I also have had the joy of the Linden Hill overnight experience, both before the new policy changes and after. I do understand the changes but do have one suggestion that could perhaps help to integrate the old experience with the new. If it would be at all possible to add a tour of the homes with the overnight package so that people can get the whole experience. It could be a quick tour upon arrival or even a tour in the morning before departure.

First and foremost, it must be pointed out that Linden Hill is a non-profit corporation that, except for the dedicated service of a single employee who arranges bookings, represents the organization and manages finances, is 100% volunteer- maintained. Our financial resources are extremely limited, and we have limited paid staff time to prepare for guests and provide maid service after they leave. Everything from lawn care on the ten-acre estate to the maid service that cleans the rooms and changes the sheets after guests stay at the mansions is donated time. That said, the mansions are by no means cheap to keep open to the public. Appraised at a value of approximately $3 million in the early 1990s (thus certainly more today), Linden Hill cost $77, 316.78 to keep open last year. Our income was $69,062, meaning that Linden Hill for the first time in its public history has come close to breaking even. The reason for this is because of the changes that were initiated by the Friends of Linden Hill Board of Directors. Simply put, the income that Linden Hill receives from rental must exceed the expenses (of both money and staff/volunteer time) that we incur to make the mansions available for group use. We have realized that it does not pay to keep the mansions open for small group rental at all times, and then to heat the entire mansion to keep the whole house available for rental. If you can imagine, Linden Hill’s utilities expenses were $15,300.00 last year. This is why we have to be conservative with our use of the mansions.

While I understand that it must have been disappointing to notice the great changes upon your return visit, keep in mind that for a cost much less than staying at a nice hotel, you had access to literally thousands of square feet of historic living space. At hotels or even beds and breakfasts, do we expect to pay $100 and have access to every room in the entire building?

Linden Hill is not a company. It is classified by the IRS as a public charity. Linden Hill is built on public service and, while we may not be able to meet every person’s precise desires, the policies under which the historic site operates are designed to guarantee the sustainability of the estate. I ask that, when you consider your opinions regarding the operation of the estate, you keep in mind the financial and practical realities under which we operate.

I would like to take a moment to assure everyone who reads these entries that the volunteers at the non-profit Linden Hill will do everything in our power to make sure that your visit to the estate is everything that it can be. We devote ourselves to maintaining the beauty of the homes so important to the history of Little Falls and Minnesota and to guaranteeing that your stay is as pleasant as possible. We changed the way we handle some bookings so that we can actually hope to make a profit and thus keep the mansions open to the public for years to come. The volunteers and staff at Linden Hill are 100% devoted to preserving the historic integrity of the mansions and to working with guests to make sure that they enjoy their use of the homes. As a public organization, our commitment is to the communities we serve. Please feel free to reply to this comment with questions or concerns, and I will happily do my best to explain the reasoning behind Linden Hill’s operations guidelines.

Your photos and ur entries show , how systematic u are with ur work. And U have lots of patience too.