Husby and I recently partook in a very special tour. A Christmas tour. A Christmas candlelight tour. We didn’t have to travel far as The Fillebrown House is right in our own little town, and thanks to the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society we were more than thrilled to walk into the past…
This is the Fillebrown House (photo credit to the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society). The “cottage” was built in 1879 on the shores of White Bear Lake in Minnesota.
I was born and raised in White Bear Lake and in all of my years I’ve loved this house, but had never seen the inside despite tours being available for years. I didn’t know who the Fillebrowns were, but learned a bit about them when Husby and I attended the tour.
Quite frankly, I didn’t attend the tour to learn history, but to only, finally after many decades, see the inside of this house. Yes, I learned some things, but my eyes were working much more than my ears during this tour.
Sara Markoe delivered some of the history of the house while the “tourists” held (battery operated) candles to guide us through the dim, candlelit house. Rheanna O’Brien was also aboard the tour, guiding us safely through the old house.
This post isn’t about the history of the house, although the walls are rich with stories. Because I’m who I am, it’s all about the architecture and feel of the house. I love walking through houses built generations before me. The Fillebrown House gave me a cozy feeling I haven’t felt for quite some time.
The many narrow and winding staircases thrilled me…
A corner fireplace in the dining room, only found in an old work of architecture…
And the music. In a house like this there had to be much music to while away the vacationing hours of the family and guests. (The house was a getaway cottage for the Fillebrowns.)
An awesome pump organ…
And a beautiful Steinway grand…
Windows galore, for views of White Bear Lake, covered nicely with period lace curtains. And a big, heavy, wide door, which leads out to the porch, which looks out onto the lake.
The whole feel of the place made me want to buy it, on the spot.
“What’ll you take for it?”
“Oh, it’s not for sale.”
“I’ll give you a million dollars.” *Which I don’t have*
“No, sorry.”
“Two million” *Which I don’t have*
*Tour guide shakes her head no.*
“Ten million, cash! *Which, of course, I don’t have*
*Tour guide laughs*
I love this house and how it’s been maintained by the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society.
Because of the candlelight ambiance of the tour the house was dim and not too agreeable for my amateur photo taking. Husby and I plan to go back in the summertime when the White Bear Lake Area Historical Society offers inside tours in addition to outdoor musical events and lemonade on the porch.
I’ve added the Fillebrown House to my list of dream houses. Perhaps I can live in any number of my dream houses in future lives. Maybe I love them so because I lived in them in past lives?
If you have the opportunity, take advantage of events at the Fillebrown House in White Bear Lake, MN. You’ll be transported to a time of the glamorous lakeside cottage.
Auntie B's Wax 