.gif)
Eastcliff (mansion)
Encyclopedia
Eastcliff is a 20-room house overlooking the Mississippi River
in St. Paul, Minnesota, 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., 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
took the position. In 2000, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places
. Today, it is the most-visited public residence in the state (outpacing the Minnesota Governor's Residence
), often hosting events five days a week. 6,800 people were recorded attending 159 events in 2005.
The building was designed in the Georgian colonial
style by Clarence H. Johnston Sr., a close friend of Brooks and an architect
who had designed many buildings at the university to fit a master plan by Cass Gilbert
. 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 from office.
The following is a list of university presidents who have resided at Eastcliff:
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
in St. Paul, Minnesota, which serves as the official residence of the president of the University of Minnesota system
University of Minnesota system
The University of Minnesota is a large university with several campuses spread throughout the U.S. state of Minnesota. There are five primary campuses in the Twin Cities, Duluth, Crookston, Morris, and Rochester. A campus was open in Waseca for a time. The university also operates several...
. It was first built in 1922 by local lumber magnate Edward Brooks, Sr., 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
O. Meredith Wilson
Owen Meredith Wilson was a 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 to 1967....
took the position. In 2000, the home was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. Today, it is the most-visited public residence in the state (outpacing the Minnesota Governor's Residence
Minnesota Governor's Residence
The Minnesota Governor's Residence serves as the official home of the governor of Minnesota. The house, located at 1006 Summit Avenue in Saint Paul, is on of land. The building covers an area of slightly more than ....
), often hosting events five days a week. 6,800 people were recorded attending 159 events in 2005.
The building was designed in the Georgian colonial
Colonial house
American colonial architecture includes several building design styles associated with the colonial period of the United States, including First Period English , French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Dutch Colonial, German Colonial and Georgian Colonial...
style by Clarence H. Johnston Sr., a close friend of Brooks and an architect
Architect
An architect is a person trained in the planning, design and oversight of the construction of buildings. To practice architecture means to offer or render services in connection with the design and construction of a building, or group of buildings and the space within the site surrounding the...
who had designed many buildings at the university to fit a master plan by Cass Gilbert
Cass Gilbert
- Historical impact :Gilbert is considered a skyscraper pioneer; when designing the Woolworth Building he moved into unproven ground — though he certainly was aware of the ground-breaking work done by Chicago architects on skyscrapers and once discussed merging firms with the legendary Daniel...
. 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 from office.
The following is a list of university presidents who have resided at Eastcliff:
- O. Meredith WilsonO. Meredith WilsonOwen Meredith Wilson was a 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 to 1967....
- Malcolm MoosMalcolm MoosMalcolm Charles Moos was an American political scientist.He received his bachelors and masters degrees in political science from the University of Minnesota. He went on to receive his doctorate, also in political science, from the University of California, Los Angeles. After receiving his Ph.D...
- C. Peter MagrathC. Peter MagrathClaude Peter Magrath is a higher education administrator who has served as provost or president at multiple American universities. He was born on April 23, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York and received political science degrees as an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire and as a Ph.D. at...
- Kenneth Keller
- Nils HasselmoNils HasselmoNils Hasselmo 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.-Background:...
- Mark YudofMark YudofMark G. Yudof is an American law professor and academic administrator. He is president of the University of California , former chancellor of the University of Texas System , and former president of the University of Minnesota .In addition to his position as Chancellor at The University of Texas,...
- Robert H. Bruininks
- Eric W. KalerEric W. KalerEric W. Kaler is the 16th president of the University of Minnesota, succeeding Robert Bruininks on July 1, 2011. President Kaler was inaugurated on September 22, 2011. [1] Before coming to Minnesota, Kaler served since 2007 as provost and senior vice president for academic affairs and vice...