More About This Project

Background: William Gates LeDuc, a noted Minnesota pioneer, Civil War General, and land and railroad promoter purchased a large tract of land in 1854 for his residence. The LeDuc residence was the first historic site acquired by the Minnesota Historical Society and is now owned by the City of Hastings. It currently houses exhibits for the Dakota County Historical Society, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Projects: MacDonald & Mack has provided architectural services for several projects at the site, over the course of more than a decade, including the full interior and exterior restoration of the main house and the carriage barn.

Roof. One of our most significant projects was a Legacy Grant-funded project to restore the roof of the main house. The existing red cedar shingles were in poor condition, with many shingles on the south, west and east elevations split, curled, cupped or deteriorated. Some shingles were rotting and covered in moss, and many were loose or missing altogether.

Because of the historic nature of the house, the stipulations of the Legacy Grants, and a covenant with the Minnesota Historical Society (MNHS), the project requires close coordination with MNHS, and especially thorough research (matching historic photos and product research), and the highest level of construction detailing.