Welcome to our Clubhouse! This historic and beautiful house is built on part of a parcel of land that was originally described as “80 acres more or less,” purchased from the Federal Government in 1848 by William A. Woodward. As Minnesota did not become a territory until 1849 nor a state until 1858, the title to this property dates to the earliest days of our state. In 1872 it was subdivided, and in 1914 two and one-half lots were sold to Henry G. Allen, a wholesale grocer, and his wife Ruth.
The Allen’s plans for a thirty-nine room Georgian Revival house were drawn by Architect Thomas Holyoke, and the house and carriage house were completed in 1916 at a cost of $15,000. The exterior of both buildings is brick, faced wth Bedford stone, and the roofs are slate, finished with copper gutters and flashing.
Steve Archer and his wife Doris purchased the property on June 20, 1927. Mr. Archer was president of Archer, Daniels, Midland Company, manufacturers of linseed oil and paint.
The Archers occupied the house for over twenty years, and during that time several changes and additions were made. One addition was the new master bedroom and bath on the west side of the second floor which is now called the Bride’s Room. The bathroom is considered and outstanding example of Art Deco design. On the first floor the library next to the main staircase became a lounge, lavatory and linen room.
At the south end of the central hall, the conservatory was dismantled and a lovely octagonal room was built for Mr. Archer’s gun collection. This was mahogany-paneled with an unusual ceiling reputedly of butternut. Marble fireplaces here and in the bedroom above add to the beauty of these rooms.
Interesting features of the doors leading into both the dining room and the present library are paintings of fanciful plants, birds, animals and human faces.
The St. Paul Branch of the AAUW purchased the house in December 1949 from Doris Archer, widow of Steve Archer. Changes have again been made to accomodate the needs of the organization: the gun room was converted to a library, and the west wall of the central hall was removed to give more space for large meetings. In 1966 the atrium, Hatfield Hall, a rest room and side entrance were added, designed by Harry Schroeder of Buetow Associates. The house now has 25 rooms, 10 baths and 7 fireplaces.
We have endeavored to maintain the charm and elegance of the house. We hope you enjoy it as much as we do.