Eastcliff: History of a Home

Eastcliff, a historic mansion on the Mississippi River in St. Paul, is the official residence of the presidents of the University of Minnesota. Built in 1922 by lumber baron Edward Brooks, it has been the home of many notable people over the years, including Helen Keller, Katharine Hepburn, and Eddie Vedder. Karen Kaler, a resident of Eastcliff for eight years, offers an illustrated tour of the mansion, sharing stories of its history and the families who have lived there.

Format: Hardback
Length: 296 pages
Publication date: 25 April 2023
Publisher: University of Minnesota Press

Eastcliff, a historic mansion located on the banks of the Mississippi River in St. Paul, Minnesota, has been the official residence for presidents of the University of Minnesota since 1961. Built in 1922 by lumber baron Edward Brooks, the twenty-room estate boasts a rich history and has witnessed numerous significant events over the past century. If houses could write memoirs, Eastcliff's would undoubtedly be a sensation.

In her book, Eastcliff: History of a Home, Karen Kaler, a resident of Eastcliff for eight years as the spouse of the university's sixteenth president, offers an insider's perspective on the historic home. The book takes readers on a tour of the various rooms, including the foyer, library, bedrooms, living and dining rooms, carriage house, and catering kitchen. Kaler highlights the architectural features of the mansion, such as the Georgian colonial-style facade, tennis court, and early saltwater pool. She also shares stories about the family dramas that unfolded within the walls of Eastcliff and the significant historical events that took place there, such as visits from notable figures such as Helen Keller, Katharine Hepburn, Eddie Vedder, the Dalai Lama, and Vice Presidents Walter Mondale and Hubert Humphrey.

One of the most captivating aspects of Eastcliff's history is its role as the setting for family life as well as academic and political events. Kaler recounts anecdotes about the children surprising the Secret Service during visits from high-profile guests, reminding us that Eastcliff is not just a place of grandeur but also a home where families lived and loved. The book also delves into the behind-the-scenes details of running a historic mansion, including the challenges of maintaining the building and its contents.

Through her tour of Eastcliff's hundred-year history, Karen Kaler paints a vivid picture of the mansion and its inhabitants. She provides a glimpse into the lives of the Brooks family, who built the estate, and the subsequent presidents who have called it home. Eastcliff: History of a Home is a must-read for anyone interested in history, architecture, and the fascinating stories that lie within the walls of historic homes.

Weight: 227g
Dimension: 254 x 178 x 13 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781517913762