The home sits on three landscaped acres,surrounded by a dry stone fence with iron gates. Some very early kalispell history while demersville may be the bestknown predecessor to kalispell, it wasnt the first. Facebook is showing information to help you better understand the purpose of a page. Kalispell downtown association member, the book shelf, providing new and used books, in historic downtown kalispell. As the largest city in northwest montana, kalispell serves as the county seat and commercial center of flathead county. It was designed by the noted spokane, washington, architect kirtland cutter. Conrad lived through the civil war and the settling of the west, and left an indelible mark on montana. Conrad mansion in kalispell conrad mansion 330 woodland ave. In 1975 alicia conrad campbell donated the mansion to the city of kalispell and assisted. But conrad had vision, and he felt that not only had he found a good investment opportunity, but also a permanent home for his descendants. Explore this huge 19thcentury home to discover what life was like for one of the wealthy founders of kalispell. I have been on many tours of historic properties around the us. An agreement from 1975 between the city of kalispell and the living relatives of the charles conrad family.
It is an excellent idea to get a brief view of the past to have a full understanding of this western town. Conrad, a founding father of the town of kalispell. Conrad mansion in 1895, five years after serving as one of the first directors of the kalispell townsite company, charles e. A visit to kalispell isnt complete without enjoying a tour of this beautiful home. The magnificently preserved house of one of kalispell s principal founders, the conrad mansion opens a crystalclear window into pioneer industrialist history. The conrad mansion museum is a nonprofit museum owned by the city of kalispell, montana and run by t. The building itself remains unchanged since spokane architect kirtland cutter designed and finished the home in 1895. Fascinating history of the fort benton, kalispell montana and the conrad mansion in kalispell. Search for cheap and discount hotel rates near conrad mansion in conrad mansion for your upcoming individual or group travel. Conrad mansion is a historical victorian era shinglestyle norman. This exciting, historic mansion has been placed on the national register of historic places. Blacktail mountain books kalispell, montana downtown.
Now, over 40 years later, it is completely redone and still holds true to its mission to maintain an interesting past of kalispells most historic family. If youd like to find things to do in the area, you might like to visit majestic valley arena and big sky waterpark. The conrad mansion is built the quaint city of kalispell, montana sits among towering mountain ranges in a valley filled with history. The conrad mansion in kalispell, montana is the most beautifully preserved pre1900 mansion in montana complete with over 90 percent of the original family furnishings. Conrad mansion museum is a 5minute drive east of the center of kalispell. The magnificently preserved house of one of kalispells principal founders, the conrad mansion opens a crystalclear window into pioneer industrialist history. Sam bibler, the first president of the board of directors, scores of local volunteers worked to bring the home and grounds back to its bragging. Conrad mansion museum in kalispell attraction frommers. Built in 1895 by missouri river freighter charles e.
They commissioned kirtland cutter to design their home. Conrad mansion kalispell 2020 all you need to know. Sorry, there are no tours or activities available to book online. Conrad mansion kalispell all you need to know before. There is no trading fee and your credit can be used immediately. Oct 07, 2015 in march of 1974, kalispell voters overwhelmingly rejected the citys acceptance of conrad mansion, with 1,325 against and 860 in favor. Kalispell, montana was founded by the kalispell townsite company, which was formed by four men headed by charles conrad. It was designed by renowned architect kirtland cutter. Ghost stories from the conrad mansion the travels of. May 16, 2017 the,000squarefoot mansion served as the home for charles e. The conrad mansion is one of the most outstanding examples of luxurious living and period architecture in the pacific northwest. Conrad, the mansion has been beautifully restored and outfitted with the original furnishings.
Nov 11, 2019 the mansion is an interesting look at the beginning years of kalispell, and the lives of the citys. Conrad mansion kalispell montanas historic landscapes. Conrad mansion construction begins in 1892 and is completed in 1895. Charlie conrad is credited as the founding father of kalispell, but most people. Since that time, the city of kalispell has continued to grow in population reaching 19,927 in 2010. Kalispell is an artsy city well liked for its shopping and restaurants. All tours of the mansion are guided and last about an hour. Her passion for the preservation of the conrad mansion was quite. According to flathead facts, descriptive of the resources of missoula county, back when flathead county was still considered an extension of missoula county an 1880 community named selish existed, five miles east of. Conrad mansion kalispell 2020 all you need to know before. The mansion itself also had many unique and interesting. Conrad mansion kalispell all you need to know before you. A look of history in kalispell conrad mansion, kalispell.
Conrad and how he made his fortune from humble beginnings, his impact on the local economy, and his. He built his home in kalispell and today it is known as the conrad mansion museum. But conrad had vision, and he felt that not only had he found a good investment opportunity, but. Alicia ann was born in kalispell in 1892, and came to the new family home as a threeyearold toddler.
I got some books to learn more about the area and the formative families in the. The conrad mansion in kalispell, montana sits proudly today on the edge of the original townsite, atop a bluff overlooking the valley and the swan mountain range. Kalispell sweetiepie, a dark brown and orange tortoiseshell calico cat, lives in a mansion in kalispell with a large staff at her beck. Charles and his wife, alicia nicknamed lettie, moved with their two children into the flathead valley in 1891.
Proceeds from tours and gift shop sales provide the operational support for the mansions upkeep. Kalispell was officially incorporated as a city in 1892. The conrad mansion is located in kalispell, montana. The conrad mansion museum is located in kalispells east side residential area atop a bluff overlooking the valley and the swan mountain range. The success of the hockaday and the conrad mansion 18921895 historic site seemed to be enough for many residents, or they thought preservation only meant pretty homes and buildings. Conrad, a late 19th century shipping magnate and early pioneer of kalispell. Alicia conrad campbell donated conrad mansion to the city of kalispell in 1974. Charlie conrad is credited as the founding father of kalispell, but. History books say it was a special place where the couple would go horseback riding on summer evenings. The youngest of the conrad children, alicia conrad campbell, gave the mansion to the city of kalispell to be. Conrad mansion 330 woodland ave kalispell, mt museums.
Sweetiepie, the dark brown and orange tortoiseshell calico cat at the conrad mansion, sits on the corner of mike koffords desk recently in kalispell. This is an exceptional tour through the history of kalispell and glacier national park. Top 10 kalispell hotels near conrad mansion museum. The normanstyle mansion is an example of luxurious 19th century living, from its exquisitely landscaped gardens to its collection of original furniture. Tours of the mansion include a history of charles e. Brock was so knowledgeable and it was great going back in time to see how the conrad family lived. Nov 27, 2011 sweetiepie, the dark brown and orange tortoiseshell calico cat at the conrad mansion, sits on the corner of mike koffords desk recently in kalispell. The flathead nation were the early settlers here and are known today by that name because that is what the white people who came to region called them.
Visit conrad mansion on your trip to kalispell or united states. It features a daily continental breakfast and spacious rooms with free wifi. To preserve and exhibit the 1895 charles conrad family estate through public. Conrad mansion important part of kalispell landscape. Conrad, who had it built, was a bit of a packrat and kept everything associated with the house down to the magazines. The conrad mansion museum is a nonprofit museum owned by the city of kalispell, montana and run by the conrad mansion board of directors, inc. Nov 27, 2011 kalispell sweetiepie, a dark brown and orange tortoiseshell calico cat, lives in a mansion in kalispell with a large staff at her beck and call.
Campbell made the decision to give the conrad mansion to the city of kalispell in memory of her pioneering parents. One of the bestknown names around these parts is that of charles e. Conrad mansion kalispell museums historic montana attractions. The rise and fall of the conrad family, the lessons and consequences of greed, materialism, and destruction of children growing up with too much given to them. The mansion is a great example of a turn of the century home in the northwest. Along with establishing the kalispell townsite company and eventually the conrad national bank, conrad had a gracious victorian home built for his beloved family in 1895 in what was then a wilderness. Conrad mansion is a historical victorian era shinglestyle norman mansion located in kalispell, montana. These papers tell a story of great poverty and wealth in a century of. It was she who would own and live in the mansion, and eventually give the house to the city of kalispell in 1974. The conrad mansion museum is owned by the city and relies completely on proceeds from tours, events and donations to stay open for the public. The conrad mansion is the most beautifully preserved pre1900 mansion in montana one of the most outstanding examples of luxurious living and period architecture in the pacific northwest. See more ideas about mansions, montana and big sky country.
Charlie conrad is credited as the founding father of kalispell, but most people dont know that he was friends with james hill, who built the first railroad. He founded the city of kalispell in 1891, and four years later built this historic home. It was occupied until 1964, by charles conrad s youngest daughter, alicia conrad campbell. The normanstyle mansion is an example of luxurious 19th century living, from its exquisitely landscaped gardens to its collection of original furniture, toys and clothing. Conrad moved his extended family into this 23room mansion. Then came the work east of kalispell in and around glacier national park to inventory and list eligible buildings to the national register in the mid to late 1980s. He went on to design lake mcdonald lodge in glacier national park and the kootenai lodge on swan lake, mt. Charles conrad lived in his beautiful home for only seven years.
Conrad, a founder of kalispell, arrived in the flathead valley in 1891, this lovely town with its treelined streets was still but a dream. Famed home of kalispells founding father, the conrad mansion celebrates 120 years as an historic landmark and 40 years as a revered museum. The mansion is an interesting look at the beginning years of kalispell, and the lives of the citys. Conrads letterpress books as well as individual pieces of. Conrad, who traded and freighted on the missouri river, the 26room mansion has been restored to its victorian splendor and contains original furnishings. May 16, 2014 the mansion has remained an important part of the kalispell landscape through the generosity of charles conrads descendants and lots of hard work by lots of people.
Tour conrad mansion from wednesday through sunday between midmay and midoctober and by appointment at other times. Hotelslodging close to conrad mansion are listed below in the order of their distance. Conrad, who is considered to be the founder of kalispell salish indian name meaning prairie above the lake. Conrad, considered the founding father of kalispell, and his family, where they celebrated many milestones and welcomed many guests. Ownership and occupation of this beautiful normanstyle mansion remained in the conrad family until 1975, when it was given to the city of kalispell. The guide was friendly, patient, knowledgeable and fun. Conrad mansion museum kalispell, montana crown of the. Conrad mansion kalispell, montana downtown kalispell. Today the conrad mansion museum preserves the opulence enjoyed by its.
The 10 best hotels near conrad mansion in kalispell. In the aftermath of the vote, the conrad mansions fate. The world north america usa montana whitefish kalispell conrad mansion museum. Since 1974, the conrad mansion has been a selfsupporting museum that educates thousands of visitors a year on the conrad family and montana history. Conrad mansion museum history museum in kalispell, montana. Conrad mansion museums 330 woodland ave, kalispell, mt yelp. Today, guided public tours beginning in midmay take in all 26 rooms of the mansion. Those books are now regarded as cornerstone texts in the study of native. In march of 1974, kalispell voters overwhelmingly rejected the citys acceptance of conrad mansion, with 1,325 against and 860 in favor. Do you want to know the entry ticket price for conrad mansion. The book shelf kalispell, montana downtown kalispell. Conrad mansion national historic site visit montana.
Conrads youngest daughter, alicia conrad campbell, donated the house to the city of kalispell in 1974. Oct 09, 2016 the success of the hockaday and the conrad mansion 18921895 historic site seemed to be enough for many residents, or they thought preservation only meant pretty homes and buildings. This home built in 1895 is a true rendition of itself. The city of kalispell directed the newlyformed conrad mansion board of directors to carry out the repair, restoration, maintenance and operations of the mansion.