Glensheen mansion renovations complete after flood damage

The Glensheen historic mansion in Duluth has completed its largest ever renovation project.

The property was extensively damaged by major flooding in Duluth in 2012. Director Dan Hartman said that damage led to $3.5 million in funding from the Federal Emergency Management Association, the city of Duluth and other sources.

"This started because of that tragedy which we really turned into an opportunity," Hartman said.

The biggest changes are to the front of the mansion. Workers reconstructed the approach road and a 25-foot brick retaining wall. Landscaping was also altered to match the mansion's original plans from 1907.

The University of Minnesota obtained Glensheen in 1979. It's one of Duluth's largest tourist attractions. Every year more than 70,000 people visit the historic mansion on Lake Superior, built by iron mining magnate Chester Congdon.