Historic Timeline

The House

The Semple Mansion and Carriage House were constructed in 1899 as a residential mansion and horse barn for Frank and Anne Semple. The mansion has 19,073 square feet and the carriage house has 6,377 square feet. The palatial residence was designed by architect firm: Long, Lamoreaux & Long.

This three-story mansion was built in the architectural styles of the Second Italian Renaissance Revival. In those days it was common to travel to Europe to buy and ship historical structures for a house being built. Therefore, it is possible the fireplace mantel in the Grand Foyer, for instance, dates back to the 1700's. The majority of the third floor holds the Grand Palladian Ballroom. This is the largest original residential ballroom in Minnesota! In fact, the Semple Mansion is thought to be the largest mansion in the state for that period.

Original Owners

Frank B. Semple and Anne C. Semple had two children, William and Rebekah. Frank was partner and vice president of Janney, Semple, and Co., a wholesale hardware firm. He was known as the “Hardware King of Minneapolis.” He died in February of 1904 and his funeral was held in the Semple Mansion Grand Foyer. He was 53 years old and only lived in his mansion for three years. Then, Anne Semple died in 1910. Calvin Gibson Goodrich, Jr., and wife Cora, bought the home from Anne Semple’s son. In 1918 Laura Day bought it and lived there until her death in 1935.

Organizations

At this time, it was then acquired by Ministers Life and Casualty Union until 1954. Then it became the headquarters for the United Cerebral Palsy Foundation of Greater Minneapolis. In 1961, it became the office of the Franklin National Bank. It was during this time the bank built a large vault in the basement. The historic vault and original vault door now serve as a Wine Grotto in the mansion. The bank operated in the Semple Mansion until purchased in 1996 by the African American Family Services. Finally, in 1998, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
 

Today

In 2005, the Semple Mansion was purchased by the current owners. Immediately, the company began restoring the house to its original state. Office spaces have been built on the second floor, where the original bedrooms used to be. The Grand Foyer and original Ballroom are now special event spaces which are large enough for wedding ceremonies and receptions. The Semple Mansion is also an award-winning venue through The Knot, Wedding Wire, and Minnesota Bride Magazine, to name a few.