In 2001, BLIND, Incorporated and the National Federation of the Blind of Minnesota embarked upon a capital campaign to raise money for the repair and restoration of this building. Follow the capital campaign link to find out more about this project and how you can contribute.
BLIND, Incorporated is located at 100 East 22nd Street and occupies the building known as the Charles S. Pillsbury residence, which is on the national register of historic buildings. It was constructed in 1913 of random-joined gray Bedford limestone and reinforced concrete in an English Gothic architectural style, and loosely incorporated elements of Tudor, Jacobean and Elizabethan architecture. It was built by Hewitt and Brown at a cost of $300,000 and purchased by BLIND, Inc. in 1993. As a prominent Twin Cities historic site, it is protected by the Minneapolis Heritage Preservation Commission.
Outstanding features of the building's exterior include: a symmetrical facade with matching gables at each side, and an oriel (or second story window) above the entryway. The tall stone pillars at the entrance are surmounted by two slated lions with shields. There is a two-and-a-half story entrance bay with a round-arched door and large leaded glass windows. At one corner of the building, a single story polygonal bay with grouped windows is topped by a parapet wall. The roof is of the broadside gabled type, and numerous secondary gables occur around the structure.
The interior of the building was designed by Charles Duveen of London and incorporates many antiquities. Some of the many features of note are painted-glass medallions from 17th century European churches and castles integrated into many of the large leaded glass windows, molded and carved plaster ceilings, imported oak paneling from English castles, pegged teakwood floors, and a hand-carved central staircase from an English castle. The massive carved oak fireplace to the right of the entry hall is from a castle in Shropshire, England, and the sculptured stone fireplace in the library is from the Guildhall in Chester, England and dates from the Great Fire of London in 1660. The second floor which formerly contained bedrooms, dressing rooms and closets, is now used for classrooms and offices and there is a large open space which was used as a ballroom on the third floor.
The building is located in the historic Washburn-Fair Oaks Minneapolis neighborhood and is adjacent to Fair Oaks Park, an open space in front of the renowned Minneapolis Institute of Arts. It sits in an area characterized by the large and elegant homes of the early Midwest milling barons. It was developed as a residential area around the turn of the century, with ample transportation nearby; early transportation included the Milwaukee Railroad and horsecar tracks, later came electric trolleys and then bus lines in close proximity.
Charles and his twin brother, John, tossed a coin to decide who would inherit the family home, "The Highland House." Charles lost the bet, and built his own home across 22nd Street from the family home, which no longer exists. The Charles S. Pillsbury residence remains one of Minneapolis' few examples of the elaborate and elegant decoration which marked domestic architecture in America during the early decades of the twentieth century. It was occupied by family members until Charles' death in 1939 and since then has been used by the Minneapolis Society of Fine Arts and the Guthrie Theatre before its acquisition by BLIND, Inc.
