Eastcliff is a 20-room house overlooking the
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...
in
St. Paul, Minnesota
Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 311,527, making it Minnesota's second-most populous city a ...
, United States, which serves as the official residence of the president of the
University of Minnesota system. It was first built in 1922 by local lumber magnate
Edward Brooks Sr.
Edward is an English male name. It is derived from the Anglo-Saxon name ''Ēadweard'', composed of the elements '' ēad'' "wealth, fortunate; prosperous" and '' weard'' "guardian, protector”.
History
The name Edward was very popular in Anglo-S ...
and donated to the university by the Brooks family in 1958, beginning its service as the president's official residence in 1960 when
O. Meredith Wilson
Owen Meredith Wilson (September 21, 1909 – November 7, 1998) was an American historian and academic administrator. He served as president of the University of Oregon from 1954 to 1960 and as president of the University of Minnesota from 1960 t ...
took the position. In 2000, the home was added to the
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the Federal government of the United States, United States federal government's official United States National Register of Historic Places listings, list of sites, buildings, structures, Hist ...
.
Today, it is the most-visited public residence in the state (outpacing the
Minnesota Governor's Residence), often hosting events five days a week. Eastcliff hosts 150+ events and 8,000 guests each year.
In July 2024, the University of Minnesota Board of Regents voted to recommend that the University continue to preserve and enhance the historic Eastcliff residence with private philanthropy funding through the University of Minnesota Foundation. The University of Minnesota Foundation seeks to raise $10.5M for immediate operations and capital improvements as well as establish an endowment that will be used to cover annual operating expenses in the future.
Presidents
The following is a list of university presidents who have resided at Eastcliff:
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O. Meredith Wilson
Owen Meredith Wilson (September 21, 1909 – November 7, 1998) was an American historian and academic administrator. He served as president of the University of Oregon from 1954 to 1960 and as president of the University of Minnesota from 1960 t ...
*
Malcolm Moos
Malcolm Charles Moos (April 19, 1916 – January 28, 1982) was an American political scientist, speechwriter, and academic administrator. He was a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins University for two decades. As a speechwriter, Moos ...
*
C. Peter Magrath
*
Kenneth Keller
Kenneth Harrison Keller (born October 19, 1934) is professor emeritus and former president of the University of Minnesota (1985–1988). He was the first Jewish president of the university. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Eng ...
*
Nils Hasselmo
Nils Hasselmo (July 2, 1931 – January 23, 2019) was the thirteenth president of the University of Minnesota, serving from 1988 to 1997. He went on to become the president of the Association of American Universities from 1998 to 2006.
Backgroun ...
*
Mark Yudof
Mark George Yudof (born October 30, 1944) is an American law professor and academic administrator. He is a former president of the University of California (2008-2013), former chancellor of the University of Texas System (2002–2008), and former ...
*
Robert H. Bruininks
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Eric W. Kaler
Eric William Kaler (born 1956) is an American chemical engineer and university administrator. He has served as the president of Case Western Reserve University since 2021.
From 2011 to 2019, Kaler was president of the University of Minnesota. He ...
*
Joan T.A. Gabel
Before Eastcliff became the president's residence, Pillsbury House, built in 1877, was the official residence.
Property
The building was designed in the
Georgian colonial
Georgian architecture is the name given in most English-speaking countries to the set of architectural styles current between 1714 and 1830. It is named after the first four British monarchs of the House of Hanover, George I, George II, Geor ...
style by
Clarence H. Johnston Sr., a close friend of Brooks and an
architect
An architect is a person who plans, designs, and oversees the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to provide services in connection with the design of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the buildings that h ...
who had designed many buildings at the university to fit a master plan by
Cass Gilbert
Cass Gilbert (November 24, 1859 – May 17, 1934) was an American architect. An early proponent of Early skyscrapers, skyscrapers, his works include the Woolworth Building, the United States Supreme Court building, the state capitols of Minneso ...
. Numerous renovations took place over the years, though repair efforts did not keep pace with wear and tear. In 1988, extensive repairs began on the house, but unforeseen problems caused costs to double. The ensuing outcry contributed to the exit of president
Kenneth Keller
Kenneth Harrison Keller (born October 19, 1934) is professor emeritus and former president of the University of Minnesota (1985–1988). He was the first Jewish president of the university. He was elected a member of the National Academy of Eng ...
from office.
The main house is 10,000 square feet, with the entire property encompassing 20,000 square feet including the carriage house and summer house.
The property value is estimated at $3.1 million, according to Ramsey County property tax records.
The property is 1.6 acres.
In 2010, $550,000 in renovations were planned after the departure of
President Bruininks. The renovations were approved by the Minnesota State Historic Preservation Office and the Brooks family, who owned the property.
In 2018, $1 million in renovations were planned after the departure of
President Eric Kaler.
Governor's residence
On July 10, 2023, Governor
Tim Walz
Timothy James Walz (; born April 6, 1964) is an American politician who has served since 2019 as the 41st governor of Minnesota. He was the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic nominee for Vice President of the United States, vice pre ...
's family moved into Eastcliff while the
Minnesota Governor's Residence undergoes renovations. The mansion was unoccupied at the time after President
Gabel's resignation. The Walz family is expected to stay at Eastcliff for 18 months. The state of Minnesota is paying $4,400 in monthly rent, and is also responsible for "direct costs such as utilities, snow removal and lawn care."
See also
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List of university and college presidents' houses in the United States
*
References
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External links
University of Minnesota: EastcliffThe Minnesota Daily: In Eastcliff mansion, Kalers share space with publicMPR News: This old University of Minnesota house: a peek inside EastcliffMinnpost: With new U president installed, time for Eastcliff FAQ
{{National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota
Colonial Revival architecture in Minnesota
Houses completed in 1922
Houses in Saint Paul, Minnesota
Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota
National Register of Historic Places in Saint Paul, Minnesota
University and college buildings on the National Register of Historic Places in Minnesota
University of Minnesota