The number 10 is prominently on my mind lately with our upcoming 10-year anniversary of the event center addition. It has been a busy tour season and as I reflect on the comments of our guests, I decided to share the top 10 favorite features of the Home and the reasons why they were chosen.

1. Dining Room: The historic Dining Room gets the most mentions by far. Guests appreciate the woodwork and honeycomb ceiling, the built-in cupboards, the tapestry style wall paper, the height of ceilings, and the decorative detail on the wood paneling. One commented that the room “looked like my grandma’s.”

2. Kitchen: The second most appreciated room is the historic kitchen. The wood burning stove ignites memories of grandparent’s kitchens as do the push button light switches.

3. Master Bedroom: Visitors like the overall décor and size of the bedrooms. The idea that the sitting room once connected to the main bedroom makes the room appealing to our lady guests. It’s kind of like a she-shed.

4. Jay’s Room: Jay Hormel lived in this home from the age of 9 intermittingly until the age of 32. One guest liked that the exhibits in that room seem fresh and updated. In 2016, we rearranged the room to showcase Jay’s unique personality and entrepreneurial nature. Some like the attached sleeping porch, though most have to duck their heads to enter.

5. Living Room: This spacious area features the beautiful Mason and Hamlin piano which gets lots of attention from our guests with musical interest. People enjoy the openness and the old feel of the room.

6.  Sun Room: Even though the Sun Room serves as our administrative office and has modern equipment, our visitors recognize how the sunny environment would have been an enjoyable and relaxing place to spend some time.

7.  Library Fireplace, aka the Inglenook: This little space becomes intimate when a couple or two relax on the window seats imagining a roaring fire to keep them cozy.

8.  Upstairs Bathroom: Pink tile because it is cool. What more can one say!

9. Laundry chute: This not-so-common feature in new construction today brings back memories for many.

10. Split staircase: People often ask why the upstairs steps are of different heights. I don’t know the official answer, but it is a conversation starter and some speculate it symbolizes the separation of the master side of the house from the child/servant side of the home.

Just thought you’d like to know what our guests say about the mansion. I invite you to send me a note to tell me what your favorite features are. holly@hormelhistorichome.org.

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Music Event to honor Minnesota Art and Music

7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21

Organized in honor of Blair Lawhead a variety of musicians will perform classical music in the Historic Living Room followed by jazz in the Carriage Hall Event Center. Special guest Bobby Z. Art by Tyler Quitmeyer will be on display. Refreshments and cash bar available. Free event

David Stokes Nature Program

6 p.m., Monday, Aug. 26

David Stokes is a popular family entertainer/educator/naturalist who likes to share songs, stories, sign-language and humor when giving children and adults opportunities to engage in nature. There will be live frogs, turtles, snakes, mice, insects and fish that children can touch, see and interact with.

10 Year Anniversary Celebration of the Carriage Hall Event Center

2-6 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 8

History, food, and fun. Free for the community.