was a kid!" Recreation Room during tours. The Figgy and grandchildren. Glensheen's toys plac- William and Evelyn Gooder, who can only Pudding Carolers even sang for tourists in ed under the Living Room Christmas tree be described as 75 years young, have been the ticket house. Some of the other groups were Indian Clubs, a tennis racquet, two collecting antique dolls and toys for 11 years. included Brothers in Song, a vocal ensem- wooden dumbells, three stuffed animals, a ble made up of local doctors and set of graduated blocks and a doll high chair. (Continued on Back Page) WHAT'S THIS? Did you know that Glensheen had another canopied bed? Here's a picture to prove the fact.

Now that the holiday's are over, we all have a chance to relax a little and plan for a whole new year's worth of volunteer activity, and we hope Glensheen is high on your list.

As a thank you for your continued donation of time, the Docent Council, with funds earned through Cookbook sales, sponsored part of the cost of docent meals at the Christmas Brunches. These were very well attended by docents and their families and friends. Along with the excellent food, we had the opportunity to enjoy a variety of seasonal entertainment.

The Christmas City of the North Parade again included the Canadian Sled from the Congdon collection. It was decorated with lights, presents, a tree, and the children of two of our volunteers, Linda Vukson and JoAnn Luhtala, Also riding, with top hat and coachman's coat, was Paul Anderson, a member of a recent training session and now a dedicated docent. The truth is that this is one room in the Gooder Doll House that was in the library during "Christmas at Glensheen." Last year the Council set up a series of mon- thly programs intended to interest a different segment of our volunteers for each session. DATES SET FOR Due to lack of attendance, we have decided to discontinue the programs. In the future, TRAINING NEW we hope to be able to bring new topics in for presentation but they will not be on any VOLUNTEERS set schedule. If you have any suggestions as to subjects, please put them in the box on The dates and times for new volunteer train- the table in the Docent room. ing are as follows:

Summer season is approaching, and you are 1st Session — Tuesday, March 26th our best recruiters. If you enjoy your ex- at 9:00 A.M. perience docenting (is that a word?), bring MUSEUM 2nd Session — Wednesday, March along an interested friend next time and in- 27th at 7:00 P.M. troduce them to our unique area of SHOP NEWS 3rd Session — Thursday, March 28th volunteering. at 2:00 P.M. By Debbie Swenson 4th Session — Saturday, March 30th at 9:00 A.M.

The Glensheen Museum Shop thanks you for The sessions follow the same format each VOLUNTEER all your help in making this past year under time. If you have missed any of them when volunteer management a success. We offered previously, we hope you will be able RECOGNITION especially appreciate all of you thinking of to pick them up at this time. us during this past holiday season for gifts for family and friends and hope you continue WEEK The times for UPDATE SESSIONS will be to do so as our available items increase. Just announced in another mailing. Volunteers will be recognized nationwide arrived — our own Glensheen blend from April 22nd through the 29th. Locally, tea! A 4 oz. package in the now familiar a special recognition will be held on Wednes- paper house box. day, April 24th in The Great Hall at The Depot beginning at 11:30. Please plan to at- During the month of February, the Dover PORT CITIES tend this gala affair — complete with local publications will be discounted 20% for LUNCHEON dignitaries, special music, parade of pro- volunteers, staff, and Friends of Glensheen. grams and much more. Your personal in- Several new books have just arrived that vitation will arrive under separate cover. might interest you. March will feature the The Port Cities Luncheon will be held this hand knitted cotton placemats (a technique year on Thursday, May 16th at the Duluth from the collection), and April our train and Curling Club. A planning meeting will be boat pencil sharpeners all at the 20% held on March 13th and a member of our discount. Docent Council has been invited to attend. They also requested nominations for Woman Hours this season are: Weekdays, except of the Year. Tickets for the luncheon will Wednesday, 12:30 - 2:30; Saturday and Sun- be available in the Docent Room at day 12:30 - 3:30. Glensheen. "What do I look for in a volunteer? I'm most Adolphus where she majored in social work. DAYS GONE BY pleased with someone who has an outgoing She spent one quarter at the University of By Betty Ketchum personality," but she admitted she has helped Colorado in Boulder. She worked as an to develop the shy ones. They might begin airline stewardess for two years and was as a second docent and in six to eight weeks married iri 1952 to Roger Severinson. While would be a convert to first. In the height of Roger was in Dental School she did social the season, 37 volunteers a day are needed work in Hennepin County for three years. for tours, evening specials in the house and They had four children, moving to Duluth for the sales shop. "A really invaluable asset in 1959, and she grinned, "I didn't work a to this volunteer coordinator is the Day Cap- day until I came here, having volunteered all tain who confirms all regular docents for a my spare time for just about every organiza- particular day, another who schedules 2nd tion." In 1979, she applied at the Universi- Docents and one who staffs the museum ty, and had worked only 16 hours in Contin- shop. All are members of the Docent Coun- uing Education when her husband died cil." following a shockingly short illness.

Geva Lou feels Glensheen continues to draw Geva Lou has since started a Widow's Club Geva Lou Severinson the public because it is a high-quality opera- to help others. A member of Glen Avon tion. "Let's face it, people aren't saying don't Presbyterian Church, she recently was told Blond, blue-eyed, pretty and pint-sized Geva bother to see it — they leave here feeling it's by one of the members that the children of Lou Severinson, coordinator of volunteers a must. There's a personal touch in some- a recent widow wanted to get in touch with at Glensheen, has just the right formula for one taking you through and the tourist or her. In a way it is still an extension of her attracting volunteers. She has been an visitor is aware of this. We don't want a social work. airline stewardess, a wife and mother of four canned tour. The facts must be accurate, but and for six years a volunteer coordinator, the personality of the docent will show Celebrities? Telly Savalis came to do a com- which gives her an edge on handling just through." Geva Lou says it's like music to mercial and ingratiated himself with those on about any situation. She's downright friend- her ears when the tour guide winds up in the hand. Joan Mondale toured the house and ly, and she has never known "burnout." kitchen with a round of applause. Barry Manilow wore a wig and dark glasses and escaped without notice. In an informal interview in the volunteer of- 670,000 visitors ago would place the old fice (once the old wood room), she explain- volunteer office in the cook's bedroom on the For the docent at Glensheen a special educa- ed that for the next two months she'd be second floor. But when Geva Lou first came tion in the history of art is available. There zeroing in on summer. That's when she acted as secretary in the old sewing have been trips to the Minneapolis Institute volunteers must be plentiful. Winters the room, answering the phone, scheduling of Art, there was tea at Eastcliff, home of teachers go back to work, students haven't groups, and whatever. She, Vera Dunbar the president of the University, a trip to the the free hours as before, and a reduced force and Shirley Bergum trained the first Interpretative Center at Chisholm, to can accommodate the shorter hours and volunteers. Michael Lane, Glensheen's Mayowood in Rochester, with lunch at the fewer tours. Many of the volunteers and day director, came in October of '79, and he, Hubbell House in Manterville, to Fairlawn captains have been at Glensheen since the Vera Dunbar and Geva Lou continued the in Superior, with lunch at the Radisson Inn opening in July of '79. This provides a ready volunteer training.* It was hurriedly done and Yacht Club, and to the Capitol in St. pool to draw upon when emergencies arise. and certain "facts" later proved to be untrue. Paul. (This year's fall fling is described "I think the most difficult change for the elsewhere in this issue). Now how did she get to Glensheen? Geva volunteer was learning the leather ceiling in Lou actually started with her office at Tweed the library really was paper." "Something that really slays me," Geva Lou in March of '79, having been hired initially confides, "is when I go upstairs and hear a as secretary to the Advisory Committee. It Letters keep coming in from visitors. Here tour guide say 'there's my boss'. You know, was Phillip Coffman, Dean of the School of is one: "Many thanks for making our I never feel like a boss." Fine Arts, who hired her. She was then and September 25th wedding a most special day. still is a public relations person. Recalling We've told everyone what a wonderful wed- That's really Geva Lou's special talent. Any her meeting with Margaret Twyman, who ding we had at Glensheen and how good the docent will tell you that opening the door to was responsible for the success of staff was to us." And from another: "I the docent room means you're going to get Meadowbrook, the Dodge home in recently was finally able to tour Glensheen a royal welcome. You feel wanted, needed Rochester, MI, she spoke with fondness and with a special relative of mine. We both en- and very special. One docent said she had respect. Ms. Twyman had been asked by the joyed seeing the mansion from top to bot- done double duty one summer both at the Advisory Committee to look over Glensheen tom. One cannot begin the tour and really Depot and Glensheen and had to make a as a possible site for a museum. Vera Dun- anticipate what is in store — the carvings, choice. She found both too much but stayed bar took both women throughout the house, leaded glass, custom this and that. Extraor- with Glensheen as she always felt more and Margaret Twyman was enthusiastic. dinary! Our docent a joy for all." And: welcome here. It was like coming home with "Absolutely," she told them, "you have a "Just a brief note to let you know that our Geva Lou there to greet her. treasure here." Then Geva Lou explained, tour of Glensheen was enhanced by the "she helped chart our course by sharing all warmth of our docent. Her love of the man- As a result, each volunteer goes out of here of her expertise. The initial suggestion of sion was reflected in her presentation as she feeling she has contributed something to Christmas at Glensheen came from Margaret described the rooms, the decor and the peo- Duluth and its culture. There's a wor- Twyman and Meadowbrook, as did the idea ple who built the mansion. We did not on- thwhileness about it all. Like some of my for our laminated name tags." ly have a tour, but an experience worth tours. I've heard, "Why it's better than the remembering," White House." "I've never been in a cleaner In the beginning, Shirley Bergum was hired museum — you can't smell any dust." But as in term director. There was a little brown Speaking of her work, Geva Lou is ever the one I recall with special delight — the ticket house where the current red building positive, feeling people must have good in gentleman who reached out his hand and stands, and tickets were sold in the carriage them or God wouldn't have created them. pronounced with such sincerity, "you done house as well — also the gift shop began She doesn't have a "mad button," probably real good, Betty." there. Geva Lou remembered when she and because she has had nothing but love in her Shirley recruited most civic organizations in life. She grew up in Willmar, MN, where Duluth, and so volunteering got underway she graduated from high school. Then at Glensheen. followed graduation from Gustavus NEW STAFF PERSON

Much has happened at Glensheen since the last issue of this newsletter went to press. I have listed these activities so that you can better appreciate their number and variety. These include: Concerts By the Lake, First Annual Clay Tennis Tournament, Second Annual Family Day, Second Annual Billiard Tournament, fall docent trip, portion of Mike Wallace/Judge Miles Lord interview for 60 Minutes, removal of several fallen trees, repair to collapsed drain pipe east of the Kitchen Court, receipt of a Conservation Support Grant, setting for Dottie Becker's television show, Docent Council's float in the Christmas City of the North Parade, and the very successful Christmas program, "Through the Eyes of a Child."

What these activities illustrate are the multi- ple uses that Glensheen can support. This Jean Hammargren joined the staff in early summer will see a dog show on the bowling December. She is working part-time for the green conducted by the Duluth Irish Setter Museum Shop. Since the Volunteers assum- Club. Other new uses are also possible but ed responsibility for the Museum Shop, it has their activity should complement, not in- increased its inventory and, subsequently, its terfer, with the primary revenue activity, income. Because of the increased activity, the Museum Shop Committee, upon recom- tours. mendation of the Director, approved this In May tuckpointing on the main house will position. Jean's responsibilities include begin. The Institute of Museum Services reconciliation of daily sale transactions, in- awarded a matching grant of $10,750 for this ventory, restocking, preparing financial work. The lakeside of the house will be reports, training sales people and assist with completed first and then work will begin on preparation of the annual budget. Jean is a the service (east) end. Enough funds are not veteran sales person in the Museum Shop so available to tuckpoint the entire house. she brings both a knowledge of and en- Priority is being given to those areas most thusiasm for its operation. exposed to weather. This work will take ap- proximately three months and will require the constant presence of scaffolding. This will be unsightly but it will help demonstrate to the visitor that Glensheen is being preserved.

HOW ABOUT THIS!!! THANKS SHIRLEY FROM ALL OF US AT GLENSHEEN!

This is to verify that SHIRLEY SULLIVAN is a volunteer guide at Glensheen, 3300 London Road, Duluth, MN 55803.

SHE, IN 1984, made 80 round trips; 26.2 miles one way; a total of 4192 miles.

Geva Lou Severinson Volunteer Coordinator DOCENT TRIP "MOVING TO ST. PAUL VOLUNTEERISM By Margie Martin FROM TODAY

At 7:00 a.m. on October 20th, about 40-50 TO TOMORROW" excited Docents left the Glensheen parking By Corky McLean and Geva Lou lot aboard a bus bound for St. Paul. We were treated to hot coffee and donuts amid conversation and laughter. The Minnesota Associa- tion of Volunteer Direc- We arrived at the State Capitol for a guided tors has invited Ivan tour about 10:00 a.m. I've been there before Scheier, nationally as have many, I'm sure, but I found it very recognized consultant, interesting and educational that day. author and trainer in the field of volunteer- ism, to work in Min- From the State Capitol, it was on to the nesota from March 10th Historical Society where there were exhibi- through May 10th, tions on Fur Trading, Capes and shawls, 1985. and a third on Wooton Patent Desks. The Ivan Scheier Wooton Patent Desks claimed to have a place for everything — and believe me, they did! The purpose of this exciting visit and pro- ject is to develop and implement new models of volunteer involvement and to stretch We had a delicious lunch at W.A. Forst & beyond the ordinary routine, day to day ac- Co. in a large room kept cozy by a fireplace. tivities which are a necessity for volunteer leaders. This will be a time to look to and William Frost was a pharmacist 90 years ago prepare for the future through volunteerism filling prescriptions and selling notions in this and to grow, strengthen professionalism and Dacotah Building's corner store. From 1887 explore the vast traditional and non- to the late 1940's, this drug store served the traditional resources of the voluntary sector. historic Ramsey Hill's neighborhood. Over The project is intended to be a learning pro- the years, the ground floor of the Dacotah cess of relevance to all members of the Min- would contain many small businesses. The nesota Association of Volunteer Directors as upper two stories were apartments. well as the broader volunteer community.

In the 1950's, this neighborhood fell into hard times and W.A. Frost's was converted into Volunteer coordinators in the area including a laundromat and much of the building was Geva Lou Severinson attended a meeting abandoned until 1974, when the present where a grant proposal was mobilized. owners purchased it. Everyone in the state of Minnesota wanted Mr. Scheier to come to their area. Our grant was recently accepted and we feel very for- Next stop — Alexander Ramsey House. This tunate that we will be able to have him with "Mansion House" was the private residence us from April 1st through the 5th. At least of the first governor of Minnesota Territory nine workshops in different areas of and second chief executive of the state, Alex- volunteerism will be conducted by Mr. ander Ramsey. Scheier in the downtown area. One of the social events during his stay will A good example of late-Victorian architec- be a wine and cheese reception to be held at ture, it was under construction from 1868 to Glensheen from 4:00 - 6:00 on April 3rd. 1872. It is a fifteen room home built of You must register for any or all of the native limestone. workshops to be able to attend the social events. Please call Geva Lou, 724-3041, if Our tour of Irvine Park was refreshing as you'd like more information. well as educational. It included a glimpse of a house in which Chester Congdon once Upon completion of his recommendations to lived for a short length of time. us, a committee head has already been chosen to do the evaluation and follow-up Enroute home, dinner at the Alpine Inn was of his suggestion. Mr. Scheier will return to enjoyed by all. We arrived back at Glen- Duluth the first week in May to determine sheen about 9:00 p.m. still excited about all what progress h!as been made in "Moving we had seen and done that day. Volunteerism from Today to Tomorrow."

Anyone wishing to serve on any of the com- Thank you, Geva, Lou, for all the work in- mittees planning his stay in Duluth, please volved in planning this fun day. call the Docent Room — there is much to be done and your help would certainly be And thank you, Glensheen, for treating us appreciated. to another great event. Christmas at Glensheen year old spinning wheel in the attic. At least However, she has no trouble deciding which continued from front page one docent — me! — had a very hard time doll is her favorite. "It is Eric. I purchased guiding tours through the library, I wanted him from the widower of a doll collector who Although Mrs. Gooder has loved dolls all her to ooh and ahh over the dollhouse for hours had especially loved this doll and called him life, their serious collecting began during a along with the tours! Eric. Even though the doll's name is Bobby trip to Medora, North Dakota. There they in the doll collecting source books, I promis- visited a fascinating shop displaying old toys A delicate wicker buggy drawn by a horse ed that I would always call him Eric." He and dolls. When Mrs. Gooder asked where covered in real hide was also displayed in the is a large baby boy doll dressed in blue and all the dolls came from, the owner replied library. This toy is famous because it was white. At Glensheen he was displayed in a that all the dolls came from Minnesota. used as a prop in two movies, "Gone With buggy in the Blue Room. "They are taking all the dolls out of Min- the Wind," and "The Great Gatsby." The nesota!" Mrs. Gooder told her husband. Gooders purchased the horse and buggy The 1984 Christmas season is over, pine "I'm starting a doll collection!" And so they from a woman in Duluth who had flown to needles are swept away, ornaments are pack- did. The first floor of their home at 1907 E. California and bought the set directly from ed in tissue, but the magic of the wonderful 5th Street is now the Gooder Antique Toy the studio that had used it. Mrs. Gooder antique toys and dolls at Glensheen seems and Doll Museum. It is open from 1 to 4:30 noted that although the buggy had to travel to linger. Tuesday through Saturday in the summer. in the baggage compartment of the plane, the In the winter tours are given by woman carried the horse in her lap all the The Glensheen staff was pleased with the appointment. way to Duluth. lovely effect of the antique toys at Christmastime and with the generosity of the According to Evelyn Gooder most of their I asked Mrs. Gooder how many dolls she had Gooders in lending their toys to Glensheen, toys date from the 1890's to 1900's, however and which one was her favorite. "I have and the staff is already beginning to think some are well over 100 years old. One of never counted my dolls," she stated and went about next year's Christmas at Glensheen. the most fascinating displays at Glensheen on to explain, "Since I am 100 per cent Irish, Vera Dunbar stated, "Glensheen and the an- was the 11-room dollhouse filled with anti- I cling to the old superstition that if I count tique toys complemented each other. Now que furniture and exhibited in the library. my dolls, I will never get any morel" all we have to do it top it next year!" Evelyn Gooder designed the dollhouse herself; her son-in-law, an industrial arts teacher, built it. Evelyn and Bill then finish- ed the dollhouse with several intricate historic details. In the fireplace masonry they placed stones they had collected from each state in the union as well as Canada and Mexico. The 1,320 wooden shingles that were hand-placed on the dollhouse roof came from a Jesuit mission in Idaho, the first building built by settlers in that state. Several of the rugs in the dollhouse are from Vien- na. The Turkish rugs are from early packages of cigarettes. Evelyn Gooder ex- plained that when cigarettes first came out, miniature Turkish rugs were placed in the packages to prove that the tobacco was, in- deed, fine Turkish quality. The settee and chairs in the parlor date from 1840 and were a furniture salesman's samples. No detail was too small to be overlooked in the Gooder's 19th century dollhouse. A tiny mousetrap is tucked away in the basement while a cobweb clings to the wall over a 100

This is Eric.

GLENSHEEN GLEANINGS Glensheen 3300 London Road Duluth, MN 55804

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