Park House History
The history of Park House is tied to the history of Minneapolis and several of its leading families. For some 35 years, the house at 2120 Park Avenue South served as the “town house” for Franklin and Harriet Crosby and their seven children. The family typically spent winters in town and moved to their summer home on Lake Minnetonka each spring.
Franklin Muzzy Crosby (1875-1947) was the son of John Crosby, founder of the Washburn Crosby milling firm – which later evolved into General Mills. Franklin joined the Washburn Crosby Company in 1898. In 1928, he became a vice president and director of General Mills. Franklin was also active in the community, serving as a director on several corporate boards and as a trustee for a variety of nonprofit organizations, including Abbott Hospital.
Harriet McKnight Crosby (1873-1949) was the daughter of Sumner and Eugenie McKnight. Sumner McKnight was a well known Minneapolis lumberman, real estate developer and philanthropist.
Franklin and Harriet were married April 10, 1901. While living with the McKnights at 2200 Park Avenue South, the couple made plans for a home of their own, located across the street. They moved in to the house in 1903, following the 1902 birth of their first child, Franklin Muzzy Jr. Four of their children were born at 2120 Park Avenue: Eugenie in 1903; Olive in 1906; George Christian in 1911; and Thomas Manville in 1914. Two children were born at the “White House” on Lake Minnetonka: Caroline Christian in 1907; and Sumner McKnight in 1909.
When in town, the family stayed busy with school, church, friends and entertaining. Franklin and Harriet hosted many concerts, parties, teas and dances in their home. The children were fascinated by the events, often peeking over the banister to watch the people or listen to the music. One evening, as the children watched, they left the water running in their bath. Water dripped through the floor and into the music room during a concert.
One of the last major social events held in the home before it was sold was the bridal dinner that Franklin and Harriet hosted in honor of their son, Thomas Manville, and his fiancee, Ella Sturgis Pillsbury. The dinner, held in July 1937, included seating for 62 in the music room and for 17 in the dining room. A newspaper society reporter described “a pink satin table cover” and “lovely old silver wine-coolers filled with all-white flowers, including snapdragons, larkspur, and white lilies.”
In 1941, the Crosby family donated the house to the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. On Dec. 7, 1941, Archbishop John Murray came to bless the mansion, which then became known as the Catholic Youth Center. The Catholic Youth Center offered a variety of services, including teen counseling, premarriage counseling, weekend retreats, lectures, and even an occasional dance in the ballroom. The Catholic Youth Center remained open until the mid 1990s.
In 1996, Abbott Northwestern Hospital approached the Archdiocese with a proposal to use the house as an adult day health center for people with HIV/AIDS. The Archdiocese agreed to donate the use of the house to Abbott Northwestern while retaining ownership of the building.
Park House opened in November of 1996. It serves an average of 17 patients a day with programs that are designed to meet a full range of medical, social, emotional and mental health needs. It is one of six programs in the nation that provides day health services for people with HIV/AIDS.
Photos courtesy of the Minnesota Historical Society.
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