On This Date in Minnesota History: March 12

March 12, 1910 – “Without money and without price” the famous Mendota home of Governor Henry H. Sibley, the first executive of Minn., was passed into the hands of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR)—the gift of Archbishop John Ireland on behalf of the Roman Catholic church.

Sibley House, Mendota, Minn.¹

Governor Sibley’s home, the first mansion built in the wilderness of the territory of Minn., had been eagerly sought by many others. The Grand Army of the Republic, the State Historical Society and many other organizations offered large sums for the historic limestone building, but to no avail.

It remained for the St. Paul chapter of the DAR to receive it as a free gift after they had tendered a substantial offer. The chapter formally turned it over to the state DAR organization today.

The Sibley house and grounds are famous in Minn. history, and as such, will house treasured relics of the revolution and the state. It will be a combination of a state and national museum for the repository of the best of history-making mementoes. The place is doubly interesting in that at one time it was considered the logical executive office building of the capitol.

On April 19, 1910, the house was officially turned over to the DAR.

The first stone house erected in the State of Minnesota by its first Governor, Gen. Henry Hastings Sibley. Secured in 1910 for the St. Paul Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution from St. Peter's Parish of Mendota—by—Mrs. Lucy Shepard MacCourt. Presented to the State Society D.A.R. April 19, 1910.¹
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On January 10, 1972, the Sibley house was named to the National Register of Historic Places.

In May 1997 the DAR turned the ownership of the Sibley Historic Site to the State of Minnesota and the management to the Minnesota Historical Society.

The Minneapolis Morning Tribune; “Historic Sibley Home Given Away by Church. Archbishop Ireland Presents the Famous Mansion to Daughters of Revolution. House of First Governor of Minnesota Sought by many Societies.”; March 13, 1910; p. 1.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sibley_House_Historic_Site

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If you are interested in finding out more about your family history in Minnesota, I specialize in researching  genealogical and historical records in Minn. and western Wis., including: census records,  birth records,  death certificates, obits, grave site photos, ship passenger lists, marriage records and declarations of intent/naturalization records.  I will visit locations to research local history and county records, as well as take photos. Quick turnaround on MHS records.  Both short searches and family history reports.

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