Glensheen has many exciting new updates going into the summer peak tourist season, including new branding updates and summer tour offerings. Glensheen will be open daily again starting May 18!
New Website
Glensheen launched a brand-new website on April 21 and has a new URL: glensheen.d.umn.edu
The main goal was to make the new website ADA compliant, meeting web accessibility standards under the Web Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level AA requirements. Meeting these accessibility standards helps ensure all guests can easily navigate the website and get the information they need with ease.
Other benefits to the new website include an overall better navigation and user experience, getting clearer communication on tour offerings, programs, events and more. All hours of operations, daily and seasonal tour offerings, including Christmas Tours, are permanently listed on the website. This allows guests to read and learn about any tour or hours of operation for the entire year at any time.
Lastly, there is a new Media Resources Library, highlighting blogs, access to updated photos and logos.
New Branding!
To better celebrate Glensheen as a UMN property, there is a new block M Glensheen logo. The house icon of the old logo is still prevalent in branding, only now as a supporting graphic element.
Summer Guided Tour Offerings, Events & Programming
NEW Architecture & Design Tours
The guided Architecture & Design Tour will explore how Glensheen was designed, built and shaped by its place in American History. This will highlight the architect, landscape designer and interior designer who created the vision of Glensheen. Guests will discover how Glensheen reflects the ideals of the Gilded Age, the revival European styles, and the rise of American industry and technology. Tours are available starting June 5 until October 16. Offered on weekends only in June, September and October. Offered daily June 29-August 30. Learn more here.
Lock & Key Tours
The signature guided Lock & Key tours will return May 22 and continue throughout weekends until October 16. This behind-the-scenes experience allows guests to tour some of the nooks and crannies of Glensheen and spaces typically not on view to the public, such as the carriages in the upstairs part of the Carriage House. This tour dives deeper into the roles and lives of the servants at Glensheen that helped run such a large estate. Offered on weekends only in May, June, September and October. Offered daily June 29-August 30. Learn more here.
Golden Hour Tours
Glensheen’s Golden Hour tours are offered Memorial Day weekend, Friday and Saturday evenings July-August, and Labor Day weekend, providing guests both picture perfect moments at sunset and a fully guided full mansion experience. Learn more here.
Programming
Throughout the summer, guests can enjoy 10-minute educational programming every hour on guided tour days. These programs are meant to enhance the educational experience during tour visits by sharing unique information. Topics include life in Duluth in 1876, style and construction of Glensheen, how Chester made his money, details on the lives of the gardeners and Wyness family, and more. Learn more here.
Beer Garden 2026
Once again, Glensheen will have the Beer Garden on Wednesday evenings in June from 5-8 pm, featuring local breweries, food trucks and educational brew talks where our brewers share their stories, process and information about their business. This is a free entry event open to the public. Beer, wine, non-alcoholic drinks, Love Creamery ice cream and food will be available for purchase. Learn more about the event and this year’s lineup here.
London Road Construction Update
Glensheen will remain open daily starting May 18. As the London Road construction project continues to go underway, guests are reminded Glensheen is open for tours and will continue to share construction updates and information on the website under Visit > Visitor Information > Maps & Directions. Learn more here.
