Rochester Convention and Visitors Bureau • 30 Civic Center Drive SE, Suite 200 • Rochester, MN 55904 • www.VisitRochesterMN.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact: Mary Gastner
mgastner@rochestercvb.org
800-634-8277
Healthy history awaits visitors in Rochester, Minn.
-Historical attractions give insight into the nation’s medical pastROCHESTER, Minn. (2009) – Nearly one out of every ten U.S. travelers participates in historical
sightseeing and museum touring, according to the Travel Industry Association of America. As Americans
demonstrate their interest in the country’s roots, they find that traveling to cities with historical
significance is one of the easiest ways to see history brought to life. Visitors to Rochester, Minn., home
of the renowned Mayo Clinic, will find a city rich in medical history, extraordinary homes and classic
architecture, making it the perfect place to learn about the nation’s advancements in healthcare.
A History of Medicine Defines Present-day Rochester
Rochester was once a small town serving as a stagecoach stop for travelers of the 1800s, but
today it accommodates nearly 2.7 million visitors annually. The city, now with over 100,000 residents, is
home to Mayo Clinic, which treats more than 1.5 million patients each year. Rochester is known
worldwide for its prestigious medical reputation.
In 1883, a tornado devastated the city of Rochester, killing 24 people and injuring more than 40.
The Sisters of St. Francis teamed with the Mayo family, Dr. William Worrall Mayo and his two sons
William J. and Charles, to treat those wounded in the storm. Shortly after, St. Mary’s Hospital, a division
of the Mayo Clinic, was established to meet Rochester’s growing need for a medical institute. Today,
Mayo Clinic treats patients from across the world and while touring the city, these visitors have the
opportunity to learn about its historical beginnings.
Mayo Clinic and its employees are known for a number of medical accomplishments and
advancements throughout history. The clinic’s Dr. Edward Kendall and Dr. Phillip Hench won the Nobel
Peace Prize in 1950 for their discovery of cortisone, a treatment for rheumatoid arthritis. In 1955, the
Rochester Methodist Hospital was the first to use the Mayo-Gibbon mechanical pump, which functions as
a patient’s heart and lungs. Dr. Henry Plummer, among his many other accomplishments, designed Mayo
Clinic’s futuristic Plummer Building with many amenities still used today, including a phone system,
cross-indexed patient records and X-ray diagnosis. He also designed the city’s present-day power plant,
which produces enough heat to keep Rochester’s Silver Lake from freezing in the winter, and subways, a
popular, climate-controlled way for Rochesterites and visitors to get around the town.
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Heritage Hall, located in the Mathews Grand Lobby of the Mayo Building itself, displays much
of the history of Mayo Clinic’s successes and serves as a historical reminder of its many clinical
discoveries. Visitors will also find tours highlighting the past at the Plummer Building, where the suite
that includes the original offices of Drs. William J. and Charles H. Mayo is located. The top of the
building houses the historic gift that Plummer received from Charles and William J. Mayo, 56 bells from
England and Holland known as the Rochester Carillon. Still used every week for performances, the
carillon is among the most complete of its kind in North America.
Connected across the street via a climate controlled subway and skywalk to Mayo Clinic’s newest
addition, the Gonda Building, is the Kahler Grand Hotel. Created by John Henry Kahler in 1921 to meet the
increased need for hotel accommodations for patients of Mayo Clinic and their families, the hotel has always
focused on providing superior services for its guests. Over its years of operation, the Kahler Grand has
housed a dormitory for nursing students, a colonoscopy ward and birthing suites. Among many visitors from
all walks of life, well-known figures have stayed at the Kahler Grand including Ed Sullivan, Richard Nixon,
King Hussein and Johnny Carson.
Legendary People, Legendary Homes
It’s safe to say that the Mayo family was very influential in Rochester’s history and their impact
on the community is still apparent today. Visitors have the opportunity to tour the previous home of three
generations of this legendary Mayo family. The Mayowood Mansion, owned and operated by the History
Center of Olmsted County, showcases 38 rooms and ten acres of ornamental gardens. It is a must-see
building on the National Register of Historic Places that attracts visitors from all over the world, national
and regional bus tours and, of course, patients of Mayo Clinic. While the site sees nearly 10,000 history
enthusiasts throughout the year, each weekend in November leading up to Thanksgiving is especially
popular, when Mayowood hosts its annual Christmas tour. During this event, each room is festively
decorated with items from Rochester area clubs, businesses and individuals.
The Plummer House, designed by Henry Plummer, after whom the Plummer Building is named,
is a must-see in Rochester. Plummer was invited to join Mayo’s medical practice in 1901, after
displaying his knowledge of the properties of blood. The home of the designer and innovator is now a
popular site for tours and showcases many of the advanced innovations of his day. It sits on 11 acres of
landscaped grounds with formal gardens, a bird trail, water tower, quarry and more.
While not directly associated with Mayo Clinic, the Heritage House is another historical favorite
dating back 125 years. Located in what used to be the town square, the legendary home of architect and
engineer Timothy Whiting survived the F5 tornado that occurred only eight years after the house was
built. The two-story Victorian home represents the lifestyles of middle-class Midwesterners and is fully
restored and authentically furnished with antiques, quilts, dolls, china and a beautiful garden.
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Historic Architecture
From its stately business buildings to its beautifully aged mansions, Rochester’s present day city
is thriving with historical character and architecture. One example is the historic residence of the Sisters
of St. Francis. Assisi Heights bears resemblance to Italy's Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi, with an ornate
lobby and slate floor, Romanesque ceiling and stained glass windows. Travelers enjoy visiting the
chapels and experiencing the home of the infamous and beloved Mother Alfred Moes, creator of the
legendary proposal to Dr. William Mayo to build a town hospital.
Another architectural masterpiece in Rochester is the notable vaudeville Chateau Theater, which
features a French-inspired ornate balcony. Charles H. Mayo turned the first spade full of dirt at the
groundbreaking of this historic site on April 2, 1927. While it no longer serves moviegoers, visitors now
admire it while reading a book or drinking lattes under its starlit sky dome in what is now a Barnes &
Noble and Starbucks Café.
With its rich history of medical innovations and advances, as well as its many historical homes,
buildings and unique architecture, Rochester is an ideal location for travelers to connect with the past.
Whether in town seeking treatment at Mayo Clinic or just looking for important historical sites in
America, Rochester is a must-see city.
Rochester is a mid-sized city in southeastern Minnesota known for its world-renowned medical
research facility, the Mayo Clinic, and the innovative IBM Corporation. It offers a clean, safe, family
friendly and inexpensive environment for people to live, work and play. For more information regarding
Rochester’s history or historical attractions, please contact Mary Gastner at 800-634-8277 or
mgastner@rochestercvb.org or visit www.rochestercvb.org.
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