THE PLUMMER HOUSE

The Plummer House is the former residence of Dr. Henry Stanley Plummer and Daisy Berkman Plummer. Dr. Plummer was a Mayo Clinic partner and founder hired by Dr. William Mayo in 1901. Dr. Will said that hiring Henry Plummer was “the best day’s work” he ever did.

The English Tudor mansion stood on a 65-acre estate, originally named Quarry Hill, which included a greenhouse, water tower, garage, and gazebo. The house includes many innovations that were quite novel for their time, including a central vacuum system, underground sprinkler system, intercom system, dumbwaiter, security system, electricity and gas lighting, the first gas furnace in the city, garage door openers, heated pool, water tower, and two underground caves going into the house and the water tower. The five story home is over 300 feet (91 m) long, with 49 rooms including 10 bathrooms, 9 bedrooms, a 3rd floor ballroom, pipe organ, and 5 fireplaces. This translates to 11,000 square feet of living space and over 20,000 square feet total, including the basement and attached garage and greenhouse. There is a 220 ft long by 18 ft wide underground passageway connecting the main house to the caretakers cottage at the bottom of the hill.

After the death of Dr. Plummer in 1936, his wife, Daisy , and their two chidren continued to live in the home until 1969. In 1971, Daisy and family gave the house with all its furnishings to the Rochester Art Center with the understanding that it would be operated as a Center for the Arts. Daisy envisioned her home to be used for music recitals and dance performances, as well as a setting for artists to create and show their work. This unique and generous gift, along with a small endowment, was a legacy of the generous spirit of the Plummer family. The Plummer House was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Today, Rochester Park and Rec maintains the building and 11 acres of original estate as a private rental facility. In the summer, the beautiful gardens make the Plummer House a popular venue for weddings. Visible from much of southwest Rochester, the Plummer House and its water tower mark the summit of a Rochester neighborhood nicknamed Pill Hill, so called because it is the home to many Mayo doctors.

Tours are normally scheduled every Wednesday during the months of June, July, and August from 12:00 Noon to 6:00 p.m. The latest tour information can be found HERE

Stone Water Tower

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TO LOG THIS VIRTUAL CACHE

Make your way to the southwest corner of the main section of the house. You are looking for the stairs that connect the house/patio to the lower garden. I recommend starting at the posted coordinates and walking down the path/steps to view the lower gardens. There are pools at both ends. Ascend the steps near the east end pool, up toward the house. The top of these stairs is the location where you will find the required objects.

You must complete both logging requirements:

• Send me a message describing the objects that you pass between at the top of the stairs. What do you think they are?
• Post a photo with your log of you or your group somewhere on the grounds. (in accordance with cache guidelines, your face need not be visible)

I encourage you to walk around the grounds, especially east to the water tower, where you can explore above and below at the base.

Logs including the answers, even if encrypted, will be deleted without warning. Logs without accompanying photos or without a message including answers after a reasonable time may also be deleted.

Virtual Reward - 2017/2018

This Virtual Cache is part of a limited release of Virtuals created between August 24, 2017 and August 24, 2018. Only 4,000 cache owners were given the opportunity to hide a Virtual Cache. Learn more about Virtual Rewards on the Geocaching Blog.

SOURCES

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plummer_House_(Rochester,_Minnesota)
• http://www.rochestermn.gov/departments/parks-and-recreation/indoor-facilities/plummer-house/plummer-house-history-facts