About Us

Linden Hill is a non-profit Historical Event Center and Educational Facility managed by the Friends of Linden Hill. Linden Hill offers overnight accommodations for small groups and up to a maximum of 120 guests for day/evening receptions or weddings. The houses are also available for family reunions, group tours, business meetings, anniversaries, or other special events.

Linden Hill History

The "Pine Tree Bachelors" came to town in 1891. Charles A. Weyerhaeuser and Richard "Drew" Musser, ages 25 and 26 respectively, would soon become managers of the Pine Tree Lumber Company. Their fathers, Frederick Weyerhaeuser and Peter Musser, along with seven other lumbermen, had organized the company in 1890.

Charles and Drew were good friends who shared rooms at the Antlers Hotel and above the Pine Tree offices. Managing such a large enterprise was an awesome responsibility for the young men, but it did not deter them from pursuing a social life. Newspaper articles mention parties hosted by the bachelors at the Antlers. None of the local ladies, however, found permanent romance with either of them, though there was much speculation in 1894 when Charles and Drew were "buying large quantities of furniture".

Charles' interest in a young lady from Duluth began to conjure thoughts of hearth and home. He made plans for a home overlooking the Mississippi River in Little Falls. Frances Maud Moon became his bride on December 14, 1898 in Duluth. It was described as "an affair of great simplicity" performed in the parlor of the bride's father's home. According to a recent conversation with daughter, Sarah Maud Sivertsen, her parents moved into their new home ("Homeland") on Highland Avenue after their honeymoon in Europe and a brief stay at the Buckman Hotel upon their return.

Drew Musser, who was not at the time intending marriage, arranged for an equally fine home to be erected within feet of the Weyerhaeuser house. The two friends purchased land together from H. Landahl in September of 1898, and hired Clarence H. Johnston, the most significant architectural figure in Minnesota to design their homes. Little Falls contractor A. D. Harrison erected the homes almost simultaneously. Drew, while on a business trip to Cloquet, met a lovely young woman from Glens Falls, New York who was staying with her sister, Mrs. Huntington Taylor. On June 3, 1903, Richard Drew Musser and Sarah "Sally" Walker were united in marriage at the Taylor home in Cloquet, MN. It, too, was a quiet home wedding. Drew and Sarah took up residence in the commodious white house.
 

The two beautiful brides were accepted immediately into Little Falls' society, and they, in turn, became leaders in the cultural community. The houses and artistically landscaped grounds were the center of activity. Weddings, showers, card clubs, musical entertainment and community events were frequent. Charles and Drew entertained dignitaries and business associates in their homes, and several community children were tutored not only in the Musser home, but also on the second floor of the Weyerhaeuser home. They also began to raise their families; the Weyerhaeuser's, son Carl (now deceased) and daughter Sarah Maud; the Mussers, son Peter (died at birth in 1910), foster daughter Alice (Mrs. Edward C. Davidson), adopted daughter Mary (Mrs. Alan Gilmore), and daughter Laura Jane, born June 4, 1916, (all of whom are deceased).

The Musser and Weyerhaeuser families historically played important roles in the social and cultural life of the Little Falls community. In 1911 Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser and Sarah Walker Musser were among the organizers of the Musical Art Club that brought classical performers to Little Falls. Mrs. Musser served as president in 1914 and 1915. Mrs. Weyerhaeuser, executive board member and program chair, brought highly acclaimed classical performers to Little Falls. Mrs. Weyerhaeuser, a soprano herself, was also a frequent performer, as was Laura McColm, sister of R. D. Musser. In 1919, Mrs. Weyerhaeuser financed the construction of a new performance hall for the club, named the Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Hall, on the second floor of the newly completed Morrison County Lumber Company building at 119 1^st Street NE (currently the KLTF/WYRQ radio offices). Created by Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser as a gift to the community, along with a gift of a grand piano, the concert hall became the permanent home of the Musical Art Club. In 1924, the club had a membership of over four hundred.

Richard Drew Musser helped organize the American National Bank and served as its president from 1928 to 1945 and after resigning from the presidency, he served as chairman of its board of directors until his death . During his lifetime, he was also active in the Lion's Club, helped to found the local golf course, country club, Carnegie Library and St. Gabriel's Hospital, and made many contributions to the First Congregational Church of Little Falls. Charles A. Weyerhaeuser was also an important philanthropist and businessman whose influence extended beyond the walls of the Pine Tree Mill. For example, in 1908 Pine Tree donated 3,000 acres of land to the State of Minnesota in what eventually became Itasca State Park.

Taken from the "Encyclopedia of Biography," a contemporary historian commented on the contrast between the two young men, and the complimentary characteristics which made them an effective team:

"The selection of the two, both in their middle twenties, for the large responsibilities of Pine Tree may have seemed a risk to some of the stockholders. The young men made a startling contrast. Drew Musser was physically slight, cautious and economical. Charles, on the other hand, was tall, powerful, and bursting with vitality; Where Drew counted pennies, Charles pondered daring new projects; Where Drew was discreetly silent, Charles talked with happy abandon; If young Musser loved his ledgers, young Weyerhaeuser exulted in the plunging logs on the river and the clatter of the mill."

When the Pine Tree Mill closed in 1920, Charles and Maud moved from Little Falls to pursue business interests in St. Paul. Ten years later, while on a world cruise, Charles took ill and died in Bombay, India in 1930 at the age of 63. Maud Moon Weyerhaeuser Sanborn passed away in 1965.

Drew and Sarah Musser remained in their home and retained the entire Weyerhaeuser/Musser estate, which became known as "Linden Hill." Mr. Musser allowed for the Weyerhaeuser house to be occupied by business associates affiliated with the American National Bank. The first to occupy the Weyerhaeuser house under the Musser's ownership was Paul and Helen Gillespie, followed by Frank and "Bert" Hartmann until approximately 1955. At some time thereafter, Laura Jane took up residency in the Weyerhaeuser home, perhaps to claim her independence and "move away from home."

The Musser home was the setting in 1921, for the marriage of their daughter, Alice Drew to Dr. Edward C. Davidson. In 1930, the Musser house was remodeled with major additions, including the large music room. The pipe organ was dedicated January 19, 1931, with a reception held in the new downstairs recreation room. In 1939, the wedding of Mary Musser was described in the Little Falls Daily Transcript: "In a beautiful setting of pines, cream chrysanthemums and cathedral candles in the spacious music room at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. D. Musser Saturday evening, their daughter Miss Mary became the bride of Roger Eugene King." Musser's daughter Laura Jane participated as flower girl at Alice's wedding and as a bridesmaid at Mary's. Laura Jane sought a career in music, graduated from Julliard School of Music and worked in New York, while Mary attended Vassar College.

Sarah Walker Musser died in 1953 at the age of 74, while Mr. Musser passed away in 1958 at the age of 93. Laura Jane remained in Little Falls to carry on the tradition of the Weyerhaeusers and Mussers. She continued to bring classical performers, such world famous stars as pianist Van Cliburn and American contralto Marian Anderson, to Little Falls. Laura Jane established a reputation for being outspoken on issues of war, abortion, organized religion and discrimination. Her passions ranged from classical music and the arts, to the plight of the underprivileged in New York City and the Chippewa Indians of Mille Lacs. She was generous with both time and money. She once worked with Eleanor Roosevelt as a social worker in Harlem, and influenced the lives of Little Falls school children by bringing writers, artists and musicians to town. She purchased equipment for the City police and fire departments, and donated pianos to the public school, according to an article in the St. Cloud Times in 1991. She spearheaded the drive to "Save the Depot" (designed by renowned architect Cass Gilbert) in Little Falls. She carried the message of Little Falls throughout the world, and was instrumental in the establishment of the Little Falls sister city relationship with LeBourget, France, where Charles Lindbergh landed the "Spirit of St. Louis" in 1927.

Laura Jane Musser, who was the sole heir to the properties, died November 12, 1989 at the age of 73. The houses on "Linden Hill" sit quietly awaiting activity. The remaining furnishings in both homes are reminders of the past and the prominent role these two families have played. Laura Jane wanted her properties used for a public purpose, and before she died, suggested they be used as a conference and retreat center. The properties were officially deeded to the City of Little Falls in December, 1995, and have become the Linden Hill Conference and Retreat Center. In addition to offering personalized service, comfortable surroundings, and all the amenities one would expect from a fine conference and retreat center, the houses are also available for group tours, business meetings, weddings, receptions, or other special events.