If you’ve ever heard about the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, then you’ll be interested in Mayowood Mansion, the historic home of three generations of Doctors Mayo, the founders of the famous clinic. Since 1881, the Mayos have been staples of the Rochester community, and this mansion tells their incredible and legendary story.
#1: The Mayos Lived Here for 60 Years
From Dr. Charles H. Mayo to Dr. Charles W. Mayo, to Dr. Charles H. Mayo II–and all their families–, the mansion was lively for six decades between 1911 to the late 1960s. At one time, there were 12 children and four adults living in the mansion’s 45 rooms.
#2: There Were Once Goats In the House
There were so many rooms in the mansion, that when Dr. Charles H. Mayo II was a child, he and his siblings once hid goats in a room downstairs for two weeks before an adult discovered them. Dr. Mayo II said that he wouldn’t have been caught if he’d stopped at one goat because the smell became unbearable after he added a second one.
#3: The Mansion Is Filled With Antique Heirlooms
Very few historic attractions in the U.S. will allow you to see the opulent furnishings that were actually used by the people who once lived there. You’ll be amazed at the Chippendale chairs, the Waterford crystal chandeliers, the Limoges china, the Louis XV desk, and much more, all of which are in pristine condition, which is incredible given the number of children who called the mansion home over the years.
#4: Over-the-Top Furnishings
In addition to the elegant antiques that grace the mansion, you’ll also be in awe of the extent to which the Mayos went to furnish the home with unique items not found anywhere else. For example, you’ll see a carved 17th-century door frame leading into the living room that originated in a German castle. A hand-woven, 32.5-foot-by-20-foot Persian Rug covers the living room floor, and a 1913 Aeolian pipe organ is featured in the music room.
#5: Mayo Family Artwork
With the exception of a few art pieces, such as the marble statue of Napoleon, the artwork that is on display at the mansion features the work of several Mayo children who have gone on to have successful artistic careers.
#6: Signs of Real Life
Just as you may keep track of how tall your children grow by marking their heights on a wall, Dr. Charles W. Mayo’s wife Alice enjoyed measuring her grandchildren’s growth on a wall in the mansion’s library. This simple feature drives home the real lives that were lived in this incredible home.
#7: Stories Abound
If you take a tour of the mansion, you’ll never forget the stories you hear. For instance, you’ll hear about the time when Dr. Charles H. Mayo II and his brother Ned lost a baseball that belonged to their father. It wasn’t just any baseball, though, as it had been autographed by the famous New York Yankee, Lou Gehrig. These stories make the mansion feel like a typical American home.
Nearly everyone has heard about the Mayo Clinic, but unless you also know about the family behind the medical facility, you’re missing half the story. Visiting the mansion will give you a new appreciation of this special family. Contact Rochester Toyota for directions to Rochester’s most famous home or to discover other area attractions.
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