HISTORIC LUTHERAN CHILDREN’S HOME

VASA – GOODHUE COUNTY

THE AVAILABILITY OF THIS HISTORIC SITE PROVIDES AN OPPORTUNITY TO OWN A PIECE OF MINNESOTA’S HERITAGE.  A BRIEF OVERVIEW OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE VASA CHILDREN'S HOME BEGINS WITH REV. ERIC NORELIUS’ RECOGNITION OF THE GROWING NEED FOR THE HOUSING AND CARE OF ORPHANED CHILDREN IN THE NEWLY CREATED STATE OF MINNESOTA.

ACCEPTING RESPONSIBILITY FOR FOUR RECENTLY ORPHANED CHILDREN IN THE FALL OF 1865 REV. NORELIUS BROUGHT THE CHILDREN FROM ST.  PAUL TO VASA WHERE THEY WERE SHELTERED IN THE BASEMENT OF THE FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH.  IN THE BEGINNING REV. AND MRS. NORELIUS THEMSELVES ASSUMED RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE CARE OF THE CHILDREN WITH HELP FROM BRITA NILSON AND ASSISTED BY CONTRIBUTIONS FROM PARISHIONERS.  AS THE NUMBER OF CHILDREN GREW IT BECOME APPARENT THAT A MORE STRUCTURED FACILITY AND STAFF WERE NEEDED AND THUS BEGAN THE FIRST PERMANENT EFFORT THAT LED TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE LUTHERAN CHILDREN’S HOME IN VASA.

OVER THE NEXT 34 YEARS FOUR SEPARATE STRUCTURES WERE BUILT WITH INCREASING   ACREAGE ACQUIRED TO HELP SUPPORT THE EVER GROWING NUMBER OF CHILDREN SHELTERED AND CARED FOR WITHIN THE HOME.  THE ACREAGE WAS USED FOR GROWING FOOD, PASTURE FOR FARM ANIMALS AND HARVESTING LUMBER.

FROM THE MID 1860’S FORWARD EACH OF THE THREE STRUCTURES THAT WERE BUILT  AT VASA WERE DESTROYED BY A TORNADO OR FIRES.  THE FOURTH AND LAST BUILDING  CONSTRUCTED WAS DEDICATED ON DECEMBER 16, 1899.  THIS BUILDING CONTINUED IN USE AS A DORMITORY UNTIL 1926 WHEN THE DECISION WAS MADE TO RELOCATE THE HOME TO RED WING ON 400 ACRES OF LAND DONATED BY MR. AND MRS. A. P. ANDERSON.

AFTER 1926, THE FORMER VASA CHILDREN'S HOME SITE AND BUILDINGS BEGAN A LONG AND PAINFUL DETERIORATION RESULTING AT ONE POINT IN THE THREE STORY DORMITORY (NOW A PRIVATE RESIDENCE) BEING USED FOR GRAIN STORAGE BY LOCAL FARMERS.

IN 1968 RICHARD AND MARIANNE BUSHBAUM ACQUIRED THE PROPERTY CONSISTING OF 294 ACRES AND WHAT REMAINED OF THE MANY STRUCTURES THAT ONCE COMPRISED THE WORKING COMMUNITY OF THE CHILDREN’S HOME.  THE SMALL INFIRMARY, SCHOOL HOUSE AND SECOND DORMITORY HAD BEEN REMOVED IN THE ‘30’S AND ONE OF THE REMAINING BARNS WAS IN SUCH POOR CONDITION THAT IT WAS DISMANTLED AND SOME OF THE MATERIALS WERE INCORPORATED INTO THE RENOVATION THE BUSHBAUMS UNDERTOOK.

THE BUSHBAUMS BEGAN A COMPREHENSIVE RENOVATION OF THE THREE STORY FORMER DORMITORY INCLUDING ELECTRICAL WIRING, INSTALLATION OF PLUMBING, INSULATION,   SIDING, ROOFING – ESSENTIALLY REBUILDING THE ENTIRE STRUCTURE FOR USE AS A PRIVATE RESIDENCE.

THE SECOND LEVEL OF THE STRUCTURE WAS CONVERTED TO FOUR BEDROOMS WITH TWO BATHS. 

THE THIRD LEVEL, FORMERLY AN ATTIC USED FOR STORAGE, WAS TRANSFORMED INTO THREE LARGE BEDROOMS WITH COZY SLOPED CEILINGS AND OAK RANDOM PLANK PEGGED FLOORING.  A BATH WAS ADDED FOR THE CONVENIENCE OF THE THREE BEDROOMS.

THE MAIN LEVEL OF THE HOME WAS RECREATED TO INCLUDE A COUNTRY STYLED KITCHEN WITH FULL BRICK WALL WITH FIREPLACE.  WOOD SALVAGED FROM THE SILO WAS USED AS PANELING FOR THE CEILING WITH TIMBERS FROM THE BARN USED AS BEAMS.

A FORMAL LIVING ROOM WAS CREATED TO THE LEFT OF THE FOYER ACROSS THE SPACIOUS HALL FROM THE KITCHEN.  ADJACENT TO THE LIVING ROOM A FORMAL DINING ROOM WITH PANELED WAINSCOTING CONVENIENTLY PLACED ACROSS FROM THE KITCHEN.

THE COMPLETED PROJECT WAS BOTH ATTRACTIVE AND STRUCTURALLY SOUND, WIPING AWAY YEARS OF NEGLECT.

 IN 1974 THE NEWLY RENOVATED HOME AND REMAINING 34 ACRES WERE PURCHASED BY GEORGE AND RITA RICHCREEK.  HAVING JUST RETURNED FROM HAVING LIVED IN HEIDELBERG, GERMANY THE RICHCREEKS AND THEIR THREE DAUGHTERS WERE SEEKING AN IDYLLIC COUNTRY SETTING FOR THEIR NEXT HOME.  RESPONDING TO AN AD IN THE PAPER, THEY TRAVELLED TO VASA AND IMMEDIATELY WERE CHARMED BY BOTH THE SITE AND THE NEWLY RENOVATED HOUSE.

UPON PURCHASING THE PROPERTY AND TAKING POSSESSION, THE RICHCREEKS BEGAN    PLACING THEIR OWN IMPRINT UPON THE HOME AND CONTINUED TO DO SO UP TO THE PRESENT.  THEY BEGAN BY ENHANCING THE GROUNDS AND THE APPROACH TO THE HOME.

STONE ENTRANCE PILLARS WERE BUILT TO SECURE A WROUGHT IRON GATE THAT IS ACTIVATED BY AN ELECTRONIC CODE.  WHITE MAINTENANCE FREE FENCING ENCLOSED THE PROPERTY FROM THE ROAD.  THE EXISTING 100+ YEAR OLD PINES FOUND AT THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY AND WITHIN THE CIRCLE DRIVE WERE COMPLIMENTED BY THE INTRODUCTION OF ADDITIONAL   EVERGREENS LOCATED STRATEGICALLY THROUGHOUT THE ACREAGE.

EXTENSIVE LANDSCAPING WAS UNDERTAKEN RESULTING IN SEVERAL PERENNIAL AREAS, A SUNKEN GARDEN SURROUNDING A POND WITH WATERFALL AND STRAWBERRY AND ASPARAGUS BEDS WERE PLANTED.  VARIOUS TREES WERE ALSO PLANTED, INCLUDING APPLE AND PEAR INTO THE EXISTING ORCHARD.  THE ORIGINAL CUPOLA FROM THE BARN WAS CONVERTED TO A GARDEN HOUSE COMPLETE WITH RUNNING WATER.  A CUSTOM DESIGNED WROUGHT IRON GAZEBO WAS  ALSO INSTALLED.

THE EFFECT OF THIS INTENSE ENHANCEMENT WAS TO TRANSFORM A PLEASANT COUNTRY HOME INTO A COUNTRY ESTATE SURROUNDED BY GARDENS AND PONDS SECLUDED BEHIND GATES AND FENCING DOMINATED BY TOWERING PINES LENDING A SENSE OF MATURITY AND STABILITY TO THE ENTIRE SETTING.

AS THE LANDSCAPING PROJECTS CONTINUED THE OUTBUILDINGS WERE BEING RESTORED.  THE CHICKEN COOP BECAME A GUEST COTTAGE, A HEATED SIX CAR GARAGE WAS BUILT WITH ADJOINING GREEN HOUSE, THE BUNK HOUSE BECAME A PAINTING STUDIO. THE REMAINING BARN, BUILT IN 1910, WAS RESIDED AND REROOFED IN 1999, THE SAME YEAR A NEW GUEST APARTMENT WAS BUILT ATOP A NEW THREE GARAGE.  (THE THREE CAR HEATED GARAGE IS CURRENTLY IN USE AS AN ARTIST AND POTTERS STUDIO.)

DURING THIS SAME PERIOD THE THREE LEVEL HOME EXPERIENCED CONTINUOUS UPDATES AND IMPROVEMENTS SUCH AS THE GARDEN ROOM ADDITION IN 1988, INSTALLATION OF    CEDAR SHAKE ROOFING SHINGLES IN 1989 AND CLEAR REDWOOD SIDING IN THE SAME YEAR.  COMBINATION DOUBLE HUNG WINDOWS WERE INSTALLED IN 1990 AND A BLACKTOP DRIVE WAS ADDED. 

THE OWNER’S SUITE LOCATED ON THE SECOND LEVEL WAS REDECORATED INCORPORATING RALPH LAUREN PAISLEY PATTERNED WALL COVERINGS AND MATCHING DRAPERIES.  THE     PRIVATE BATH WAS COMPLETELY REDONE WITH EXTENSIVE USE OF MARBLE TILE FOR SHOWER ENCLOSURE, WHIRLPOOL TUB SURROUND AND FLOORING.  A DOUBLE SINK VANITY WAS CREATED USING SOLID OAK CUSTOM DESIGNED CABINETRY.  CLOSET STORAGE UTILIZED AROMATIC CEDAR PANELING WITH MIRRORED SLIDING DOORS.

PROBABLY THE MOST DRAMATIC RENOVATION WAS THAT OF THE KITCHEN.  MRS. RICHCREEK WAS RENOWNED FOR HER CULINARY CAPABILITIES.  TO COMPLIMENT HER EFFORTS THE KITCHEN WAS REDONE IN 1996 WITH THE INTRODUCTION OF COMMERCIAL GRADE APPLIANCES THAT INCLUDED A HAUSSLER BREAD OVEN, A SIX BURNER GAS WOLF RANGE, COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATOR AND FREEZER.  A SECOND SINK WAS INSTALLED SURROUNDED BY GRANITE SURFACE COMPLIMENTING THE ALREADY EXISTING SINK WITH BUTCHER BLOCK SURROUND.  THE RESULT OF THE KITCHEN RENOVATION IS A CHEF’S DREAM WITH EVERY CONVENIENCE AND AMENITY.

THE BUSHBAUMS FORMER LIVING ROOM BECAME A HANDSOME LIBRARY PANELED IN CHERRY, ENTERED THROUGH A PAIR OF ANTIQUE WALNUT DOORS.  THE GRACIOUS DINING ROOM NOW INCLUDES HAND PAINTED SCENES BY MRS. RICHCREEK OF HEIDELBERG, GERMANY.

OVER THE YEARS ADDITIONAL CHANGES WERE INTRODUCED BY THE RICHCREEKS THAT HAVE ENHANCED THE EFFORT BEGUN BY THE PREVIOUS OWNER THAT HAVE MADE THE FORMER CHILDREN’S HOME A HANDSOME AND VERY LIVABLE ESTATE.

WHICH BRINGS US TO THE PRESENT.  THE SALE OF THE RICHCREEK PROPERTY OFFERS THE   OPPORTUNITY FOR A NEW OWNER TO PLACE THEIR OWN IMPRINT UPON THIS HISTORIC PROPERTY THAT VERY NEARLY WAS LOST.  WITH THE BUSHBAUM RENOVATION AND THE RICHCREEK ENHANCEMENTS, A NEW STEWARD OF THIS HISTORIC PROPERTY CAN ENJOY THE EFFORTS OF THE PREVIOUS TWO OWNERS AND THE HISTORY THAT THE PRECEDED THEM.  WITH ONLY A 50 MINUTE DRIVE TO ST. PAUL VIA HWY 52 THE PROPERTY COULD MOST CERTAINLY BE USED AS A COUNTRY RETREAT OR AS A WEEKEND GETAWAY.  LOCATED IN THE HEART OF THE CANNON RIVER VALLEY ENJOYMENT OF THIS PASTORAL SETTING IS UNLIMITED.

AS OUR LIVES BECOME INCREASINGLY ENCUMBERED BY STRESS AND TRIVIA ENVISION THE LIVES OF THOSE WHO PASSED THROUGH THESE DOORS A CENTURY AGO AND THE COMFORT THIS GRAND STRUCTURE MEANT TO THEM.  HOPEFULLY IT CAN PROVIDE THE SAME SOLITUDE AND COMFORT TO NEW GENERATION.

THE HOME DESIGNED IN THE STYLE OF NEO CLASSIC ARCHITECTURE FEATURES SPACIOUS ROOMS, LARGE WINDOWS SYMMETRICALLY PLACED, 10 FOOT CEILINGS, WIDE GENEROUS CENTER HALL ON BOTH MAIN AND SECOND LEVELS WITH GRACIOUS CURVING STAIR TO SECOND LEVEL.

ROOM DIMENSIONS AND DESCRIPTION BY FLOOR

MAIN LEVEL

11 X 22            IMPRESSIVE FOYER AND ENTRANCE HALL ENTERED THROUGH DOUBLE DOORS FROM A BRICK PORTICO.  WIDE PLANK HOBBED NAIL FLOORING.  WIDE GRACIOUS STAIR LEADING TO SECOND FLOOR.

13 X 17            CHERRY WOOD PANELED LIBRARY, ENTERED THRU ANTIQUE DOUBLE WALNUT DOORS, WITH CUSTOM BUILT CHERRY WOOD WINDOW SHUTTERS.  FLOOR TO CEILING SHELVING WITH LIBRARY LADDER, WITH ORIGINAL FIR FLOORING.

12  X 18           FORMAL DINING ROOM WITH CREAM COLORED ENAMELED WAINSCOTING ABOVE WHICH ARE PAINTED SCENES OF HEIDELBERG, GERMANY AS DONE BY MRS. RICHCREEK.  (EXCLUDE FROM SALE BRASS CHANDELIER AND SCONCES.)

9 X 17              POWDER ROOM AT REAR OF HALL WITH CHINA SINK IMPRINTED IN PAISLEY PATTERN.  LEADED GLASS WINDOW AND SMALL  DRESSING TABLE AND CHAIR.

15 X 28            KITCHEN WITH MAPLE FLOORING AND CABINETRY.  CEILING IS PANELED IN    WOOD SALVAGED FROM SILO – BEAMS SALVAGED FROM BARN.  FULL BRICK WALL WITH GAS FIREPLACE. TWO – ISLANDS, 2 SINKS AND COMMERCIAL  APPLIANCES.

20 X 40            GARDEN ROOM FEATURING VAULTED CEILINGS PANELED IN CEDAR WITH FIVE SKYLIGHTS, TWO SETS OF FRENCH DOORS LEADING TO EXTERIOR, TERRA COTTA MEXICAN TILE ON FLOOR WITH IN-FLOOR HEAT, BUILT-IN CABINETRY AND BAR OF BUTTERNUT.  THREE STAINED GLASS MEMORIAL WINDOWS SALVAGED FROM A CHURCH AND GREEN VERMONT CASTINGS STOVE (GAS).  SHELVING POSITIONED UNDER WINDOWS FOR SEATING OR DISPLAY (WATERING HOSES CONCEALED UNDER SHELVING FOR WATERING PLANTS.)

 SECOND LEVEL

11 X 22             HALL OFF OF WHICH IS LOCATED FOUR BEDROOMS AND TWO BATHS

13 X 18            BEDROOM #1 ONE AT FRONT OF HOME OVERLOOKING DRIVE

10 X 14            BEDROOM #2 AT REAR OF HOME PANELED IN BARN SIDING

9 X 11              BEDROOM #3 AT FRONT OF HOME OVERLOOKING DRIVE

14 X 18            OWNER’S SUITE WITH GREEN PAISLEY PATTERED RALPH LAUREN WALL COVERINGS WITH MATCHING DRAPERIES (PRIVATE BATH DESCRIBED EARLIER)

THIRD LEVEL (FORMER ATTIC)

17 X 24        BEDROOM #1 PEGGED OAK FLOORING – SLOPED CEILINGS

13 X 21        BEDROOM #2 PEGGED OAK FLOORING – SLOPED CEILINGS

12 X 15        SITTING ROOM ADJACENT TO BEDROOM #2

12 X 12        BEDROOM #3 PEGGED FLOORING – SLOPED CEILINGS

GUEST APARTMENT

THE THREE CAR GARAGE AND GUEST APARTMENT WAS BUILT IN 1999.  THE GARAGE PORTION OF THE STRUCTURE IS FULLY FINISHED, INSULATED AND HEATED.  CURRENTLY IN USE AS AN ARTISTS STUDIO.

THE APARTMENT LOCATED ABOVE, REACHED BY AN EXTERIOR STAIR, OFFERS BREATHTAKING VIEWS ACROSS ROLLING HILLS AND WOODED GROVES.  THE VIEWS EXEMPLIFY THE BEAUTY OF THE CANNON RIVER VALLEY.

TOTALLY SELF CONTAINED, THE APARTMENT COULD CONTINUE IN USE AS A GUEST APARTMENT OR BECOME A CARETAKER’S HOME.  COMPLETE WITH FULL KITCHEN AND BATH, COMFORTABLE LIVING ROOM WITH WALL MURPHY BED THIS CEDAR PANELED SUITE IS CHARMING.  A RED VERMONT CASTINGS STOVE PROVIDES AMBIANCE AND IS ALSO A SUPPLEMENTAL SOURCE FOR THE HOT WATER BASEBOARD HEATING SYSTEM.

 MECHANICALS

• PRIVATE WELL AND SEPTIC (2 HYDRANTS LOCATED IN YARD)
• IN-FLOOR HEAT IN GARDEN ROOM
• HOT WATER BASEBOARD HEAT (NEW FURNACE) PROPANE
• HOT WATER HEATER (NEW)
• WATER SOFTER
• SECURITY SYSTEM
• CEILING FAN IN OWNER’S SUITE
• INTERCOM
• ELECTRONIC ENTRANCE GATE
• ONAN 37 KILOWATT 3 PHASE GENERATOR PURCHASED IN 2001 ENCLOSED IN SEPARATE STRUCTURE – FULLY AUTOMATIC IN POWER LOSS
• INVISIBLE FENCING

SPECIFICATION

YEAR BUILT                        1899 EFFECTIVELY REBUILT 1969 – 1974 TO PRESENT

LOT SIZE                             34.38 ACRES (2 PARCELS)

SCHOOL DISTRICT              0256 - RED WING

FINISHED SQ. FT.                6,000 SQ. FT. APPROXIMATE

REAL ESTATE TAXES           $  3,886 (2007)

LEGAL DESCRIPTION:         42.015.0700    10 ACRES

                                           42.015.0600    24.38 ACRES

                                           AGRICULTURAL DESIGNATION/HOMESTEAD

MRS. RICHCREEK CUSTOM DESIGNED AND CONSTRUCTED INSULATING WINDOW COVERINGS FOR MOST ALL WINDOWS THROUGHOUT THE HOME.  THESE WINDOW COVERINGS WILL REMAIN FOR A NEW OWNER.

ALL INFORMATION DEEMED RELIABLE BUT NOT GUARANTEED.

Entrance	Foyer	Foyer
Library	Dining Room	Kitchen
Kitchen	Kitchen	Informal Dining
Garden Room	Second Floor Landing	Owners Suite
Owners Bath	Bedroom #2	Wine Cellar
Barn	Chicken Coop	Chicken Coop
Garages	View From Garage Deck	View From Bedroom
View By Air	Front of Home