Pillsbury Hall Welcomes Public During Doors Open Minneapolis

The Department of English and the Liberal Arts Engagement Hub are participating in Doors Open Minneapolis and welcoming the public into their home, Pillsbury Hall, which re-opened in 2021 after an extensive renovation. Doors Open Minneapolis is a free annual event encouraging exploration of the city's unique spaces. The 2024 Doors Open hours are 10 am to 5 pm, May 18 and 19. The other open venues at the University of Minnesota are Huntington Bank Stadium (Saturday only), the Cancer & Cardiovascular Research Building, and the Minnesota Library Access Center under Elmer L. Andersen Library.

University of Minnesota alums, friends, and the curious are invited to check out the bright spaces in Pillsbury where today’s students study and socialize: an undergraduate club house; airy offices for graduate teaching assistants; up-to-date classrooms; the lofty former storage attic where we now present readings and talks. 

Take a guided tour (every half hour). Discover hidden niches and gargoyles for our scavenger hunt (with prizes!). Take in the pop-up gallery of artwork from one of this year’s Hub residents, Memorialize the Movement. Explore a garden of texts from the award-winning authors and scholars who make up the Department of English faculty (including Julie Schumacher, V. V. Ganeshananthan, and Douglas Kearney!). 

Follow the poetic path of Seitu Jones’ sculptures (made from the building's original wood framing). And learn about Pillsbury Hall’s unique place in history, architecture, and culture (did you know that the architect also built the Pillsbury “A” Mill?). Plus, pick up a flier of English's free fall 2024 visiting writer events with Hernan Diaz, Elif Batuman, Natasha Trethewey, and Jia Tolentino!

Join us Saturday and Sunday, May 18 and 19 at 310 Pillsbury Dr. SE. Parking is available nearby at Church Street Garage, 4th Street Ramp, and Lot 37. Questions? Email sutt0063@umn.edu. Hope to see you then!