Wordless Wednesday-Plummer Building In Rochestor, Minnesota

I’m glad you joined me on Wordless Wednesday and I hope to see you soon.

The second photo was taken from their website; the majestic building shines through. David took the first photo through a window in the Mayo Clinic buildings.

Highlights of the building include:

Bas relief caricatures – These images provide visual variety on the lower levels of the building’s exterior and represent themes ranging from St. George, the patron saint of England, slaying the dragon (honoring the Mayo family’s English ancestry) to a happy elephant and sad donkey (reflecting the presidential election of 1928, the year the building opened, when Republican Herbert Hoover defeated Democrat Al Smith).
Bronze doors – Standing 16 feet high and weighing 4,000 lbs. each, they are always open, closing only for great solemn events such as the death of Mayo Clinic leaders and national tragedies. In earlier years, Joe Fritsch, nicknamed “Joe Clinic” served as doorman and unofficial goodwill ambassador.
Carillon – Mounted in the tower of the Plummer Building, the 56-bell carillon brings the gift of music to downtown Rochester. Learn more about the Carillon.
Lobby – Marble from around the world adds beauty to this area. A mosaic of inlaid marble highlights the large registration counter. Note the bronze tablet on the wall near the lobby entrance. On August 8, 1934, President Franklin D. Roosevelt presented the plaque to the Mayo brothers on behalf of the American Legion.
Elevators – The elevators were originally run by an operator whose job it was to safely bring patients and staff to the various floors. Now automatic, the elevators still retain their vintage charm.
Historical Suite – The third floor of the Plummer Building contains the offices of Dr. Will and Dr. Charlie Mayo, in addition to the elegant Board of Governors Room with the brothers’ diplomas and awards. Other artifacts in the Historical Suite include the 1950 Nobel Prize for discovery of cortisone. Formally named the W. Bruce Fye Center for the History of Medicine in 2015, this area Historical Suite is open for self-guided tours Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Read More »